Display panel assembly

Abstract

There is provided a display panel assembly including: a display panel including a display area; a cover panel disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and in which a through hole overlapping the display area is defined; and the release film is arranged on the rear surface of the covering panel and covers the through hole. The release film includes: a first film including a front surface facing the cover panel; a second film disposed on a front surface of the first film, overlapping the through hole in a plane, and having a higher light blocking property than the first film; and an adhesive film disposed between the first film and the cover panel.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and all benefits arising from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0060405, filed on May 10, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure herein relates to a display panel assembly, and more particularly, to a display panel assembly capable of preventing a light spot phenomenon. Background Art

[0004] The display device may provide various functions capable of organically communicating with the user by displaying an image to provide information to the user or by detecting an input of the user.

[0005] The display device may include an electronic module capable of receiving an external signal or providing an output signal to the outside. In some recent display devices, the electronic module may be disposed on and assembled to the rear surface of the display panel. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present disclosure provides a display panel assembly including a display panel having improved display characteristics.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a display panel assembly capable of preventing a light spot phenomenon in a display panel due to external light by covering a through hole of a cover panel with a release film having a light blocking property.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides a display panel assembly that can be implemented without (eg, without the need for) an additional light blocking member by allowing the release film itself to have a light blocking property.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display panel assembly, comprising: a display panel including a display area; a cover panel, which is arranged on the rear surface of the display panel and defines a through hole overlapping the display area; and a release film, which is arranged on the rear surface of the cover panel and covers the through hole, wherein the release film comprises: a first film, including a front surface facing the cover panel; a second film, which is arranged on the front surface of the first film, overlaps the through hole in a plane, and has a higher light blocking property than the first film; and an adhesive film, which is arranged between the first film and the cover panel.

[0010] In an embodiment, at least a portion of the adhesive film may be disposed between the first film and the second film.

[0011] In an embodiment, the second film may be in contact with the rear surface of the cover panel.

[0012] In an embodiment, a length of a contact portion between the second film and the cover panel in a cross section perpendicular to the rear surface of the cover panel may be about 0.5 mm or more.

[0013] In an embodiment, the color of the second film may include black.

[0014] In an embodiment, the cover panel may include a first cover portion contacting the adhesive film and a second cover portion contacting the second film, and a first thickness of the first cover portion may be greater than or equal to a second thickness of the second cover portion in a thickness direction of the cover panel.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first film may be transparent.

[0016] In an embodiment, the release film may further include a third film in contact with the front surface of the first film, the first film may include a first portion overlapping with the covering panel in a plane and a second portion spaced apart from the covering panel in a plane, the second film may overlap with the first portion in a plane and be spaced apart from the second portion, and the third film may overlap with the second portion in a plane and be spaced apart from the first portion.

[0017] In an embodiment, the color of the second film is different from the color of the third film.

[0018] In an embodiment, the display panel may include a non-display area adjacent to the display area, and the second film may be spaced apart from the non-display area in a plane.

[0019] In an embodiment, the display panel assembly may further include a circuit board disposed between the cover panel and the display panel.

[0020] In an embodiment, the second film may be in direct contact with the first film.

[0021] In an embodiment, the through hole and the second film may each be provided in plural numbers, and the plurality of second films may respectively cover the plurality of through holes.

[0022] In an embodiment, the through hole may have different planar shapes in a cross section perpendicular to a normal direction of the rear surface of the cover panel.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display panel assembly includes: a display panel including a display area; a cover panel disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and defining a through hole overlapping the display area; and a release film disposed on the rear surface of the cover panel and covering the through hole, wherein the release film includes: a first film including a front surface facing the cover panel; and a second film disposed on the front surface of the first film, overlapping the through hole and the cover panel in a plane, and having a higher light blocking property than the first film.

[0024] In an embodiment, the release film may further include an adhesive film disposed between the first film and the cover panel, and at least a portion of the adhesive film may be disposed between the first film and the second film.

