Display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device. The display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels; a cover member disposed on the display panel; and a flexible film joined to the top surface of the display panel on one side of the display panel and bent toward the bottom surface of the display panel, and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the cover member is a concave surface recessed toward the top surface of the cover member, and the top surface of the cover member has a flat shape. Accordingly, the bezel is reduced while maintaining the shape of the flexible film so that the printed circuit board is not bent, and light leakage that may occur at the outer periphery of the display device and a decrease in brightness caused thereby may be minimized.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-001 8269 filed on February 6, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device having a reduced bezel portion. Background Art

[0004] The display device can be used for various types of devices such as TVs, monitors, tablet computers, navigation devices, game consoles and mobile phones. As such a display device, various types of display devices have been used, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices or organic light emitting display (OLED) devices. At the same time, a flexible film and a printed circuit board that can be bonded to a substrate are provided on one side of the display device. The area where the flexible film and the printed circuit board are provided is an area where no image is actually displayed, and when the area is provided on the front side of the display device, a frame for covering the corresponding area is required. Therefore, in order to minimize the frame area, a technology of bending the flexible film to provide the printed circuit board on the back side of the substrate is being developed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which, when a flexible film is bent to place a printed circuit board on the back of a display panel, the frame is reduced while maintaining the protrusion amount of the bent portion of the flexible film unchanged. Another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device that minimizes the distortion of the picture. Yet another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which light leakage generated from the peripheral portion of the display device and the resulting reduction in brightness are minimized. The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above objects, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other objects not mentioned above from the following description.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels; a cover member disposed on the display panel; and a flexible film that is bonded to a top surface of the display panel on one side of the display panel and is curved toward a bottom surface of the display panel. At least a portion of the bottom surface of the cover member is concave and recessed toward the top surface of the cover member, and the top surface of the cover member has a flat shape. Thus, while maintaining the shape of the flexible film to maintain the curvature of the printed circuit board, the bezel can be reduced, and light leakage and the resulting decrease in brightness that may occur at the periphery of the display device can be minimized. Further details of exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the flexible film is bent, the stress applied to the bent portion is minimized to minimize the cracks generated thereby. According to the present disclosure, the frame area of the display device is reduced while maintaining the protrusion amount of the curvature portion of the flexible film, thereby minimizing the applied stress. According to the present disclosure, at least a portion of the display panel has a curved shape, so that picture distortion that may be caused on the edge portion of the display device (specifically, on the two side surfaces of the display device) can be suppressed. According to the present disclosure, at least a portion of the display panel has a curved shape, so that light leakage or brightness reduction caused by the light emitted from the display panel being guided to the two side surfaces rather than the front direction is minimized. The effects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above examples, and more different effects are included in this specification.

[0008] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

[0009] The objects to be achieved by the present disclosure, means for achieving the objects, and effects of the present disclosure described above do not specify essential features of the claims, and therefore, the scope of the claims is not limited to the disclosure of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of region A;

[0014] Figure 4A is a plan view illustrating a display area of a display device in a non-driving state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 4B is a plan view illustrating a display area of a display device in a driving state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 5An enlarged view of region A′;

[0018] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving these advantages and features will become clear by referring to the exemplary embodiments described in detail below and the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided only by way of example so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the disclosure and scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, quantities, etc. shown in the drawings for describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same elements. In addition, in the following description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. Terms such as "including," "having," and "consisting of" used herein are generally intended to allow the addition of other components, unless these terms are used together with the term "only." Unless expressly stated otherwise, any reference to the singular may include the plural.

[0022] Even if not explicitly stated, the components are interpreted as including the ordinary error range.

[0023] When terms such as “on,” “above,” “below,” and “near” are used to describe the positional relationship between two components, one or more components may be located between the two components unless these terms are used together with the term “immediately” or “directly.”

[0024] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the other layer or element may be directly on the other element or interposed therebetween.

[0025] Although the terms "first," "second," and the like are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. Therefore, in the technical concept of the present disclosure, the first component to be mentioned below may be the second component.

[0026] Throughout the specification, like reference numerals generally refer to like elements.

