Display device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- KR1020220148969
- Authority / Receiving Office
- KR · KR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-11-09
Smart Images

Figure 112022119320273-PAT00003_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technology Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device, and more specifically, to a display device. Background Technology
[0002] Electronic devices based on mobility are being widely used. In addition to small electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs have recently become widely used as mobile electronic devices.
[0003] Such portable electronic devices include a display device to support various functions and to provide visual information, such as images or videos, to the user. Recently, as other components for driving the display device have become miniaturized, the proportion of the display device within the electronic device is gradually increasing, and structures capable of bending from a flat state to a predetermined angle are also being developed. The problem to be solved
[0004] A display device may place various structures to protect the rear surface of a display panel. In this case, pressure may be applied to secure these structures to the rear surface of the display panel. In such cases, a defect in the display device itself may occur due to damage to the cover window placed on the front surface of the display panel or to the display panel itself. To solve the above-mentioned problem, embodiments of the present invention provide a display device that prevents damage to at least one of the display panel and the cover window by enabling precise measurement of the applied pressure. means of solving the problem
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a display device comprising a display panel, a cover window disposed on a first surface of the display panel, a display circuit board connected to the first surface of the display panel, and a gasket disposed on one surface of the display circuit board connected to the display panel, wherein the gasket comprises a signal input portion, and the display circuit board comprises a sensing portion that detects a signal that varies according to a distance to a part of the signal input portion.
[0006] In this embodiment, the display circuit board can be bent.
[0007] In the present embodiment, the signal input unit may include a connection unit and a terminal unit connected to the connection unit, the distance from the detection unit being variable according to the applied pressure.
[0008] In this embodiment, the terminal portion may be extended vertically with respect to one surface of the connection portion.
[0009] In this embodiment, the terminal portion is provided with three or more multiple terminal portions, and the remaining terminal portions may be arranged radially based on one of the multiple terminal portions.
[0010] In the present embodiment, the terminal portion is provided in multiple numbers, and the length of one of the multiple terminal portions and the length of another of the multiple terminal portions may be different from each other.
[0011] In the present embodiment, the sensing unit may include a first wire and a second wire arranged to intersect the first wire.
[0012] In the present embodiment, at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is provided in multiple numbers, and the first wiring and the second wiring can intersect each other in multiple areas.
[0013] In this embodiment, a panel protection member disposed between the display panel and the display circuit board may be further included.
[0014] In this embodiment, a bracket coupled to the display panel may be further included.
[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a bracket, a display panel having a substrate coupled to the bracket and a display layer disposed on the substrate, a display circuit board connected to the display panel and disposed on the rear surface of the substrate, and a gasket disposed between the display circuit board and the bracket, wherein the display circuit board may include a sensing unit that detects a signal according to the height of the gasket which varies.
[0016] In this embodiment, a cover member disposed on the display panel may be further included.
[0017] In this embodiment, when viewed in a planar view, the edge of the cover member may be positioned at the outer edge of the edge of the display layer.
[0018] In the present embodiment, the gasket may include a gasket body portion, a connecting portion disposed on one surface of the gasket body portion, and a terminal portion inserted into the gasket body portion and connected to the connecting portion.
[0019] In the present embodiment, the terminal portion is provided in multiple numbers, and the length of one of the multiple terminal portions and the length of another of the multiple terminal portions may be different from each other.
[0020] In this embodiment, the terminal portion may be extended in a vertical direction from the connection portion.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the sensing unit may include a first wire and a second wire arranged to intersect the first wire.
[0022] In the present embodiment, the first wiring and the second wiring are each provided in multiple numbers, and the intersection points of each first wiring and each second wiring may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
[0023] In this embodiment, the first wiring and the second wiring can be electrically insulated from each other.
[0024] In this embodiment, a panel protection member disposed between the substrate and the display circuit board may be further included.
[0025] Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become clear from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.