[0025] In an embodiment, the second film may contact the rear surface of the cover panel, and a length of a contact portion between the second film and the cover panel may be about 0.5 mm or more in a cross section perpendicular to the rear surface of the cover panel.

[0026] In an embodiment, the cover panel may include a first cover portion contacting the adhesive film and a second cover portion contacting the second film, and a first thickness of the first cover portion may be greater than or equal to a second thickness of the second cover portion in a thickness direction of the cover panel.

[0027] In an embodiment, the first film may be transparent, and the color of the second film may include black.

[0028] In an embodiment, the release film may further include a third film in contact with the front surface of the first film, the first film may include a first portion overlapping with the covering panel in a plane and a second portion spaced apart from the covering panel in a plane, the second film may overlap with the first portion in a plane and be spaced apart from the second portion, and the third film may overlap with the second portion in a plane and be spaced apart from the first portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 is a plan view of a partial configuration of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 is a plan view of a partial configuration of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a partial configuration of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a cover panel according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0035] Figure 6is a plan view of a partial configuration of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In this specification, it will be understood that when an element (or region, layer, part, etc.) is referred to as being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly set on / directly connected to / directly coupled to another element, or intervening elements can be set between them.

[0037] The same reference numerals or symbols always represent the same elements. In the drawings, the thickness, proportion and size of the elements are exaggerated for the effective description of the technical content. The term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the related listed elements.

[0038] Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. In the examples described herein, these terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first element can be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element can also be referred to as the first element. Singular forms also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] For the purpose of description, terms such as "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element shown in the drawings. It will be understood that these terms have relative concepts and are described based on the orientation depicted in the drawings.

[0040] It will be understood that when used in this specification, the terms “include” or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. In addition, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0042] A display panel and a method of manufacturing the same according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , the display panel assembly DPA according to the embodiment may include a display panel DP, a cover panel CVP, a circuit board DC, an upper member UM and a release film RF.

[0045] The display panel DP may include a display area AA and a peripheral area NAA. The display area AA may be an area in which the display panel DP can display an image and sense an external input. The display area AA may be an area activated in response to an electrical signal. The display area AA is an area in which an image can be displayed and various forms of external input can be sensed. The external input may include various forms of input applied from outside the display device. For example, in addition to and / or as an alternative to an external input performed by a part of the user's body (e.g., the user's hand) and / or as an alternative to an external input performed by a part of the user's body (e.g., the user's hand), the external input may include an external input (e.g., hovering) applied while approaching the electronic device or being adjacent to the electronic device within a predetermined distance. In some aspects, the external input may have various forms such as, for example, force, pressure, and light, but is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0046] The peripheral area NAA may be adjacent to the display area AA. The peripheral area NAA may be an area in which a driving circuit for driving pixels of the display area AA and lines connected to the driving circuit are disposed, and lines connected to sensing electrodes for sensing external input are further disposed in the peripheral area NAA.

[0047] The cover panel CVP may support the display panel DP. The cover panel CVP may include a front surface CVP-S1 facing a rear surface DP-S2 of the display panel DP and a rear surface CVP-S2 opposite to the front surface CVP-S1.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover panel CVP is shown as having a single layer, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The cover panel CVP may have a stacked structure of multiple layers. For example, the cover panel CVP may have a buffer layer, a supporting layer, and an adhesive layer. The buffer layer may protect the display panel DP and the electronic module from physical impacts applied from outside the display device. The supporting layer may be a supporting substrate that supports a component included in a display device including the display panel DP, and has functions such as, for example, thermal radiation and electromagnetic wave shielding. The adhesive layer may be bonded to each of a plurality of layers (e.g., a buffer layer, a supporting layer) to fix the position between the layers. In this case, the front surface CVP-S1 may be defined by one of the buffer layer, the supporting layer, and the adhesive layer, and the rear surface CVP-S2 may be defined by another layer of the buffer layer, the supporting layer, and the adhesive layer.

