Display device

Abstract

A display device according to an embodiment includes: a substrate defining a sub-pixel including an emission area and a non-emission area surrounding the emission area; a reflective electrode, which is arranged on the substrate; an anode electrode on the reflective electrode in the emission region; a bank, the bank being on the anode electrode in the non-emission region; and a first emission layer on the anode electrode in the emission region, in which a surface height of the bank is equal to a surface height of the first emission layer.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0143628, filed on October 21, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a display device. Background Technology

[0004] With the advancement of the information society, the demand for display devices capable of displaying images is increasing, and various types of display devices are being used, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays.

[0005] Among display devices, OLED displays are self-emissive. Compared to LCDs, OLED displays offer superior viewing angles and contrast while eliminating the need for a separate backlight, thus enabling slim and lightweight designs with advantageous power consumption. Furthermore, OLED displays support low-voltage DC operation, have fast response times, and most notably, offer the advantage of lower manufacturing costs.

[0006] Recently, there has been a growing demand for OLED displays that meet the requirements of augmented reality (AR) display devices, virtual reality (VR) display devices, and ultra-high resolution display devices of comparable quality. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of this disclosure is to provide a display device capable of improving the color deviation of light emitted through a dam in a non-emission area.

[0008] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can improve the color deviation of light emitted through the embankment in the non-emitting region by designing the surface height of the light-emitting layer in both the emitting region and the non-emitting region to be the same.

[0009] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can satisfy microcavity characteristics by adjusting the thickness of the light-emitting layer and the diaphragm.

[0010] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a display device that can satisfy microcavity characteristics by adjusting the thickness of the anode electrode.

[0011] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a display device having an improved seam in the encapsulation layer in a non-emitting region.

[0012] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing purposes, and other technical purposes can be inferred from the following embodiments.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, a display device according to an embodiment includes: a substrate defining a sub-pixel, the sub-pixel including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; a reflective electrode on the substrate; an anode electrode on the reflective electrode in the emitting region; a dam on the anode electrode in the non-emitting region; and a first emitting layer on the anode electrode in the emitting region, wherein the surface height of the dam is equal to the surface height of the first emitting layer.

[0014] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the display device according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken by line A-A';

[0017] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line BB′;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the organic light-emitting element in the image;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a variant of the organic light-emitting element in the image;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged cross-sectional view of region Q1 in the image;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0026] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment; and

[0028] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the following description, embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this disclosure, when a component (or region, layer, portion, etc.) is referred to as being "on top of," "connected to," or "coupled to" another component, it means that it can be directly connected to / coupled to the other component, or that a third component can be placed between them.

[0030] The same reference numerals denote the same parts. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thickness, scale, and dimensions of the parts are enlarged for effective description of the technical content. The expression "and / or" is considered to include one or more combinations that can be defined by the associated parts.

[0031] The terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well.

[0032] Terms such as “below,” “down,” “above,” and “up” are used to describe the relationships between the parts depicted in the accompanying drawings. These terms are relative concepts and are described based on the directions indicated in the drawings.

[0033] It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “having,” etc., are intended to specify the presence of the stated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but are not intended to exclude the presence or possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken by line AA′. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line BB′.

[0035] refer to Figures 1 to 3The display device 1 according to the embodiment includes a substrate 2, a first electrode 4, a light-emitting layer 5, and a cathode electrode 6.

[0036] Multiple sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 are formed on substrate 2. Multiple sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 can form a single pixel. Multiple pixels can be formed on substrate 2.

[0037] The plurality of sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 include a first sub-pixel 21, a second sub-pixel 22 and a third sub-pixel 23. The first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23 are arranged in sequence such that one side (e.g., the right side) of the first sub-pixel 21 is adjacent to the second sub-pixel 22, and one side (e.g., the right side) of the second sub-pixel 22 is adjacent to the third sub-pixel 23.

[0038] Throughout this disclosure, the phrase “two subpixels are arranged to be adjacent to each other” should be interpreted as meaning that no other subpixels are placed between these two subpixels.

[0039] The first sub-pixel 21 can be configured to emit red (R) light, the second sub-pixel 22 can be configured to emit green (G) light, and the third sub-pixel 23 can be configured to emit blue (B) light, but this is not necessarily limited to these colors.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, a pixel is shown to include only three subpixels 21, 22, and 23, but it is not limited to this configuration, and a pixel may include four subpixels. When a pixel includes four subpixels, it may also include a fourth subpixel configured to emit white (W) light.

[0041] The first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 can all be set to have the same size, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 can all be configured to have the same width and height. Here, width can refer to... Figure 1 The horizontal direction (first direction DR1), and the height can refer to the ...). Figure 1 The direction perpendicular to the width (second direction DR2), but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0042] Each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23 may include its own emission regions EA1, EA2, and EA3, and its own non-emission regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3. The first sub-pixel 21 may include a first emission region EA1 and a first non-emission region NEA1 surrounding the first emission region EA1; the second sub-pixel 22 may include a second emission region EA2 and a second non-emission region NEA2 surrounding the second emission region EA2; and the third sub-pixel 23 may include a third emission region EA3 and a third non-emission region NEA3 surrounding the third emission region EA3. The emission regions EA1, EA2, and EA3 may be the same as the regions exposed from the embankment BK of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, which will be described later.

[0043] A first electrode 4 is patterned for each individual panel sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23. That is, a single first electrode 4 is formed in the first sub-pixel 21, another first electrode 4 is formed in the second sub-pixel 22, and yet another first electrode 4 is formed in the third sub-pixel 23. The first electrode 4 can serve as the anode of the display device 1. The first electrode 4 can include a reflective electrode and an anode electrode. An anode electrode 41 and a reflective electrode 42 can be provided for each sub-pixel 21 and 22. The anode electrode 41 includes a first anode electrode 41a provided in the first sub-pixel 21, a second anode electrode 41b provided in the second sub-pixel 22, and a third anode electrode 41c provided in the third sub-pixel 23, while the reflective electrode 42 can include a first reflective electrode 42a provided in the first sub-pixel 21, a second reflective electrode 42b provided in the second sub-pixel 22, and a third reflective electrode 42c provided in the third sub-pixel 23.

