Display apparatus including flexible display panel

Abstract

To provide a flexible display panel and a display apparatus including the flexible display panel.SOLUTION: A flexible display panel comprises: a flexible substrate including a first region, second regions that extend from the first region and include a curved surface, and a third region folded towards the second regions; a first display region located in the first region; a second display region located in the second regions; and non-display regions located outside the first display region or the second display region, in which at least one of non-display regions located in the third region; and an encapsulation member for encapsulating the first display region and the second display region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible display panel (flexible display panel) and a display device including the flexible display panel.

Background Art

[0002] A display device means a device that displays a video signal. Such display devices include televisions, computer monitors, PDAs, and recently smart devices with a significantly increasing demand, and include any device that displays a video signal input from the outside.

[0003] High-quality flat panel display modules such as organic light-emitting display panels, liquid crystal display panels, and plasma display panels are used in the display device.

[0004] In the flat panel display module, a display area for displaying an image and a non-display area including various circuits and wirings for supplying a video signal to the display area are arranged on the same plane as the non-display area on the outer contour of the display area.

[0005] Recently, while the demand for high image quality and various applications in display devices is increasing, the number of circuits and wirings arranged in the non-display area of the flat panel display module is increasing. As a result, there is a problem that the area of the non-display area increases and the ratio of the display area recognized by the user decreases.

[0006] On the other hand, in the case of smart devices with a smaller display screen size compared to televisions and computer monitors, various methods for expanding the display screen are being explored.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention is for solving the above-described problems and other problems, and provides a flexible display panel in which a curved surface design element is added to a wide field of view to give a user a sense of beauty, and a non-display area recognized by the user is significantly reduced as compared with the prior art, and a display device including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible display panel including a flexible substrate including a first region, a second region extending from the first region and having a curved surface, and a third region bent with respect to the second region, a first display region located in the first region, a second display region located in the second region, a non-display region located on an outer periphery of the first display region or the second display region, at least one of which is located in the third region, and a sealing member for sealing the first display region and the second display region.

[0009] The first display region and the second display region are continuously located on the flexible substrate without a boundary.

[0010] The first display region and the second display region display video signals input from the same video signal input unit.

[0011] The first display region and the second display region display video signals input from separate video signal input units.

[0012] The curved surface of the second region has a predetermined radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is greater than 0.01 mm or the same, and less than 20 mm or the same. The curved surface is formed of a part of a circumference having a constant curvature of a predetermined value.

[0013] An angle formed by an end portion of the second display region on the second region from a boundary between the first region and the second region is greater than 0° and less than 90° or the same. The first region substantially maintains a plane.

[0014] The third region is bent so as not to be visually recognized from the direction in which the first region is displayed. The third region is bent parallel to the surface including the first region.

[0015] At least one of the first display region and the second display region includes an organic light-emitting element.

[0016] A barrier film is further provided between the flexible substrate and the first display region and the second display region.

[0017] The sealing member is a flexible sealing thin film.

[0018] The flexible display panel further includes a support means for maintaining the shape thereof. The support means is a transparent protective window disposed on the sealing member.

[0019] At least one side of the flexible substrate and the sealing member where the image of the display region is displayed is further provided with a touch panel. The touch panel includes a flexible film that can be bent so as to correspond to the shape of the flexible display panel.

[0020] The touch panel includes a touch region located on the flexible film and corresponding to the first display region and the second display region, and a wiring region located on the outer periphery of the touch region.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible display panel including a first display region, a second display region extending from the first display region and having a predetermined curved surface, and a non-display region bent to the first display region side with respect to the second display region and not visually recognized from the front of the first display region.

[0022] The second display region is continuously located without a boundary with the first display region. The angle formed by the end of the second display region from the boundary between the first display region and the second display region is greater than 0° and less than 90°, or the same.

[0023] The non-display area is bent parallel to the first display area.

[0024] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including: a flexible display panel including a first display area, a second display area extending from the first display area and having a predetermined curved surface, and a non-display area that is bent toward the first display area side with respect to the second display area and is not visible from the front of the first display area; and a support member that holds the shape of the flexible display panel.