[0049] The cover panel CVP according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may have various structures in which the cover panel CVP covers the rear surface DP-S2 of the display panel DP, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP may have conductivity. For example, the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP may include copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al). In some embodiments, the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP may be a non-flat surface. For example, the cover panel CVP may include embossing.

[0051] The cover panel CVP may include one or more through holes OP defined therein. The through hole OP may be defined to pass through the front surface CVP-S1 and the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP. The through hole OP of the cover panel CVP may be defined at a position overlapping with the display area AA on a plane. That is, the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP may be spaced apart from the peripheral area NAA and formed within the display area AA on a plane defined by the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the through hole OP defined in the cover panel CVP may have a polygonal shape on a plane defined by the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3 (e.g., refer to the through hole OP1 or the through hole OP2), and / or may have a circular shape on the plane (e.g., refer to the through hole OP3).

[0053] The through hole OP may be provided in plurality. For example, the cover panel CVP may include a plurality of through holes OP1, OP2, and OP3 defined therein and spaced apart from each other. In a cross section in a direction parallel to the third direction DR3 and in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP, the planar shapes of the through holes OP1, OP2, and OP3 are shown to be different from each other, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, two or more (or all) of the through holes OP1, OP2, and OP3 may have the same shape.

[0054] An electronic module may be accommodated in each of the through holes OP1, OP2, and OP3. The exemplary description provided herein with reference to a given through hole OP (e.g., through hole OP1) of the cover panel CVP may be similarly applied to other through holes OP (e.g., through hole OP2, through hole OP3) described herein. In some aspects, for a given through hole OP in which an electronic module is accommodated, the electronic module may overlap with the through hole OP. The electronic module may receive an external input applied via the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP or provide an output via the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP. In an embodiment, the electronic module may include various electronic devices such as, for example, sensors, cameras, and speakers. The sensor may be provided as various examples such as optical sensors, illumination sensors, and proximity sensors for fingerprint recognition. Electronic modules different from each other may be provided in corresponding through holes OP, or multiple identical electronic modules may be provided in corresponding through holes OP. However, the electronic module is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0055] The circuit board DC may be disposed between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP. The circuit board DC may be connected to the display panel DP. The circuit board DC may be flexible. Therefore, when housed in the housing of the cover panel CVP and the display panel DP, the circuit board DC may be folded and housed on the rear surface side (rear surface DP-S2) of the display panel DP. However, the properties of the circuit board DC described herein and the housing of the circuit board DC in the display panel DP are examples, and aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the circuit board DC may be rigid and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0056] The release film RF may face the cover panel CVP in the first direction DR1. The release film RF may include a first film RF1, a second film RF2, an adhesive film AF, and a third film RF3.

[0057] The front surface RF1-S1 of the first film RF1 may face the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP in the first direction DR1, and the rear surface RF1-S2 of the first film RF1 may face the front surface RF1-S1 of the first film RF1. The first film RF1 may have a higher transmittance than the second film RF2 described later. For example, the first film RF1 may be transparent. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The first film RF1 may be translucent and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0058] A portion of the first film RF1 may overlap with the cover panel CVP on a plane (e.g., a plane defined by the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), and another portion of the first film RF1 may not overlap with the cover panel CVP on a plane (e.g., a plane defined by the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). The second film RF2 may be disposed on the front surface RF1-S1 of the first film RF1. The second film RF2 may overlap with a region of the first film RF1 that overlaps with the cover panel CVP.