[0044] The dike section BK, which will be described later, Figure 2 A dam portion BK can be provided on each of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The dam portion BK can be configured to cover the edges of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c provided in the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, thereby distinguishing the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23.

[0045] The display device 1 includes reflective electrodes 42a, 42b and 42c with different surface heights for corresponding sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, thereby further improving light extraction efficiency by utilizing the microcavity characteristics.

[0046] The microcavity characteristic refers to the phenomenon that when the distance between the reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c and the cathode electrode 6 is an integer multiple of half (λ / 2) of the wavelength of the light emitted from the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, constructive interference occurs, thereby amplifying the light. The repeated reflection and re-reflection processes between the reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c and the cathode electrode 6 continuously increase the amplification, thereby improving the external light extraction efficiency.

[0047] The light-emitting layer 5 can be configured to emit white light. For example, the light-emitting layer 5 can be configured as a dual-stacked structure including a blue light-emitting layer, a yellow-green light-emitting layer and a charge-generating layer, or as a triple-stacked structure including a blue light-emitting layer, a green light-emitting layer, a red light-emitting layer and a charge-generating layer to emit white light. However, the configuration is not limited to these structures, and the configuration can also be configured as a multilayer structure with more than three stacks or as a single-stacked structure, as long as it can emit white light.

[0048] According to the embodiment, the light-emitting layer 5 can be disposed individually within the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, and can be formed so that it is not a common layer disposed on all the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. The light-emitting layer 5 will be described in detail later.

[0049] The cathode electrode 6 is configured to form an electric field with the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, and can be used as a cathode. The cathode electrode 6 is disposed on the upper surface of the light-emitting layer 5, which is opposite to the lower surface. At the lower surface, the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c contact the light-emitting layer 5, and the cathode electrode 6 can be disposed on all the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 as a common layer.

[0050] In the top-emission configuration, the cathode electrode 6 can be provided as a second electrode, but in the bottom-emission method, the cathode electrode 6 can be provided as a first electrode including a reflective material. In the top-emission configuration, the cathode electrode 6 can be formed as a semi-transparent electrode to enhance light extraction efficiency using microcavity characteristics. The display device 1 utilizes microcavity characteristics to improve light extraction efficiency in the top-emission configuration, which is why the cathode electrode 6 is formed as a semi-transparent electrode (as an example).

[0051] A color filter layer 9 is disposed on each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 to block predetermined colors in the light emitted by the light-emitting layer 5 of each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23. The first color filter 91 disposed in the first sub-pixel 21 can be configured to block all colors except red (R) light. In this case, the first color filter 91 can be a red color filter. The second color filter 92 disposed in the second sub-pixel 22 can be configured to block all colors except green (G) light. In this case, the second color filter 92 can be a green color filter. The third color filter 93 disposed in the third sub-pixel 23 can be configured to block all colors except blue (B) light. In this case, the third color filter 93 can be a blue color filter. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0052] Each of the first to third color filters 91, 92, and 93 set in each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 can be configured to have the same size as the corresponding sub-pixel, or can be enlarged or reduced by a specific ratio of the size of each sub-pixel.

[0053] Transistors 31, 32, and 33 can be disposed in the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3 of their respective sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. For example, transistors 31, 32, and 33 can overlap with their respective reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c disposed in their respective sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. Transistors 31, 32, and 33 can be electrically connected to their respective reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c.

[0054] Hereinafter, a detailed description of the layered structure of the display device 1 according to an embodiment is provided.

[0055] The display device 1 according to this embodiment includes a substrate 2, an insulating layer 3, a first electrode 4, a dam BK, a light-emitting layer 5, a cathode electrode 6, a cover layer 7, an encapsulation layer 8, and a color filter layer 9.

[0056] The substrate 2 can be made of semiconductor materials such as plastic film, glass substrate or silicon.

[0057] The substrate 2 can be made of transparent or opaque material. A first sub-pixel 21, a second sub-pixel 22, and a third sub-pixel 23 are disposed on the substrate 2. The first sub-pixel 21 can emit red (R) light, the second sub-pixel 22 can emit blue (B) light, and the third sub-pixel 23 can emit green (G) light.

[0058] In one embodiment, the display device 1 is configured using a so-called top-emission method, wherein the emitted light is released upwards, and therefore, the material of the substrate 2 can be a transparent or opaque material. Color filters 91, 92, and 93 can be provided on the upper side of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 to transmit light of the corresponding colors, as described above.

[0059] An insulating layer 3 is formed on the substrate 2. The insulating layer 3 may include an inorganic insulating material. The insulating layer 3 may include a first insulating layer 3a, a second insulating layer 3b on the first insulating layer 3a, and a third insulating layer 3c on the second insulating layer 3b.

[0060] The insulating layer 3 includes circuit elements such as multiple thin-film transistors 31, 32, and 33 (or CMOS circuitry) provided for each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23, various signal lines, and capacitors. The first insulating layer 3a may have thin-film transistors 31, 32, and 33 disposed therein. Signal lines may include gate lines, data lines, power lines, and reference lines, and thin-film transistors 31, 32, and 33 may include switching thin-film transistors, driving thin-film transistors, and sensing thin-film transistors. Each of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 is defined by a cross-structure of gate lines and data lines. The insulating layer 3 may surround the thin-film transistors 31, 32, and 33.

[0061] The switching thin-film transistor switches according to the gate signal provided to the gate line in order to supply the data voltage from the data line to the driving thin-film transistor.

[0062] The driving thin-film transistor switches according to the data voltage provided from the switching thin-film transistor, thereby generating a data current using the power supplied through the power line, and then the data current is provided to the first electrode 4.

[0063] The sensing thin-film transistor senses changes in the threshold voltage of the driving thin-film transistor, which can lead to image quality degradation. In response to a sensing control signal provided from the gate line or a separate sensing line, it supplies current from the driving thin-film transistor to the reference line.

[0064] A capacitor is used to hold the data voltage supplied to the driving thin-film transistor for one frame, and is connected to the gate terminal and source terminal of the driving thin-film transistor, respectively.

