Display device

Abstract

The display device includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a display layer located on the substrate and overlapping the display area, a cover spacer made of a metal material located at a lower portion of the substrate, and an adhesive layer located between the cover spacer and the substrate; the edges of the cap spacer and the adhesive layer overlap each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device. Background Art

[0002] The display device includes pixels, which can display images on a display screen by controlling the brightness of the pixels. The display device may include a touch sensing unit capable of sensing a user's touch. The display device may include a display panel formed with pixels. The touch sensing unit may be provided on the display panel. For example, the display panel may include the touch sensing unit, or a panel including the touch sensing unit may be attached to the display panel.

[0003] The display device may include a flexible printed circuit board that transmits a signal for driving the pixel and a signal for driving the touch sensing part to the display panel. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide a display device with improved rigidity by using a cover spacer made of metal material. Also, the utility model aims to provide a display device manufactured by a simplified attachment process, wherein the simplified attachment process is achieved by aligning the end of an adhesive layer for attaching the cover spacer with the end of the cover spacer.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a display device includes: a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a display layer located on the substrate and overlapping with the display area, a cover spacer made of a metal material located at the bottom of the substrate, and an adhesive layer located between the cover spacer and the substrate; the edges of the cover spacer and the adhesive layer overlap each other.

[0006] The substrate may include: a first region configured with the display layer; a second region extending from the first region and capable of being bent; and a third region connected to the second region and overlapping the first region.

[0007] The adhesive layer may include: a first adhesive layer located between the first region and the cover spacer; and a second adhesive layer located between the third region and the cover spacer.

[0008] Edges of the first adhesive layer, the cover spacer, and the second adhesive layer may be aligned with each other.

[0009] Edges of the cover spacer and the second adhesive layer may be aligned with each other.

[0010] An edge of the first adhesive layer and an edge of the cover spacer may be spaced apart from each other.

[0011] An edge of the first adhesive layer may be located inside an edge of the cover spacer.

[0012] The second adhesive layer may completely cover the cover spacer.

[0013] The second adhesive layer may expose at least a portion of the cover spacer.

[0014] The cover spacer may include a first cover region overlapping the second adhesive layer; and a second cover region not overlapping the second adhesive layer to be exposed.

[0015] The display device may further include a support plate located between the substrate and the cover spacer.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a display device includes: a substrate including a first area, a second area and a third area; a display layer located on the first area of ​​the substrate; a cover spacer made of a metal material located between the first area and the third area; and a second adhesive layer located between the cover spacer and the third area, wherein the second adhesive layer and at least a portion of the cover spacer have the same shape on a plane.

[0017] The second region may extend from the first region and be bent, and the third region may be connected to the second region and may overlap with a rear surface of the first region.

[0018] The display device may further include a first adhesive layer between the first region and the cover spacer.

[0019] Edges of the first adhesive layer, the cover spacer, and the second adhesive layer may be aligned with each other.

[0020] Edges of the cover spacer and the second adhesive layer may be aligned with each other.

[0021] An edge of the first adhesive layer and an edge of the cover spacer may be spaced apart from each other.

[0022] An edge of the first adhesive layer may be located inside an edge of the cover spacer.

[0023] The second adhesive layer may completely cover the cover spacer.

[0024] The second adhesive layer may expose at least a portion of the cover spacer.

[0025] Utility Model Technical Effect

[0026] According to the utility model, a display device having improved rigidity by a cover spacer made of metal material can be provided. In addition, according to the utility model, a display device manufactured by a simplified attachment process can be provided, wherein the simplified attachment process is achieved by aligning the end of the adhesive layer for attaching the cover spacer with the end of the cover spacer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cover spacer according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cover spacer according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a top view of a cover spacer according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a top view of a cover spacer according to another embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 This is a diagram of a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment.

[0035] Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] DA: display area; PA: non-display area; DL: display layer; CS: cover spacer; TP1, TP2: adhesive layers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in a variety of different ways, which are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description of the present invention are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the entire specification.

[0039] Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the size and thickness of each structure shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to the contents shown in the drawings. In the drawings, in order to clearly express multiple layers and regions, their thicknesses are enlarged and shown. In addition, in the drawings, for the sake of convenience, the thickness of some layers and regions is exaggerated and shown.