[0027] The sizes and thicknesses of various components shown in the drawings are for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to the sizes and thicknesses of the components shown.

[0028] The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or entirely coupled or combined with each other, and may be technically related and operated in various ways, and the embodiments may be performed independently or in association with each other.

[0029] Hereinafter, a display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] For ease of description, Figure 1 , among the components of the display device 100 , only the display panel PN, the driving circuit DIC, the printed circuit board PCB, and the flexible film FF are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , a display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel PN including a plurality of sub-pixels, a flexible film FF, a printed circuit board PCB, and a driving circuit DIC.

[0034] The display panel PN may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA.

[0035] The display area DA is an area of the display device 100 where an image is displayed.

[0036] In the display area DA, multiple sub-pixels SP constituting multiple pixels and circuitry for driving the sub-pixels SP may be provided. The sub-pixels SP are the smallest units constituting the display area DA, and a display element may be provided in each of the sub-pixels SP. Multiple sub-pixels SP may constitute a single pixel. For example, but not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) including an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode may be provided in each of the sub-pixels SP. Furthermore, the circuitry for driving the sub-pixels SP may include driving elements, wiring, and the like. For example, but not limited to, thin-film transistors, storage capacitors, gate lines, and data lines may be provided.

[0037] The non-display area NDA is an area where no image is displayed.

[0038] Despite Figure 1FIG. 4 shows that the non-display area NDA surrounds the quadrilateral display area DA, but the shapes and positions of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA are not limited to Figure 1 Example shown.

[0039] In other words, the display area DA and the non-display area NDA may have shapes suitable for the design of an electronic device including the display device 100. For example, exemplary shapes of the display area DA may be pentagonal, hexagonal, circular, or elliptical.

[0040] In the non-display area NDA, various wirings and circuits for driving the organic light emitting diodes of the display area DA may be disposed.

[0041] A flexible film FF is provided on one side of the display panel PN. Furthermore, the flexible film FF is bonded to the top surface of the display panel PN and is bent toward the bottom surface of the display panel PN to connect to a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed below the display panel PN. Therefore, the flexible film FF may include a bending area BA, which may be a region that maintains a bent state.

[0042] With respect to one side of the flexible film FF connecting the flexible film FF with the display panel PN, a printed circuit board PCB may be attached to the other side of the flexible film FF.

[0043] The printed circuit board (PCB) can transmit various signals to the thin film transistors formed on the display panel (PN). For example, a timing controller or the like can be provided on the printed circuit board (PCB). The timing controller can supply various signals to the drive circuit. For example, the timing controller generates data driver control signals and gate driver control signals to supply signals to the drive circuit (DIC).

[0044] A drive circuit DIC can be mounted within the flexible film FF. The drive circuit DIC generates data signals or gate signals corresponding to a driving power source or various signals transmitted from the printed circuit board PCB, and supplies these data signals or gate signals to the display panel PN. To this end, the drive circuit DIC can include both a data driver that generates data signals and a gate driver that generates scan signals, or the drive circuit can include the data driver while the gate driver can be embedded within the display panel. In this case, the flexible film FF can transmit signals output from the printed circuit board PCB to the drive circuit DIC, or transmit signals output from the drive circuit DIC to the display panel PN. The flexible film FF can be attached to a pad unit provided in the non-display area NDA of the display panel PN using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of area A. Figure 4A is a plan view showing a display area before driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4B is a plan view showing the display area during driving.

[0046] First, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the display device 100 includes a cover member CG provided on the display panel PN. At least a portion of the bottom surface of the cover member CG is a concave surface that is recessed toward the top surface of the cover member CG. In addition, the top surface of the cover member CG has a flat shape. At this time, the bottom surface of the cover member CG refers to a surface adjacent to the display panel PN, and the top surface of the cover member CG refers to the back surface thereof. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, in the present disclosure, the top surface refers to a surface adjacent to the cover member CG, and the bottom surface refers to an opposite surface.