[0065] For each individual sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23, a first thin-film transistor 31, a second thin-film transistor 32, and a third thin-film transistor 33 are arranged in the first insulating layer 3a. The first thin-film transistor 31 is connected to a first electrode 4 disposed on the first sub-pixel 21 and can be driven by a voltage to emit light of a color corresponding to the first sub-pixel 21. The first thin-film transistor 31, the second thin-film transistor 32, and the third thin-film transistor 33 may be located in the same thin-film transistor layer, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0066] The second thin-film transistor 32 is connected to the first electrode 4 disposed on the second sub-pixel 22, and can be driven by a voltage to emit light of a color corresponding to the second sub-pixel 22.

[0067] The third thin-film transistor 33 is connected to the first electrode 4 disposed on the third sub-pixel 23, and can be driven by a voltage to emit light of a color corresponding to the third sub-pixel 23.

[0068] When a gate signal is input from the gate line, the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 each use their respective transistors 31, 32, and 33 to provide a predetermined current to the light-emitting layer according to the data voltage of the data line. Therefore, the light-emitting layers of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 can emit light at a predetermined brightness according to the provided current.

[0069] Insulating layer 3 protects transistors 31, 32, and 33. Insulating layer 3 can be made of inorganic insulating materials, but is not limited to this, and can also be made of organic insulating materials. For example, insulating layer 3 can be made of inorganic materials such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3), but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these materials. The first insulating layer 3a, the second insulating layer 3b, and the third insulating layer 3c can be made of inorganic materials such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3), but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this.

[0070] Multiple reflective electrode layers can be arranged on the insulating layer 3. The reflective electrode layers may include a first reflective electrode layer on the first insulating layer 3a, a second reflective electrode layer on the second insulating layer 3b, and a third reflective electrode layer on the third insulating layer 3c. The first reflective electrode layer may include a first reflective electrode 42a and a first connecting electrode 42a', the second reflective electrode layer may include a second reflective electrode 42b and a second connecting electrode 42b', and the third reflective electrode layer may include a third reflective electrode 42c and a third connecting electrode 42c'. The first reflective electrode 42a and the first connecting electrode 42a' may be disposed in the same layer and comprise the same material. The second reflective electrode 42b and the second connecting electrode 42b' may be disposed in the same layer and comprise the same material. The third reflective electrode 42c and the third connecting electrode 42c' may be disposed in the same layer and comprise the same material.

[0071] Each reflective electrode layer may include a reflective material to reflect light. For example, the reflective material may be a metal, but it is not limited to this, and any other material capable of reflecting light may also be used. For example, the reflective material may include aluminum (Al) or silver (Ag), but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these.

[0072] The reflective electrode 42 is positioned relatively lower than the light-emitting layer 5, thereby reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting layer 5 upwards. Here, the upward direction refers to the direction in which the user perceives the light, which could be, for example, the side where the encapsulation layer 8 or the color filter layer 9 is located. As a result, compared to the absence of the reflective electrode 42, the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 can achieve higher light efficiency, and the user can perceive higher brightness, i.e., a clearer image, due to the improved light efficiency.

[0073] The first reflective electrode 42a can be disposed on the first insulating layer 3a in the first emitting region EA1 and the first non-emitting region NEA1 of the first sub-pixel 21; the second reflective electrode 42b can be disposed on the first insulating layer 3a in the second emitting region EA2 and the second non-emitting region NEA2 of the second sub-pixel 22; and the third reflective electrode 42c can be disposed on the first insulating layer 3a in the third emitting region EA3 and the third non-emitting region NEA3 of the third sub-pixel 23. In each non-emitting region NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, the first reflective electrode 42a and the first connecting electrode 42a′ can be electrically connected to each transistor 31, 32, and 33.

[0074] The second insulating layer 3b can be disposed on the first reflective electrode 42a and the first connecting electrode 42a'. The second insulating layer 3b can reflect the step difference caused by the thickness of the first reflective electrode 42a and the first connecting electrode 42a'.

[0075] The second reflective electrode 42b and the second connecting electrode 42b' can be disposed on top of the second insulating layer 3b. The second reflective electrode 42b can be disposed in the second sub-pixel 22, and the second connecting electrode 42b' can be disposed in the first sub-pixel 21 and the third sub-pixel 23, respectively. The second reflective electrode 42b can be connected to the first connecting electrode 42a' in the second non-emitting region NEA2 of the second sub-pixel 22 via the first contact hole CT1. The second connecting electrode 42b' can be connected to the first reflective electrode 42a and the first connecting electrode 42a' in the non-emitting regions NEA1 and NEA3 via the first contact hole CT1.

[0076] A third insulating layer 3c may be disposed above the second reflective electrode 42b and the second connecting electrode 42b'. The third insulating layer 3c may reflect the step difference caused by the thickness of the second reflective electrode 42b and the second connecting electrode 42b'.

[0077] The third reflective electrode 42c and the third connecting electrode 42c' can be disposed on the top of the third insulating layer 3c. The third reflective electrode 42c can be disposed in the third sub-pixel 23, and the third connecting electrode 42c' can be disposed in the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, respectively. The third reflective electrode 42c can be connected to the second connecting electrode 42b' in the third non-emissive region NEA3 of the third sub-pixel 23 via the second contact hole CT2. The third connecting electrode 42c' can be connected to the second connecting electrode 42b' and the second reflective electrode 42b in the non-emissive regions NEA1 and NEA2 via the second contact hole CT2.

[0078] The trench portion of the TRP can be formed within the insulating layer 3. For example, the trench portion of the TRP can be formed within the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the trench portion TRP can be formed by penetrating portions of the third insulating layer 3c and the second insulating layer 3b, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. In the display device 1 according to the embodiment, the formation of the trench portion TRP between adjacent sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23 helps to reduce the lateral leakage current (LLC) between these sub-pixels caused by the light-emitting layer 5.

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown, in the emission regions EA1, EA2, and EA3, the distances between the reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c and the cathode electrode 6 can be different from each other. For example, the distance between the first reflective electrode 42a and the cathode electrode 6 can be the largest, followed by the distance between the second reflective electrode 42b and the cathode electrode 6, while the distance between the third reflective electrode 42c and the cathode electrode 6 can be the smallest.