[0040] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is expressed as being "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly located" on the other part, but also the case where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when one part is expressed as being directly located on another part, it means that there are no other parts in between. Furthermore, when it is expressed as being located "on" or "above" a part used as a reference, it means being located above or below the part used as a reference, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0041] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a certain part is expressed as “comprising” a certain constituent element, unless otherwise stated, it means that other constituent elements may also be included, rather than excluding other constituent elements.

[0042] Furthermore, throughout the specification, the expression “on a plane” refers to a state when the target portion is viewed from above, and the expression “on a cross section” refers to a state when a cross section vertically cutting the target portion is viewed from the side.

[0043] The following reference Figure 1 A display device according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the display device 1000 is a foldable display device having a structure folded by a folding axis FAX.

[0044] Reference Figure 1The display device 1000 of one embodiment is a device for displaying dynamic images or static images, which can be used not only as a display screen of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet personal computers, mobile communication terminals, electronic manuals, electronic books, portable multimedia players (PMP), navigation, ultra mobile PCs (UMPC), etc., but also as a display screen of various products such as televisions, notebook computers, displays, billboards, and the Internet of Things (IOT). In addition, the display device 1000 of one embodiment can be used in wearable devices such as smart watches, watch phones, glasses-type displays, and head mounted displays (HMD). Furthermore, the display device 1000 of one embodiment can be used as a central information display (CID) configured on a car's instrument panel, center fascia or dashboard, a room mirror display replacing a car's rearview mirror, or as a display configured on the back of a front seat as a rear seat entertainment device for a car. Figure 1 For the sake of convenience of explanation, the display device 1000 is shown as being used as a smart phone.

[0045] The display device 1000 can display an image toward the third direction DR3 on a display surface parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The display surface for displaying the image can correspond to the front surface of the display device 1000 and can correspond to the front surface of the cover window CW. The image includes not only dynamic images but also static images.

[0046] In this embodiment, the front face (or upper face) and the back face (or lower face) of each component are defined based on the direction of displaying an image. The front face and the back face may be opposite to each other in the third direction DR3, and the normal direction of each of the front face and the back face may be parallel to the third direction DR3. The distance between the front face and the back face in the third direction DR3 may correspond to the thickness of the display panel (DP) in the third direction DR3.

[0047] The display device 1000 of one embodiment can sense the user's input applied from the outside. The user's input may include various forms of external input such as a part of the user's body, light, heat or pressure. In one embodiment, the user's input is shown as a user's hand acting on the front. However, the utility model is not limited to this. The user's input can be provided in various forms, and the display device 1000 can also sense the user's input applied to the side or back of the display device 1000 according to the structure of the display device 1000.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, the display device 1000 may be a foldable display device. The display device 1000 may be folded outward or inward based on the folding axis FAX. When folded outward based on the folding axis FAX, the display surface of the display device 1000 is folded outward so that the back surface of the display device 1000 is opposite, thereby displaying an image in both directions. When folded inward based on the folding axis FAX, the display surface may not be visible to the outside.

[0049] In one embodiment, the display device 1000 may include: a display area DA, an element area EA, and a non-display area PA. The display area DA may be divided into a 1-1 display area DA1-1, a 1-2 display area DA1-2, and a folding area FA. The 1-1 display area DA1-1 and the 1-2 display area DA1-2 may be located on the left and right sides, respectively, with the folding axis FAX as a reference (or as a center), and the folding area FA may be located between the 1-1 display area DA1-1 and the 1-2 display area DA1-2. At this time, when folded outwardly with the folding axis FAX as a reference, the 1-1 display area DA1-1 and the 1-2 display area DA1-2 are located at both ends of the third direction DR3, so that an image can be displayed in both directions. Moreover, when folded inwardly with the folding axis FAX as a reference, the 1-1 display area DA1-1 and the 1-2 display area DA1-2 may not be visually recognized by the outside.

