Display device

Abstract

A display device includes: an unfoldable area and a foldable area; a window; a display panel disposed under the window; a first support member disposed under the display panel in the non-foldable area and the foldable area to support the display panel, and including a discontinuous portion having an opening or a groove in the foldable area; a second support member disposed under the first support member and including daughter boards respectively overlapping the non-collapsible regions; and an adhesive member disposed between the first support member and the second support member, where each of the daughter boards of the second support member includes a first portion extending parallel to the first support member, a second portion extending parallel to the first support member, and a third portion extending parallel to the second support member. Wherein the second portion extends from the first portion and is bent in the foldable area, and wherein the third portion extends from the second portion parallel to the first support member.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0077025, filed on Jun. 15, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The utility model relates to a display device, and more specifically, to a flexible display device. Background Art

[0004] Multimedia electronic devices such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, navigation devices, and game consoles may include a display device for displaying images. The display device may be, for example, an organic light emitting display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display panel (PDP), or the like.

[0005] Recently, the demand for flexible display devices has been increasing. Unlike rigid display devices, flexible display devices can be bent, folded or curled. Because of this, flexible display devices can be deformed into various shapes. Accordingly, flexible display devices can be easily carried and user convenience can be increased. In addition, since flexible display devices can be implemented in various forms such as bendable display devices, foldable display devices, and rollable display devices, their application fields are expanding. For example, in order to achieve a large area as well as ultra-thin, lightweight and miniaturized, research on foldable display devices that are portable in a folded state and display images in an unfolded state is being actively carried out, and such devices are currently under development. Utility Model Content

[0006] According to one embodiment of the utility model, a display device includes: a non-foldable area and a foldable area arranged between the non-foldable areas; a window; a display panel arranged under the window; a first supporting member, arranged under the display panel in the non-foldable area and the foldable area to support the display panel, and including a discontinuous portion having an opening or a groove in the foldable area; a second supporting member, arranged under the first supporting member and including sub-panels respectively overlapping the non-foldable areas; and an adhesive member, arranged between the first supporting member and the second supporting member, wherein each of the sub-panels of the second supporting member includes a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part extends parallel to the first supporting member, wherein the second part extends from the first part and is bent in the foldable area, and wherein the third part extends from the second part parallel to the first supporting member.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of each of the sub-plates is folded inwardly in a direction toward the first supporting member to contact the discontinuous portion of the first supporting member.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sub-panels are spaced apart from each other in the foldable area.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of each of the sub-plates is folded by bending end portions of the sub-plates facing each other in the foldable region.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the third portion of each of the sub-boards is disposed between the first portion of the corresponding sub-board and the first supporting member.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive member is disposed on a portion of the first portion that does not overlap with the third portion of each of the sub-boards.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive member is configured to have the same thickness as that of the second supporting member, wherein the adhesive member attaches the first portion to the first supporting member.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive member includes at least one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an optically transparent adhesive, and an optically transparent resin.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first supporting member comprises at least one of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, plastic (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) and ultra-thin glass.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second supporting member comprises at least one of stainless steel, aluminum alloy and copper alloy.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the sub-plates of the second supporting member further includes a fourth portion and a fifth portion, wherein the fourth portion extends from and bends from the first portion, and wherein the fifth portion extends from the fourth portion parallel to the first supporting member, and wherein the first portion is disposed between the second portion and the fourth portion.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fourth portion of each of the sub-plates is folded inwardly in a direction toward the first supporting member to contact an edge portion of the first supporting member.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fifth portion of each of the sub-boards is disposed between the first portion of the corresponding sub-board and the first supporting member.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive member is disposed on the first portion of each of the sub-boards and is disposed between the third portion and the fifth portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the utility model, a display device includes: a non-foldable area and a foldable area arranged between the non-foldable areas; a window; a display panel, which is arranged to be attached to the window; a first supporting member, which is attached to the display panel in the non-foldable area and the foldable area, and includes a discontinuous portion having an opening or a groove in the foldable area; a second supporting member, which is arranged below the first supporting member and includes sub-panels overlapping the non-foldable area and the foldable area, respectively; and wherein each of the sub-panels of the second supporting member includes a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the first part overlaps the first supporting member, wherein the second part extends from the first part and is bent in the foldable area, and wherein the third part is arranged between the first supporting member and the first part.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display device further comprises: an adhesive member disposed between the first portion and the first supporting member.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bonding member contacts the first portion and the third portion.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the sub-plates of the second supporting member further includes a fourth portion and a fifth portion, wherein the fourth portion is connected to the first portion and bent, and wherein the fifth portion is connected to the fourth portion, and wherein the first portion is disposed between the second portion and the fourth portion.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fifth portion is disposed between the first portion and the first supporting member.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display device further comprises: an adhesive member disposed between the fifth portion and the third portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by further describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of a display device in a folded state.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 is an example Figure 3 A perspective view of a display device in a folded state.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a comparative example.

[0032] Figure 6 According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in the display device.

