Display device and display panel

Abstract

A display device and a display panel are disclosed. The display device may include: a substrate defining a plurality of sub-pixels; a thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate; a planarization layer disposed on the thin-film transistor; an organic light-emitting diode disposed on the planarization layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels; an encapsulation layer disposed on the organic light-emitting diode; a touch sensor layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels; and a plurality of color filters disposed on the touch protection layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display device, and more specifically, for example, but not limited to, a display device and display panel that ensures luminous viewing angle and reflective visibility. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which include backlighting, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays do not require a separate light source. Therefore, OLEDs can be manufactured in a thin and light-weight manner with manufacturing advantages, and they also feature low power consumption corresponding to low-voltage driving.

[0003] In addition, to provide users with more diverse functions, this display device includes a touch sensor layer disposed on the display panel, and drives the touch sensor layer to provide the function of recognizing the user's touch on the display panel and performing input processing based on the recognized touch.

[0004] In addition, organic light-emitting display devices include an anode, a cathode, and a light-emitting layer disposed between them.

[0005] The description provided in the Background section should not be assumed to be prior art simply because it is mentioned in or associated with the description in the Background section. The Background section may include information describing one or more aspects of the subject matter art, and the description in this section does not limit this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The inventors have recognized that in related technologies, the cathode is formed using a metallic material with high reflectivity, which causes external light to be reflected by the metallic material, which may make it difficult for users to easily identify the displayed information.

[0007] To address the issues in related technologies, the touch sensor layer can be disposed on a display panel with a Touch-on-Encapsulation (ToE) structure, without including a separate adhesive layer. Furthermore, to reduce the aforementioned external light reflectivity, a color filter and a black matrix can be configured on the touch sensor layer. The black matrix is ​​configured to correspond to the non-emitting area, and the color filter can be configured to correspond to the emitting area of ​​each of the multiple sub-pixels. By configuring the color filter and black matrix as described above, external light reflectivity can be reduced without compromising luminous efficiency.

[0008] However, when the color filter and black matrix are placed on the touch sensor layer as described above, the external light reflectivity can be reduced, but due to the increased stacked structure, it is necessary to ensure the brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility.

[0009] Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide a display device that ensures both brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility while including a touch sensor layer, a color filter, and a black matrix.

[0010] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other purposes not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a display device includes: a substrate defining a plurality of sub-pixels; a thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate; a planarization layer disposed on the thin-film transistor; an organic light-emitting diode disposed on the planarization layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels; an encapsulation layer disposed on the organic light-emitting diode; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels; and a plurality of color filters disposed on the touch protection layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels, the touch insulating layer including a recess at a position corresponding to the black matrix, and the touch electrode being configured to fill at least a portion of the recess disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a display device is provided, the display device comprising: an encapsulation layer; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; and a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels, wherein the touch insulating layer includes grooves corresponding to positions of the black matrix, and the touch electrodes are configured to fill at least a portion of the grooves disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a display panel is provided, the display panel comprising: an encapsulation layer; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and touch electrodes disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; and a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels, wherein the touch insulating layer includes recesses corresponding to positions of the black matrix, and the touch electrodes are configured to fill at least a portion of the recesses disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0014] Further details of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are included in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0015] According to aspects of this disclosure, in a display device, at least a portion of the black matrix is ​​disposed in a groove disposed in a touch insulating layer to reduce the cell gap while maintaining a constant thickness of the encapsulation layer. By doing so, it is advantageous to improve the brightness viewing angle while maintaining high touch characteristics.

[0016] According to aspects of this disclosure, if needed or desired, increasing the linewidth of the black matrix improves the design freedom of the bridging electrodes and touch electrodes, thereby increasing the ease of fabrication of the touch sensor layer and the black matrix.

[0017] In addition, increasing the area of ​​the black matrix reduces external light reflectivity, which leads to improved reflective visibility.

[0018] According to aspects of this disclosure, a display device can be manufactured using a process substantially the same as that used in display devices of the related art, without altering the mask design, and also provides the effects described above.

[0019] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those exemplified above, and this disclosure includes a variety of other effects. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 It is based on the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I';

[0023] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of a display device based on related technologies.

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged cross-sectional views of some components;

[0026] Figure 6 It is used for explanation Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an example where the element gap is reduced;

[0027] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the effect of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0028] Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 This is for illustrating the manufacturing process according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the method of the display device shown.

[0029] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals should be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. For clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative sizes and descriptions of these elements may be exaggerated. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of this disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The described progression of processing steps and / or operations is illustrative; however, the order of steps and / or operations is not limited to that described herein and can be varied as is known in the art, except for steps and / or operations that must occur in a specific order. The names of the various elements used in the following explanation may have been chosen merely for convenience in drafting the specification and may therefore differ from the names used in actual products.

[0031] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as methods for achieving these advantages and features, will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example only so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the disclosure and scope of this disclosure.

[0032] The shapes, sizes, dimensions (e.g., length, width, height, thickness, radius, diameter, area, etc.), ratios, angles, quantities, etc. shown in the accompanying drawings used to describe exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0033] The dimensions of the various components shown in the accompanying drawings, including size and thickness, are shown for ease of description, and this disclosure is not limited to the size and thickness of the components shown. However, it should be noted that the relative dimensions of the components shown in the various accompanying drawings, including relative size, position, and thickness, are part of this disclosure.

[0034] Furthermore, detailed descriptions of known related technologies may be omitted in the following description of this disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of this disclosure. Terms such as “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “containing,” “constituting,” “made of,” “formed from,” “composed of”, and “component of” as used herein are generally intended to allow for the addition of additional components, unless these terms are used in conjunction with the term “only.” Unless otherwise expressly stated, any reference to the singular may include the plural.

[0035] Even without explicit explanation, components are interpreted as including the normal tolerance range.

[0036] When using terms such as “on top of,” “above,” “above,” “below,” “below,” “next to,” “under,” “near,” “close to,” “adjacent to,” “on the side of,” or “near” to describe the positional relationship between two parts, one or more parts may be located between the two parts unless used with the terms “exactly” or “directly.”

[0037] Spatially relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” etc., may be used in this document to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatially relative terms may also include different orientations of elements in use or operation. For example, if an element in the figure is inverted, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features would be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both lower and upper orientations. Similarly, the exemplary terms “above” or “above” can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0038] When an element or layer is placed "on top of" another element or layer, the other layer or element can be directly inserted on or between the other element.

[0039] When describing temporal relationships, for example, when using terms such as "after," "following," "next," and "before" to describe the temporal relationship of events, there may be cases where events are not consecutive, unless "immediately following" or "directly" is used.

[0040] Although terms such as "first" and "second" 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 this disclosure, the first component mentioned below can be the second component. Furthermore, the term "can" fully encompasses all the meanings and scope of the term "able to," and vice versa.

[0041] The term "at least one" should be understood to include all possible combinations that can be suggested from one or more related projects. For example, "at least one of the first, second, or third projects" can mean each of the first, second, or third projects, and can also mean all possible combinations that can be suggested from two or more of the first, second, and third projects.