[0026] These general and specific aspects may be implemented using a system, method, computer program, or any combination of a system, method, or computer program. Effects of the invention
[0027] The display device according to the embodiments of the present invention can reduce damage to the display panel and cover window. In addition, the display device according to the embodiments of the present invention can provide a clear image and increase the lifespan. Brief explanation of the drawing
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the display device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the display device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4a is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the gasket illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4b is a perspective view schematically showing a part of an embodiment of the gasket illustrated in FIG. 3. Figure 5 is a rear view schematically showing the positions of the flexible circuit board and gasket shown in Figure 3. Figure 6a is a circuit diagram schematically showing the gasket and the sensing part illustrated in Figure 3. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA´ shown in FIG. 6a. Figure 7 is a plan view schematically showing the display panel illustrated in Figure 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the display panel illustrated in FIG. 4. Figures 9a and 9b are circuit diagrams schematically showing the circuit of the display panel shown in Figure 7. Specific details for implementing the invention
[0029] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments; specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various forms.
[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0031] In the following embodiments, terms such as first, second, etc. are used not in a limiting sense, but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.
[0032] In the following examples, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0033] In the following embodiments, terms such as "include" or "have" mean that the features or components described in the specification are present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.
[0034] In the following embodiments, when a part such as a film, region, or component is described as being on or above another part, it includes not only cases where it is directly on top of another part, but also cases where another film, region, or component is interposed in between.
[0035] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated.
[0036] In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to three axes in an orthogonal coordinate system and can be interpreted in a broader sense that includes them. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be orthogonal to each other, but they may also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.
[0037] Where an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two processes described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously or proceed in the reverse order of the description.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the display device shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the display device (1) is a device for displaying video or still images and can be used as a display screen for various products such as televisions, laptops, monitors, billboards, and the Internet of Things (IOT), as well as portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet personal computers, mobile communication terminals, electronic notebooks, e-books, PMPs (portable multimedia players), navigation systems, and UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PCs). Additionally, the display device (1) can be used in wearable devices such as smart watches, watch phones, glasses-type displays, and head-mounted displays (HMDs). Additionally, the display device (1) can be used as a center information display (CID) placed on the instrument panel of a vehicle, the center fascia or dashboard of a vehicle, a room mirror display replacing the side mirror of a vehicle, an entertainment display for the rear seat of a vehicle, or a display placed on the back of the front seat.
[0040] The display device (1) may include a cover member (50), a display panel (10), a display circuit board (51), a bracket (60), a gasket (80), and a lower cover (90).
[0041] A cover member (50) may be disposed on the upper part of the display panel (10). In one embodiment, the cover member (50) may cover the upper part of the display panel (10). As a result, the cover member (50) may serve to protect the upper surface of the display panel (10).
[0042] In one embodiment, the cover member (50) may include a transparent cover portion (DA50) corresponding to the display panel (10) and a light-blocking cover portion (NDA50) corresponding to an area other than the display panel (10). The light-blocking cover portion (NDA50) may include an opaque material that blocks light. The light-blocking cover portion (NDA50) may include a pattern that can be shown to a user when an image is not being displayed.
[0043] The display panel (10) can be placed on the lower part of the cover member (50). The display panel (10) can overlap with the transparent cover portion (DA50) of the cover member (50).
[0044] In one embodiment, the cover member (50) may include a cover window (not shown) and a protective member (not shown), although these are not illustrated in the drawings. In one embodiment, the cover window may be made of a transparent material. In this case, the cover window may include glass, a transparent synthetic resin, etc. The cover window may include at least one layer.
[0045] In one embodiment, the protective member may be disposed on the upper surface of the cover window to prevent or minimize the occurrence of scratches, etc., on the cover window. Although not illustrated, in one embodiment, an opaque layer may be disposed on a portion of the protective member. In one embodiment, the opaque layer may be disposed on the edge of the protective member. This opaque layer may block light and may be disposed on the light-blocking cover portion (NDA50) of the cover member (50).
[0046] A display panel (10) may include a display area (DA) where an image is displayed, and a surrounding area (PA) placed around the display area (DA). Subpixels (P) equipped with display elements may be placed in the display area (DA). At this time, multiple subpixels (P) may be provided, and multiple subpixels (P) may be placed spaced apart from each other. Some of the multiple subpixels (P), other parts of the multiple subpixels (P), and yet another part of the multiple subpixels (P) may emit light of different colors. A display device (1) may provide an image using light emitted from the subpixels (P) placed in the display area (DA), and the surrounding area (PA) may be a non-display area where subpixels (P) are not placed.