[0050] The component area EA may include a first component area EA1 and a second component area EA2. The first component area EA1 and the second component area EA2 may be at least partially surrounded by the display area DA. Although the first component area EA1 and the second component area EA2 are shown as being spaced apart from each other, they are not limited thereto, and at least a portion thereof may be connected to each other. The first component area EA1 and the second component area EA2 may be areas where optical elements using infrared rays, visible rays, or sound are arranged at their lower parts.

[0051] A plurality of light emitting diodes and a plurality of pixel circuit units that generate light emitting current and transmit the light emitting current to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes are formed in the display area DA and the component area EA. One light emitting diode and one pixel circuit unit are referred to as a pixel. One pixel circuit unit and one light emitting diode may be formed one-to-one in the display area DA and the component area EA.

[0052] The non-display area PA is adjacent to the display area DA and may surround the display area DA. The non-display area PA does not display an image, and a driving circuit or driving wiring for driving the display area DA may be arranged.

[0053] The following reference Figures 2 to 3 A display device according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cover spacer according to an embodiment.

[0054] Figure 2 The bent region of the substrate SUB in the non-display region PA according to one embodiment is schematically shown.

[0055] The cover window CW may be located on the upper portion of the display layer DL. The cover window CW may cover the upper portion of the display layer DL. The cover window CW may protect the upper surface of the display layer DL.

[0056] The cover window CW may include a base layer CW1 and a protective layer CW2. In one embodiment, the base layer CW1 may be made of a transparent material. In this case, the base layer CW1 may include glass, a synthetic resin of a transparent material, etc. Such a base layer CW1 may include more than one layer.

[0057] The protective layer CW2 is disposed on the upper surface of the base layer CW1 and can prevent scratches on the base layer CW1 or minimize the scratches. A non-transparent layer CWa can be disposed on a portion of the protective layer CW2. In one embodiment, the non-transparent layer CWa can be disposed on the edge of the protective layer CW2. The non-transparent layer CWa can block light. The non-transparent layer CWa can include a pattern that can be viewed by a user without displaying an image.

[0058] The cover window CW may be combined with the display layer DL using an adhesive layer AD1. The adhesive layer AD1 may be a transparent adhesive member such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film or an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film.

[0059] If a schematic stacked structure of the display layer DL is described, the display layer DL may include a driving element layer, a light emitting element layer, and an encapsulation layer located on the substrate SUB.

[0060] The substrate SUB may be a base substrate or a base member. The substrate SUB may be a flexible substrate including a polymer resin such as polyimide, polyamide, or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0061] The driving element layer may be located on the substrate SUB. The driving element layer may include transistors and capacitors constituting a pixel circuit portion for outputting a driving current to the light emitting element.

[0062] The driving element layer may include gate lines, data lines, power lines, gate control lines, fanout lines connecting the display driving unit and the data lines, lead lines connecting the display driving unit and the display pads, etc. The driving element layer may include transistors, capacitors, and gate control lines constituting the gate driving unit. The driving element layer may include a conductive layer, a semiconductor layer, and an insulating layer, and a transistor, a capacitor, and a signal line may be formed and insulated by a combination thereof.

[0063] The light emitting element layer may be located on the driving element layer and may include a light emitting element and a light emitting region corresponding thereto. The light emitting element layer may include a pixel definition layer having an opening portion defining the light emitting region.

[0064] The encapsulation layer (or thin film encapsulation layer) can cover the upper surface and side surfaces of the light emitting element layer and prevent moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the light emitting element layer from the outside. The encapsulation layer can include one or more inorganic layers and one or more organic layers.

[0065] The touch sensing part may be located on the encapsulation layer and may include a sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may sense the user's touch by using a mutual capacitance method and / or a self-capacitance method.

[0066] In this specification, the structure including the aforementioned driving element layer, light emitting element layer, encapsulation layer and touch sensing part is simply represented by the display layer DL, and any one of them may be omitted.

[0067] The substrate SUB of an embodiment may include a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3. The display layer DL may be located on the first region R1. The second region R2 may be located between the first region R1 and the third region R3. The second region R2 may be bent. The third region R3 may be located on the back side of the first region R1 through the second region R2.

[0068] A bending protection layer BPL for preventing the substrate SUB from cracking may be disposed on the second region R2 where the substrate SUB is bent. The bending protection layer BPL may include, for example, a polymer resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide (PI).