[0025] At least one of the first display area and the second display area includes an organic light-emitting element, and further includes a sealing thin film that seals the first display area and the second display area, and a flexible touch panel that is located on the sealing thin film and includes touch areas corresponding to the first display area and the second display area.

[0026] A transparent protection window corresponding to the shapes of the first display area and the second display area of the flexible display panel and the flexible touch panel is further provided on the flexible touch panel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the following effects are provided. First, the display screen is enlarged by forming a secondary display area extending from the main display area on the side surface of the display panel. Second, the grip feeling is improved by forming the secondary display area into a curved surface.

[0028] Third, the aesthetic feeling is improved by forming the secondary display area into a curved surface. Fourth, since the non-display area is not visible in the main display area, it is recognized that there is almost no boundary in the display area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible display panel 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first display area D1, left and right (front and back with reference to the viewing direction shown in FIG. 2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first display area D1 a second display area D2 arranged in the front and back), and non-display areas N1, N2, N3, N4 arranged on the outer periphery of the first display area D1 or the second display area D2.

[0032] The first display area D1 substantially maintains a flat surface and can be the main display screen of the flexible display panel 100.

[0033] The second display area D2 is formed of a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature R. For example, the radius of curvature R is greater than 0.01 mm or the same, and less than 20 mm or the same. If the radius of curvature R is less than 0.01 mm, the flexible display panel 100 cannot maintain a curved surface state due to warping stress, and if it is greater than 20 mm, the grip feeling and / or aesthetic feeling will decrease.

[0034] The radius of curvature R has a constant value. Therefore, the curved surface is formed as a part of a circumference.

[0035] The second display area D2 extends from the first display area D1 and is continuously located adjacent to the first display area D1 without a boundary therebetween. At this time, the curved surface is formed to be less than or equal to one-fourth of a circumference having a curvature R of a predetermined constant value. That is, the angle from the boundary between the first display area D1 and the second area D2 to the end of the second display area D2 is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

[0036] The second display area D2 can be a secondary display screen of the flexible display panel 100. As described above, since the second display area D2 forms a curved surface having a constant radius of curvature extending from the first display area D1, to the user, the display screen of the flexible display panel 100 is seen as being extended up to the second display area without being limited to the first display area D. That is, the overall display screen is enlarged by the second display area D2.

[0037] On the other hand, if the flexible display panel 100 is mounted on a portable small display device such as a mobile phone or a PDA, the second display area D2 can improve the grip feeling due to forming a curved surface, and improve the aesthetic feeling due to the curved surface.

[0038] The non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 are arranged on the outer periphery of the first display area D1 or the second display area D2. In the present embodiment, the non-display areas N1 and N3 are arranged on the outer periphery of the second display area D2, and the non-display areas N2 and N4 are arranged on the outer periphery of the first display area D1.

[0039] In particular, in the present embodiment, the non-display areas N1 and N3 facing left and right (front and back with respect to the viewing direction in FIG. 2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first display area D1 are bent toward the first display area D1 side with respect to the second display area D2. That is, the non-display areas N1 and N3 are bent so as to be arranged in parallel with the first display area D1, respectively. Therefore, to the user, the non-display areas N1 and N3 arranged on the left and right of the first display area D1 are not visible from the front of the first display area D1. Therefore, to the user, it is recognized that there is almost no boundary of the second display area D2 due to the non-display areas N1 and N3. That is, in the flexible display panel 100 according to the present embodiment, the non-display areas N1 and N3 become smaller, and a display screen enlarged by that amount can be realized.

[0040] On the one hand, the non-display areas N2 and N4 that are vertically opposed to the longitudinal direction of the first display area D1 in the present embodiment are arranged parallel to the surface formed by the first display area D1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the non-display areas N2 and N4 that are vertically opposed to the first display area D1 may be further bent in the directions -z opposite to the direction z in which the first display area D1 faces. In this case, the user recognizes that there is almost no boundary of the second display area D2 due to the non-display areas N2 and N4. Therefore, the non-display areas N2 and N4 become smaller, and a correspondingly enlarged display screen can be realized.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a flat display panel 100' that does not include a second display area and does not bend the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 as a comparative example of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat display panel 100' that does not bend the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 includes a display area D and non-display areas N 1, N2, N3, and N4 arranged on the outer periphery of the display area D.