[0042] As used herein, the term "device" can refer to a display device that includes a display panel and a driver for driving the display panel. Examples of display devices may include light-emitting elements, etc. Additionally, examples of devices may include laptops, televisions, computer monitors, automotive devices, wearable devices, and automotive equipment devices, as well as assemblies of electronic devices (or equipment) or assemblies (or devices) that include light-emitting elements, etc., as complete products or end products, such as mobile electronic devices like smartphones or tablets, but embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0043] Throughout the specification, similar reference numerals generally denote similar elements.

[0044] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. It will be further understood that terms, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent, for example, with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0045] In this disclosure, for ease of description, the source electrode and the drain electrode are distinguished from each other. However, the source electrode and the drain electrode are used interchangeably. A source electrode can be a drain electrode, and a drain electrode can be a source electrode. Furthermore, a source electrode in any aspect of this disclosure can be a drain electrode in another aspect of this disclosure, and a drain electrode in any aspect of this disclosure can be a source electrode in another aspect of this disclosure.

[0046] For ease of explanation, the accompanying drawings show the size and thickness of the components shown, and this disclosure is not limited to the size and thickness of the components shown.

[0047] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure can be partially or completely bonded or combined with each other, and can be interlocked and operated in various technical ways, and the embodiments can be performed independently or in relation to each other.

[0048] In the following, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. All components of each display device / apparatus according to all embodiments of the present disclosure are operatively connected and configured.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken by line I-I', and Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first substrate 110, a thin film transistor 120, a planarization layer PNL, a light-emitting diode such as an organic light-emitting diode 130, an encapsulation layer 140, a touch sensor layer 150, a touch protection layer TPAS, a black matrix 160, a color filter 170, an outer cover layer 180, and a second substrate 190.

[0051] The display device 100 includes an area defined by a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA is an area provided with multiple pixels to substantially display an image. Within the display area DA, pixels including a light-emitting area for displaying the image and driving circuitry for driving the pixels can be provided. The non-display area NDA surrounds the display area DA. The non-display area NDA is an area that substantially does not display images, and various wiring, driver ICs, and printed circuit boards for driving the pixels and driving circuitry provided in the display area DA can be provided.

[0052] The non-display area NDA is a region where no image is displayed, and may be defined within the edge portion of the substrate to surround part or all of the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may be a region adjacent to the display area DA. Further, the non-display area NDA may be a region disposed adjacent to the display area DA and configured to surround the display area DA. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0053] For example, the non-display area NDA may include a first non-display area located outside the display area DA along a first direction, a second non-display area located outside the display area DA along a second direction intersecting the first direction, a third non-display area located outside the display area DA along a direction opposite to the first direction, and a fourth non-display area located outside the display area DA along a direction opposite to the second direction.

[0054] For example, the boundary region between the display area DA and the non-display area NDA can be curved, allowing the non-display area NDA to be located below the display area. In this case, when a user views the display device from the front, little or no non-display area NDA may be visible to the user.

[0055] Multiple pixels are arranged in a matrix, and each of the multiple pixels may include multiple sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. For example, a pixel may include a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, and a third sub-pixel SP3, but is not limited thereto. Sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 are elements used to display a color and include emitting regions that emit light and non-emitting regions that do not emit light. For example, each of the multiple sub-pixels may display any of red, green, and blue, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] For example, multiple sub-pixels may include red, green, and blue sub-pixels, wherein the red, green, and blue sub-pixels may be arranged in a repeating manner. Alternatively, multiple sub-pixels may include red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels, wherein the red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels may be arranged in a repeating manner, or the red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels may be arranged in a quadrilateral pattern. For example, the red, blue, and green sub-pixels may be arranged sequentially along the row direction, or the red, blue, green, and white sub-pixels may be arranged sequentially along the row direction. However, in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the color type, arrangement type, and arrangement order of the sub-pixels are not limited and can be configured in various forms according to light-emitting characteristics, device lifetime, and device specifications.

[0057] Furthermore, depending on their light-emitting characteristics, sub-pixels can have different light-emitting areas. For example, a sub-pixel that emits light of a different color than the blue sub-pixel can have a different light-emitting area than the blue sub-pixel. For example, red, blue, and green sub-pixels, or red, blue, white, and green sub-pixels, can each have different light-emitting areas.

[0058] Although subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 are shown in the diagram to have the same width, the regions can be formed differently depending on the colors displayed by subpixels SP1, SP2, and SP3, taking into account brightness and color temperature.

[0059] The first substrate 110 is a substrate that supports various components of the display device. For example, the first substrate 110 can be a glass substrate or a plastic substrate. For example, the plastic substrate can be selected from polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate, but is not limited thereto. When a flexible plastic substrate is used, a support member, such as a backplate, can be provided below the first substrate 110. Flexible plastic substrates are thinner and less rigid than glass substrates, which may cause the plastic substrate to sag when various components are mounted. The backplate supports the first substrate 110, which is made of plastic material, to prevent sagging and protects the display device 100 from moisture, heat, and impact.

[0060] A substrate buffer layer may be disposed on the first substrate 110 to suppress the penetration of oxygen or moisture. The substrate buffer layer may be formed as a single layer or, as needed, as a multilayer structure. The substrate buffer layer may be a silicon oxide (SiOx) film, a silicon nitride (SiNx) film, or a silicon oxynitride (SiON) film, but is not limited thereto. A thin-film transistor 120, including a gate electrode 122, an active layer 121, a source electrode 123, and a drain electrode 124, is disposed on the substrate buffer layer. The thin-film transistor 120 is disposed in the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3, respectively. In the accompanying drawings, for ease of description, a driving thin-film transistor among various thin-film transistors that may be included in the display device 100 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the thin-film transistor 120 is illustrated by way of example to have a coplanar structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the active layer 121 is disposed on the first substrate 110, and a gate insulating layer 125 is disposed on the active layer 121 to insulate the active layer 121 and the gate electrode 122 from each other. Furthermore, an interlayer insulating layer 126 is disposed on the first substrate 110 to insulate the gate electrode 122 from the source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124. The interlayer insulating layer 126 can be formed by a single or multiple inorganic film. For example, the single-layer inorganic film can be a silicon oxide (SiOx) film, a silicon nitride (SiNx) film, or a silicon oxynitride (SiON) film, while the multiple-layer inorganic film can be formed by alternately stacking at least one of one or more layers of silicon oxide (SiOx) film, one or more layers of silicon nitride (SiNx) film, and one or more layers of silicon oxynitride (SiON) film, and one or more layers of amorphous silicon (a-Si), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124, which are in contact with the active layer 121, are disposed on the interlayer insulating layer 126. One of the source electrode 123 and the drain electrode 124 is electrically connected to the organic light-emitting diode 130.

[0061] A planarization layer PNL can be disposed on the thin-film transistor 120. The planarization layer PNL planarizes the upper part of the thin-film transistor 120. The planarization layer PNL may include contact holes that electrically connect the thin-film transistor 120 and the anode 131 of the organic light-emitting diode 130. The planarization layer PNL may be an organic insulating layer comprising an organic insulating material.