[0047] The display panel (10) displays (outputs) information processed by the display device (1). For example, the display panel (10) can display execution screen information of an application running on the display device (1), or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information based on the execution screen information. The display panel (10) may include a display layer that displays an image and a touchscreen layer (TSL) that detects touch input from a user. As a result, the display panel (10) can function as one of the input devices providing an input interface between the display device (1) and the user, and at the same time, as one of the output units providing an output interface between the display device (1) and the user.
[0048] In the following description, an organic light-emitting display device is used as an example of a display device (1) according to one embodiment, but the display device (1) of the present invention is not limited thereto. As one embodiment, the display device (1) of the present invention may be an inorganic light-emitting display (Inorganic Light Emitting Display or Inorganic EL Display) or a display device such as a quantum dot light-emitting display. For example, the light-emitting layer of a display element provided in the display device (1) may include an organic material, an inorganic material, a quantum dot, an organic material and a quantum dot, or an inorganic material and a quantum dot.
[0049] In one embodiment, the display panel (10) may be a flexible display panel that is flexible and can be easily bent, folded, or rolled. For example, the display panel (10) may be a foldable display panel that can be folded and unfolded, a curved display panel with a curved display surface, a bent display panel with a curved area other than the display surface, a rollable display panel that can be rolled or unfolded, and a stretchable display panel. In one embodiment, the display panel (10) may be a rigid display panel that is rigid and cannot be easily bent.
[0050] A support member (GFD) may be placed between the display panel (10) and the cover member (50). At this time, the support member (GFD) not only supports the cover member (50) but also prevents at least one of the display panel (10) and the cover member (50) from being damaged when the bracket (60) or the lower cover (90) is combined. Such a support member (GFD) may include glass fibers, organic materials, etc.
[0051] The display panel (10) may be placed on the lower part of the cover member (50). In one embodiment, the display panel (10) may be connected to the display circuit board (51) through a first flexible film (not shown). At this time, an anisotropic conductive film may be placed between the display panel (10) and the first flexible film and between the display circuit board (51) and the first flexible film. In another embodiment, it is also possible for the display panel (10) to be connected to the display circuit board (51) via an anisotropic conductive film. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the display panel (10) and the display circuit board (51) are connected via an anisotropic conductive film.
[0052] A touch sensor driver (53) may be placed on the display circuit board (51). In one embodiment, the display driver (52) may be placed directly on the substrate (100) of the display panel (10). In another embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, the display driver (52) may be placed on the display circuit board (51). In yet another embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, the display driver (52) may be placed on a flexible film (not shown). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the display driver (52) is placed directly on the substrate (100) of the display panel (10).
[0053] At least a portion of the substrate (100), display circuit board (51), or first flexible film of the above-described display panel (10) may be bent. In this case, when the substrate (100) is bent, a bending protection layer (not shown) may be disposed on the bent portion of the substrate (100) to prevent cracks or the like in the substrate (100). The bending protection layer may include a polymer resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), etc.
[0054] In one embodiment, the display device (1) may include a functional layer (OFL) disposed on the upper part of the display panel (10) and a panel protection member (PB) disposed on the lower part of the display panel (10). In this case, the functional layer (OFL) may be disposed between the cover member (50) and the display panel (10). Additionally, the display device (1) may include a touchscreen layer (TSL) disposed on the upper part of the display panel (10) to receive a touch signal from a user.
[0055] The touchscreen layer (TSL) may be formed in the form of a panel or a film. Alternatively, the touchscreen layer (TSL) may be formed integrally with the display panel (10). For example, if the touchscreen layer (TSL) is formed in the form of a film, it may be formed integrally with a thin film encapsulation layer (TFE, see FIG. 8) for encapsulating the display panel (10).
[0056] In another embodiment, the touchscreen layer (TSL) may be in the form of electrodes arranged in a pattern on the display panel (10). In this case, wiring is arranged to intersect each other on the thin film encapsulation layer (TFE), and a change in capacitance that varies according to the user's touch can be measured at the points where they intersect.