[0047] The concave surface of the cover member CG may be recessed toward the center, from the area where the flexible film FF is provided and the area opposite the area where the flexible film FF is provided. That is, the concave surface of the cover member CG may have a concave shape, with the closer it approaches the center, the closer it is to the top surface. The display panel PN may be provided on the bottom surface of the cover member CG, and the printed circuit board PCB may be provided on the bottom surface of the display panel PN. In this case, the printed circuit board PCB may be provided on the flexible film FF that is bonded to one side of the display panel PN and curved toward the bottom surface of the display panel PN. That is, because the flexible film FF is curved toward the bottom surface of the display panel PN, the printed circuit board PCB provided on one side of the flexible film FF may also be provided on the bottom surface of the display panel PN.

[0048] The overall shape of the display panel PN provided below the cover member CG may correspond to the shape of the bottom surface of the cover member CG. In addition, the display panel PN may be joined to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member CG. Specifically, the display panel PN is joined to the concave surface of the cover member CG to have a shape that is concave from both side portions of the display panel PN toward the center portion. At this time, the concave shape refers to a shape that is bent toward the center portion of the display panel PN to approach the top surface of the cover member CG. In addition, both the top surface and the bottom surface of the display panel PN may be bent into a concave surface that is close to the top surface of the cover member CG.

[0049] The display panel PN is a panel that displays images. Display elements for displaying images and circuit units for driving the display elements may be provided in the display panel. The circuit units may include various thin film transistors, capacitors, wiring, and driver ICs for driving organic light emitting diodes. For example, the circuit units may include various configurations, such as a driving thin film transistor, a switching thin film transistor, a storage capacitor, a gate line, a data line, a gate driver IC, and a data driver IC, but are not limited thereto.

[0050] Specifically, the display panel PN may include a flexible substrate, a thin film transistor, and an organic light emitting diode.

[0051] The flexible substrate can be a very thin plastic substrate to achieve the flexibility of the organic light-emitting display device 100. The flexible substrate can be formed of a flexible insulating material. For example, the flexible substrate can be an insulating plastic substrate selected from polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Plastic substrates have relatively weak barrier properties to moisture or oxygen. Therefore, to compensate for this, the plastic substrate can have a structure of laminated plastic films and inorganic films. For example, the flexible substrate can have a multilayer structure in which a first plastic film, an inorganic film, and a second plastic film are laminated in this order, but is not limited to this.

[0052] A thin film transistor for driving an organic light-emitting diode can be provided on a flexible substrate. The thin film transistor can be provided in each of a plurality of pixel regions. For example, the driving thin film transistor may include a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. Furthermore, the thin film transistor may further include a gate insulating layer for insulating the gate electrode from the semiconductor layer, and an interlayer insulating layer for insulating the gate electrode from the source electrode and the drain electrode.

[0053] A planarization layer may be provided on the thin film transistor to planarize the upper surface.

[0054] An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may be disposed on the planarization layer. The OLED may include an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. In the OLED, holes injected from the anode and electrons injected from the cathode combine in the organic light-emitting layer to emit light. The light emitted in this manner can be used to display an image.

[0055] In the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel PN may have a concave shape extending from both side portions toward the center portion of the top surface of the cover member CG. Therefore, all components included in the display panel PN (e.g., organic light-emitting diodes) also have a concave shape toward the center portion. As described above, the display panel PN is configured to have a concave shape so that light emitted from the display panel PN can be emitted not only toward the front of the display device 100 but also toward the sides. A polarizer POL may be provided between the display panel PN and the cover member CG.

[0056] The polarizing plate POL can suppress reflection of external light on the display area DA. When the display device 100 is used outdoors, natural external light is incident and reflected by the reflective layer included in the anode of the light-emitting diode or by the metal electrode disposed below the light-emitting diode. Due to the reflected light, the image of the display device 100 may not be visually recognized. The polarizing plate POL polarizes the externally incident light in a specific direction and can suppress the reflected light from being emitted outside the display device 100. The polarizing plate POL can be disposed on the display area DA, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The polarizing plate POL may be composed of a polarizer and a protective film for protecting the polarizer, and may be formed by coating a polarizing material to ensure flexibility.