[0062] For example, a planarization layer PNL may consist of a single layer. As another example, a planarization layer PNL may include two layers. A planarization layer PNL may include a first planarization layer and a second planarization layer. As yet another example, a planarization layer PNL may include three or more layers. The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto.

[0063] The active layer of a thin-film transistor can be formed from semiconductor materials, such as oxide semiconductors, amorphous semiconductors, or polycrystalline semiconductors, but is not limited to these.

[0064] Oxide semiconductor materials offer excellent leakage current prevention and relatively low manufacturing costs. Oxide semiconductors can be made from metal oxides such as zinc (Zn), indium (In), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), and titanium (Ti), or combinations of metals and their oxides such as zinc (Zn), indium (In), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), or titanium (Ti). Specifically, oxide semiconductors can include, but are not limited to, zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), zinc indium oxide (ZIO), indium oxide (InO), titanium oxide (TiO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium tin oxide (IGTO), and indium gallium oxide (IGO).

[0065] Polycrystalline semiconductor materials exhibit high mobility due to the fast movement speed of charge carriers such as electrons and holes, resulting in low energy consumption and excellent reliability. Polycrystalline semiconductors can be made of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), but are not limited to this.

[0066] Amorphous semiconductor materials can be made of amorphous silicon (a-Si), but are not limited to this.

[0067] An organic light-emitting diode 130 is disposed on a planarization layer PNL. The organic light-emitting diode 130 is disposed in each of the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3. The organic light-emitting diode 130 disposed in each of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 includes an anode 131, a light-emitting layer 132, and a cathode 133.

[0068] Anode 131 is disposed on the planarization layer PNL. Anode 131 can be patterned to correspond to each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. For example, anode 131 can be formed individually for each of the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3. Anode 131 is formed of a conductive material with a high work function to supply holes to the light-emitting layer 132. Anode 131 can be a transparent conductive layer formed of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). For example, anode 131 can be formed of one or more transparent conductive oxides, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), tin oxide (SnO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium copper oxide (ICO), and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al-doped ZnO, AZO), but is not limited thereto.

[0069] When the display device 100 is driven to the top-emitting type, the anode 131 may also include a reflective layer that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting layer 132 toward the cathode 133.

[0070] A dam 135 is disposed on the anode 131 and the planarization layer PNL. The dam 135 is disposed on the planarization layer PNL to cover the edge of the anode 131. An opening in the dam 135 can expose a portion of the pixel electrode (anode 131) to form a light-emitting area. The opening in the dam 135 can overlap with a portion of the pixel electrode (anode 131). The dam 135 defines a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. The dam 135 can be formed of an insulating material that insulates the anodes 131 of adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3 from each other.

[0071] The dam portion 135 can be a black dam portion with high light absorption. Therefore, the dam portion 135 can suppress color mixing between adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. Furthermore, the black dam portion can absorb external light incident on the display device 100 through the color filter 170 and the black matrix 160 described later. Therefore, by reducing the external light reflectivity, reflective visibility can be improved. For example, the dam portion 135 can include organic materials, such as polyimide resin, acrylic resin, or benzocyclobutene resin and a black colorant, or it can be formed from black resin, but is not limited thereto.

[0072] A cathode 133 is disposed on the anode 131. The cathode 133 may be formed of a metallic material with a low work function to smoothly supply electrons to the light-emitting layer 132. For example, the cathode 133 may be formed of a metallic material selected from calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), and alloys including one or more of these, but is not limited thereto. The cathode 133 is formed as a monolayer above the anode 131 and the light-emitting layer 132. For example, the cathode 133 may be formed as a monolayer on the first sub-pixel SP1, the second sub-pixel SP2, and the third sub-pixel SP3. When the organic light-emitting display device 100 is driven as a top-emitting type, the cathode 133 is formed to have a very small thickness to be substantially transparent.

[0073] A light-emitting layer 132 is disposed between an anode 131 and a cathode 133. The light-emitting layer 132 is a layer in which electrons and holes couple to emit light. The light-emitting layer 132 can be patterned to correspond to each of a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. The light-emitting layer 132 can be configured to emit light having the same color as the corresponding sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3. For example, the light-emitting layer 132 corresponding to a red sub-pixel emits red light, the light-emitting layer 132 corresponding to a green sub-pixel emits green light, and the light-emitting layer 132 corresponding to a blue sub-pixel emits blue light.

[0074] To improve luminous efficiency, the organic light-emitting diode 130 may further include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. For example, the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer may be disposed between the anode 131 and the light-emitting layer 132, and the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer may be disposed between the light-emitting layer 132 and the cathode 133. Furthermore, a hole blocking layer or an electron blocking layer may be provided to further improve the recombination efficiency of holes and electrons in the light-emitting layer 132.

[0075] An encapsulation layer 140 is disposed on the organic light-emitting diode 130. The encapsulation layer 140 is configured to cover the organic light-emitting diode 130. Therefore, the encapsulation layer 140 can protect the organic light-emitting diode 130 from moisture, oxygen, and external shock. The encapsulation layer 140 can be formed by laminating an inorganic layer formed of inorganic insulating material and an organic layer formed of organic material in a multilayer structure, but is not limited thereto. For example, the encapsulation layer 140 can be configured with at least one organic layer and at least two inorganic layers, and has a multilayer structure with alternating lamination of inorganic and organic layers.

[0076] For example, the encapsulation layer 140 may have a three-layer structure comprising a first inorganic layer 141, an organic layer 142, and a second inorganic layer 143. In this case, the first inorganic layer 141 and the second inorganic layer 143 may be independently formed from one or more of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the organic layer 142 may be formed from one or more of epoxy resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyimide, polyethylene, and silicon carbide (SIOC), but is not limited thereto.

[0077] Alternatively, the encapsulation layer may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer, a first organic encapsulation layer, a second inorganic encapsulation layer, a second organic encapsulation layer, and a third inorganic encapsulation layer stacked sequentially.

[0078] The first, second, and third inorganic encapsulation layers can be used to block the penetration of moisture or oxygen. The first, second, and third inorganic encapsulation layers can be made of inorganic materials, such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or aluminum oxide (AlOx). However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0079] A first organic encapsulation layer is disposed between a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer, and a second organic encapsulation layer is disposed between the second and third inorganic encapsulation layers. The first and second organic encapsulation layers may each have a greater thickness than each of the first, second, and third inorganic encapsulation layers to adsorb or block particles that may be generated during the manufacturing process of the display device. The first and second organic encapsulation layers may fill cracks that may form in the first and second inorganic encapsulation layers. The first and second organic encapsulation layers can planarize the upper portions of the first and second inorganic encapsulation layers by respectively covering particles on the first and second inorganic encapsulation layers. For example, the first organic encapsulation layer can planarize the upper portion of the first inorganic encapsulation layer by covering particles on the first inorganic encapsulation layer. For example, the second organic encapsulation layer can planarize the upper portion of the second inorganic encapsulation layer by covering particles on the second inorganic encapsulation layer. The first and second organic encapsulation layers may be made of organic materials, and for example, epoxy polymers, acrylic polymers, etc., may be used. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0080] Furthermore, the encapsulation layer is not limited to three or five layers. For example, it can include n layers of alternating inorganic and organic encapsulation layers (where n is an integer greater than 3).