[0080] In this way, reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, and 42c are formed at different distances (or resonant distances) from the cathode electrode 6, because depending on the spacing, the reflection and re-reflection between the reflective electrodes 42a, 42b, 42c and the cathode electrode 6 can enhance the light extraction efficiency of different colors of light. Therefore, in the first sub-pixel 21, the light extraction efficiency of red light can be enhanced; in the second sub-pixel 22, the light extraction efficiency of green light can be enhanced; and in the third sub-pixel 23, the light extraction efficiency of blue light can be enhanced.

[0081] The anode electrode 41 may include a first anode electrode 41a of the first sub-pixel 21, a second anode electrode 41b of the second sub-pixel 22, and a third anode electrode 41c of the third sub-pixel 23. The anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c are disposed in the anode electrode layer, placed in the same layer, and may include the same material.

[0082] In the third emission region EA3 of the third sub-pixel 23, the third anode electrode 41c can be directly disposed on the third reflective electrode 42c. In each non-emission region NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3 of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c can be directly disposed on the third connecting electrode 42c' and the third reflective electrode 42c.

[0083] Each of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c can be electrically connected to the thin-film transistors 31, 32 and 33 in each of the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3.

[0084] Anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c may comprise materials with high light transmittance. For example, anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c may comprise, but are not limited to, ITO, IZO, or TiN.

[0085] The dam portion BK can be disposed on the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The dam portion BK can be made of inorganic materials such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3), but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these materials. The dam portion BK can be disposed on the non-emission regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3.

[0086] In the emission regions EA1, EA2, and EA3, the embankment BK can expose the upper surfaces of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c to define the emission regions EA1, EA2, and EA3. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the embankment BK can contact the upper and side surfaces of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. Figure 3As shown, in the non-emission regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, the embankment BK can cover the entire upper surface of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0087] refer to Figure 2 One portion of the embankment BK may be disposed on the upper and side surfaces of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, and another portion of the embankment BK may be disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 3. For example, another portion of the embankment BK may be disposed on the upper surface of the third insulating layer 3c. In various embodiments of this disclosure, the other portion of the embankment BK may extend from one portion of the embankment BK to the trench portion TRP formed in the insulating layer 3. Based on the height variation from the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c to the upper surface of the insulating layer 3, a step may be located between the first and second portions of the embankment BK, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto, and the other portion of the embankment BK may be formed to have a surface height that is the same as or coplanar with the surface height of one portion of the embankment. In various embodiments of this disclosure, the thickness of one portion of the embankment BK may be the same as or different from the thickness of the other portion of the embankment BK.

[0088] refer to Figure 2 The thickness of one portion of the embankment BK may be equal to or approximately equal to the thickness of the light-emitting layer 5, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. In other embodiments of this disclosure, the thickness of one portion of the embankment BK and / or the thickness of another portion of the embankment BK may differ from the thickness of the light-emitting layer 5. For example, the thickness of one portion of the embankment BK and / or the thickness of another portion of the embankment BK may be greater than the thickness of the light-emitting layer 5. When it is greater than the thickness of the light-emitting layer 5, the thickness of one portion of the embankment BK and / or the thickness of another portion of the embankment BK may be equal to or approximately equal to the combined thickness of the light-emitting layer 5 and the lower anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c.

[0089] refer to Figure 2 A portion of the embankment BK may be configured to cover the edges of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. The edges of the light-emitting layer 5 may be aligned with or coincide with the edges of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. When the edges of the light-emitting layer 5 are aligned with or coincide with the edges of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, the lateral edge of the embankment BK may contact both the edges of the light-emitting layer 5 and the edges of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c.

[0090] The light-emitting layer 5 can be disposed on the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The light-emitting layer 5 can be disposed within the emitting regions EA1, EA2, and EA3. The light-emitting layer 5 can directly contact the side surface of the embankment BK in the adjacent non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, but may not contact the upper surface of the embankment BK. The surface height of the light-emitting layer 5 can be the same as the surface height of the adjacent embankment BK, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. Reference will be made later. Figure 6 The luminescent layer 5 and the embankment BK are discussed in detail.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the organic light-emitting element (OLED) may include a first electrode 4 (ANO), a cathode electrode 6 (CAT), and a light-emitting layer 5 located between the first electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 6.

[0092] The light-emitting layer 5 can be configured to emit white (W) light. To achieve this, the light-emitting layer 5 can be formed from multiple stacks that emit light of different colors. Specifically, the light-emitting layer 5 may include a first stack, a second stack, and a charge-generating layer (CGL) disposed between the first stack and the second stack.

[0093] A cathode electrode 6 is formed on the light-emitting layer 5. The cathode electrode 6 can be used as the cathode of the display device 1. The cathode electrode 6 is formed in each sub-pixel 21, 22 and 23 and between the sub-pixels.

[0094] In one embodiment, the display device 1 may have a cathode electrode 6 made of a semi-transparent electrode to achieve white light with high light efficiency in a top-emitting configuration. As a result, a microcavity effect can be obtained for each of the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. The microcavity effect can be achieved through repeated reflection and re-reflection of light between the cathode electrode 6 and the reflective electrode 42, which improves light extraction efficiency.

[0095] Simultaneously, a cathode electrode 6 is formed on the upper surface of the light-emitting layer 5, and the cathode electrode 6 can be formed along the contour of the light-emitting layer 5. Since the light-emitting layer 5 is formed along the contour of the first electrode 4 in the emission region, the cathode electrode 6 can be formed along the contour of the first electrode 4. In addition, a capping layer 7 can be formed on the cathode electrode 6 to conform to the contour of the cathode electrode 6.

[0096] The capping layer 7 can be made of an inorganic insulating material, but is not limited to this. The capping layer 7 can be disposed on the cathode electrode 6 to protect the organic light-emitting device (OLED).

[0097] An encapsulation layer 8 is formed on the cathode electrode 6 and is used to prevent external moisture from penetrating into the light-emitting layer 5. The encapsulation layer 8 may be made of an inorganic insulating material, or may be formed as an alternating stacked structure of inorganic and organic insulating materials, but is not limited to these structures.

[0098] A color filter layer 9 is formed on the encapsulation layer 8. The color filter layer 9 may include, but is not limited to, a first color filter 91 for red (R) disposed in the first sub-pixel 21, a second color filter 92 for green (G) disposed in the second sub-pixel 22, and a third color filter 93 for blue (B) disposed in the third sub-pixel 23.