[0058] In the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the polarizing plate POL may be disposed between the cover member CG and the display panel PN. Therefore, the top surface of the polarizing plate POL may be bonded to the bottom surface of the cover member CG, and the bottom surface may be bonded to the top surface of the display panel PN. In addition, the polarizing plate POL may be bonded to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member CG. Therefore, the top surface of the polarizing plate POL may have a concave shape approaching the top surface of the cover member CG from both sides toward the center portion. The bottom surface of the polarizing plate POL may have the same shape as the top surface. Therefore, the display panel PN bonded to the bottom surface of the polarizing plate POL may have a center portion that is concave toward the top surface of the cover member CG.

[0059] The length of the polarizing plate POL from one side adjacent to the flexible film FF to the opposite side is shorter than the length of the display panel PN. In other words, the two side portions of the polarizing plate POL can be positioned closer to the center portion than the two side portions of the display panel PN. As described above, when the two side portions of the polarizing plate POL are positioned further inward than the two side portions of the display panel PN, one side of the flexible film FF can be positioned on the side of the display panel PN where the polarizing plate POL is not positioned.

[0060] A back plate BP may be disposed on the bottom surface of the display panel PN.

[0061] When the substrate of the display panel PN is formed of a plastic material such as polyimide, a manufacturing process of the display device 100 is performed with a support substrate made of glass disposed below the display panel PN. After completing the manufacturing process, the support substrate is separated to be peeled off.

[0062] Even after the support substrate is peeled off, a member for supporting the display panel PN is required, and thus a back panel BP for supporting the display panel PN may be disposed on the bottom surface of the display panel PN.

[0063] The back plate BP may suppress foreign matter from being attached to the lower portion of the substrate and may function to buffer impact from the outside.

[0064] In the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the top surface of the back plate BP may be in contact with the bottom surface of the display panel PN. For example, the back plate BP is arranged to overlap the concave surface of the bottom surface of the display panel PN. Therefore, the back plate BP may have a concave shape from both sides toward the center portion close to the cover member CG. In this case, both the top and bottom surfaces of the back plate BP may have a concave shape.

[0065] The back plate BP may have the same size as the display panel PN, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] A heat radiation sheet PHS may be provided on the bottom surface of the back panel BP. The heat radiation sheet PHS is used to discharge heat generated in the display panel PN. In addition, the heat radiation sheet PHS may play a role in protecting the bottom surface of the display device 100 from impact.

[0067] The heat radiation sheet PHS may be formed of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. For example, the heat radiation sheet PHS may be formed of a metal material having a thermal conductivity of 3000 W / mK or more and composed of copper (Cu) or stainless steel (SUS), but is not limited thereto.

[0068] The heat radiating sheet PHS can be arranged to contact the bottom surface of the back plate BP. Therefore, the top surface of the heat radiating sheet PHS can be formed to correspond to the shape of the bottom surface of the back plate BP. For example, when the bottom surface of the back plate BP is formed to have a concave surface from both sides toward the center portion close to the cover member CG, the top surface of the heat radiating sheet PHS also has the same shape. In addition, the bottom surface of the heat radiating sheet PHS also has the same shape as the top surface.

[0069] In the heat radiation sheet PHS, a length from one side to the other side adjacent to the flexible film FF is smaller than a length of the back panel BP, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] A printed circuit board PCB may be provided on the bottom surface of the heat radiation sheet PHS. The printed circuit board PCB may be provided on one surface of one side of the flexible film FF and the other side of the flexible film FF may be attached to the display panel PN on the same surface.

[0071] The printed circuit board PCB may be disposed at an inner side to be closer to a central portion than one side of the heat radiation sheet PHS.

[0072] Although not shown in the drawings, the configurations of the present disclosure may be joined by an adhesive layer.

[0073] The adhesive layer may include an optically clear adhesive (OCA) or a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), but is not limited thereto.

[0074] The display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a black matrix BM contacting the bottom surface of the cover member CG and surrounding the display panel PN.

[0075] The black matrix BM may be disposed to be spaced apart from the display panel PN. The black matrix BM may extend to overlap at least one side of the display panel PN.