[0057] A touch circuit board (54) may be attached to one side of the touchscreen layer (TSL). Specifically, the touch circuit board (54) may be attached to pads provided on one side of the touchscreen layer (TSL) using an anisotropic conductive film. Additionally, a touch connection portion may be provided on the touch circuit board (54), and the touch connection portion may be connected to a connector of the display circuit board (51). The touch circuit board may be a flexible printed circuit board or a chip-on-film. As another embodiment, the touch circuit board (54) may be formed integrally with the touchscreen layer (TSL). In this case, the touch circuit board (54) may be formed in a wiring form and connected to a pad portion provided on the display panel (10).
[0058] The touch driving unit (53) can apply touch driving signals to the touchscreen layer (TSL), detect first detection signals detected from the touchscreen layer (TSL), and analyze the first detection signals to calculate the user's touch position. Additionally, the touch driving unit (53) can apply touch driving signals to the detection unit, detect second detection signals detected from the detection unit (not shown), and analyze the second detection signals to calculate the touch position of the signal input unit (not shown).
[0059] In one embodiment, although not illustrated in the drawings, the touch driving unit (53) may be formed as an integrated circuit and mounted on the touch circuit board (54). In another embodiment, the touch driving unit (53) may also be placed on the display circuit board (51). In this case, the touch circuit board (54) may be connected to the display circuit board (51) or to the display panel (10). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the touch driving unit (53) being placed on the display circuit board (51) and the touch circuit board (54) connecting the touch screen layer (TSL) and the display circuit board (51).
[0060] In one embodiment, a functional layer (OFL) may be disposed on a touchscreen layer (TSL). The functional layer (OFL) may include an anti-reflective layer. The anti-reflective layer may reduce the reflectivity of light (external light) incident from the outside through the display device (1).
[0061] In some embodiments, the anti-reflective layer may be provided as a polarizing film. The polarizing film is a linear polarizer and It may include a phase delay film such as a quarter-wave plate. The phase delay film is disposed on the touchscreen layer, and a linear polarizer may be disposed on the phase delay film.
[0062] In one embodiment, the anti-reflective layer may include a filter layer comprising a black matrix and color filters. The color filters may be arranged considering the color of light emitted from each of the subpixels of the display device (1). For example, the filter layer may include red, green, or blue color filters. In this case, the display panel (10) may include the filter layer. The filter layer may be placed on the touchscreen layer (TSL) of the display panel (10) without a separate adhesive layer.
[0063] In one embodiment, the anti-reflection layer may include a destructive interference structure. The destructive interference structure may include a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer disposed on different layers. The first reflected light and the second reflected light reflected from the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, respectively, may undergo destructive interference, and accordingly, the external light reflectance may be reduced.
[0064] In one embodiment, the functional layer (OFL) may further include a shock-absorbing layer. In this case, the shock-absorbing layer may serve to protect a structure, such as a lower display panel, from external impact. In one embodiment, the shock-absorbing layer may be a polymer film. The polymer film may include, for example, at least one of PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate), PEN (PolyEthylene Naphthalate), PES (Polyether Sulfone), PI (PolyImide), PAR (PolyARylate), PC (PolyCarbonate), PMMA (PolyMethyl MethAcrylate), or COC (CycloOlefin Copolymer) resin.
[0065] In one embodiment, the functional layer (OFL) may include an anti-reflection layer and a shock-absorbing layer. In this case, the anti-reflection layer and the shock-absorbing layer may be sequentially laminated on a display panel (10) or a touchscreen layer (TSL). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the functional layer (OFL) includes a polarizing film as the anti-reflection layer.
[0066] An adhesive member may be disposed between the functional layer (OFL) and the display panel (10) as described above. The adhesive member may attach the functional layer (OFL) to the display panel (10). In this case, the adhesive member may be a transparent adhesive member, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film. The functional layer (OFL) as described above may also be disposed directly on the display panel (10) or the touchscreen layer (TSL).
[0067] A cover member (50) may be disposed on the upper portion of the functional layer (OFL). The cover member (50) may be attached to the functional layer (OFL) by an adhesive member. In one embodiment, the adhesive member may be a transparent adhesive member, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film.