[0081] A touch sensor layer 150 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 140 to provide touch sensing functionality to the display device 100. In the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch sensor layer 150 is formed with a touch-on-encapsulation (ToE) structure, wherein electrodes are formed on the encapsulation layer 140 without a separate substrate or adhesive member. In this structure, if the distance between the organic light-emitting diode 130 and the touch sensor layer 150 is too short, parasitic capacitance may be generated, reducing touch sensitivity. Therefore, the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140 needs to be appropriately adjusted to minimize parasitic capacitance.

[0082] During the formation of the touch sensor layer 150, a touch buffer layer TBUF can be disposed between the encapsulation layer 140 and the touch sensor layer 150 to protect the encapsulation layer 140 and the organic light-emitting diode 130 disposed thereunder. Furthermore, the touch buffer layer TBUF improves the adhesion strength of the bridging electrode 151, which will be described later. The touch buffer layer TBUF can be formed from an inorganic insulating material, such as, but not limited to, one or more selected from silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON).

[0083] The touch sensor layer 150 includes a bridging electrode 151, a touch insulating layer 152, and a touch electrode 153 disposed on the touch buffer layer TBUF.

[0084] First, the touch electrode 153 is an electrode for sensing touch input, configured with a sensing electrode and a driving electrode, and the touch coordinates can be detected by sensing the change in capacitance between the sensing electrode and the driving electrode. For example, the sensing electrode and the driving electrode are disposed on the same plane, and at least some of the plurality of touch electrodes 153 are electrically connected to the touch electrode 153 by bridging electrodes 151 disposed on different planes when there is a touch insulating layer 152 therebetween.

[0085] Specifically, for example, a bridging electrode 151 is disposed on the touch buffer layer TBUF, and a touch insulating layer 152 is configured to cover the bridging electrode 151. The touch insulating layer 152 includes a plurality of recesses GV, and a plurality of touch electrodes 153 are respectively disposed in the plurality of recesses GV. The bridging electrode 151 is configured to be electrically connected to at least a portion of the plurality of touch electrodes 153, and for this purpose, the touch insulating layer 152 may include contact holes. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the touch sensor layer 150 can be varied in various ways depending on the design.

[0086] The bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 can be configured to overlap with the dam 135. Each of the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 can be configured to correspond to the boundary portion of adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. The width of each of the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 is smaller than the width of the corresponding dam 135. In this case, high efficiency of light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 130 can be maintained.

[0087] The bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 may be formed of a transparent metallic material that transmits light, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), but are not limited thereto. The bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 may have various shapes, such as rectangular, octagonal, circular or rhomboid, but are not limited thereto.

[0088] The touch insulating layer 152 may be formed of an organic insulating material. For example, the touch insulating layer 152 may be formed of a transparent organic insulating material, such as acrylic resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin and silicone resin, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] The touch insulating layer 152 includes a plurality of grooves GV at locations overlapping with the embankment 135 and the black matrix 160 described later. Each of the plurality of touch electrodes 153 is disposed in each of the plurality of grooves GV. For example, the touch electrodes 153 are configured to fill at least a portion of the grooves GV, as will be described in more detail below.

[0090] A touch protective layer TPAS is disposed on the touch sensor layer 150. The touch protective layer TPAS is configured to cover the touch insulating layer 152 and the touch electrode 153. The touch protective layer TPAS protects the touch sensor layer 150 from damage during the process of forming the black matrix 160 and the color filter 170 on the touch sensor layer 150. Furthermore, the touch protective layer TPAS inhibits the penetration of moisture or oxygen from the outside and protects the touch sensor layer 150 from degradation. Therefore, the touch protective layer TPAS can be formed of an inorganic insulating material with excellent barrier properties. For example, the touch protective layer TPAS can be formed of one or more inorganic insulating materials selected from silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), but is not limited thereto.

[0091] Furthermore, the touch protective layer TPAS can improve the adhesion strength between the black matrix 160 and the color filter 170 disposed thereon. For example, the touch protective layer TPAS is disposed between the touch sensor layer 150 and the black matrix 160 and the color filter 170 to allow the black matrix 160 and the color filter 170 to bond to the touch sensor layer 150.

[0092] As described above, the touch insulating layer 152 includes a plurality of grooves GV, and the touch electrode 153 is configured to fill at least a portion of the plurality of grooves GV. The touch protective layer TPAS is configured to cover the top surfaces of the touch insulating layer 152 and the touch electrode 153 to form a shape corresponding to the top surfaces of the touch insulating layer 152 and the touch electrode 153. Therefore, when the touch electrode 153 is configured to fill the plurality of grooves GV, at least a portion of the touch protective layer TPAS may be partially, rather than entirely, disposed within the grooves GV.

[0093] A black matrix 160 and a color filter 170 are disposed on the touch protective layer TPAS. The black matrix 160 and color filter 170 serve as an anti-reflective layer, satisfactorily transmitting light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 130 and reducing external light reflectivity to minimize degradation of the visibility and contrast of the display device 100. The black matrix 160 is disposed on the touch protective layer TPAS to overlap with the dam 135. The black matrix 160 is configured to correspond to each of the plurality of grooves GV disposed in the touch insulating layer 152. Therefore, each of the bridging electrode 151, the touch electrode 153, and the black matrix 160 is configured to overlap with the dam 135.

[0094] The black matrix 160 is formed of a material with high light absorption. Therefore, the black matrix 160 absorbs external light to improve reflective visibility. The black matrix 160 is formed to have a width larger than that of each of the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153. Therefore, the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 are obscured by the black matrix 160 and are not visible from the outside. Furthermore, due to the properties of the material, the touch electrode 153 has a higher reflectivity than the black matrix 160, allowing the black matrix 160 to be positioned above the touch electrode 153 to mitigate the problem of reduced visibility caused by external light reflecting off the touch electrode 153.

[0095] The black matrix 160 may include a base resin and a black material. For example, the base resin may be one or more selected from, but not limited to, carboxylated resins, epoxy resins, acrylate resins, siloxane resins, and polyimides. For example, the black material may be a black pigment selected from carbon-based pigments, metal oxide-based pigments, and organic pigments. For example, the carbon-based pigment may be carbon black. For example, the metal oxide-based pigment may be titanium black (TiNxOy) or Cu-Mn-Fe-based black pigments, but not limited to these. For example, the organic pigment may be selected from lactam black, perylene black, and aniline black, but not limited to these. Furthermore, as the black material, RGB black pigments containing red, blue, and green pigments may be used, but are not limited to these.

[0096] The black matrix 160 is disposed on the touch protective layer TPAS between adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. For example, the black matrix 160 is disposed along the boundaries of adjacent sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3, and includes openings corresponding to sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. Therefore, light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 130 can be emitted to the outside through the openings of the black matrix 160.