[0069] A portion of the substrate SUB may be bent and located on the back side of the display layer DL. The aforementioned driving unit 50 may be configured in the portion. Furthermore, the bending protection layer BPL, the driving unit 50, and a portion of the substrate SUB may be covered by a cover CC. The cover CC is configured to cover at least a portion of the driving unit 50 and a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) to protect them from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Furthermore, the cover CC prevents the driving unit 50 and the like from direct contact with external objects, thereby protecting them from physical damage caused by friction and the like.

[0070] The support plate PL may be located at the lower part of the first region R1 of the substrate SUB. The support plate PL may include a material with high rigidity, and as an example, it may include copper, stainless steel (SUS), aluminum (Al), graphite (Graphite), carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), glass, etc. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a plastic obtained by impregnating carbon fiber (CF) with resin and hardening it, and glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) is a material obtained by combining glass fiber with thermosetting resin such as unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin. The support plate PL can protect the display layer DL in the manufacturing process of the display device, etc.

[0071] The protective layer PF1 may be located on one side of the first region R1 of the substrate SUB, and the protective layer PF2 may be located on one side of the third region R3 of the substrate SUB. The protective layers PF1 and PF2 may protect the display panel (DP) in the manufacturing process of the display device, etc. The protective layers PF1 and PF2 may protect the display panel (DP) from the back environment (e.g., impact, electromagnetic waves, heat, noise, etc.) of the display panel (DP). The protective layers PF1 and PF2 may include a shielding layer, a supporting layer, a buffer layer, etc., respectively, according to the embodiments.

[0072] The protection layers PF1, PF2 may include: a first protection layer PF1 between the first region R1 of the substrate SUB and the support plate PL; and a second protection layer PF2 between the third region R3 of the substrate SUB and the cover spacer CS. The protection layers PF1, PF2 may not overlap with the second region R2 of the substrate SUB.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the cover spacer CS may be located between the first region R1 and the third region R3 of the substrate SUB. The cover spacer CS may absorb external impact to prevent the display layer DL, etc. from being damaged. The cover spacer CS may be formed of a metal material to provide sufficient rigidity.

[0074] The cover spacer CS may be located between the support plate PL and the third region R3. The cover spacer CS may be located on the back surface of the support plate PL. The cover spacer CS may be located between the first protection layer PF1 and the second protection layer PF2.

[0075] The cover spacer CS may be bonded to the first region R1 side of the substrate SUB through the first adhesive layer TP1. The cover spacer CS may be bonded to the support plate PL through the first adhesive layer TP1. The first adhesive layer TP1 may be located between the first region R1 of the substrate SUB and the cover spacer CS. The first adhesive layer TP1 may be located between the support plate PL and the cover spacer CS.

[0076] And, the cover spacer CS may be bonded to the third region R3 side of the substrate SUB through the second adhesive layer TP2. The second adhesive layer TP2 may be located between the third region R3 of the substrate SUB and the cover spacer CS. The second adhesive layer TP2 may be located between the second protection layer PF2 and the cover spacer CS.

[0077] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the edges of the first bonding layer TP1, the cover spacer CS, and the second bonding layer TP2 of one embodiment can be aligned with each other. In the manufacturing process, the first bonding layer TP1, the cover spacer CS, and the second bonding layer TP2 can be formed in one process using a device that can cut metal and insulating tape. Therefore, the first bonding layer TP1, the cover spacer CS, and the second bonding layer TP2 can have edges that are aligned with each other.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the first adhesive layer TP1, the cover spacer CS, and the second adhesive layer TP2 having edges aligned with each other are easily attached to the support plate PL, so the difficulty of the manufacturing process is reduced and the reliability of the display device can be improved.

[0079] The following reference Figures 4 to 5 A display device according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment, Figure 5 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cover spacer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same components as those described above will be omitted.

[0080] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a display device of an embodiment may include: a first adhesive layer TP1 located between the cover spacer CS and the support plate PL; and a second adhesive layer TP2 located between the cover spacer CS and the second protection layer PF2.