[0033] Figure 7 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a display panel in FIG.

[0034] Figure 8 This is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 A perspective view of a first support member and a second support member in FIG.

[0035] Fig. 9 According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in the display device.

[0036] Fig.10 This is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 A perspective view of a first support member and a second support member in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or there may be intervening elements therebetween. Here, "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the corresponding configurations.

[0039] Here, terms such as first and second can be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited to these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the first component can refer to the second component.

[0040] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state. The display device 100 may be a foldable display device (e.g., a flexible display device). The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used in large electronic devices such as televisions and monitors, and small and medium-sized electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, car navigation systems, game consoles, and smart watches.

[0041] refer to Figure 1 , the upper surface of the display device 100 may be defined as a display surface DS. In the unfolded state, in other words, in the flat state of the display device 100, the display surface DS may have a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The normal direction of the display surface DS may be a direction parallel to the third direction DR3. For example, the third direction DR3 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The third direction DR3 may represent a thickness direction of the display device 100.

[0042] The display surface DS may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA around and / or adjacent to the display area DA. The display area DA may be an area where an image is displayed, and the non-display area NDA may be an area where an image is not displayed.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the display area DA may have a rectangular shape. The non-display area NDA may partially surround at least a portion of the display area DA. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and various modifications may be made to the shapes of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA.

[0044] The display device 100 may include a first non-foldable area NFA1, a foldable area FA, and a second non-foldable area NFA2 sequentially defined (or arranged) along a second direction DR2 or a direction opposite to the second direction DR2. Here, the foldable area FA may be an area that is bent according to an applied external force, and the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2 may be areas that are not bent according to an applied external force. For example, the foldable area FA may be disposed between the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2. Figure 1 and Figure 2, one foldable area FA and two non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 are shown as examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the display device 100 may include more than two non-foldable areas and a foldable area disposed between the non-foldable areas.

[0045] Figure 2 is an example Figure 1 A perspective view of a display device in a folded state.

[0046] refer to Figure 2 , the display device 100 can be folded based on the folding axis FX. The foldable area FA can be bent based on the folding axis FX. In some embodiments of the present invention, the folding axis FX can be a short axis parallel to the short side of the display device 100. For example, the folding axis FX can extend along the first direction DR1.

[0047] The display device 100 can be folded inward based on the folding axis FX. In this case, when the display device 100 is folded, the display surface of the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the display surface of the second non-foldable area NFA2 can face each other. For example, the display device 100 can be folded so that the display surface DS is located inside the display device 100 when in a folded state. However, embodiments of the present utility model are not limited thereto. For example, the display device 100 can be folded outward based on the folding axis FX. In this case, when the display device 100 is folded, the display surface of the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the display surface of the second non-foldable area NFA2 can face opposite directions from each other. For example, the display device 100 can be folded so that the display surface DS is exposed to the outside of the display device 100.

[0048] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] refer to Figure 3 , the display device 200 may include a first non-foldable area NFA1-1, a foldable area FA-1, and a second non-foldable area NFA2-1 sequentially defined (or arranged) along a first direction DR1 or a direction opposite to the first direction DR1. The foldable area FA-1 may be disposed between the first non-foldable area NFA1-1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2-1.

[0050] Figure 4 is an example Figure 3 A perspective view of a display device in a folded state.

[0051] refer to Figure 4, the display device 200 can be folded based on the folding axis FX-1. The foldable area FA-1 can be bent based on the folding axis FX-1. In some embodiments of the present invention, the folding axis FX-1 can be a long axis extending parallel to the long side of the display device 200. For example, the folding axis FX-1 can extend along the second direction DR2.

[0052] As such, the display device may include a folding axis extending along one of a variety of directions, such as Figure 2 The folding axis FX and Figure 4 The folding axis FX-1 of the display device is foldable based on the folding axis. Figure 1 and Figure 2 However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the structure of the display device 100 to be described below may also be applied to the display device 200 folded based on the long axis.

[0053] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to a comparative example.

[0054] refer to Figure 5 , the display device 500 may include a window 510 , a display panel 520 , and a support member 530 .

[0055] The window 510 may cover the display panel 520 to protect the display panel 520. The display panel 520 may display an image. When the display device 500 is a foldable display device, the window 510 may have a relatively thin thickness and relatively low rigidity than a window used in a non-foldable display device.

[0056] In addition, the window 510 may include glass. In this case, the window 510 may have a thickness of less than about 100 microns or less than about 80 microns so as to be foldable. For example, the window 510 may have a thickness of about 30 microns. The window 510 may include ultra-thin tempered glass (UTG). As such, the window 510 may have a relatively thin thickness than a window used in a non-foldable (or rigid) display device. This may mean that the window 510 has a relatively low rigidity. Therefore, in the display device 500, a support member 530 for supplementing the relatively low rigidity of the window 510 may be provided below the display panel 520, compared to a non-foldable display device.