[0068] In one embodiment, a panel protection member (PF) may be disposed on the lower part of the display panel (10). At this time, the panel protection member (PF) can absorb shocks applied from the outside of the display device (1). The panel protection member (PB) may be attached to the lower part of the panel protection member (PF) through a pressure-sensitive adhesive. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0069] A display circuit board (51) may be attached to one side of the display panel (10). Specifically, the display circuit board (51) may be attached to pads provided on one side of the display panel (10) using an anisotropic conductive film.
[0070] The touch circuit board (54) and the display circuit board (51) can be bent from the top to the bottom of the display panel (10). The display circuit board (51) can be connected to the touch connection part of the touch circuit board (54) through a connector. Alternatively, the display circuit board (51) may include corresponding pads instead of a connector, in which case the display circuit board (51) can be connected to the touch circuit board (54) using anisotropic conductive films. The display circuit board (51) can be connected to the main circuit board (70) through the display connection part (350).
[0071] A display circuit board (51) may be attached to one side of the display panel (10). Specifically, the display circuit board (51) may be attached to pads provided on one side of the display panel (10) using an anisotropic conductive film.
[0072] The touch circuit board (54) and the display circuit board (51) can be bent from the top to the bottom of the display panel (10). The display circuit board (51) can be connected to the touch connection part of the touch circuit board (54) through a connector. Alternatively, the display circuit board (51) may include corresponding pads instead of a connector, in which case the display circuit board (51) can be connected to the touch circuit board (54) using anisotropic conductive films. The display circuit board (51) can be connected to the main circuit board (70) through the display connection part (350).
[0073] A bracket (60) for supporting the display panel (10) may be disposed at the bottom of the display panel (10). The bracket (60) may be made of plastic, metal, or both plastic and metal. In this case, the bracket (60) may be provided with a connector hole (61) through which a connector passes. Additionally, the bracket (60) may be provided with a camera hole (62) into which a camera device (73) is inserted.
[0074] The main circuit board (70) described above may be provided separately from or integrally with the display circuit board (51). In this case, if the main circuit board (70) and the display circuit board (51) are provided separately so as to be distinguished from each other, the main circuit board (70) and the display circuit board (51) may be connected to each other by a cable or the like. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the main circuit board (70) is provided separately from the display circuit board (51).
[0075] The main circuit board (70) may include a main processor (71), a camera device (73), a main connector (75), and components (not shown). The main processor (71) may be formed as an integrated circuit. The camera device (73) may be placed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the main circuit board (70), and the main processor (71) and the main connector (75) may each be placed on either the upper or lower surface of the main circuit board (70).
[0076] The main processor (71) can control all functions of the display device (1). For example, the main processor (71) can output digital video data to the display driver (52) via the display circuit board (51) so that the display panel (10) displays an image. Additionally, the main processor (71) can receive detection data from the touch sensor driver (53). The main processor (71) can determine whether the user has touched the device based on the detection data and execute an action corresponding to the user's direct touch or proximity touch. For example, the main processor (71) can analyze the detection data to calculate the user's touch coordinates and then execute an application indicated by the icon touched by the user or perform an action. The main processor (71) may be an application processor, a central processing unit, or a system chip made of an integrated circuit.
[0077] The camera device (73) can process image frames, such as still images or video, obtained by an image sensor in camera mode and output them to the main processor (71). The camera device (73) may include at least one of a camera sensor (e.g., CCD, CMOS, etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensor), and a laser sensor. The camera device (73) can process an image input to the image sensor by being connected to the image sensor among the components that are overlapped with the component area.
[0078] A cable passing through the cable hole (61) of the bracket (60) can be connected to the main connector (75), and thereby the main circuit board (70) can be electrically connected to the display circuit board (51).
[0079] In addition to the main processor (71), camera device (73), and main connector (75), the main circuit board (70) may further include at least one wireless communication unit, at least one input unit, at least one sensor unit, at least one output unit, at least one interface unit, memory, and power supply unit.
[0080] The wireless communication unit may include at least one of a broadcast reception module, a mobile communication module, a wireless internet module, a short-range communication module, and a location information module.
[0081] The broadcast receiving module can receive broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include satellite channels and terrestrial channels.
[0082] A mobile communication module can transmit and receive wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network established according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc.). The wireless signals may include various forms of data related to voice call signals, video call signals, or text / multimedia message transmission and reception.