[0076] The area of the bottom surface of the cover member CG where the black matrix BM is provided may be a flat surface. That is, the bottom surface of the cover member CG may further include a flat surface surrounding the concave surface. However, this is not limiting, and the bottom surface of the cover member CG may not include a flat surface, and the black matrix BM may be provided in the concave surface of the cover member CG.

[0077] Reference Figure 4A In the non-driven state of the display device 100, the black matrix BM may include a first portion P1 adjacent to the flexible film FF, a second portion P2 opposite the first portion P1, and a third portion connecting the first portion P1 and the second portion P2. Here, the non-driven state of the display device may refer to a state in which the display device is powered off. In this state, the user can still recognize the shape of the black matrix provided in the display device, regardless of whether an image is actually displayed.

[0078] Reference Figure 4AThe width of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 of the black matrix BM can be greater than the width of the third portion P3. The flexible film FF can be positioned adjacent to the first and second portions P1, P2 of the black matrix BM. In this case, the black matrix BM covers the flexible film FF. The flexible film FF may include a bending area BA that is bent to bend the printed circuit board PCB toward the bottom surface of the display panel PN. In this case, the bending area BA may protrude laterally. Therefore, the black matrix BM can cover the bending area BA of the flexible film FF, making it invisible in the field of view. Therefore, in the display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the width of the first and second portions P1, P2 of the black matrix BM must be sufficiently large to ensure a sufficient protrusion margin for the bending area BA of the flexible film FF.

[0079] Reference Figure 4B In the driving state of the display device 100 , the first portion P1 ′ and the second portion P2 ′ of the black matrix BM′ visible to the user may be respectively smaller than the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 of the black matrix BM in the non-driving state of the display device 100 .

[0080] Specifically, the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a shape that is concave from both sides of the display panel PN toward the center. As a result, the light emitted from the display panel PN can be guided not only in the front direction, but also partially in the two side directions. Therefore, when the display device 100 is driven, the light emitted from the display panel PN can reach the area that partially overlaps with the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the black matrix BM in the non-driving state of the display device 100. As a result, in the driving state of the display device 100, the first part P1′ and the second part P2′ of the black matrix BM′ visible to the user can be smaller than the first part P1 and the second part P2 visible to the user in the non-driving state of the display device 100. That is, the display area DA′ visible to the user in the driving state of the display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be extended more than the display area DA visible to the user in the non-driving state of the display device 100.

[0081] A back cover BC may be provided on the back side of the surface where the black matrix BM and the cover member CG contact each other. The back cover BC may have a rectangular frame shape, but is not limited thereto. The back cover BC may be provided on the back side or rear side of the display device 100 and bonded to the black matrix BM via an adhesive AT. Thus, the back cover BC may be connected to the cover member CG via the black matrix BM.

[0082] As display devices decrease in size, efforts are underway to reduce the bezel area, which surrounds the display area, in order to increase the effective display screen size while maintaining the same display area. Typically, the bezel area, corresponding to the non-display area, contains wiring and driver circuits for driving the screen, limiting the ability to minimize the bezel area.

[0083] In this regard, with the development of technologies using flexible substrates such as plastic, flexible display devices are being developed that maintain display performance even when bent. At the same time, in order to minimize the bezel area while ensuring space for wiring and driver circuits, technologies are being developed to minimize the bezel area by bending flexible films.

[0084] However, although the flexible film is bent to position the printed circuit board on the back side of the substrate, the flexible film is actually bent so that the area protruding outside the substrate and not overlapping with the substrate is also defined as the bezel area. Therefore, in order to minimize the bezel area, development is underway to reduce the bent area of the flexible film.

[0085] As described above, by bending the flexible film to reduce the border area, the size of the area protruding outside the substrate is physically reduced, and the curvature of the flexible film is reduced, which increases the stress applied to the flexible film. For example, tensile stress is applied to the outer surface of the bent area, so that various components in the bent area may be broken due to the tensile stress.