[0081] The edge of the first adhesive layer TP1 may be located further inside than the edge of the cover spacer CS. The cover spacer CS may have a more convex shape than the first adhesive layer TP1. Figure 5 As shown, the first adhesive layer TP1 may have a width smaller than that of the cover spacer CS. The edge of the second adhesive layer TP2 may have a shape aligned with the edge of the cover spacer CS. Ends of the second adhesive layer TP2 and the cover spacer CS overlap each other.

[0082] The following reference Figure 6 to Figure 7 A cover spacer according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a top view of a cover spacer of an embodiment, Figure 7 2 is a top view of a cover spacer according to another embodiment. The description of the same components as the above components will be omitted.

[0083] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a second adhesive layer TP2 of an embodiment bonded to a cover spacer CS. The second adhesive layer TP2 may have a planar shape identical to that of the cover spacer CS. The second adhesive layer TP2 may completely cover the cover spacer CS. All edges of the second adhesive layer TP2 may overlap with all edges of the cover spacer CS. The second adhesive layer TP2 and the cover spacer CS may be manufactured in one manufacturing process.

[0084] Figure 7 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment in which the second adhesive layer TP2 is bonded to the cover spacer CS. The second adhesive layer TP2 may expose at least a portion of the cover spacer CS. The cover spacer CS may include: a first cover region CS1 overlapping with the second adhesive layer TP2; and a second cover region CS2 not overlapping with the second adhesive layer TP2. According to an embodiment, the second cover region CS2 exposed by the second adhesive layer TP2 may be used in an inspection process. As an example, the inspection process may be a process for measuring surface resistance or inspecting a grounding function.

[0085] The following reference Figures 8 to 11 A method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment is described. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 1 is a diagram of a method for manufacturing a display device according to an embodiment. In particular, the following describes the manufacturing process of the cover spacer and the adhesive layer. The description of the same components as the above components is omitted.

[0086] First refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , prepare a metal material MT for forming a cover spacer and an adhesive material TP for forming an adhesive layer. Then, bond the adhesive material TP on the metal material MT. This specification shows an embodiment of a double-layer structure in which an adhesive material TP is arranged on the metal material MT, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible to bond in a three-layer structure in the order of adhesive material, metal material, and adhesive material. In addition, in the process of bonding the metal material MT and the adhesive material TP, in order to accurately align the metal material MT and the adhesive material TP, guide holes can be formed along their respective bonding edges.

[0087] Then, if Fig.10 As shown, using a mold that can cut the metal material MT and the bonding material TP at the same time, it is possible to form Figure 6 The cover spacer and the second adhesive layer are shown to have the same planar shape.

[0088] Or, if Fig.11 As shown, the cutting process can also be performed according to the arrangement of the bonding material TP, so that Figure 7 Shown with a portion of the cover spacer exposed.

[0089] According to the manufacturing method of an embodiment, when a cover spacer and an adhesive layer made of a metal material are formed simultaneously, the cover spacer and the adhesive layer can be easily aligned, and the reliability of the process can be improved.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by technicians in this field using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the attached claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: include: The substrate includes a display area and a non-display area. A display layer is located on the substrate and overlaps with the display area. a cover spacer made of metal, located at the bottom of the substrate, and an adhesive layer disposed between the cover spacer and the substrate; Edges of the cover spacer and the adhesive layer overlap each other.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The substrate comprises: The first area is configured with the display layer; a second region extending from the first region and capable of bending; and The third area is connected to the second area and overlaps with the first area.

3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bonding layer comprises: a first adhesive layer located between the first region and the cover spacer; and A second adhesive layer is located between the third region and the cover spacer.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Edges of the first adhesive layer, the cover spacer, and the second adhesive layer are aligned with each other.

5. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Edges of the cover spacer and the second adhesive layer are aligned with each other.

6. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that: An edge of the first adhesive layer and an edge of the cover spacer are spaced apart from each other.

7. The display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: An edge of the first adhesive layer is located inside an edge of the cover spacer.

8. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second adhesive layer completely covers the cover spacer.

9. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second adhesive layer exposes at least a portion of the cover spacer.

10. The display device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The cover spacer comprises: a first cover region overlapping the second adhesive layer; and The second cover region does not overlap with the second adhesive layer and is exposed.

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