[0057] The support member 530 may include a relatively high rigidity material (such as stainless steel) to support the components of the display device 500, and the support member 530 may have a relatively thick thickness. However, when the adhesive layer 540 is disposed below the support member 530 corresponding to the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2, a step difference caused by the manufacturing process may appear in the lower portion of the support member 530 corresponding to the foldable area FA. Therefore, a separate support member 550 may be disposed below the support member 530 corresponding to the foldable area FA. For example, the adhesive layer 540 may be disposed below the support member 530 corresponding to the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 with a thickness of about 20 microns to combine the support member 530 and the digitizer with each other. In this case, the adhesive layer 540 may include an adhesive (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive). In addition, a support member 550 having a thickness of about 16 microns may be disposed below the support member 530 corresponding to the foldable area FA to support the discontinuous portion 331 having an opening of the support member 530. In this case, the support member 550 may be a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU).

[0058] Therefore, when the display device 500 is repeatedly folded, sagging of the foldable area FA may occur due to the step difference in the lower part of the support member 530 caused by the manufacturing process. Accordingly, when the crease deepens, deformation may occur in at least some of the components 510, 520 and 530 of the display device 500. The reliability of the operation of the display device 500 may be reduced due to such deformation. In addition, when the upper layer (such as the window 510) of the display device 500 is deformed, it can be visually recognized by the user. Accordingly, a structure that can more strongly support the display panel 520 may be required to prevent sagging of the foldable area FA.

[0059] Figure 6 According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in the display device.

[0060] refer to Figure 6 , the display device 100 may include a window 310 , a display panel 320 , a first supporting member 330 , an adhesive member 340 , and a second supporting member 350 .

[0061] The display device 100 may be a structure in which components of the display device 100 are stacked and bonded to each other through adhesive layers 301 to 306. For example, the adhesive layers 301 to 306 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive, but are not limited thereto as long as they include a material capable of bonding components.

[0062] The window protection layer 311 of the display device 100 may be disposed on the top of the display device 100 to protect the window 310 disposed below the window protection layer 311. The window protection layer 311 may be attached to the window 310 by the first adhesive layer 301. The window protection layer 311 may have a multilayer structure and may include a recovery layer, a plastic film, and a hard coating layer. For example, since the window protection layer 311 includes a recovery layer, the recovery force of the plastic film against external forces such as stamping may be improved. In addition, since the window protection layer 311 includes a hard coating layer, the wear resistance of the window protection layer 311 may be increased.

[0063] The window 310 may be provided on the display panel 320 to protect the display panel 320. The window 310 may include an optically transparent insulating material and may have a multilayer structure or a single-layer structure. For example, the window 310 may include transparent polyimide (colorless polyimide), ultra-thin tempered glass (UTG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyether sulfone (PS), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polycarbonate (PC), etc.

[0064] The damping layer 312 may be disposed between the window 310 and the display panel 320. The damping layer 312 may be fixed to the window 310 by the second adhesive layer 302, and may be fixed to the display panel 320 by the third adhesive layer 303. The damping layer 312 may be disposed on the display panel 320, and may absorb external impact to prevent deformation of the display panel 320. For example, the damping layer 312 may prevent deformation of the display panel 320 by increasing resistance to pressure from a nail or an impact from a pen, etc. In addition, the damping layer 312 may include a flexible material such as platinum (Pt), and may have a multi-layer structure or a single-layer structure.

[0065] As reference Figures 1 to 4 As described, the display panel 320 of the display device 100 can display an image and can be folded. The display panel 320 can be divided into non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 and a foldable area FA disposed between the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2. The display panel 320 can be bent or folded along a folding axis FX in the foldable area FA disposed at the center of the display panel 320. Accordingly, appropriate materials and their physical properties can be used so that not only the display panel 320, but also the window 310 and the window protective layer 311 disposed on the display panel 320 can be bent or folded along the folding axis FX in the foldable area FA.

[0066] The protective film 313 may be disposed under the display panel 320. The protective film 313 may be disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 320 to protect the display panel 320. In addition, the protective film 313 may be coupled to the display panel 320 through the fourth adhesive layer 304. The protective film 313 may prevent scratches on the rear surface of the display panel 320 during the manufacturing process. The protective film 313 may be a colored polyimide film.

[0067] In the display panel 320, a buffer member may be disposed under the protective film 313. The buffer member may protect the display panel 320 from an impact transmitted from a lower portion. The impact resistance of the display device 100 may be increased by the buffer member.

[0068] In the display panel 320, the barrier layer 314 may be disposed under the protective film 313. The barrier layer 314 may be disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 320 to delay the penetration of oxygen and moisture from the outside. In addition, the barrier layer 314 may be coupled to the protective film 313 through the fifth adhesive layer 305. For example, the barrier layer 314 may include a film having light transmittance and double-sided adhesiveness, and may include any one of an olefin insulating material, an acrylic insulating material, and / or a silicon insulating material. In addition, the barrier layer 314 may include any one of a copolyester thermoplastic elastomer (COP), a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), and / or a polycarbonate (PC), but the utility model is not limited thereto.