[0086] Therefore, the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member CG having a flat top surface and a bottom surface formed at least partially by a concave surface that is recessed toward the top surface. In addition, the display panel PN can be joined to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member CG in a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the cover member CG. Therefore, in the driving state of the display device 100, the light emitted from the display panel PN can be guided not only to the front direction of the display device 100, but also to the side direction. As described above, the light emitted from the display panel PN is guided to the side so that the light reaches the area partially overlapping with the black matrix BM. Therefore, the display area DA' visible to the user in the driving state of the display device 100 can be larger than the display area DA visible to the user in the non-driving state of the display device 100. Therefore, the actually visible frame area can be reduced more than the actually set frame area.

[0087] Therefore, in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in a non-driven state, the width of the black matrix BM, including both side portions (i.e., the first portion P1 adjacent to the flexible film FF and the second portion P2 facing the flexible film FF), can be designed to be greater than the width of the third portion P3. This prevents the amount of protrusion of the curved area BA of the flexible film FF outside the panel from being physically reduced. Consequently, the stress applied to the curved area BA is reduced, and cracks caused by the stress can be suppressed.

[0088] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 yes Figure 5 In addition to further including the optical film RF, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The configuration of the display device 500 is Figures 1 to 4B The configuration of the display device 100 is substantially the same, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

[0089] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the display device 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an optical film RF disposed between the polarizing plate POL and the cover member CG.

[0090] The optical film RF can be set to correspond to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member CG. Therefore, the optical film RF can have a shape that is recessed from the two side portions toward the center portion to correspond to the concave surface of the cover member. The top surface of the optical film RF can be bonded to the bottom surface of the cover member CG, and the bottom surface of the optical film RF can be bonded to the top surface of the polarizing plate POL. Therefore, the top surface of the optical film RF can correspond to the shape of the bottom surface of the cover member CG, and the bottom surface of the optical film RF can correspond to the shape of the top surface of the polarizing plate POL. At this time, although not shown in the drawings, an upper adhesive layer can be provided between the top surface of the optical film RF and the bottom surface of the cover member CG, and a lower adhesive layer can be provided between the bottom surface of the optical film RF and the top surface of the polarizing plate POL. The upper adhesive layer and the lower adhesive layer can be optically clear adhesive (OCA), but are not limited to this.

[0091] The optical film RF may have the same dimensions as the polarizing plate POL, but is not limited thereto. In this case, the same dimensions refer to the same area, shape, and horizontal or vertical length of each configuration on a plane. However, the thickness of the optical film RF and the thickness of the polarizing plate POL may be different.

[0092] The optical film RF may be a transparent film, but is not limited thereto.

[0093] The optical film RF may refract light emitted from the display panel PN toward both sides of the cover member CG. The refractive index of the optical film RF may be greater than that of the polarizing plate POL. In addition, the refractive index of the optical film RF may be greater than that of the upper adhesive layer and the lower adhesive layer.

[0094] A display device 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member CG having a flat top surface and a bottom surface formed at least partially of a concave surface that is recessed toward the top surface. Thus, a portion of the light emitted from the display panel PN can be directed toward the side. Consequently, the display area DA' visible to the user of the display device 500 in a driven state can be larger than the display area DA visible to the user in a non-driven state. That is, in the display device 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the actually visible border area can be reduced more than the actually set border area.

[0095] Furthermore, a display device 500 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an optical film RF having a refractive index greater than that of adjacent surrounding components. Thus, light emitted from the display panel PN can be refracted in two side directions. Consequently, the display area DA' visible to the user of the display device 500 in the driven state is larger than the display area DA visible to the user in the non-driven state, further reducing the actual visible border area.

[0096] Thus, the actual width of the frame is set larger, so as not to physically reduce the amount of protrusion of the bending area BA of the flexible film FF outside the panel. As a result, the stress applied to the bending area BA can be further reduced, and cracks caused by the stress can be further suppressed.

[0097] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to further being provided with a polarizing coating film POF, Figure 7 The display device 700 and Figures 1 to 4A The configuration of the display device 100 is substantially the same, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

[0098] Reference Figure 7 In a display device 700 of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a polarizing coating film POF may be provided on the top surface of the cover member CG.