[0099] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the organic light-emitting element in the image. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a variant of the organic light-emitting element.

[0100] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The light-emitting layer 5 may include a first stack EL1, a second stack EL2 and a first charge generation layer CGL1 disposed on the first electrode 4.

[0101] The first stack EL1 is disposed on the first electrode 4 and may have a structure in which hole injection layer HIL, hole transport layer HTL, first emitter layer EML1 (e.g., blue (B) emitter layer) and electron transport layer ETL are stacked in sequence.

[0102] The first stack EL1 can be disposed between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, and between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23.

[0103] The first charge generation layer CGL1 is used to provide charge to the first stack EL1 and the second stack EL2. The first charge generation layer CGL1 may include an N-type charge generation layer that provides electrons to the first stack EL1 and a P-type charge generation layer that provides holes to the second stack EL2. The N-type charge generation layer may be made by doping with a metallic material.

[0104] The second stack EL2 is disposed on the first stack EL1 and may have a structure in which the hole transport layer HTL, the second emitter layer EML2 (e.g., a yellow-green (YG) emitter layer), the electron transport layer ETL, and the electron injection layer EIL are stacked in sequence.

[0105] The second stack EL2 can be disposed between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, and between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23.

[0106] As a result, the light-emitting layer 5 can be set as a common layer on all the first to third sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.

[0107] like Figure 5As shown, the light-emitting layer 5' of the organic light-emitting element OLED according to the embodiment may include a first stack EL1, a second stack EL2, a third stack EL3 disposed on the first electrode 4, a first charge-generating layer CGL1 between the first stack EL1 and the second stack EL2, and a second charge-generating layer CGL2 between the second stack EL2 and the third stack EL3.

[0108] The first stack EL1 is disposed on the first electrode 4 and may have a structure in which hole injection layer HIL, hole transport layer HTL, blue (B) emission layer EML1 and electron transport layer ETL are stacked in sequence.

[0109] The first stack body EL1 may be disposed between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, and between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23, for example, disposed on the embankment BK. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0110] The first charge generation layer CGL1 is used to provide charge to the first stack EL1 and the second stack EL2. The first charge generation layer CGL1 may include an N-type charge generation layer that provides electrons to the first stack EL1 and a P-type charge generation layer that provides holes to the second stack EL2. The N-type charge generation layer may be made by doping with a metallic material.

[0111] The second stack EL2 is disposed on the first stack EL1 and may have a structure in which hole transport layer HTL, green (G) emitter layer EML2 and electron transport layer ETL are stacked sequentially.

[0112] The second stack body EL2 can be disposed between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, and between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23, that is, disposed on the embankment BK.

[0113] The second charge generation layer CGL2 is used to provide charge to the second stack EL2 and the third stack EL3. The second charge generation layer CGL2 may include an N-type charge generation layer that provides electrons to the second stack EL2 and a P-type charge generation layer that provides holes to the third stack EL3. The N-type charge generation layer may be made by doping with a metallic material.

[0114] The third stack EL3 is disposed on the second stack EL2 and may have a structure in which hole transport layer HTL, red (R) emitter layer EML3, electron transport layer ETL and electron injection layer EIL are stacked in sequence.

[0115] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, charge generation layers CGL1 and CGL2 can be disposed between the first sub-pixel 21 and the second sub-pixel 22, and between the second sub-pixel 22 and the third sub-pixel 23. Meanwhile, in the display device 1 according to the embodiment, since the light-emitting layer 5 is disposed between each of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23, when one sub-pixel emits light, lateral leakage current may occur through the charge generation layers CGL1 and CGL2 into adjacent sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. However, a trench portion TRP can be formed between the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. With the trench portion TRP, the formation length of the light-emitting layer 5 at the boundaries of the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23 can be extended, thereby obtaining a longer current path. As a result, lateral leakage current can be prevented. Furthermore, by separating the common light-emitting layer 5 in the trench portion TRP, lateral leakage current can be prevented in advance.

[0116] Refer again Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cathode electrode 6 is formed on the light-emitting layer 5, an encapsulation layer 8 is formed on the cathode electrode 6, and a color filter layer 9 is formed on the encapsulation layer 8.

[0117] Although not shown in the figure, a black matrix can be provided between the first to third color filters 91, 92 and 93 to prevent color mixing between subpixels.

[0118] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged cross-sectional view of region Q1 in the image.

[0119] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 According to an embodiment of display device 1, the thickness T1 of the light-emitting layer 5 and the thickness T2 of the embankment BK can be the same. Therefore, the surface height of the embankment BK in the first non-emitting region NEA1 and the surface height of the light-emitting layer 5 in the first emitting region EA1 can be the same. In one embodiment, the surface heights of the areas where the light-emitting layer 5 and the embankment BK are in contact with each other can be the same.

[0120] The side surface (or outer surface) of the embankment BK may be hydrophobic. For example, the side surface of the embankment BK may be formed of a material that repels the light-emitting layer 5. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto, and the embankment BK itself may include the material that repels the light-emitting layer 5.

[0121] The light-emitting layer 5 can be applied to (or inside) the embankment BK using an inkjet printing method, wherein the embankment BK comprises a material that repels the light-emitting layer 5. Because the light-emitting layer 5 forms a repulsive force with the embankment BK, the light-emitting layer 5 will not overflow to the outside of the embankment BK, but can instead be placed inside the embankment BK. In some embodiments, the surface of the light-emitting layer 5 may have a convex shape in the upward direction. In some embodiments, the light-emitting layer 5 may directly contact the lower part of the inner surface of the embankment BK, while exposing the upper part of the inner surface of the embankment BK.

[0122] When the light-emitting layer 5 extends into the first non-emitting region NEA1, due to the step formed by the first anode electrode 41a, the surface height of the light-emitting layer 5 in the first non-emitting region NEA1 can be higher than the surface height of the light-emitting layer 5 in the first emitting region EA1. Furthermore, due to the step formed by the first anode electrode 41a, the light-emitting layer 5 can have different thicknesses in the first non-emitting region NEA1 and the first emitting region EA1. For example, when the light-emitting layer 5 has different thicknesses in the first non-emitting region NEA1 and the first emitting region EA1, differences in brightness and color purity (or color mismatch) can occur in different areas within the same sub-pixel. However, according to the display device 1 of this embodiment, since the light-emitting layer 5 is only disposed in the first emitting region EA1 via the embankment BK, the occurrence of differences in brightness and color purity can be improved.