[0043] Since the second display area D2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above is not provided, the display screen cannot be enlarged by the second display area. In addition, since the curved surface formed by the second display area is not formed, the grip feeling and aesthetic feeling cannot be improved.

[0044] In addition, since the non-display areas N1 and N3 are not bent, when the user views the flat display panel 100 from the front z of the display area D, the user recognizes that the original widths of the non-display areas N1 and N3 surround the left and right (front and back with respect to the viewing direction shown in FIG. 4) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the display area D. Therefore, an enlarged display screen in which the non-display areas N1 and N3 are not visible cannot be realized.

[0045] FIG. 5 compares the display area of the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the display area of the flexible display panel 100' according to the comparative example of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment includes a first display area D1 and second display areas D2 arranged on the left and right of the first display area D1. The flexible display panel 100' according to the comparative example includes only one display area D.

[0047] Therefore, the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment can realize a wider display screen with the second display areas D2. Moreover, if the front sizes of the flexible display panels 100 and 100' of the first embodiment and the comparative example are the same, since the non-display areas N1 and N3 of the comparative example are not visible in the first embodiment, the screen of the first display area D1 of the first embodiment is enlarged more than the display area D of the comparative example as much as the non-display areas N1 and N3.

[0048] In the case of the flat display panel 100' according to the comparative example, in order to reduce the areas of the non-display areas N1 and N3, it is necessary to reduce the number of various circuits and wiring portions arranged in the non-display areas N1 and N3 or reduce their line widths. However, since the requirements for high image quality and various applications for the display device are increasing, there is a limit to reducing the number of circuits and wiring portions. In addition, there are engineering difficulties in reducing the line width. However, the flexible display panel 100 according to the present embodiment can reduce the area of the non-display area recognized by the user without reducing the number of circuits and wirings arranged in the non-display areas N1 and N3 or reducing the line width.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing an example of the flexible display panel 100-B before the non-display areas N1 and N3 in FIG. 1 are bent, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the first display area D1 and / or the second display area D2 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 in FIG. 6.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the flexible display panel 100-B before the non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent includes a flexible substrate 111, a barrier film 112 disposed on the flexible substrate 111, a first display region D1, a second display region D2, and non-display regions N1, N2, N3, N4 disposed on the barrier film 112, and a sealing member 113.

[0051] The flexible substrate 111 can be made of a plastic having excellent heat resistance and durability, such as polyethylene ether phthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, and polyimide. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various flexible materials can be used.

[0052] A barrier film 112 is provided on the flexible substrate 111. The barrier film 112 is formed of one or more films of an inorganic film and an organic film. The barrier film 112 prevents unnecessary components from passing through the flexible substrate 111 and penetrating into the display region D.

[0053] On the barrier film 112, a first display region D1, a second display region D2, and non-display regions N1, N2, N3, N4 located on the outer periphery of the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 are provided.

[0054] The first display region D is a region where a video signal is displayed, and the first display region D1 can be a main display screen. The first display region D1 is provided with various display elements (not shown), such as an organic light-emitting element, a liquid crystal display element, and an electrophoretic element. In the present embodiment, the organic light-emitting element 120 will be described as an example. Further, various elements such as a thin film transistor (not shown) and a capacitor (not shown) for driving the display element are further provided in the first display region D1.

[0055] The second display area D2 extends to the left and right of the first display area D1 and is an area where a video signal is displayed, serving as a sub-display screen. In the second display area D2, various display elements (not shown) such as organic light-emitting elements, liquid crystal display elements, and electrophoretic elements are arranged in the same manner as in the first display area D1. In this embodiment, the organic light-emitting element 120 will be described as an example. Further, in the second display area D2, various elements such as thin-film transistors (not shown) and capacitors (not shown) for driving the display elements are further arranged.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, at least one or more organic light-emitting elements 120 are provided in the first display area D1 or the second display area D2. The organic light-emitting element 120 includes a pixel electrode 121, a counter electrode 123 which is a common layer, and an organic light-emitting layer 122 provided therebetween. The pixel electrode 121 is electrically connected to a driving thin-film transistor TFT1 formed on the flexible substrate 111. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the organic light-emitting element 120 is electrically connected to at least one switching thin-film transistor and a storage capacitor, and emits light from the first display area D1 or the second display area D2.