[0083] A wireless internet module may refer to a module for wireless internet access. A wireless internet module may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless internet technologies. Examples of wireless internet technologies include WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance).
[0084] The short-range communication module is for short-range communication and can support short-range communication by using at least one of the following technologies: Bluetooth™, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (Wireless USB). The short-range communication module can support wireless communication between the display device (1) and a wireless communication system, between the display device (1) and another electronic device, or between the display device (1) and a network where another electronic device (or an external server) is located, via a wireless area network. The wireless area network may be a wireless personal area network. The other electronic device may be a wearable device capable of exchanging data with (or interoperable with) the display device (1).
[0085] A location information module is a module for obtaining the location (or current location) of a display device (1), and representative examples thereof include a GPS (Global Positioning System) module or a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module. For example, if the display device (1) utilizes a GPS module, it can obtain the location of the display device (1) by using signals sent from GPS satellites. Additionally, if the display device (1) utilizes a Wi-Fi module, it can obtain the location of the display device (1) based on information from a wireless AP (Wireless Access Point) that transmits or receives wireless signals from the Wi-Fi module. The location information module is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the display device (1), and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or obtains the location of the display device (1).
[0086] The input unit may include a video input unit, such as the camera device, for inputting a video signal; an audio input unit, such as a microphone, for inputting an audio signal; and an input device for receiving information from a user.
[0087] The camera device (73) processes image frames, such as still images or video, obtained by an image sensor in video call mode or shooting mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on a display panel (10) or stored in memory.
[0088] The microphone processes external acoustic signals into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be utilized in various ways depending on the function (or application running) being performed on the display device (1). Meanwhile, various noise removal algorithms can be implemented in the microphone to remove noise generated during the process of receiving external acoustic signals.
[0089] The main processor (71) can control the operation of the display device (1) to correspond to information input through the input device. The input device may include mechanical input means or touch input means, such as a button, dome switch, jog wheel, jog switch, etc., located on the rear or side of the display device (1). The touch input means may be formed by a touchscreen layer of the display panel (10).
[0090] The sensor unit may include one or more sensors that sense at least one of information within the display device (1), surrounding environment information surrounding the display device (1), and user information, and generate a corresponding sensing signal. Based on this sensing signal, the main processor may control the operation or function of the display device (1), or perform data processing, functions, or operations related to an application installed on the display device (1). The sensor unit may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a gravity sensor (G-sensor), a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor: infrared sensor), a fingerprint sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a battery gauge, an environmental sensor (e.g., a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a heat detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.).
[0091] A proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object existing nearby using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without mechanical contact. Examples of proximity sensors include transmissive photoelectric sensors, direct reflection photoelectric sensors, mirror reflection photoelectric sensors, high-frequency oscillating proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, magnetic proximity sensors, and infrared proximity sensors. The proximity sensor can detect not only proximity touch but also proximity touch patterns such as proximity touch distance, proximity touch direction, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touch position, and proximity touch movement state. The main processor processes data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern detected through the proximity sensor and can control the display panel (10) to display visual information corresponding to the processed data.
[0092] An ultrasonic sensor can recognize the location information of an object using ultrasound. The main processor described above is capable of calculating the location of an object through information detected by an optical sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since the speed of light and the speed of ultrasound are different, the location of an object can be calculated by utilizing the time it takes for light to reach the optical sensor and the time it takes for ultrasound to reach the ultrasonic sensor.
[0093] The output unit is for generating output related to sight, hearing, or touch, and may include at least one of a display panel (10), an acoustic output unit, a haptic module, and an optical output unit.
[0094] The sound output unit can output sound data received from the wireless communication unit or stored in memory in call signal reception, call mode or recording mode, voice recognition mode, broadcast reception mode, etc. The sound output unit may also output sound signals related to functions performed by the display device (1) (e.g., call signal reception tone, message reception tone, etc.). The sound output unit may include a receiver and a speaker. At least one of the receiver and the speaker may be a sound generating device attached to the lower part of the display panel (10) to vibrate the display panel (10) and output sound. The sound generating device may be a piezoelectric element or a piezoelectric actuator that contracts and expands according to an electrical signal, or an exciter that generates magnetic force using a voice coil to vibrate the display panel (10).