[0123] In the following description, a display device according to other embodiments will be provided. References will be omitted when explaining the following embodiments. Figures 1 to 6 To avoid redundancy, provide a detailed description of the same or similar configuration.

[0124] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0125] Reference Figure 7 According to this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 5_1 of the display device 1_1 and Figure 2 The difference in the display device 1 shown is that the light-emitting layer may include a first light-emitting layer 5a and a second light-emitting layer 5b disposed on the first light-emitting layer 5a.

[0126] More specifically, Figure 7 The first light-emitting layer 5a in the middle can be set in the same position as the first light-emitting layer 5a in the Figure 2 The second light-emitting layer 5b is disposed in the same region as the light-emitting layer 5 in the sub-pixels 21, 22, and 23. That is, the second light-emitting layer 5b can extend into the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0127] For reference Figure 4The first light-emitting layer 5a may include a hole injection layer HIL, a hole transport layer HTL, a blue (B) emission layer EML1, an electron transport layer ETL, a first charge generation layer CGL1, a hole transport layer HTL, a yellow-green (YG) emission layer EML2, an electron transport layer ETL, and an electron injection layer EIL. The second light-emitting layer 5b may include the remaining configurations other than the first light-emitting layer 5a. Although this disclosure shows the light-emitting layer 5_1 as having two layers, this configuration is not limited to this, and the light-emitting layer 5_1 may alternatively include three or more layers. Furthermore, the second light-emitting layer 5b may be disposed within the trench portion TRP.

[0128] According to this embodiment, since the first light-emitting layer 5a is set at the same surface height as the embankment BK, the second light-emitting layer 5b disposed on the first light-emitting layer 5a and the embankment BK can maintain the same surface height in the region overlapping with the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. That is, the surface height of the second light-emitting layer 5b in the emitting regions EA1, EA2, and EA3, and in the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, can be the same. This can help reduce the occurrence of differences in brightness and color purity. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0129] The references will be omitted. Figure 1 and Figure 6 Additional description provided.

[0130] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0131] Reference Figure 8 The display device 1_2 according to this embodiment and the display device 1_2 according to this embodiment Figure 7 The difference of the display device 1_1 is that the second light-emitting layer 5b has a void BB formed in the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3.

[0132] More specifically, unlike the first light-emitting layer 5a, the second light-emitting layer 5b is disposed on all sub-pixels 21, 22 and 23, so that gaps BB can be formed separately in the second light-emitting layer 5b in the trench portion TRP.

[0133] Further details are as described above. Figure 7 The above will be omitted in the following text.

[0134] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0135] Reference Figure 9 According to the display device 1_3 of this embodiment and Figure 2The difference in the display device 1 shown is that a residual portion RP is also provided in the groove portion TRP.

[0136] The residual portion RP may include the same material as the light-emitting layer 5. In this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 5 is uniformly applied to the embankment BK containing the material that repels the light-emitting layer 5, and after heat treatment, the light-emitting layer 5 may be disposed only within the embankment BK. However, during the heat treatment process, a portion of the light-emitting layer 5 may be retained as a residual portion RP in the trench portion TRP.

[0137] Further details are as described above. Figure 2 The above will be omitted in the following text.

[0138] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0139] Reference Figure 10 According to this embodiment, the display device 1_4 and Figure 2 The difference in the display device 1 shown is that, in the emission regions EA1, EA2 and EA3, the surface height of the embankment BK_1 is the same as the surface height of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c.

[0140] More specifically, the embankment BK_1 disposed in each non-emission region NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3 directly contacts the side surfaces of adjacent anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c, and may have the same surface height as the adjacent anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The embankment BK_1 disposed in each non-emission region NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3 may not be disposed on the upper surfaces of adjacent anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. The embankment BK_1 extends into the trench portion TRP and may directly contact the inner surface of the third insulating layer 3c, the inner surface of the second insulating layer 3b, and the upper surface of the first insulating layer 3a in the trench portion TRP.

[0141] Therefore, the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surfaces of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c can have the same surface height as the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surface of the embankment BK_1 adjacent to the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. That is, the surface height of the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surfaces of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c can be the same as the surface height of the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surface of the embankment BK_1 adjacent to the anode electrodes 41a, 41b, and 41c. Meanwhile, Figure 10The third anode electrode 41c is directly disposed on the upper surface of the third reflective electrode 42c, so the embankment BK_1 can directly contact the side surfaces of the third anode electrode 41c and the third reflective electrode 42c. In some embodiments, the thickness of the embankment BK_1 in the third non-emitting region NEA3 of the third sub-pixel 23 can be equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the third anode electrode 41c and the third reflective electrode 42c. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0142] According to this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surface of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c is equal to the light-emitting layer 5_2 disposed on the upper surface of the embankment BK_1 adjacent to the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c so that they have the same surface height, which helps to reduce the difference in brightness and color purity.

[0143] Furthermore, since the encapsulation layer 8 on top of the light-emitting layer 5_2 is also generally flat in the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3, the occurrence of seams (or cracks) inside the encapsulation layer 8 in the non-emitting regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3 can be improved.

[0144] refer to Figure 10 The embankment BK_1 does not need to include a step in one or more of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23. Furthermore, the embankment BK_1 may have a first portion disposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 3 (e.g., the third insulating layer 3c) and a second portion disposed on the side surface of the insulating layer 3 (e.g., the third insulating layer 3c). The transition between the first and second portions of the embankment BK_1 can be achieved by a corner or a bend, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto, and the embankment BK_1 does not need to include a second portion. The lengths of the first and second portions of the embankment BK_1 may be the same or different. For example, in a cross-sectional view, the length of the first portion may be longer than the length of the second portion. In various embodiments of this disclosure, the embankment BK_1 may be separated between one or more sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 at the trench portion TRP, but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto, and the embankment BK_1 may be connected between one or more sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 at the trench portion TRP.

[0145] Further details are as described above. Figure 2 The above will be omitted in the following text.