[0059] The second film RF2 may be disposed at a corresponding position overlapping the through hole OP on a plane (e.g., a plane defined by the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). A portion of the second film RF2 may cover the through hole OP, and another portion of the second film RF2 may cover (not shown) the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP. The second film RF2 may have a higher light blocking property than the first film RF1. The second film RF2 may include a light blocking material, and, for example, the second film RF2 may include black. However, embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the second film RF2 may include any suitable color (e.g., blue) that supports aspects of the display panel assembly DPA described herein, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0060] When the display panel assembly DPA is assembled, some of the external light may pass through the first film RF1 and reach the cover panel CVP. Since the display panel assembly DPA according to the exemplary embodiment described herein also includes the second film RF2 overlapping the through hole OP, the light can be blocked from passing through the through hole OP. Therefore, for example, the second film RF2 can block the external light passing through the first film RF1 from reaching the display panel DP through the through hole OP. Therefore, for example, the second film RF2 can prevent the display panel DP from being exposed to the light incident from the rear surface RF1-S2 of the first film RF1, and can prevent the light spot caused by exposure from appearing in the display panel DP.

[0061] As described herein, the through hole OP may be provided in plurality. The second film RF2 may be provided in plurality. A plurality of second films RF2 may cover the through hole OP, respectively. Therefore, for example, the corresponding application of the second film RF2 for covering the through hole OP may effectively (e.g., easily with reduced complexity) prevent the through hole OP from being exposed to external light. In some aspects, regardless of the position of the through hole OP, the corresponding application of the second film RF2 for covering the through hole OP may effectively block light from passing through each through hole OP. However, in some alternative and / or additional embodiments in which some of the through holes OP are to be exposed, some of the through holes OP that expose the display panel DP may be spaced apart from the second film RF2 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), and the arrangement of the through hole OP is not limited to any one embodiment. In the example, the through hole OP may be spaced apart from the second film RF2 on the second direction DR2 or the third direction DR3, so that at least a portion of the through hole OP is not overlapped by the second film RF2.

[0062] The adhesive film AF may be disposed between the cover panel CVP and the first film RF1. At least a portion of the adhesive film AF may be disposed between the first film RF1 and the second film RF2. The portion of the adhesive film AF overlapping the second film RF2 may be spaced apart from the cover panel CVP and the second film RF2 is between the adhesive film AF and the cover panel CVP, and the portion of the adhesive film AF that does not overlap the second film RF2 may be in contact with the cover panel CVP. That is, a portion of the adhesive film AF may be in contact with each of the first film RF1 and the second film RF2, and another portion of the adhesive film AF may be in contact with each of the first film RF1 and the cover panel CVP.

[0063] The shape of the adhesive film AF may correspond to the shape of the first film RF1. That is, the adhesive film AF may completely overlap with the first film RF1 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The adhesive film AF may partially overlap with the first film RF1 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), but is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0064] The third film RF3 may be disposed on the front surface RF1-S1 of the first film RF1. The third film RF3 may be aligned with the second portion RF1-2 (see FIG. 1 ) described later on a plane (eg, a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). Figure 3 ) overlap. The third film RF3 may overlap with the second portion RF1-2 (see Figure 3 ) are spaced apart, and the adhesive film AF is between the third film RF3 and the second part RF1-2.

[0065] The third film RF3 can be used as a tap or mark based on which the condition of the display panel assembly DPA can be determined, and its example aspects are described later in this article. The third film RF3 may include a light blocking material, such as, for example, the light blocking material described with reference to the second film RF2, and a portion or the entirety of the third film RF3 may have the same color as the second film RF2. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the third film RF3 can be implemented so that the third film RF3 does not have a light blocking material, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0066] The display panel assembly DPA may include an upper member UM. The upper member UM may face the front surface DP-S1 of the display panel DP in the first direction DR1. The upper member UM may cover the front surface DP-S1 of the display panel DP, and, for example, the upper member UM may include a supporting member or a window. In an example, the upper member UM may completely overlap the front surface DP-S1 of the display panel DP relative to a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3).

[0067] However, the implementation of the upper member UM is not limited to the examples described herein. For example, in addition to the window, the upper member UM may also include a polarization member, and is not limited to any one implementation. For example, the polarization member of the upper member UM may include a polarizer, and may play a role in reducing the reflection phenomenon caused by external light.