[0057] The light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 122 located in the first display area D1 is emitted toward the flexible substrate 111 side or the sealing member 113 side. In this embodiment, a front light-emitting type display element in which an image is displayed on the sealing member 113 side will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also applicable to a backlight-emitting type display element in which an image is displayed on the flexible substrate 111 side.

[0058] The light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer 122 located in the second display area D2 is recognized by a viewer by a front light-emitting type display element that emits light outside the second display area D2 from a curved surface formed between the first display area D1 and the non-display areas N1 and N3.

[0059] In the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4, various circuits (not shown) and wirings (not shown) for supplying a video signal to the display elements located in the display area D are arranged.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 8, in the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4, there are disposed an electrode power supply line 131 for supplying power to the counter electrode 123 of the organic light-emitting element 120 shown in FIG. 7 and its terminal portion 132. In the non-display regions N1 and N2, there are disposed a scanning circuit portion 133 for transmitting a drive signal to the display region D and its terminal portion 134. In the non-display regions N2 and N3, there are disposed a data circuit portion 135 for transmitting a data signal to the display region D and its terminal portion 136. In the non-display region N2, there are disposed a drive power supply wiring portion 137 for supplying a drive power supply to the display region D and its terminal portion 138. In the non-display region N2, there is disposed a pad portion P where the terminal portions 132, 134, 136, and 138 are disposed.

[0061] In the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 in the present embodiment, video signals input from the same electrode power supply line 131, scanning circuit portion 133, data circuit portion 135, and drive power supply wiring portion 137 are supplied. That is, the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 display video signals input from the same video signal input section. Therefore, the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 function as one display screen as a whole.

[0062] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 can display video signals input from different video signal input sections.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a flexible display panel 100-1 in which the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 display video signals input from different video signal input sections.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 9, the first display region D1 can display a main screen, and the second display region D2 can display a sub-screen such as various icons I. In this case, unlike FIG. 8, the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 are connected to separate electrode power supply lines 131, scanning circuit portions 133, data circuit portions 135, and drive power supply wiring portions 137, respectively.

[0065] On the one hand, the various circuits, wirings, and terminal portions shown in FIG. 8 are merely an example constituting the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4. That is to say, it goes without saying that the various circuits, wirings, and terminal portions constituting the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 can be different from the configuration shown in FIG. 8.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6 again, a sealing member 113 for sealing at least the first display region D1 and the second display region D2 is provided on the first display region D1, the second display region D2, and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4. The sealing member 113 may be a sealing thin film. The sealing thin film is formed in a structure in which a plurality of inorganic films, or a structure in which an inorganic film and an organic film are mixed.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the flexible display panel 100-B has a predetermined thickness T. The thickness T can be the sum of the thicknesses of the flexible substrate 111, the barrier film 112, the layer in which the first display region D1, the second display region D2, and the non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 are formed, and the sealing member 113. On the other hand, although not shown in FIG. 6, a protective film (not shown) or the like is further provided on the flexible substrate 111 and / or the sealing member 113. In this case, the thickness T of the flexible display panel 100-B is thicker than that shown in FIG. 6.

[0068] If the second display region D2 arranged on the left and right of the first display region D1 of the flexible display panel 100-B shown in FIG. 8 is bent so as to have a predetermined radius of curvature R, and the non-display regions N1 and N3 connected to the second display region D2 are bent so as to be arranged in parallel with the first display region D1 with respect to the second display region D2, the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed.

[0069] In the flexible display panel 100, the second display region D2 forms a curved surface. The second display region D2 may be the entire curved surface or a part of it.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 10, the first display region D1 is the first region I of the flexible display panel, and the The display area D2 is the entire second area II formed by a quarter of a circumference with a radius of curvature R. The non-display area N3 is the entire third area III bent parallel to the first area I.