[0146] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0147] refer to Figure 11 The display device 1_5 according to this embodiment and the display device 1_5 according to this embodiment Figure 10 The difference between the display device 1_4 and the embankment BK_2 is that the embankment does not overlap with the trench section TRP.

[0148] Further details are as described above. Figure 10 The above will be omitted in the following text.

[0149] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0150] refer to Figure 12 The display device 1_6 according to this embodiment and the display device 1_6 according to this embodiment Figure 10 The difference between the display device 1_4 and the display device 1_6 is that the display device 1_6 also includes a step compensation portion DCP between the cover layer 7 and the encapsulation layer 8.

[0151] More specifically, the step compensation portion DCP can be disposed in the non-emissive regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, and can directly contact the cover layer 7 and the encapsulation layer 8. The step compensation portion DCP may include an organic material to compensate for steps formed beneath it in the non-emissive regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3. For example, the step compensation portion DCP may include ink, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. In the non-emissive regions NEA1, NEA2, and NEA3, the surface height of the step compensation portion DCP may be the same as the surface height of the cover layer 7, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0152] According to this embodiment, the step compensation portion DCP makes the upper encapsulation layer 8 disposed substantially flat in the non-emission regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3, thereby improving the occurrence of seams (or cracks) inside the encapsulation layer 8 in the non-emission regions NEA1, NEA2 and NEA3.

[0153] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0154] refer to Figure 13 The display device 1_7 according to this embodiment and the display device 1_7 according to this embodiment Figure 2 The difference of the display device 1 is that the thicknesses T2a, T2b and T2c of the embankment BK and the thicknesses T1a, T1b and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5 can be adjusted.

[0155] More specifically, in each sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23, the thicknesses T2a, T2b, and T2c of the embankment BK can be adjusted to be different from each other, and the thicknesses T1a, T1b, and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5 can be adjusted to be different from each other. For example, the thickness T1a of the first light-emitting layer in the first sub-pixel 21, the thickness T1b of the first light-emitting layer in the second sub-pixel 22, and the thickness T1c of the first light-emitting layer in the third sub-pixel 23 can be different from each other. Similarly, the thicknesses T2a, T2b, and T2c of the embankment in the first sub-pixel 21, the second sub-pixel 22, and the third sub-pixel 23 can also be different from each other. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0156] However, in this embodiment, the thicknesses T2a, T2b, and T2c of the embankment BK can be designed to be the same as the thicknesses T1a, T1b, and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5 in the same sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23, respectively, and the surface heights of the embankment BK and the light-emitting layer 5 in the same sub-pixel 21, 22, and 23 can be designed to be the same.

[0157] According to this embodiment, the performance of the display device can be optimized by fine-tuning the microcavity characteristics in each sub-pixel 21, 22 and 23 by adjusting the thicknesses T2a, T2b and T2c of the embankment BK and the thicknesses T1a, T1b and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5.

[0158] Further details are as described above. Figure 2 The above will be omitted in the following text.

[0159] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0160] Reference Figure 14 The display device 1_8 according to this embodiment and the display device 1_8 according to this embodiment Figure 13 The difference between the display device 1_7 and the display device 1_7 is that the thicknesses T3a, T3b and T3c of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c can be adjusted.

[0161] More specifically, the thicknesses T3a, T3b and T3c of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c can be different from each other, and the thickness can increase in the order of the first anode electrode 41a, the second anode electrode 41b and the third anode electrode 41c.

[0162] In addition, the thicknesses T2a, T2b and T2c of the embankment BK and the thicknesses T1a, T1b and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5 can be reduced in the order of the first anode electrode 41a, the second anode electrode 41b and the third anode electrode 41c.

[0163] According to this embodiment, the performance of the display device can be optimized by fine-tuning the microcavity characteristics in each sub-pixel 21, 22 and 23 by adjusting the thicknesses T3a, T3b and T3c of the anode electrodes 41a, 41b and 41c, the thicknesses T2a, T2b and T2c of the embankment BK and the thicknesses T1a, T1b and T1c of the light-emitting layer 5.

[0164] The various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure can be described as follows.

[0165] A display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a substrate defining a sub-pixel, the sub-pixel including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; a reflective electrode on the substrate; an anode electrode on the reflective electrode in the emitting region; a dam on the anode electrode in the non-emitting region; and a first emitting layer on the anode electrode in the emitting region, wherein the surface height of the dam is equal to the surface height of the first emitting layer.

[0166] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the thickness of the embankment may be equal to the thickness of the first emitting layer.

[0167] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the outer surface of the embankment may be hydrophobic.

[0168] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a second emitting layer on the first emitting layer, wherein the second emitting layer may be disposed on the emitting area and the non-emitting area, and the surface of the second emitting layer may be flat.

[0169] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the second emitting layer may have gaps in the non-emitting area.

[0170] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include at least one insulating layer between the reflective electrode and the anode electrode, wherein the insulating layer may include a groove portion recessed in the thickness direction in the non-emissive region.

[0171] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the trench portion may include a residual portion disposed therein, the residual portion comprising the same material as the first emitting layer.

[0172] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the sub-pixel may include a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, and the thicknesses of the first emission layer of the first sub-pixel, the first emission layer of the second sub-pixel, and the first emission layer of the third sub-pixel may be different from each other.

[0173] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the thickness of the dam portion of the first sub-pixel, the thickness of the dam portion of the second sub-pixel, and the thickness of the dam portion of the third sub-pixel may be different from each other.

[0174] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the sub-pixel includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, and the thickness of the anode electrode of the first sub-pixel, the thickness of the anode electrode of the second sub-pixel, and the thickness of the anode electrode of the third sub-pixel may be different from each other.

[0175] A display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a substrate defining a sub-pixel, the sub-pixel including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; a reflective electrode on the substrate; an anode electrode on the reflective electrode in the emitting region; a dam on the anode electrode in the non-emitting region; and an emitting layer on the anode electrode in the emitting region, wherein the surface height of the dam is equal to the surface height of the anode electrode in the emitting region.

[0176] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one insulating layer between the reflective electrode and the anode electrode, wherein the insulating layer may include a groove portion recessed in the thickness direction in the non-emissive region.

[0177] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the embankment may not overlap with the trench portion.