[0099] The polarizing coating film POF may be provided on the top surface of the cover member CG and may be formed by coating a polarizing material, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] The polarizing coating film POF may have the same size as the top surface of the cover member CG and may be provided to completely overlap the top surface of the cover member CG. For example, both ends of the polarizing coating film POF may coincide with both ends of the cover member CG.

[0101] The bottom surface of the polarizing coating film POF may have a flat shape corresponding to the top surface of the cover member CG, and the top surface may also have the same shape as the bottom surface.

[0102] The polarizing coating film POF may be formed of a material that exhibits a polarizing function, but the type thereof is not limited.

[0103] A display device 700 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member CG having a flat top surface and a bottom surface formed at least partially of a concave surface that is recessed toward the top surface. Thus, part of the light emitted from the display panel PN can be directed sideways. As a result, the display area DA' visible to the user when the display device 700 is in a driven state can be larger than the display area DA visible to the user when the display device 700 is in a non-driven state. Consequently, the actually visible border area can be reduced further than the actually set border area.

[0104] A display device 700 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a polarizing coating film (POF) on the top surface of the cover member CG. Consequently, the path of light emitted from the display panel PN traveling toward the sides of the display device 700 can be changed to the front direction of the field of view. Consequently, image distortion that may occur on the sides of the display device 700 when light travels toward the sides of the display device 700 can be suppressed.

[0105] Furthermore, in a display device 700 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the flat polarizing coating film POF can be equal to the length of the top surface of the cover member CG. Therefore, it is possible to suppress light emitted from the display panel PN from leaking to the side surfaces without reaching the top surface of the cover member CG. Consequently, it is possible to suppress brightness reduction or image distortion on both sides of the display panel PN.

[0106] Meanwhile, in a display device 700 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a sufficient bezel area can be provided to ensure that the bending area BA of the flexible film FF protrudes outside the panel. Therefore, the stress applied to the bending area BA is reduced, and cracks caused by the stress can be suppressed.

[0107] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a display device 800 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to further including an additional black matrix S_BM, Figure 8 The display device 800 has Figures 1 to 4B The display device 100 has the same configuration as that of the display device 100, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

[0108] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 The display device 800 may further include an additional black matrix S_BM located on the side surface of the cover member CG. The additional black matrix S_BM extends from the black matrix BM provided on the bottom surface of the cover member CG to the side surface of the cover member CG. The additional black matrix S_BM may be provided to completely cover both side surfaces of the cover member CG. In other words, the additional black matrix S_BM may be connected to the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 to be provided. The end of the additional black matrix S_BM may be aligned with the top surface of the cover member CG.

[0109] Furthermore, the thickness of the additional black matrix S_BM provided on the side surface of the cover member CG is smaller than the thickness of the black matrix BM provided on the bottom surface of the cover member CG. In this case, the thickness of the additional black matrix S_BM refers to the thickness in the horizontal direction of the cross section, and the thickness of the black matrix BM refers to the thickness in the vertical direction of the cross section.

[0110] A display device 800 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member CG in which at least a portion of the bottom surface is formed by a concave surface that is recessed toward the top surface. Thus, light emitted from the display panel PN can be directed toward the side of the display device 800. Consequently, the display area DA' visible to the user of the display device 800 in a driven state can be larger than the display area DA visible to the user in a non-driven state. Consequently, the actually visible border area is reduced more than the actually provided border area.

[0111] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the display device 800 may further include an additional black matrix S_BM extending from the black matrix BM on the side surfaces of the cover member CG. Thus, the display panel PN has a shape that is concave toward the center. This prevents light emitted from the display panel PN from leaking toward the side surfaces before reaching the top surface of the cover member CG when it is directed toward the side portions of the display device 800. Consequently, it is possible to suppress issues such as reduced brightness or image distortion on the side portions of the display device 800 caused by light leaking toward the side surfaces of the cover member CG.

[0112] Therefore, the display device 800 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can ensure a sufficient bezel area, thereby eliminating the need to physically reduce the amount of protrusion of the bending area BA of the flexible film FF outside the display panel PN. Therefore, stress applied to the bending area BA is minimized, and cracks caused by the stress can be suppressed.