[0069] In addition, the sixth adhesive layer 306 may be disposed between the barrier layer 314 and the first supporting member 330 in the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 so that the barrier layer 314 and the first supporting member 330 may be coupled to each other.

[0070] The first and second support members 330 and 350 of the display device 100 may be disposed under the protective film 313 to support components disposed on the protective film 313. In addition, the first and second support members 330 and 350 may prevent the display panel 320 from being distorted due to stress when the display device 100 is in a folded state.

[0071] refer to Figure 6 , the first support member 330 may be provided as one integrally formed plate and may be disposed above the second support member 350. The second support member 350 may be a plurality of sub-plates and may be disposed below the first support member 330. In some embodiments of the present invention, the second support member 350 may include two sub-plates overlapping the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2, respectively. In addition, the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 may be coupled to each other by an adhesive member 340.

[0072] The first support member 330 may be disposed under the display panel 320 to support the display panel 320. In addition, the first support member 330 may include a discontinuous portion 331 having an opening or a groove at the center of the display panel 320. For example, the first support member 330 may be one sub-board disposed to overlap both the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 and the foldable area FA of the display panel 320. In addition, one sub-board may include a discontinuous portion 331 overlapping the foldable area FA of the display panel 320. For example, the discontinuous portion 331 may not overlap the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2. For example, the discontinuous portion 331 may be formed adjacent to the folding axis FX. In the discontinuous portion 331, an opening penetrating the sub-board in the third direction DR3 may be formed at regular intervals along the second direction DR2. In addition, in the discontinuous portion 331, a groove penetrating a portion of the sub-board in the third direction DR3 may be formed at regular intervals along the second direction DR2. The first support member 330 may be easily deformed in the foldable area FA by including the discontinuous portion 331.

[0073] The second support member 350 may be disposed under the first support member 330 to support the display panel 320 and the first support member 330. In addition, the second support member 350 may include sub-panels overlapping the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2, respectively, and the sub-panels may be spaced apart from each other in the foldable area FA. For example, the sub-panels of the second support member 350 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2 in the foldable area FA.

[0074] refer to Figure 6 , each of the sub-plates of the second supporting member 350 may include a first portion 351, a second portion 352, and a third portion 353. The first portion may extend parallel to the first supporting member 330. The second portion 352 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled (or bent) in the foldable area FA, and the third portion 353 may extend from the second portion 352 parallel to the first supporting member 330.

[0075] The second supporting member 350 may include a first portion 351 disposed at the lowermost portion. The first portion 351 may extend to overlap both the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 and the foldable area FA. In the first portion 351, each of the sub-boards may extend parallel to the first supporting member 330 along the second direction DR2 or a direction opposite to the second direction DR2.

[0076] The second support member 350 may include a second portion 352 that is curled at an end portion of the first portion 351 that overlaps the foldable area FA. In the second portion 352, each of the sub-plates may be bent and curled to be completely folded inward. In the second portion 352, each of the sub-plates may be folded inward toward the first support member 330 in the third direction DR3 to contact the discontinuous portion 331 of the first support member 330. In the second portion 352, the end portions of each sub-plate that face each other in the foldable area FA may be folded. Accordingly, the second support member 350 may have a structure for doubly supporting the discontinuous portion 331 of the first support member 330 by including the second portion 352 and / or the third portion 353 without adding a separate component. Accordingly, rigidity may be increased.

[0077] The second supporting member 350 may include a third portion 353 extending from the second portion 352. The third portion 353 may extend from the second portion 352 and may be disposed in parallel to the first supporting member 330. The third portion 353 may be disposed between the first portion 351 of the corresponding sub-board and the first supporting member 330. For example, the third portion 353 may be disposed to overlap with a lower portion of the discontinuous portion 331 of the first supporting member 330 and a portion of the first portion 351. For example, a portion of the first portion 351 may overlap with a lower portion of the discontinuous portion 331. Accordingly, the discontinuous portion 331 of the first supporting member 330 may be doubly supported by the first portion 351 and the third portion 353 of the second supporting member 350.

[0078] The extension length of the third portion 353 may be determined according to the thickness of the second support member 350. For example, as the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the length of the third portion 353 extending from the second portion 352 may gradually decrease. For example, when the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the thickness of the third portion 353 included in the second support member 350 may also increase. Therefore, even if the area of ​​the third portion 353 is smaller than the area of ​​the discontinuous portion 331, the third portion 353 may prevent sagging that may be caused in the discontinuous portion 331. Here, the area may be the area in the third direction DR3. For example, as the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the third portion 353 may be provided to overlap only a portion of the discontinuous portion 331.