[0068] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the component of the additional adhesive member between the cover panel CVP and the display panel DP is omitted, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, such as the adhesive layer ADL (see FIG. 1 ), Figure 4C ) may be disposed between the cover panel CVP and the display panel DP, and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0069] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a plan view of a partial configuration of an embodiment of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 2 is a plan view of a state in which the cover panel CVP and the release film RF overlap when viewed in the first direction DR1, and Figure 3 It is a plan view of a state in which components of the release film RF overlap when viewed in the first direction DR1.

[0070] The release film RF may overlap the cover panel CVP in the first direction DR1. As described herein, the adhesive film AF may have the same shape as the first film RF1 and completely overlap the first film RF1 in a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). For ease of description, reference is omitted for brevity. Figure 2 Description of Adhesive Films AF.

[0071] Reference Figure 2 , at least a portion of the cover panel CVP may overlap with the first film RF1 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3). In some aspects, a portion of the first film RF1 that overlaps with the cover panel CVP and the through hole OP may overlap with the second film RF2. A portion of the first film RF1 that does not overlap with the cover panel CVP may overlap with the third film RF3.

[0072] The portion of the first film RF1 that overlaps the cover panel CVP may be a first portion RF1-1 to be described later herein (see Figure 3 The portion of the first film RF1 that does not overlap with the cover panel CVP may be a second portion RF1-2 to be described later (see Figure 3 ).

[0073] A portion of the second film RF2 may overlap with the through hole OP. Another portion of the second film RF2 may overlap with the cover panel CVP. The portion of the second film RF2 overlapping with the through hole OP may be adjacent to the portion of the second film RF2 overlapping with the cover panel CVP. In some aspects, the portion of the second film RF2 that does not overlap with the cover panel CVP may be adjacent to the portion of the second film RF2 that overlaps with the cover panel CVP. Stated another way, the portion of the cover panel CVP that is not overlapped by the second film RF2 may be adjacent to the portion of the cover panel CVP that is overlapped by the second film RF2.

[0074] Referring to the cover panel CVP, a portion of the cover panel CVP overlapped by the second film RF2 may be referred to as a first cover portion P1 (see Figure 4B ). In some aspects, the portion of the cover panel CVP that is not overlapped by the second film RF2 may be referred to as a second cover portion P2 of the cover panel CVP described later (see Figure 4B ).

[0075] The second film RF2 can be provided in plurality. The plurality of second films RF2 can have different shapes respectively. For example, the plurality of second films RF2 can have substantially the same shape as the corresponding through holes OP overlapping the second film RF2, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second film RF2 can have various shapes. It should be understood that the plurality of second films RF2 can refer to portions of the same film (e.g., the second film RF2) that are provided at different positions relative to a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3).

[0076] Reference Figure 3 , the components of the release film RF may overlap each other in the first direction DR1. In some examples, the components of the release film RF may include the first film RF1, the second film RF2, and the third film RF3 described herein.

[0077] The first film RF1 may include a first portion RF1-1 and a second portion RF1-2. The first portion RF1-1 overlaps with the cover panel CVP on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), and the second portion RF1-2 does not overlap with the cover panel CVP. In some aspects, the first portion RF1-1 may overlap with the second film RF2 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), for example, at a position corresponding to the through hole OP. In some aspects, the second portion RF1-2 may overlap with the third film RF3.

[0078] The first portion RF1-1 may overlap with the adhesive film AF. A portion of the second portion RF1-2 may not overlap with the adhesive film AF, and another portion of the second portion RF1-2 may overlap with the adhesive film AF. The portion of the second portion RF1-2 overlapping with the adhesive film AF may overlap with the third film RF3.

[0079] The second film RF2 may overlap with the adhesive film AF. In some aspects, the second film RF2 may overlap with the first portion RF1-1. In some aspects, the second film RF2 may not overlap with the third film RF3 on a plane (e.g., a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3).