[0071] In other words, the second area II forms a curved surface with a predetermined radius of curvature R, and a 90° angle θ1 is formed from the boundary between the first area I and the second area II to the end of the second display area D2 on the second area II.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, the first display area D1 is the first area I of the flexible display panel, and the second display area D2 is a part of the second area II formed by a quarter of a circumference with a radius of curvature R. The non-display area N3' extends over the second area II and the third area III.

[0073] In other words, the second area II forms a curved surface with a predetermined radius of curvature R, and an angle θ2 smaller than 90° is formed from the boundary between the first area I and the second area II to the end of the second display area D2 on the second area II.

[0074] In the case of the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the case where the second display area D2 is located on both the left and right sides of the first display area D1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it goes without saying that the idea of the present invention can be applied even if the second display area D1 is located on either one side of the first display area D1.

[0075] Also, in the case of the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the case where both the non-display areas N1 and N3 located on the left and right of the second display area D2 are bent has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it goes without saying that the idea of the present invention can be applied even if either one of the non-display areas is bent.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a flexible display panel 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13.

[0077] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the above-described first embodiment.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the flexible display panel 200 includes a first display area D1, a second display area D2 connected to one side of the first display area D1, and non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 arranged on the outer periphery of the first display area D1 and the second display area D2.

[0079] The first display area D1 serves as the main display screen of the flexible display panel 200. The second display area D2 serves as the secondary display screen of the flexible display panel 200. Since the second display area D2 forms a curved surface with a certain radius of curvature extending from the first display area D1, for the user, the display screen of the flexible display panel 200 can be seen as extending not only to the first display area D1 but also to the second display area D2. That is, the display screen can be enlarged by the second display area. Also, since the display area D2 forms a curved surface, the grip feeling can be improved, and the aesthetic feeling due to the curved surface can be improved.

[0080] The non-display area N2 is formed by extending from the second display area D2, and the non-display areas N1, N3, and N4 are arranged on the outer periphery of the first display area D1.

[0081] The non-display area N2 is bent toward the first display area D1 with respect to the second display area D2. That is, the non-display area N2 is bent with respect to the second display area D2 so as to be arranged parallel to the first display area D1. Therefore, for the user, the non-display area N2 is not visible from the front of the first display area D1. Therefore, for the user, it is recognized that there is almost no boundary of the second display area D2 due to the non-display area N2. That is, the flexible display panel 200 according to this embodiment can implement an enlarged display screen as the non-display area N2 becomes smaller. That is, the flexible display panel 200 according to this embodiment can implement an enlarged display screen as the non-display area N2 becomes smaller.

[0082] Even in the flexible display panel 200 according to this second embodiment, various circuits and wirings for supplying video signals to the display elements located in the display areas D (D1 and D2) are arranged in the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4 as shown in FIG. 12.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 12, in the non-display areas N1, N2, N3, and N4, an electrode power supply line 231 for supplying power to the counter electrode 123 of the organic light-emitting element 120 shown in FIG. 7 and its terminal portion 232 are arranged. In the non-display areas N1 and N2, a scanning circuit portion 233 for transmitting a driving signal to the display area D and its terminal portion 234 are arranged. In the non-display areas N2 and N3, a data circuit portion 235 for transmitting a data signal to the display area D and its terminal portion 236 are arranged. In the non-display area N2, a driving power supply wiring portion 237 for supplying driving power to the display area D and its terminal portion 238 are arranged. In the non-display area N2, a pad portion P where the terminal portions 232, 234, 236, and 238 are arranged is arranged.

[0084] An exterior driver is mounted on the pad portion P provided in the non-display area N2, or a capacitor C is further connected. Since the exterior driver and the capacitor C are connected inside the flexible display panel 200, there is no portion where the exterior driver and the capacitor C are bent, and the area occupied by the non-display area N2 can be further reduced.

[0085] In the case of the flexible display panel 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the case where the second display area D2 is located only on one side of the first display area D1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it goes without saying that the idea of the present invention can be applied even if the second display area D1 is located on both the upper and lower sides of the first display area D1. Needless to say, the idea of the present invention can be applied even if the second display area D1 is located on the entire upper, lower, left, and right sides of the first display area D1.