[0079] The adhesive member 340 may be disposed between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350. An empty space may be formed between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 by the second portion 352 of the second support member 350 being curled or bent. In this case, the empty space may be formed at a height equal to the thickness of the second support member 350. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed to fill the empty space between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350. Accordingly, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on a portion of the first portion 351 of the second support member 350 that does not overlap with the third portion 353 extending from the second portion 352 of the second support member 350. For example, the adhesive member 340 may contact the first portion 351 and the third portion 353. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed to have the same thickness as that of the second support member 350 so that the first portion 351 of the second support member 350 may be attached to the first support member 330. Accordingly, the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 may be coupled to each other by the adhesive member 340 without a step difference. For example, the adhesive member 340 may include at least one of a pressure sensitive adhesive, an optically transparent adhesive, and / or an optically transparent resin. However, the material of the adhesive member 340 is not limited thereto as long as it is a material capable of bonding the first supporting member 330 and the second supporting member 350 to each other.

[0080] In addition, in the display device 100, an adhesive layer and / or a reinforcement film may be further disposed between the window protection layer 311 and the display panel 320. In addition, in the display device 100, an adhesive layer and / or a reinforcement film may be further disposed between the display panel 320 and the first support member 330.

[0081] Figure 7 This is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a display panel in FIG.

[0082] The display panel 320 of the display device 100 may display an image and detect an input received from the outside. Figure 7 , the display panel 320 may include a display layer 321 and a sensor layer 326 .

[0083] The display layer 321 may display an image. The display layer 321 may be a light-emitting display layer. For example, the display layer 321 may be an organic light-emitting display layer, a quantum dot display layer, or a micro LED display layer. According to the structure of the display layer 321, the display panel 320 may be an organic light-emitting display panel, a quantum dot display panel, or a micro LED display panel.

[0084] The display layer 321 may include a base layer 322 , a circuit layer 323 , a light emitting element layer 324 , and an encapsulation layer 325 .

[0085] The base layer 322 may include a substrate. The substrate may include, for example, a glass substrate, an organic / inorganic composite substrate, etc. For example, the base layer 322 may include a synthetic resin layer. The synthetic resin layer may include a thermosetting resin. The base layer 322 may have a multilayer structure. For example, the base layer 322 may include a first synthetic resin layer, a silicon oxide (SiO x ) layer, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer disposed on the silicon oxide layer, and a second synthetic resin layer disposed on the amorphous silicon layer. In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the first synthetic resin layer and the second synthetic resin layer may include at least one of an acrylate resin, a methacrylic resin, a polyisoprene resin, a vinyl resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a cellulose resin, a siloxane resin, a polyamide resin, and / or a pyrene resin.

[0086] The circuit layer 323 may be disposed on the substrate layer 322. The circuit layer 323 may include a plurality of layers such as a semiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, a signal line, a via layer, and an insulating layer for driving the light emitting element layer 324. For example, the semiconductor pattern and the conductive pattern may include a pixel circuit for driving the light emitting element of the light emitting element layer 324. The pixel circuit may be controlled by a signal line.

[0087] The light emitting element layer 324 may be disposed on the circuit layer 323. The light emitting element layer 324 may include a light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element layer 324 may include an organic light emitting material, a quantum dot, a quantum rod, or a micro LED.

[0088] The encapsulation layer 325 may be disposed on the light emitting element layer 324 to protect components of the display layer 321 (such as the light emitting element layer 324) from the external environment. The encapsulation layer 325 may include an inorganic layer and at least one organic layer stacked on each other. For example, the encapsulation layer 325 may include an inorganic layer, an organic layer, and an inorganic layer stacked on each other in sequence. The inorganic layer may protect the light emitting element layer 324 from moisture and oxygen, and the organic layer may protect the light emitting element layer 324 from foreign substances such as dust particles.

[0089] The sensor layer 326 may be provided on the display layer 321. The sensor layer 326 may detect an external input received from the outside. The external input may be an input of a user. The input of the user may include at least one external input in various forms such as a part of the user's body, light, heat, an object (e.g., a pen), and pressure.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor layer 326 may be directly disposed on the display layer 321. For example, a separate adhesive member is not disposed between the sensor layer 326 and the display layer 321, and the sensor layer 326 may use a component of the display layer 321 (such as the encapsulation layer 325) as a substrate. In addition, as an example, the sensor unit of the sensor layer 326 may be formed on the encapsulation layer 325. In addition, the sensor layer 326 may be formed separately from the display layer 321 and then coupled to the display layer 321 by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may include an adhesive (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive).

[0091] Figure 8 This is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of a first support member and a second support member in FIG. The display device 100 may include a first support member 330 and a second support member 350. The first support member 330 may include one sub-board and may be disposed under the display panel 320, and the second support member 350 may include a plurality of sub-boards and may be disposed under the first support member 330.

[0092] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the first supporting member 330 may include one sub-board extending continuously in the first non-foldable area NFA1, the foldable area FA, and the second non-foldable area NFA2. In addition, the first supporting member 330 may include a discontinuous portion 331 having an opening or a groove in the foldable area FA so that one sub-board can be easily folded.

[0093] The first support member 330 may include a material having relatively high rigidity to be suitable for supporting a component disposed thereon (e.g., the display panel 320). In some embodiments of the present invention, the first support member 330 may include at least one of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, plastic (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), and / or ultra-thin glass. However, the material of the first support member 330 is not limited thereto, as long as it is suitable for supporting a component disposed thereon.