[0080] The third film RF3 may overlap with the adhesive film AF. In some aspects, the third film RF3 may overlap with the second portion RF1-2.

[0081] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a partial configuration of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A magnified image of FG4B, and Figure 4C It is shown in Figure 4AAn enlarged view of a portion of the display panel assembly in a state where an adhesive layer is further provided at the display panel assembly.

[0082] Reference Figure 4A , the display panel DP, the cover panel CVP, and the release film RF may be sequentially arranged along a direction opposite to the first direction DR1. The rear surface DP-S2 of the display panel DP may face the front surface CVP-S1 of the cover panel CVP, the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP may face the adhesive film AF or the second film RF2, the second film RF2 may face the adhesive film AF (e.g., the rear surface of the second film RF2 may face the front surface of the adhesive film AF), and the adhesive film AF may face the first film RF1 (e.g., the rear surface of the adhesive film AF may face the front surface of the first film RF1).

[0083] The first film RF1 may be spaced apart from the cover panel CVP with the second film RF2 or the adhesive film AF between the first film RF1 and the cover panel CVP.

[0084] The adhesive film AF may be disposed between the first film RF1 and the second film RF2 and in contact with each of the first film RF1 and the second film RF2. In some aspects, a portion of the adhesive film AF may be spaced apart from the cover panel CVP, and the second film RF2 is between the portion of the adhesive film AF and the cover panel CVP, and another portion of the adhesive film AF may be in contact with the cover panel CVP.

[0085] The second film RF2 may overlap the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP and one or more portions of the cover panel CVP. That is, the second film RF2 may cover at least a portion of the cover panel CVP and the through hole OP. For example, the second film RF2 may completely cover the through hole OP and cover at least a portion of the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP.

[0086] Since the second film RF2 has a higher light blocking property than the first film RF1, the light passing through the first film RF1 can be prevented from propagating toward the through hole OP in the first direction DR1 or a direction crossing the first direction DR1 by the second film RF2. The second film RF2 can prevent a portion of the display panel DP overlapping with the through hole OP and an area adjacent thereto from being exposed to light, and thus can prevent light spots caused by exposure from occurring in the display panel DP.

[0087] Reference Figure 4B, the cover panel CVP may include a first cover portion P1 and a second cover portion P2. The first cover portion P1 of the cover panel CVP may at least partially overlap the second film RF2, and the second cover portion P2 of the cover panel CVP may at least partially overlap the adhesive film AF and the first film RF1. In some aspects, the first cover portion P1 may be in contact with the second film RF2, and the second cover portion P2 may be in contact with the adhesive film AF.

[0088] In a cross section perpendicular to the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP, the length T1 of the overlapping area between the first cover portion P1 and the second film RF2 may be about 1 mm or greater. In some aspects, the length T1 of the overlapping area between the first cover portion P1 and the second film RF2 may be about 0.5 mm or greater. In some aspects, because the first cover portion P1 of the cover panel CVP may overlap the second film RF2 by about 0.5 mm or more, the overlap may prevent light from passing through the first film RF1 and the second film RF2 and propagating toward the through hole OP. The overlap between the cover panel CVP and the second film RF2 may be referred to as the contact portion between the second film RF2 and the cover panel CVP. In a cross section perpendicular to the rear surface CVP-S2 of the cover panel CVP, the length of the contact portion between the second film RF2 and the cover panel CVP is about 0.5 mm or greater.

[0089] In some aspects, since the length T1 of the overlapping area between the first covering portion P1 and the second film RF2 can be about 0.5 mm or more, the overlap can prevent the concentration of external force on the area adjacent to the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP during the attachment of the release film RF to the cover panel CVP, and thus prevent damage to the through hole OP. That is, for example, since the length T1 of the overlapping area between the first covering portion P1 and the second film RF2 is about 0.5 mm or more, the overlap can prevent the concentration of external force on the area adjacent to the through hole OP of the cover panel CVP during the contact between the cover panel CVP and the release film RF, which can uniformly maintain the quality of the display panel assembly DPA and the quality of the display device to be manufactured later.