[0097] The distance between adjacent black matrices 160 is greater than the distance between adjacent embankments 135. In this case, the light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 130 is emitted with a wide angle, which is advantageous in terms of excellent brightness and viewing angle.

[0098] The black matrix 160 is positioned at an overlap with each of the plurality of grooves GV disposed in the touch insulating layer 152. Therefore, when the touch electrode 153 is configured to fill the plurality of grooves GV, at least a portion of the black matrix 160 may be partially, rather than entirely, disposed within the grooves GV. The black matrix 160 may be configured to completely fill the portions of the grooves not filled by the touch electrode 153 and the touch protective layer TPAS.

[0099] Specifically, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the black matrix 160 is disposed in the groove GV to fill the groove GV, and the top surface of the black matrix 160 is formed to have a width greater than the width of the groove GV. Therefore, the cross-section of the black matrix 160 can be T-shaped.

[0100] A color filter 170 is disposed on the touch protection layer TPAS to correspond to a plurality of sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3. The color filter 170 is configured to cover at least a portion of the top surface and side surfaces of the black matrix 160.

[0101] Color filter 170 is configured to emit light having the same color as the corresponding sub-pixels SP1, SP2, and SP3. For example, the color filter corresponding to the red sub-pixel is a red color filter, the color filter corresponding to the green sub-pixel is a green color filter, and the color filter corresponding to the blue sub-pixel is a blue color filter.

[0102] Color filter 170 includes a transparent base resin and a color developing material. For example, the transparent base resin may be selected from, but is not limited to, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The color developing material absorbs light in a specific wavelength band and transmits light in other wavelength bands. For example, a red color filter includes a red developing material that transmits light in the red wavelength band and absorbs light in the green and blue wavelength bands. For example, the red color developing material may be a parylyl compound or a diketopyrrolopyrrole compound. For example, the green color developing material may be a phthalocyanine compound. For example, the blue color developing material may be a copper phthalocyanine compound or anthraquinone compound. However, the color developing material is not limited to these, and any material that transmits light in the red, blue, and green wavelength bands can be used without limitation.

[0103] Color filter 170 transmits light emitted from organic light-emitting diodes 130 included in each sub-pixel SP1, SP2, SP3. For example, internal light emitted from the organic light-emitting diodes 130 included in each of the first sub-pixel SP1, second sub-pixel SP2, and third sub-pixel SP3 passes through color filter 170 and is emitted to the outside. Conversely, when external light is incident, the external light corresponding to the absorption wavelength of the color-developing material included in each color filter 170 is absorbed by color filter 170. External light that is not absorbed by color filter 170 is reflected from cathode 133 and then reaches color filter 170 again. At this time, a portion of the reflected light corresponding to the absorption wavelength of the color-developing material included in color filter 170 is absorbed by color filter 170, and the remaining light passes through color filter 170 and is emitted to the outside. Therefore, by reducing the external light reflectivity while maintaining a high light emission from organic light-emitting diodes 130, the degradation of display quality caused by external light can be minimized.

[0104] An outer coating 180 is disposed above the color filter 170 and the black matrix 160. The outer coating 180 planarizes the top surfaces of the color filter 170 and the black matrix 160. Therefore, the outer coating 180 can be formed to have sufficient thickness to planarize the top surfaces of the color filter 170 and the black matrix 160.

[0105] Furthermore, the outer coating 180 has adhesive properties for bonding to the second substrate 190. For example, the outer coating 180 can be formed of a transparent resin, such as acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyester resin, and epoxy resin, but is not limited thereto. The outer coating 180 may include a UV blocker or UV absorber that blocks or absorbs light with wavelengths of 400 nm or less. Therefore, it is possible to delay the degradation of the display device 100 caused by ultraviolet light. The UV blocker or UV absorber can be used without limitation, as long as the UV blocker or UV absorber is a material used in the art.

[0106] The second substrate 190 is bonded to the color filter 170 via an outer cover layer 180. The second substrate 190 protects the display device 100 from external environmental influences. The second substrate 190 can be a plastic substrate or a glass substrate. For example, the plastic substrate can be selected from polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] The display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure has a structure in which a touch sensor layer 150 is disposed on an encapsulation layer 140 and a black matrix 160 and a color filter 170 are laminated on the touch sensor layer 150. Therefore, since the structure of the color filter 170 is made taller, it is important to ensure brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility.

[0108] To ensure brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility, the cell gap (the distance from the organic light-emitting diode 130 to the top surface of the black matrix 160) can be reduced by decreasing the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140, or the pull-back of the black matrix can be increased by reducing the linewidth of the black matrix 160. However, to reduce the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140, the thickness of the relatively thick organic layer 142 needs to be reduced. However, while reducing the thickness of the organic layer 142, it is necessary to ensure that the flatness of the encapsulation layer 140 is at a predetermined level or higher, which requires the use of an organic material with excellent flatness. Therefore, the material of the organic layer 142 is limited, and the process for forming the encapsulation layer 140 becomes more difficult, resulting in reduced productivity. Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140 is reduced, parasitic capacitance may be generated between the organic light-emitting diode 130 and the touch sensor layer 150, which leads to a decrease in touch sensitivity.

[0109] Furthermore, when the black matrix indentation is increased by reducing the line width of the black matrix 160 to ensure the brightness viewing angle, there are limitations in reducing the line width to block the touch electrode 153 and bridging electrode 152 located below the black matrix 160.

[0110] Therefore, it is necessary to ensure brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility without causing the aforementioned problems. This will be discussed in the following text. Figures 4 to 7 The effects of the display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. To illustrate the effects of the present disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings of a display device according to related technologies. Figures 4 to 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a display device based on related technologies. In contrast, Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the effect of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of a display device based on related technologies. Figure 5 It is aimed at Figure 4 Enlarged cross-sectional views of some components, and Figure 6 It is used for explanation Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an example where the element gaps are reduced. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the display device shown, no groove is provided in the touch insulating layer. Figure 5 For ease of explanation, components other than the diaphragm, encapsulation layer, touch buffer layer, touch sensor layer, touch protection layer, and black matrix are not shown in the illustrated display device. Apart from the thickness of the organic layer of the encapsulation layer, Figure 6 The display device shown is Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display devices shown are basically the same. Therefore, descriptions of repeated components are omitted.

[0112] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the related art display device 200, the touch insulating layer 252 does not include multiple recesses. Therefore, the touch electrode 253 is disposed on the top surface of the touch insulating layer 252 to correspond to the embankment 235, and a black matrix 260 and a color filter 270 are disposed above it. Light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 230 passes through the color filter 270 at a first angle A1. As described above, for the display device 200 in which the touch sensor layer 250 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 240 and the black matrix 260 and the color filter 270 are laminated on the touch sensor layer 250, since the structure of the color filter 270 becomes higher, ensuring brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility is important.