[0178] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the embankment may extend into the trench portion, and the emitting layer may directly contact the side surface of the embankment in the trench portion.

[0179] A display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a substrate defining a sub-pixel, the sub-pixel including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; a reflective electrode on the substrate; at least one insulating layer on the reflective electrode, the at least one insulating layer including a trench portion recessed in the thickness direction in the non-emitting region; an anode electrode on the at least one insulating layer; a dam on the anode electrode in the non-emitting region; and an emitting layer on the anode electrode in the emitting region, wherein the surface height of the dam is equal to the surface height of the anode electrode in the emitting region.

[0180] The display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure further includes: a cathode electrode on the emitting layer; a cover layer on the cathode electrode; and a step compensation portion on the cover layer in the non-emitting region.

[0181] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, the step compensation portion may include an organic material.

[0182] In various embodiments of the display device according to this disclosure, in the non-emission area, the surface height of the step compensation portion may be equal to the surface height of the cover layer.

[0183] These embodiments are advantageous in improving the color deviation of light emitted through the embankment in the non-emitting region by designing the surface height of the luminescent layer in both the emitting and non-emitting regions to be the same.

[0184] These embodiments facilitate the fulfillment of microcavity characteristics by adjusting the thickness of the light-emitting layer and the embankment.

[0185] These embodiments facilitate the fulfillment of microcavity characteristics by adjusting the thickness of the anode electrode.

[0186] These embodiments are advantageous for improving the seams of the encapsulation layer by minimizing the step difference at the bottom of the encapsulation layer in the non-emitting region.

[0187] These embodiments are advantageous in providing display devices with high color reproduction by reducing the occurrence of color deviation in non-emissive areas.

[0188] However, the effects achievable through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can readily understand additional effects not explicitly described herein based on this disclosure.

[0189] Although embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the described technical configurations can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical essence or essential characteristics. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and not limited in any way. Furthermore, the scope of the various embodiments is determined by the appended claims, not by the specific implementation. Any modifications or variations derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concepts of the described embodiments should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims.

[0190] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0191] 1: Display device

[0192] 2: Substrate

[0193] 3: Insulation layer

[0194] 4: First electrode

[0195] 5: Public Light-Generating Layer

[0196] 6: Cathode electrode

[0197] 7: Covering layer

[0198] 8: Encapsulation layer

[0199] 9: Color Filter Layer

[0200] BK: Embankment

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate including sub-pixels, the sub-pixels including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; A reflective electrode is located on the substrate. An anode electrode, the anode electrode being located on the reflective electrode in the emission region; A dam, the dam being located on the anode electrode in the non-emission region; as well as A first emission layer is located on the anode electrode in the emission region. The surface height of the embankment is equal to the surface height of the first emission layer in the sub-pixel.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the embankment is equal to the thickness of the first emission layer.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the embankment is hydrophobic.

4. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a second emission layer on the first emission layer, in, The second emission layer is disposed on the emission region and the non-emission region in the sub-pixel, and the surface of the second emission layer is flat.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein, The second emitting layer has gaps in the non-emitting region of the sub-pixel.

6. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one insulating layer between the reflective electrode and the anode electrode. in, The at least one insulating layer includes a groove portion recessed in the non-emissive region in the thickness direction of the at least one insulating layer.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein, The trench portion includes a residual portion disposed within the trench portion, the residual portion comprising the same material as the first emission layer.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The sub-pixel includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, and the thickness of the first emission layer of the first sub-pixel, the thickness of the first emission layer of the second sub-pixel, and the thickness of the first emission layer of the third sub-pixel are different from each other.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, The thickness of the dam portion of the first sub-pixel, the thickness of the dam portion of the second sub-pixel, and the thickness of the dam portion of the third sub-pixel are different from each other.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The sub-pixel includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, and the thicknesses of the anode electrode of the first sub-pixel, the anode electrode of the second sub-pixel, and the anode electrode of the third sub-pixel are different from each other.

11. The display device according to claim 6, wherein, The embankment includes a first portion located on the anode electrode and a second portion located on the at least one insulating layer, and In the sub-pixel, the thickness of the first part and the thickness of the second part are different.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the embankment is equal to the combined thickness of the first emitting layer and the anode electrode in the sub-pixel.

13. The display device according to claim 6, wherein, The trench portion is located between adjacent sub-pixels including the sub-pixel, and The embankment is connected between the adjacent sub-pixels.

14. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate including sub-pixels, the sub-pixels including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; A reflective electrode is located on the substrate. An anode electrode, the anode electrode being located on the reflective electrode in the emission region; A dam, the dam being located on the anode electrode in the non-emission region; as well as An emission layer is located on the anode electrode in the emission region. The surface height of the embankment is equal to the surface height of the anode electrode in the emission region of the sub-pixel.

15. The display device of claim 14, further comprising at least one insulating layer between the reflective electrode and the anode electrode. in, The at least one insulating layer includes a groove portion recessed in the non-emissive region in the thickness direction of the at least one insulating layer.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein, The embankment does not overlap with the trench.

17. The display device according to claim 15, wherein, The embankment extends into the trench portion, and the emission layer directly contacts the side surface of the embankment in the trench portion.

18. A display device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate including sub-pixels, the sub-pixels including an emitting region and a non-emitting region surrounding the emitting region; A reflective electrode is located on the substrate. At least one insulating layer on the reflective electrode, the at least one insulating layer including a groove portion recessed in the non-emissive region in the thickness direction of the at least one insulating layer; Anode electrode, the anode electrode being located on the at least one insulating layer; A dam, the dam being located on the anode electrode in the non-emission region; as well as An emission layer is located on the anode electrode in the emission region. The surface height of the embankment is equal to the surface height of the anode electrode in the emission region.

19. The display device according to claim 18, further comprising: Cathode electrode, the cathode electrode being located on the emitter layer; A capping layer is applied to the cathode electrode; as well as A step compensation portion, wherein the step compensation portion is on the cover layer in the non-emission area.

20. The display device according to claim 18, wherein, The step compensation component includes organic materials.

21. The display device according to claim 18, wherein, In the non-emission region, the surface height of the step compensation portion is equal to the surface height of the overlay layer in the sub-pixel.

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