[0086] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel integrated flexible display panel 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel integrated flexible display panel 300-B before the non-display regions N1 and N3 of the touch panel integrated flexible display panel 300 in FIG. 15 are bent, and FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 16.

[0087] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described centering on the differences from the above-described first and second embodiments.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 15, the touch panel integrated flexible display panel 300 according to this embodiment is obtained by further attaching a touch panel 140 to the flexible display panel 100 according to the above-described first embodiment.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the touch panel 140 includes a first touch region T1, a second touch region T2, and wiring regions W1, W2, W3, and W4 arranged on the outer contours of the first touch region T1 and the second touch region T2. For the touch panel 140 according to this embodiment, various touch methods such as a capacitance method and a resistance method are applicable.

[0090] The flexible display panel 100-B before the non-display regions N1 and N3 are bent includes a first display region D1 and a second display region D2, and non-display regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 arranged on the outer contours of the first display region D1 and the second display region D2.

[0091] The first touch region T1 of the touch panel 140 and the first display region D1 of the flexible display panel 100-B are aligned so as to correspond to each other, and the second touch region T2 of the touch panel 140 and the second display region D2 of the flexible display panel 100-B are aligned so as to correspond to each other, and then the touch panel 140 and the flexible display panel 100-B are bonded together.

[0092] In the flexible display panel 100-B to which the touch panel 140 is bonded, the second display regions D2 arranged on the left and right of the first display region D1 provide a wide display screen for the user.

[0093] In addition, in the flexible display panel 100-B to which the touch panel 140 is coupled, since the non-display regions N1 and N3 coupled to the second display region D2 are bent toward the first display region D1 side with respect to the second display region D2, the non-display regions N1 and N3 are not visible, and the user recognizes that there is almost no boundary of the second display region D2 due to the non-display regions N1 and N3.

[0094] In the drawings described above, as the flexible display panel 100-B, the flexible display panel 100-B according to the first embodiment described above is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various flexible display panels according to the first and second embodiments described above can be applied to this embodiment.

[0095] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an example in which the touch panel integrated flexible display panel 100 is coupled to the transparent protection window 150 and the housing of the display device. For convenience, the flexible display panel 100 according to the first embodiment will be described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be equally applied to the touch panel integrated flexible display panel 300 described above.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, after the flexible display panel 100 is attached to the flexible touch panel 140, the non-display region of the flexible display panel 100 is bent, and the second display region is bent so as to form a curved surface.

[0097] The flexible display panel 100 to which the touch panel 140 is attached is protected and supported by the transparent protection window 150.

[0098] The transparent protection window 150 is coupled to the upper surface on the side where the image of the flexible display panel 100 is displayed so as to correspond to the bent shape of the flexible display panel 100. That is, the transparent protection window 150 is coupled so as to correspond to the shapes of the flexible display panel 100 and the first display regions D1, T1 and the second display regions D2, T2 of the flexible touch panel 140. Such a transparent protection window 150 is sufficient if it has a transmittance that allows the display screen of the flexible display panel 100 to be well transmitted and has a strength that can well hold the curved surface shape of the flexible display panel 100. Therefore, the transparent protection window 150 not only serves to protect the flexible display panel 100 and / or the flexible touch panel 140 from external impacts and scratches, but also functions as a support means for maintaining the curved surface shape of the flexible display panel 100 and / or the flexible touch panel 140.

[0099] Of course, in the present invention, the support means for maintaining the curved surface shape of the flexible display panel 100 and / or the flexible touch panel 140 is not limited to only the transparent protection window 150. Needless to say, the curved surface shape of the flexible display panel 100 and / or the flexible touch panel 140 is maintained in the frame or housing 160 of the display device described later, and various other support means can be applied.

[0100] On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, an adhesive or the like may be further provided between the flexible display panel 100 and the transparent protection window 150.