[0113] Therefore, the spacing between adjacent black matrices 260 is made larger than the spacing between adjacent embankments 235 to ensure a good viewing angle. Specifically, the indentation defined by the spacing between the ends of the embankments 235 and the corresponding ends of the black matrices 260 is widened to ensure a good viewing angle. However, in order to suppress the visibility of the touch electrode 253, the linewidth of the black matrices 260 needs to be maintained at a predetermined level or higher, which limits the ability to significantly improve the viewing angle. Furthermore, widening the indentation means reducing the linewidth of the black matrices 260. However, if the linewidth of the black matrices 260 is reduced, the area that absorbs external light can be reduced, thereby limiting its ability to reduce external light reflectivity. In addition, when the external light reflectivity increases, the light emitted from the organic light-emitting diodes 230 and the reflected light are emitted together, causing iridescent patterns caused by light interference, which degrades the display quality.

[0114] Therefore, in order to expand the brightness viewing angle, it is possible to... Figure 6 The display device 300 shown reduces the unit gap. Figure 6 The display device 300 shown is in which the thickness of the organic layer 342 is formed as greater than that of the organic layer 342. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display device 200 shown is a display device designed to reduce the inter-cell gap. For example... Figure 6 As shown, when the inter-cell gap is reduced by decreasing the thickness of the organic layer 342, the light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 330 increases at a speed greater than [a certain value]. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second angle A2 of the display device 200 shown passes through the color filter 370. Therefore, the brightness viewing angle is improved. Furthermore, if emitting light from the organic light-emitting diode 330 at the first angle A1 is sufficient, then... Figure 6 As shown, the width of one side of the black matrix 360 is widened by B1. If the linewidth of the black matrix 360 is increased as described above, the indentation B1 decreases, thereby providing the process advantage of increasing the process margin between the touch electrode 353 and the black matrix 360. Furthermore, increasing the area of ​​the black matrix 360 reduces external light reflectivity, which leads to improved reflective visibility.

[0115] However, as mentioned above, while making the organic layer 342 thin, the flatness of the encapsulation layer 340 needs to be maintained at a predetermined level or higher, which necessitates the limited use of organic materials with excellent flatness. Therefore, there are limitations in selecting the material for the organic layer 342, and the process for forming the encapsulation layer 340 becomes more difficult, leading to reduced productivity. Furthermore, when the thickness of the encapsulation layer 340 decreases, parasitic capacitance is generated between the organic light-emitting diode 130 and the touch sensor layer 350, resulting in reduced touch sensitivity.

[0116] Therefore, this disclosure provides a display device with improved brightness viewing angle and reflective visibility without causing the problems described above. Specifically, Figure 7 This is a view illustrating the effect of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 In this context, components of the display device 100 other than the diaphragm 135, encapsulation layer 140, touch buffer layer TBUF, touch sensor layers 151, 152, and 153, touch protection layer TPAS, and black matrix 160 may not be shown. Furthermore, Figure 7 The display device shown is the same as that according to this disclosure. Figures 1 to 3 The display devices shown are essentially the same, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or provided briefly.

[0117] Reference Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 7 According to an example of this disclosure, the touch insulating layer 152 includes a groove GV at a location corresponding to the black matrix 160. As described above, because the groove GV is provided at the location corresponding to the black matrix 160, the portion of the touch insulating layer 152 overlapping the black matrix 160 has a relatively small thickness. For example, the thickness of the touch insulating layer 152 at at least the portion overlapping the black matrix 160 is less than the thickness of the touch insulating layer 152 at other regions.

[0118] Touch electrode 153 is disposed in a groove GV disposed in touch insulating layer 152. Touch protective layer TPAS and black matrix 160 are sequentially disposed on touch sensor layer 150. As shown, if touch electrode 153 is not completely filled in groove GV, at least a portion of touch protective layer TPAS and at least a portion of black matrix 160 are disposed in groove GV. Therefore, the cross-section of black matrix 160 can be T-shaped. For example, since a portion of touch protective layer TPAS is filled in groove GV, a recess is formed on the upper surface of touch protective layer TPAS, thereby a portion of black matrix 160 fills the recess of touch protective layer TPAS, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] As described above, since at least a portion of the black matrix 160 is disposed in the groove GV disposed in the touch insulating layer 152, it provides the effect of reducing the cell gap. Figure 7 As shown, in a display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the black matrix 160 is disposed in the recess GV, such that it is disposed in conjunction with the recess GV. Figure 4 Compared to a display device 200 in which no groove is provided in the touch insulating layer 152, the unit gap is reduced by ΔG.

[0120] Specifically, for example, in such Figure 5In the structure of the related technology shown, the total thickness of the encapsulation layer 240 and the touch buffer layer TBUF is 12 μm, and the thickness of the touch insulating layer 252, where the bridging electrode 251 is not formed, is 2.3 μm. Subsequently, when the touch electrode 253, the touch protective layer TPAS, and the black matrix 260 are sequentially formed on the touch insulating layer 252, the distance from the top surface of the touch insulating layer 252 to the top surface of the black matrix 260 is 1.7 μm, and the indentation can be 6 μm.

[0121] In contrast, according to this disclosure, after forming the encapsulation layer 140 and the touch buffer layer TBUF with the same thickness and forming the bridging electrode 151 and the touch insulating layer 152, when the touch electrode 153 is formed on the touch insulating layer 152 using a halftone mask via the method described below, as Figure 7 As shown, a touch sensor layer can be formed having a structure in which touch electrodes 153 are disposed in grooves GV formed in touch insulating layers 152. Furthermore, by sequentially forming touch electrodes 253, touch protective layers TPAS, and black matrix 260 (and... Figure 5 Compared to the structure of the related technology shown, the distance from the top surface of the touch insulating layer 152 to the top surface of the black matrix 160 and the indentation P can be reduced. For example, ΔG can be 1 μm.

[0122] Therefore, when comparing Figure 5 The structure of the related technologies shown are Figure 7 In the example embodiment of this disclosure shown, the total thickness of the encapsulation layer 140 and the touch buffer layer TBUF is 12 μm, and the thickness of the touch insulating layer 152 in the areas where electrodes 151 and 153 are not formed is 2.3 μm, which is the same in both structures.

[0123] However, in the example embodiment of this disclosure, the cell gap is reduced by 1 μm, resulting in a reduction of the distance from the top surface of the touch insulating layer 152 to the top surface of the black matrix 160 to 0.7 μm. At this time, the indentation P is reduced to 6 μm, and the viewing angle increases from the first angle A1 to the third angle A3.

[0124] For example, in Figure 5 In the case where the indentation P is 6 μm and the distance from the encapsulation layer 240 to the black matrix 260 is 16 μm, the angle formed by the indentation P and the light emitted at the first angle A1 can be acrtan(16 / 6) = 69.4°.

[0125] In contrast, in the examples according to this disclosure Figure 7In this model, when the indentation P is 6 μm and the cell gap is reduced such that the distance from the encapsulation layer 140 to the black matrix 160 is 15 μm, the angle formed by the indentation P and the light emitted at the third angle A3 can be acrtan(15 / 6) = 68.2°. Therefore, the brightness viewing angle can be improved by approximately 1.7%.