[0094] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the display device 100 is in an unfolded state, and the second supporting member 350 may include a first sub-panel SP1 and a second sub-panel SP2. The first sub-panel SP1 may be arranged to correspond to (e.g., overlap) the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the foldable area FA, and the second sub-panel SP2 may be arranged to correspond to the second non-foldable area NFA2 and the foldable area FA. In addition, the second supporting member 350 may overlap with the first supporting member 330 and may be attached to the first supporting member 330 by an adhesive member 340.

[0095] The second support member 350 may include a material having relatively high rigidity to be suitable for supporting components disposed thereon (e.g., the display panel 320 and the first support member 330). In some embodiments of the present invention, the second support member 350 may include at least one of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and copper alloy. However, the material of the second support member 350 is not limited thereto, as long as the material is suitable for supporting components disposed thereon.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first sub-panel SP1 and the second sub-panel SP2 may include a first portion 351, a second portion 352, and a third portion 353. The first portion 351 may extend parallel to the first support member 330, and the second portion 352 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled in the foldable area FA. The third portion 353 may extend from the second portion 352 parallel to the first support member 330.

[0097] Each of a portion of the first sub-plate SP1 and a portion of the second sub-plate SP2 may overlap with the foldable area FA. The first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the foldable area FA, but the width of the space between the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may be smaller than the width of the foldable area FA. In addition, although the drawings may not illustrate a clear space between the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2, the space between the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may be very small. For example, the ends of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 facing each other in the foldable area FA may be curled. For example, the first sub-plate SP1 is not connected to the second sub-plate SP2 through the second portion 352 of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2. Accordingly, the discontinuous portion 331 provided with the opening or groove of the first support member 330 may overlap with and be supported by the curled ends of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2. For example, each of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may include a second portion 352 that is curled at an end portion of the corresponding sub-plate SP1 or SP2 adjacent to the folding axis FX. The second portion 352 may be bent at a predetermined curvature. In addition, the first portion 351 and the third portion 353 of the first sub-plate SP1 may be stacked and arranged in two stages by the second portion 352. In addition, the first portion 351 and the third portion 353 of the second sub-plate SP2 may be stacked and arranged in two stages by the second portion 352. For example, under the discontinuous portion 331 of the foldable area FA, the third portion 353 and the first portion 351 of each of the sub-plates SP1 and SP2 may be arranged to overlap each other, or the second portion 352 may be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first support member 330.

[0098] The first sub-panel SP1 and the second sub-panel SP2 may overlap the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2, respectively. In addition, each of the first sub-panel SP1 and the second sub-panel SP2 may be attached to the first supporting member 330 by an adhesive member 340. For example, the first portion 351 of the first sub-panel SP1 may be disposed to overlap the first non-foldable area NFA1. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may couple the first portion 351 of the first sub-panel SP1 to the first supporting member 330 in the first non-foldable area NFA1, and may couple the first portion 351 of the second sub-panel SP2 to the first supporting member 330 in the second non-foldable area NFA2. Here, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on a portion of the first portion 351 that does not overlap with the third portion 353 of the first sub-panel SP1 in the first non-foldable area NFA1. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on a portion of the first portion 351 that does not overlap with the third portion 353 of the second sub-panel SP2 in the second non-foldable area NFA2. For example, in the first and second non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 , the first portion 351 of each of the sub-panels SP1 and SP2 may be disposed to be attached under the first supporting member 330 by the adhesive member 340 .

[0099] In this manner, by curling a portion of the second support member 350 to form the second portion 352, the second support member 350 can support the discontinuous portion 331 of the first support member 330 from below without a step difference. Therefore, the sagging amount of the first support member 330 and the components disposed above the first support member 330 can be reduced. In addition, when the display device 100 is repeatedly folded, the stress applied to the first support member 330 and the components disposed above the first support member 330 in the foldable area FA can be reduced, thereby providing the display device 100 with increased durability.

[0100] Fig. 9 According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in the display device.

[0101] refer to Fig. 9 , the display device 100 may include a window 310, a display panel 320, a first support member 330, an adhesive member 340, and a second support member 350. The window protection layer 311, the window 310, etc. may be disposed on an upper portion (e.g., an upper surface) of the display panel 320, and the protective film 313, the barrier layer 314, the first support member 330, the adhesive member 340, the second support member 350, etc. may be disposed on a lower portion (e.g., a lower surface) of the display panel 320. In addition, in addition to including the fourth portion 354 and the fifth portion 355, the display device 300 may have the same Figure 6 Hereinafter, repeated descriptions will be omitted or briefly discussed, and differences will be mainly discussed.

[0102] The second support member 350 may be disposed under the first support member 330 to support the display panel 320 and the first support member 330. In addition, the second support member 350 may include sub-plates overlapping the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2, respectively. The sub-plates may be spaced apart from each other in the foldable area FA. For example, the sub-plates of the second support member 350 may be disposed to overlap each of the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2, and spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2 in the foldable area FA.