[0101] The flexible display panel 100 to which the transparent protection window 150 and the touch panel 140 are attached is coupled to a display device (not shown). The display device includes a frame or housing 160 that protects and supports the display device. In this embodiment, the flexible display panel 10 is attached to the upper surface of the front case 161 of the housing 160, and the non-display regions N1, N3 described above are bent and placed in an opening 163 formed between the front case 161 and the lower case 162 of the housing 160, thereby preventing the non-display regions N1, N3 from being visually recognized outside the display device.

[0102] The examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 only show an example of the flexible display panel 100 being coupled to a display device, and it goes without saying that various applications are possible with ordinary technical knowledge.

[0103] As described above, the flexible display panel whose curved surface shape is maintained by various support means is integrated into various display devices such as televisions, computer monitors, PDAs, and smart devices. Therefore, the non-display area recognized by the user using the display device is significantly reduced, and an enlarged video screen can be provided compared to other display devices. In addition, the side surface has a curved surface, which can provide an improved grip feeling and aesthetic feeling to the user.

[0104] The components shown in the drawings are enlarged or reduced for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to the sizes and shapes of the components shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention must be determined by the technical idea of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0105] The present invention is preferably used in the technical field related to display devices such as televisions, computer monitors, PDAs, and smart devices.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 100 Flexible display panel 111 Flexible substrate 112 Barrier film 113 Sealing member 120 Organic light-emitting element 131 Electrode power supply line 133 Scanning circuit section 135 Data circuit section 137 Drive power wiring section 132, 134, 136, 138 Terminal sections 140 Touch panel 150 Transparent protection window D1 First display area D2 Second display area N1, N2, N3, N4 Non-display areas P Pad section I First area II Second area III Third area

Claims

1. A flexible display panel, The flexible display panel includes a first region including a first display region, and a second region extending from the first region, facing in a direction different from that of the first region, and including a second display region and a first non-display region, A support member for maintaining the shape of the flexible display panel, A sealing thin film provided on the flexible display panel and covering the first display region and the second display region, A touch layer provided on the sealing thin film and including a touch region overlapping the first display region and the second display region, At least one light-emitting element, The at least one light-emitting element is located in the first display region or the second display region, A display device.

2. Further including a transparent protective film located on the touch layer, The transparent protective film overlaps the first display region and the second display region, The display device according to Claim 1.

3. The second region includes a curved surface, the display device according to Claim 1.

4. The curved surface of the second region is configured to display an image while maintaining a curved state, The display device according to Claim 3.

5. Each of the first display region and the second display region is configured to display an image such that the second display region faces in a direction different from that of the first display region, The display device according to Claim 1.

6. The sealing thin film includes at least one inorganic layer or organic layer, the display device according to Claim 1.

7. The touch layer further includes touch wiring outside the touch region, the display device according to Claim 1.

8. The second display region is connected to the first display region, the display device according to Claim 1.

9. The second display region is disposed between the first display region and the first non-display region, the display device according to Claim 8.

10. Further including a second non-display region extending from the first non-display region, The second non-display region faces in a direction different from that of the first non-display region, The display device according to Claim 1.

11. A flexible display panel, The flexible display panel includes a first display region, and a second display region extending from the first display region and facing in a direction different from that of the first display region, A support member for maintaining the shape of the flexible display panel, A sealing thin film provided on the flexible display panel and covering the first display region and the second display region, A touch layer provided on the sealing film and including a touch area overlapping the first display area and the second display area; A transparent protective film located on the touch layer and overlapping the first display area and the second display area; At least one light-emitting element located in the first display area or the second display area, and The touch layer is located between the transparent protective film and the sealing film, A display device.

12. The display device according to claim 11, further including an adhesive between the transparent protective film and the flexible display panel.

13. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the touch layer further includes touch wirings outside the touch area.

14. The flexible display panel includes a non-display area outside the first display area and the second display area, The display device according to claim 11.

15. The display device according to claim 14, further including at least one circuit portion arranged in the non-display area and configured to transmit signals to the first display area and the second display area. The display device according to claim 14.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein the touch layer further includes touch wirings outside the touch area.

17. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the second display area includes a curved surface.

18. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the sealing film includes at least one inorganic layer or organic layer.

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