[0126] Furthermore, when it is not necessary to expand the viewing angle to a third angle A3, as in the example according to this disclosure... Figure 7 As shown, the black matrix 160 can be expanded by 'a'. For example, even in... Figure 7 In the structure, the viewing angle is designed as a first angle A1. If the viewing angle is open, the indentation (Pa) is 5.626 μm, the expansion distance A of the black matrix 160 is 0.375 μm (on one side), and the width of the entire black matrix 160 can be increased by 0.75 μm. For example, if the width of the black matrix 160 before expansion is 11 μm, the linewidth of the black matrix 160 can be increased by 6.8%. In this case, the area of ​​the black matrix 160 is expanded using the same viewing angle characteristics as in related technologies to absorb more external light. Therefore, the reflective visibility is improved.

[0127] Furthermore, as exemplified by this disclosure Figure 7 As shown, when the area of ​​the black matrix 160 is increased, the linewidths of the touch electrode 153 and the bridging electrode 151 can also be increased to correspond to the black matrix 160. Therefore, similar to the black matrix 160, if the linewidth of each of the touch electrode 153 and the bridging electrode 151 is increased by 0.75 μm, it has the advantage of ensuring an approximately 25% increase in process margin for easy process execution. Furthermore, the resistance of the touch electrode 153 and the bridging electrode 151 is reduced by up to 25%, and the capacitance Cpen between the touch electrode 153 and the pen increases due to the increased electrode area, providing excellent touch performance.

[0128] like Figure 6 As shown, according to related technologies, when reducing the thickness of the encapsulation layer to reduce the cell gap, there are limitations in the encapsulation layer material and difficulties in the manufacturing process in order to ensure sufficient flatness with a small thickness. Furthermore, in this case, as the distance between the organic light-emitting diode and the touch sensor layer decreases, there is a problem of reduced touch sensitivity.

[0129] However, in the display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the cell gap is reduced by forming a groove GV in the touch insulating layer 152, which eliminates limitations on the material of the encapsulation layer 140 and avoids difficulties in the process. For example, the inorganic layer can be formed from one or more of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), but is not limited thereto, and the organic layer can be formed from one or more of epoxy resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyimide, polyethylene, and silicon carbide (SIOC), but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the distance between the organic light-emitting diode 130 and the touch sensor layer 150 is sufficiently maintained, so that the problem of touch sensitivity degradation does not occur in the display device of this disclosure.

[0130] Continue to refer to the examples according to this disclosure. Figure 7 It was confirmed that as the cell gap is reduced, the brightness viewing angle is improved. Specifically, in a structure without reduced cell gap, light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode is emitted at a first angle A1, but as... Figure 7 In the structure shown, where the gap between units is reduced by the groove GV, light is emitted at a third angle A3 greater than the first angle. Therefore, the viewing angle of brightness is improved.

[0131] Furthermore, according to the examples of this disclosure, even if the light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode 130 is emitted at a first angle A1, the width of one side of the black matrix 160 can be increased by 'a' if the brightness viewing angle is sufficient. When the linewidth is increased as described above, the indentation decreases by 'a'. Therefore, the process margin M between the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 and the black matrix 160 can be increased by 2a. Thus, the design freedom of the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 is increased to have process advantages. In addition, when the area of ​​the black matrix 160 is increased, the external light reflectivity is further reduced, and iridescent patterns are suppressed to improve reflective visibility.

[0132] A groove GV is formed in the touch insulating layer 152 to form such a Figure 7 The advantage of the illustrated structure is that it can be implemented at the same process cost as related technologies without changing the process steps or mask design. In the following text, refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 For those with Figure 7 The manufacturing method of the display device with the structure shown will be explained.

[0133] Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is used to illustrate the manufacturing of examples according to this disclosure. Figure 7 A view of the method of the display device shown. Figures 8 to 10For ease of explanation, components other than the touch sensor layer 150, the touch protection layer TPAS, and the black matrix are omitted.

[0134] Reference Figure 8 A halftone mask is used to reduce the thickness of the touch insulating layer 152 in the area where the touch electrode 153 is located. Therefore, a structure is formed in which a groove GV is formed in the touch insulating layer 152 and the touch electrode 153 is disposed in the groove GV.

[0135] At this point, the ratio of the thickness in the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without the groove GV to the thickness in the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with the groove GV can be 1:0.2 to 1:0.75. For example, this ratio can be 1:0.5 to 1:0.75. In this case, reducing the cell gap improves the brightness viewing angle, and if necessary, the linewidth of the black matrix 160 and the touch electrode 153 can be increased, thereby having the advantages of reducing external light reflectivity and improving process allowance.

[0136] If the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with grooves GV is less than 0.5 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without grooves GV, the depth of the grooves GV is large, which may limit the planarization of the top surface of the black matrix 160. More specifically, if the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with grooves GV is reduced to 0.3 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without grooves GV, the black matrix 160 is formed deeper in the grooves GV in the area overlapping with the touch electrode 153. Therefore, the top surface of the black matrix 160 is not formed flat. Therefore, there may be limitations in the planarization of the layer formed above the black matrix 160, and the uneven surface may affect optical properties.

[0137] Furthermore, if the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with the groove GV is less than 0.5 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without the groove GV, the gap between the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 becomes narrower. For example, if the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with the groove GV is reduced to 0.3 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without the groove GV, the gap between the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 is reduced to 70%. In this case, the parasitic capacitance between the touch electrode 153 and the bridging electrode 151 increases, and the parasitic capacitance between the touch electrode 153 and the cathode 133 also increases, thereby reducing touch performance. In addition, the narrow gap between the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153 makes defects such as short circuits possible during the electrode formation process.

[0138] In contrast, if the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with grooves GV exceeds 0.75 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without grooves GV, the reduction in cell gap is not significant, and the brightness viewing angle may not be significantly improved.

[0139] Reference Figure 9 A touch protective layer TPAS is formed by a deposition process, and at least a portion of the touch protective layer TPAS is disposed in the groove GV.

[0140] Reference Figure 10 A black matrix 160 is formed on the touch protective layer TPAS using a photolithography process. At least a portion of the black matrix 160 is disposed within the groove GV. Therefore, the cell gap can be reduced without decreasing the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140.

[0141] The deeper the groove GV formed in the touch insulating layer 152, the lower the cell gap. Therefore, as described above, if the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 with the groove GV is equal to or less than 0.3 times the thickness of the area of ​​the touch insulating layer 152 without the groove GV, defects such as short circuits may occur. In order to suppress the problem described above, the depth of the groove GV is formed within a defined range, so that the cell gap can be reduced within the defined range of the groove GV depth.

[0142] For example, according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the amount of reduction in cell gap can be from 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm, for example, from 1 μm to 1.5 μm, and in this case, the linewidth on one side of the black matrix 160 can be increased from 0.5 μm to 0.8 μm, but is not limited thereto.

[0143] If the reduction in cell gap is less than 0.5 μm, the light emitted from the OLED 130 may not be emitted at a wide angle, resulting in insignificant improvement in brightness viewing angle and difficulty in expanding linewidth. Meanwhile, if the reduction in cell gap exceeds 1.5 μm, the spacing between the OLED 130 and the touch sensor layer 150 narrows to 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm, potentially leading to increased parasitic capacitance and consequently reduced touch sensitivity.