[0103] refer to Fig. 9 , each of the sub-plates of the second support member 350 may include a first portion 351, a second portion 352, and a third portion 353. The first portion 351 may extend parallel to the first support member 330, and the second portion 352 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled in the foldable area FA. The third portion 353 may extend from the second portion 352 parallel to the first support member 330. In addition, each of the sub-plates of the second support member 350 may further include a fourth portion 354 and a fifth portion 355. The fourth portion 354 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled, and the fifth portion 355 may extend from the fourth portion 354 parallel to the first support member 330. The first portion 351 may be disposed between the second portion 352 and the fourth portion 354, and each of the sub-plates may be curled at the second portion 352 and the fourth portion 354.

[0104] The second supporting member 350 may include a first portion 351 disposed at the lowermost portion of the display device 300. The first portion 351 may extend to overlap the first and second non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 and the foldable area FA. In the first portion 351, each of the sub-boards may extend parallel to the first supporting member 330 along the second direction DR2 or a direction opposite to the second direction DR2.

[0105] The second support member 350 may include a fourth portion 354 that is curled at an end portion of the first portion 351 that overlaps with an edge portion of the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2. Like the second portion 352, the fourth portion 354 may be bent and curled so that each of the sub-plates is completely folded inward. The fourth portion 354 may contact the edge portion 332 of the first support member 330 by folding inward in the third direction DR3 so that each of the sub-plates faces the first support member 330. The fourth portion 354 may be folded by bending an end portion of each of the sub-plates that is spaced apart from the folding axis FX in the second direction DR2. Accordingly, like the second portion 352, the second support member 350 may have a configuration in which the edge portion 332 of the first support member 330 is doubly supported by the fourth portion 354 without adding a separate component, so that the rigidity may be increased.

[0106] The second supporting member 350 may include a fifth portion 355 extending from the fourth portion 354. The fifth portion 355 may extend from the fourth portion 354 and may be disposed in parallel to the first supporting member 330. The fifth portion 355 may be disposed between the first portion 351 corresponding to each of the sub-boards of the second supporting member 350 and the first supporting member 330. For example, the fifth portion 355 may be disposed to overlap with a lower portion of the edge portion 332 of the first supporting member 330 and / or a portion adjacent to the edge portion 332 and a portion of the first portion 351. Therefore, the edge portion 332 of the first supporting member 330 and / or a portion adjacent to the edge portion 332 may be doubly supported by the first portion 351 of the second supporting member 350 and the fifth portion 355.

[0107] The extension length of the fifth portion 355 may be determined according to the thickness of the second support member 350. For example, as the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the length of the fifth portion 355 extending from the fourth portion 354 may gradually decrease. For example, when the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the thickness of the fifth portion 355 included in the second support member 350 may also increase, so that even if the area of ​​the fifth portion 355 is smaller than the area of ​​the edge portion 332, the fifth portion 355 may prevent sagging that may be caused in the edge portion 332. Here, for example, the area may be the area in the third direction DR3. For example, as the thickness of the second support member 350 increases, the fifth portion 355 may be provided to overlap only a portion of the edge portion 332.

[0108] The adhesive member 340 may be disposed between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350. An empty space may be formed between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 by the second portion 352 and the fourth portion 354 of the second support member 350 being curled. In this case, the empty space may be formed at a height equal to the thickness of the second support member 350. For example, an empty space may be formed between the first portion 351, the fifth portion 355, the third portion 353, and the first support member 330. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed to fill the empty space between the first support member 330 and the second support member 350. Accordingly, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on the first portion 351 of the second support member 350 and between the third portion 353 and the fifth portion 355. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed to have the same thickness as that of the second support member 350 so that the first portion 351 of the second support member 350 may be attached to the first support member 330. Accordingly, the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 can be coupled to each other by the adhesive member 340 without a step difference. For example, the adhesive member 340 may include at least one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an optically transparent adhesive, and / or an optically transparent resin. However, the material of the adhesive member 340 is not limited thereto as long as it is a material capable of bonding the first support member 330 and the second support member 350 to each other.

[0109] Fig.10 This is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 A perspective view of the first support member and the second support member in FIG. The first support member 330 may have Figure 8 Hereinafter, repeated descriptions will be omitted or briefly discussed, and differences will be mainly discussed.

[0110] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , when the display device 300 is in the unfolded state, the second supporting member 350 may include a first sub-panel SP1 and a second sub-panel SP2. The first sub-panel SP1 may be arranged to correspond to the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the foldable area FA, and the second sub-panel SP2 may be arranged to correspond to the second non-foldable area NFA2 and the foldable area FA. In addition, the second supporting member 350 may overlap with the first supporting member 330 and may be attached to the first supporting member 330 by an adhesive member 340.