[0090] The accompanying drawings each show an example of the length T1 of the contact portion between the cover panel CVP and the second film RF2 along the third direction DR3, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, the length of the contact portion between the cover panel CVP and the second film RF2 along the second direction DR2 may be about 0.5 mm or greater. In another example, the corresponding lengths of the contact portion between the cover panel CVP and the second film RF2 along the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3 may each be about 0.5 mm or greater. The length of the contact portion is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0091] Reference Figure 4C The display panel assembly DPA may further include an adhesive layer ADL. The adhesive layer ADL may be disposed between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP.

[0092] Specifically, for example, the front surface ADL-S1 of the adhesive layer ADL may be in contact with the rear surface DP-S2 of the display panel DP, and the rear surface ADL-S2 of the adhesive layer ADL may be in contact with the front surface CVP-S1 of the cover panel CVP. Since the adhesive layer ADL is disposed between the rear surface DP-S2 of the display panel DP and the front surface CVP-S1 of the cover panel CVP, and the cover panel CVP and the display panel DP are spaced apart from each other due to the adhesive layer ADL, this exemplary configuration prevents a gap from occurring between the cover panel CVP and the display panel DP, and supports increased thickness uniformity and improved quality of the display panel assembly DPA.

[0093] In addition, as described herein, since the second film RF2 may cover the through hole OP and at least a portion of the second film RF2 may overlap the cover panel CVP, the adhesive layer ADL may be substantially aligned along the third direction DR3. That is, the adhesive layer ADL may maintain a preset thickness between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP in the first direction DR1.

[0094] The drawings provided herein show exemplary cases where the adhesive layer ADL overlaps with the through hole OP, but the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the adhesive layer ADL may be arranged so that the adhesive layer ADL does not overlap with the through hole OP (or partially overlaps with the through hole OP), and is not limited to any one embodiment.

[0095] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a cover panel according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

[0096] Reference Figure 5 , the cover panel CVP may include a first cover portion P1 and a second cover portion P2. The first cover portion P1 of the cover panel CVP may be the same as the second film RF2 (see Figure 4B ) and the second covering portion P2 of the cover panel CVP may be in contact with the above-mentioned adhesive film AF (see Figure 4B However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and a portion of the first covering portion P1 may be in contact with the adhesive film AF (see Figure 4B ) part. In order not to deviate from the reference Figure 5 Features described, adhesive film AF and release film RF are not shown / labeled.

[0097] The respective thicknesses of the first covering portion P1 and the second covering portion P2 of the cover panel CVP may be different from each other. For example, a step portion may be defined between the first covering portion P1 and the second covering portion P2. Specifically, for example, the first thickness D1 of the first covering portion P1 may be less than or equal to the second thickness D2 of the second covering portion P2. In some embodiments, the second film RF2 (see Figure 4B ) may have a first thickness D1 that is smaller than that of the portion in contact with the adhesive film AF (see Figure 4B ) has a second thickness D2 of the portion in contact with the second film (eg, the second covering portion P2), and therefore, when the second film RF2 described herein (see Figure 4B ) is attached to the cover panel CVP, the second film RF2 (see Figure 4B ) may be in contact with the first covering portion P1. In an example, on a plane intersecting the thickness direction of the cover panel CVP (eg, a plane defined based on the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3), the second film RF2 (see Figure 4B ) may overlap with the first covering portion P1 and may not overlap with the second covering portion P2.

[0098] Therefore, the features described herein according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure can prevent a gap from occurring between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP due to an empty space formed between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP when the cover panel CVP is attached to the display panel DP. Figure 1 ) is attached to the cover panel CVP, the features described herein prevent the first film RF1 (see Figure 4B ) and a gap appears between the cover panel CVP. In other words, the contact surface between the display panel DP and the cover panel CVP can be uniformly formed. Therefore, the features described herein support increased thickness uniformity and improved quality of the display panel assembly DPA.