[0144] In summary, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, at least a portion of the black matrix 160 is disposed in a recess GV disposed in the touch insulating layer 152 to reduce the cell gap without adjusting the thickness of the encapsulation layer 140. Therefore, the brightness viewing angle is improved, and if necessary, the linewidth of the black matrix 160 is increased, thereby increasing the design freedom of the bridging electrode 151 and the touch electrode 153, and improving reflective visibility and touch characteristics.

[0145] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can also be described as follows:

[0146] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes: a substrate defining a plurality of sub-pixels; a thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate; a planarization layer disposed on the thin-film transistor; an organic light-emitting diode disposed on the planarization layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels; an encapsulation layer disposed on the organic light-emitting diode; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels; and a plurality of color filters disposed on the touch protection layer corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixels, wherein the touch insulating layer includes recesses at positions corresponding to the black matrix, and the touch electrodes are configured to fill at least a portion of the recesses disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0147] The ratio of the thickness of the touch insulation layer in the area without the groove to the thickness of the touch insulation layer in the area with the groove can be from 1:0.2 to 1:0.75.

[0148] At least a portion of the touch protective layer may be set in the groove.

[0149] At least a portion of the black matrix can be set in the groove.

[0150] At least a portion of the bottom surface of the black matrix can be disposed in the groove, and the width of the top surface of the black matrix can be greater than the width of the groove.

[0151] The cross-section of the black matrix can be T-shaped. The bottom of the T-shaped black matrix can completely fill the remaining portion of the groove defined by the touch protection layer.

[0152] An organic light-emitting diode may include: an anode disposed on a planarization layer to correspond to each of a plurality of sub-pixels; an emissive layer disposed on the anode; and a cathode disposed on the emissive layer. It may also include a dam disposed on the planarization layer to expose at least a portion of the anode, and the dam may be a black dam.

[0153] Each of the bridging electrode, touch electrode, and black matrix can be configured to overlap with the embankment.

[0154] The width of the black matrix can be greater than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode.

[0155] The distance between adjacent black matrices can be greater than the distance between adjacent dike sections. The distance between this black matrix and its adjacent black matrices can be greater than the distance between this dike section and its adjacent dike sections.

[0156] A recess is formed on the top surface of the touch protective layer corresponding to the groove of the touch insulating layer, and the bottom of the T-shaped black matrix completely fills the recess on the top surface of the touch protective layer.

[0157] The width of the concave portion is smaller than the width of the groove.

[0158] The width of the bottom surface of the black matrix is ​​smaller than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode, and the width of the top surface of the black matrix is ​​larger than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode.

[0159] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a display device is provided, the display device comprising: an encapsulation layer; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; and a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels, wherein the touch insulating layer includes grooves corresponding to positions of the black matrix, and the touch electrodes are configured to fill at least a portion of the grooves disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0160] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a display panel is provided, the display panel comprising: an encapsulation layer; a touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and touch electrodes disposed on the touch insulating layer; a touch protection layer disposed on the touch sensor layer; and a black matrix disposed on the touch protection layer between adjacent sub-pixels, wherein the touch insulating layer includes recesses corresponding to positions of the black matrix, and the touch electrodes are configured to fill at least a portion of the recesses disposed in the touch insulating layer.

[0161] Although 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 provided for illustrative purposes only 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 respects and are not limiting of the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0162] Cross-reference to related applications

[0163] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0188357, filed in Korea on December 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein for all purposes.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising: A substrate, wherein a plurality of sub-pixels are defined therein; A thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate; A planarization layer is disposed on the thin-film transistor; An organic light-emitting diode, wherein the organic light-emitting diode is disposed on the planarization layer to correspond to each of the plurality of sub-pixels; An encapsulation layer is disposed on the organic light-emitting diode; A touch sensor layer, the touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; A touch protection layer is disposed on the touch sensor layer; A black matrix, wherein the black matrix is ​​disposed between adjacent sub-pixels on the touch protection layer; as well as Multiple color filters are disposed on the touch protection layer to correspond to each of the multiple sub-pixels. The touch insulating layer includes grooves at positions corresponding to the black matrix, and The touch electrode is configured to fill at least a portion of the groove disposed in the touch insulating layer.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the thickness of the touch insulating layer in the area where the groove is not provided to the thickness of the touch insulating layer in the area where the groove is provided is 1:0.2 to 1:0.

75.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the touch protective layer is disposed in the groove of the touch insulating layer.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the black matrix is ​​disposed in the groove of the touch insulating layer.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the bottom surface of the black matrix is ​​disposed in the groove of the touch insulating layer.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The width of the top surface of the black matrix is ​​greater than the width of the groove in the touch insulating layer.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein, The cross-section of the black matrix is ​​T-shaped.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The organic light-emitting diode includes: An anode, wherein the anode is disposed on the planarization layer to correspond to each of the plurality of sub-pixels; A light-emitting layer, wherein the light-emitting layer is disposed on the anode; and Cathode, the cathode being disposed on the light-emitting layer, The display device further includes a dam disposed on the planarization layer to expose at least a portion of the anode, and The embankment in question is a black embankment.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, Each of the bridging electrode, the touch electrode, and the black matrix is ​​configured to overlap with the embankment.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the black matrix is ​​greater than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode.

11. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, The distance between adjacent black matrices is greater than the distance between adjacent dikes.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the thickness of the touch insulating layer in the area where the groove is not provided to the thickness of the touch insulating layer in the area where the groove is provided is 1:0.5 to 1:0.

75.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The cross-section of the black matrix is ​​T-shaped.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein, A recess is formed on the top surface of the groove corresponding to the touch insulating layer in the touch protective layer, and the bottom of the T-shaped black matrix completely fills the recess on the top surface of the touch protective layer.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein, The width of the recess is smaller than the width of the groove.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the bottom surface of the black matrix is ​​less than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode, and the width of the top surface of the black matrix is ​​greater than the width of each of the bridging electrode and the touch electrode.

17. A display device comprising: Encapsulation layer; A touch sensor layer, the touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; A touch protection layer is disposed on the touch sensor layer; as well as A black matrix, wherein the black matrix is ​​disposed between adjacent sub-pixels on the touch protection layer. The touch insulating layer includes grooves at positions corresponding to the black matrix, and The touch electrode is configured to fill at least a portion of the groove disposed in the touch insulating layer.

18. A display panel comprising: Encapsulation layer; A touch sensor layer, the touch sensor layer including a bridging electrode disposed on the encapsulation layer, a touch insulating layer configured to cover the bridging electrode, and a touch electrode disposed on the touch insulating layer; A touch protection layer is disposed on the touch sensor layer; as well as A black matrix, wherein the black matrix is ​​disposed between adjacent sub-pixels on the touch protection layer. The touch insulating layer includes a groove at a position corresponding to the black matrix, and the touch electrode is configured to fill at least a portion of the groove disposed in the touch insulating layer.

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