[0111] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may include a first portion 351, a second portion 352, and a third portion 353. The first portion 351 may extend parallel to the first support member 330, and the second portion 352 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled in the foldable area FA. The third portion 353 may extend from the second portion 352 parallel to the first support member 330. In addition, each of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may include a fourth portion 354 and a fifth portion 355. The fourth portion 354 may extend from the first portion 351 and may be curled in the non-foldable area NFA1 or NFA2, and the fifth portion 355 may extend from the fourth portion 354 parallel to the first support member 330.

[0112] Each of a portion of the first sub-plate SP1 and a portion of the second sub-plate SP2 may overlap with the edge portion 332 of the first supporting member 330. For example, end portions of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 overlapping with the edge portion 332 of the first supporting member 330 may be curled to support the edge portion 332. For example, each of the first sub-plate SP1 and the second sub-plate SP2 may include a fourth portion 354 curled at an end portion spaced apart from the folding axis FX in the second direction DR2 or in a direction opposite to the second direction DR2. The fourth portion 354 may be bent with a predetermined curvature. In addition, the first portion 351 and the fifth portion 355 of the first sub-plate SP1 may be stacked and arranged in two stages by the fourth portion 354, and the first portion 351 and the fifth portion 355 of the second sub-plate SP2 may be stacked and arranged in two stages by the fourth portion 354. For example, in the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2, the fifth portion 355 and the first portion 351 of each of the sub-panels SP1 and SP2 may be stacked in two stages under the edge portion 332, or the fourth portion 354 may be disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first support member 330.

[0113] Each of the first sub-panel SP1 and the second sub-panel SP2 may overlap the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2, respectively. In addition, each of the first sub-panel SP1 and the second sub-panel SP2 may be attached to the first supporting member 330 by an adhesive member 340. For example, the first portion 351 of the first sub-panel SP1 may be disposed to overlap the first non-foldable area NFA1. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may couple the first portion 351 of the first sub-panel SP1 to the first supporting member 330 in the first non-foldable area NFA1, and may couple the first portion 351 of the second sub-panel SP2 to the first supporting member 330 in the second non-foldable area NFA2. Here, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on a portion of the first portion 351 that does not overlap with the third portion 353 and the fifth portion 355 of the first sub-panel SP1 in the first non-foldable area NFA1. In addition, the adhesive member 340 may be disposed on a portion of the first portion 351 that does not overlap with the third portion 353 and the fifth portion 355 of the second sub-panel SP2 in the second non-foldable area NFA2. For example, in the first and second non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 , the first portion 351 of each of the sub-panels SP1 and SP2 may be disposed to be attached to a lower portion of the first supporting member 330 by the adhesive member 340 .

[0114] In this manner, by forming the second portion 352 and the fourth portion 354 by curling a portion of the second support member 350, the second support member 350 can support the lower portion of the first support member 330 without a step difference formed by the adhesive member 340 and the second support member 350 due to the thickness of the adhesive member 340. Accordingly, the sagging amount of the first support member 330 and the components disposed above the first support member 330 can be reduced. For example, when the fourth portion 354 of the second support member 350 is formed, the edge portion of the display panel 320 can be protected, thereby providing increased durability for the display device 300.

[0115] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a display device with increased reliability can be provided.

[0116] The effects according to the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the contents described above, and various other effects are included in this specification.

[0117] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: The display device comprises: An infoldable region and a foldable region disposed between the infoldable regions; window; A display panel, disposed below the window; a first supporting member disposed under the display panel in the non-foldable region and the foldable region to support the display panel, and including a discontinuous portion having an opening or a groove in the foldable region; a second supporting member disposed below the first supporting member and including sub-plates respectively overlapping the non-foldable areas; and a bonding member disposed between the first supporting member and the second supporting member, Each of the sub-plates of the second supporting member comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion extends parallel to the first supporting member, wherein the second portion extends from the first portion and is bent in the foldable region, and wherein the third portion extends from the second portion parallel to the first supporting member.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion of each of the sub-plates is folded inwardly in a direction toward the first supporting member to contact the discontinuous portion of the first supporting member, The sub-panels are spaced apart from each other in the foldable area.

3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second portion of each of the sub-boards is folded by bending end portions of the sub-boards facing each other in the foldable region.

4. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The third portion of each of the sub-boards is disposed between the first portion of the corresponding sub-board and the first supporting member.

5. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The adhesive member is disposed on a portion of the first portion that does not overlap the third portion of each of the sub-boards.

6. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adhesive member is provided to have the same thickness as that of the second supporting member, wherein the adhesive member attaches the first portion to the first supporting member.

7. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the sub-plates of the second supporting member further includes a fourth portion and a fifth portion, wherein the fourth portion extends from the first portion and is bent, and wherein the fifth portion extends from the fourth portion parallel to the first supporting member, and The first part is arranged between the second part and the fourth part.

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fourth portion of each of the sub-boards is folded inwardly in a direction toward the first supporting member to contact an edge portion of the first supporting member.

9. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fifth portion of each of the sub-boards is disposed between the first portion of the corresponding sub-board and the first supporting member.

10. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The adhesive member is disposed on the first portion of each of the sub-boards and is disposed between the third portion and the fifth portion.

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