[0099] Figure 6 is a plan view of a partial configuration of a display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

[0100] Reference Figure 6 , the third film RF3' of the display panel assembly DPA according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may include a color different from the color of the second film RF2. For example, when the second film RF2 includes black, the third film RF3' may include red. However, the embodiments supported by the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the third film RF3' may include any suitable color (e.g., blue) that is different from the color of the second film RF2 and supports the aspects of the display panel assembly DPA described herein.

[0101] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the second film RF2 and the third film RF3' can have different colors, respectively, and therefore, the portion of the display panel assembly DPA to be subjected to quality inspection can be easily designated as the second film RF2 portion. Therefore, the waiting time (e.g., inspection time) for quality inspection of the display panel assembly DPA, the device alignment time, etc. can be reduced.

[0102] A portion of the third film RF3' may be used as a tap or mark based on which the condition of the display panel assembly DPA may be determined. For example, after performing a quality inspection on the display panel assembly DPA, the color of the third film RF3' may change according to the condition of the display panel assembly DPA. The color is a preset color that matches the condition of the display panel assembly DPA. Therefore, the third film RF3' may be selected to have a predetermined color (e.g., a color that can be recognized by a user) so that the condition of the display panel assembly DPA may be visually determined. Because the condition of the display panel assembly DPA may be visually determined due to the color of the third film RF3', the display panel assembly DPA that needs to undergo a quality inspection, the display panel assembly DPA that needs to undergo a subsequent process, and the display panel assembly DPA that needs to undergo an additional process may be easily distinguished, and thus the waiting time for the subsequent process may be reduced.

[0103] Therefore, for example, by making the colors of the second film RF2 and the third film RF3 ′ different from each other, the output and production efficiency of the display module and the display device may be improved, and thus the process cost may be reduced.

[0104] The display panel assembly according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure may provide a display panel having improved display characteristics.

[0105] The display panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may prevent a light spot phenomenon in a display panel due to external light by covering a through hole of the cover panel with a release film having a light blocking property.

[0106] The display panel assembly according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented without an additional light blocking member by allowing a release film to have a light blocking property, thereby reducing manufacturing and processing costs.

[0107] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that the present disclosure should not be limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to what is described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display panel assembly, characterized in that: include: A display panel including a display area; a cover panel disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and defining a through hole overlapping the display area; as well as a release film, disposed on the rear surface of the cover panel and covering the through hole, Wherein, the release film comprises: a first film including a front surface facing the cover panel; a second film disposed on the front surface of the first film, overlapping the through hole in plane, and having a higher light blocking property than the first film; and An adhesive film is disposed between the first film and the cover panel.

2. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least a portion of the adhesive film is disposed between the first film and the second film.

3. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second film is in contact with the rear surface of the cover panel.

4. The display panel assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: A length of a contact portion between the second film and the cover panel in a cross section perpendicular to the rear surface of the cover panel is 0.5 mm or more.

5. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The color of the second film includes black.

6. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover panel includes a first cover portion in contact with the adhesive film and a second cover portion in contact with the second film, and In a thickness direction of the cover panel, a first thickness of the first cover portion is greater than or equal to a second thickness of the second cover portion.

7. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first film is transparent.

8. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The release film further includes a third film in contact with the front surface of the first film, The first film includes a first portion overlapping the cover panel on the plane and a second portion spaced apart from the cover panel on the plane, the second film overlaps the first portion on the plane and is spaced apart from the second portion, and The third film overlaps the second portion on the plane and is spaced apart from the first portion.

9. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel includes a non-display area adjacent to the display area, and The second film is spaced apart from the non-display area on the plane.

10. The display panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The through hole is arranged as a plurality of through holes, and the second film is arranged as a plurality of second films, and The plurality of second films cover the plurality of through holes, respectively, and the plurality of through holes have different planar shapes.

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