[0113] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be described as follows:

[0114] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels; a cover member disposed on the display panel; and a flexible film that is coupled to a top surface of the display panel on one side of the display panel and is curved toward a bottom surface of the display panel, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the cover member is concave and recessed toward the top surface of the cover member, and the top surface of the cover member is flat.

[0115] The shape of the display panel may correspond to the shape of the bottom surface of the cover member.

[0116] The display panel may be engaged with the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member.

[0117] The concave surface may be recessed from a region where the flexible film is provided and a region opposite to the region where the flexible film is provided toward the central portion.

[0118] The display device may further include a polarizing plate disposed between the display panel and the cover member, and an optical film disposed between the polarizing plate and the cover member.

[0119] The refractive index of the optical film may be greater than that of the polarizing plate.

[0120] The display device may further include an upper adhesive layer disposed between the optical film and the polarizing plate and a lower adhesive layer disposed between the optical film and the cover member, wherein the refractive index of the optical film may be greater than that of the upper and lower adhesive layers.

[0121] The display device may further include a black matrix in contact with a bottom surface of the cover member and disposed to surround the display panel.

[0122] The bottom surface of the cover member may further include a flat surface surrounding the concave surface, and the black matrix may be provided on the flat surface.

[0123] The black matrix may include a first portion adjacent to the flexible film, a second portion opposite to the first portion, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, and a width of the first portion and a width of the second portion may be greater than a width of the third portion.

[0124] The display device may further include an additional black matrix disposed on a side surface of the cover member.

[0125] An additional black matrix may be connected to the first portion and the second portion.

[0126] The thickness of the additional black matrix may be smaller than the thickness of the black matrix.

[0127] The display device may further include a polarizing coating film disposed on the top surface of the cover member.

[0128] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be implemented in many different forms without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present disclosure. The scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Therefore, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present disclosure. All technical concepts within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: a display panel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels; a cover member, disposed on the display panel; a flexible film bonded to a top surface of the display panel at one side of the display panel and bent toward a bottom surface of the display panel, At least a portion of a bottom surface of the cover member is a concave surface that is recessed toward a top surface of the cover member, and the top surface of the cover member has a flat shape.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display panel has a shape corresponding to a shape of the bottom surface of the cover member.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The display panel is bonded to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The concave surface is recessed toward a central portion from a region where the flexible film is provided and a region opposite to the region where the flexible film is provided.

5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A polarizing plate is disposed between the display panel and the cover member. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein: The polarizing plate is bonded to the concave surface of the bottom surface of the cover member.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: A length of the polarizing plate from one side adjacent to the flexible film to an opposite side is smaller than a length of the display panel.

8. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising: An optical film is provided between the polarizing plate and the cover member.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein The refractive index of the optical film is greater than the refractive index of the polarizing plate.

10. The display device according to claim 8, further comprising: an upper adhesive layer, disposed between the optical film and the polarizing plate; as well as a lower adhesive layer disposed between the optical film and the cover member, The refractive index of the optical film is greater than the refractive index of the upper adhesive layer and the refractive index of the lower adhesive layer.

11. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising: A black matrix contacts the bottom surface of the cover member and is disposed to surround the display panel.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein The bottom surface of the cover member further includes a flat surface surrounding the concave surface, and the black matrix is provided on the flat surface.

13. The display device according to claim 11, wherein The black matrix comprises: a first portion adjacent to the flexible membrane; a second portion, opposite to the first portion; and a third part, connecting the first part with the second part, and A width of the first portion and a width of the second portion are greater than a width of the third portion.

14. The display device according to claim 13, further comprising: An additional black matrix is provided on a side surface of the cover member.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein The additional black matrix is connected to the first portion and the second portion.

16. The display device according to claim 14, wherein: The thickness of the additional black matrix is smaller than the thickness of the black matrix.

17. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A polarizing coating film is provided on the top surface of the cover member.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein: The polarizing coating film has the same size as the top surface of the cover member.

19. The display device according to claim 18, wherein A bottom surface of the polarizing coating film has a flat shape corresponding to the top surface of the cover member and a top surface of the polarizing coating film has the same shape as the bottom surface of the polarizing coating film.

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