[0095] A haptic module generates various tactile effects that a user can perceive. The haptic module can provide vibration to the user as a tactile effect. The intensity and pattern of vibrations generated by the haptic module can be controlled by the user's selection or by the settings of the main processor. For example, the haptic module may synthesize and output different vibrations or output them sequentially. In addition to vibration, the haptic module can generate various tactile effects, such as effects caused by stimuli like a pin array moving perpendicularly to the contacted skin surface, air jet or suction force through a nozzle or inlet, brushing against the skin surface, contact with an electrode, and electrostatic force, as well as effects caused by the reproduction of hot and cold sensations using elements capable of endothermic or exothermic reactions. The haptic module can not only transmit tactile effects through direct contact but can also be implemented so that the user can feel tactile effects through muscle sensations such as fingers or arms.
[0096] The light output unit outputs a signal to indicate the occurrence of an event using light from a light source. Examples of events occurring in the display device (1) may include receiving a message, receiving a call signal, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notification, receiving an email, or receiving information through an application. The signal output by the light output unit is implemented as the display device (1) emits single-color or multiple-color light toward the front or rear. The signal output may be terminated when the display device (1) detects the user's confirmation of the event.
[0097] The interface section serves as a passage for various types of external devices connected to the display device (1). The interface section may include at least one of a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with an identification module, an audio I / O (Input / Output) port, a video I / O (Input / Output) port, and an earphone port. The display device (1) can perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the connection of an external device to the interface section.
[0098] The memory stores data that supports various functions of the display device (1). The memory can store a number of applications running on the display device (1), data for the operation of the display device (1), and instructions. At least some of the applications can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. The memory can store applications for the operation of the main processor and can temporarily store input / output data, such as phonebooks, messages, still images, videos, etc. Additionally, the memory can store haptic data for various patterns of vibration provided to the haptic module and acoustic data regarding various sounds provided to the sound output unit. The memory may include at least one type of storage medium among flash memory type, hard disk type, SSD type (Solid State Disk type), SSD type (Silicon Disk Drive type), multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (random access memory; RAM), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory; ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk.
[0099] The power supply unit can supply power to each component included in the display device (1) by receiving external power and internal power under the control of the main processor. The power supply unit may include the battery. Additionally, the power supply unit is provided with a connection port, and the connection port may be configured as an example of an interface unit to which an external charger supplying power for charging the battery is electrically connected. Alternatively, the power supply unit may be configured to charge the battery wirelessly without using the connection port. The battery may receive power from an external wireless power transmission device using one or more of an inductive coupling method based on magnetic induction or a magnetic resonance coupling method based on electromagnetic resonance. The battery may be positioned so as not to overlap with the main circuit board in the third direction (Z direction). The battery may overlap with the battery hole of the bracket.
[0100] A gasket (80) may be placed between the bracket (60) and the display circuit board (51). At this time, the gasket (80) may be placed on the bracket (60) or on the display circuit board (51). This gasket (80) may detect the distribution of force, the strength of force, etc., applied to the bracket (60) when the bracket (60) is attached to the display panel (10). At this time, each bracket (60) may be placed to correspond to a detection area (55) on the display circuit board (51) where the detection unit is placed. In this case, the detection unit may be arranged in the form of a wire on the display circuit board (51). Additionally, the detection unit is connected to a touch driving unit (53), so that when the capacitor detected by the detection unit changes, the touch driving unit (53) can detect the change and determine the strength of the applied pressure.
[0101] The lower cover (90) can be placed on the lower side of the main circuit board (70) and the battery. The lower cover (90) can be fixed by being combined with a bracket (60). The lower cover (90) can form the lower surface of the display device (1). The lower cover (90) may include plastic, metal, or both plastic and metal.
[0102] FIG. 4a is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of the gasket illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4b is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the embodiment of the gasket illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0103] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the gasket (80) may include a gasket body part (80-1) and a signal input part (80-2).
[0104] The gasket body portion (80-1) may be in the shape of a column. For example, the gasket body portion (80-1) may be in the shape of a polygonal column, a cylinder, or an elliptical column. In this case, the gasket body portion (80-1) may include an elastic material including synthetic resins such as rubber, silicone, urethane, etc., and / or sponge. In this case, the gasket body portion (80-1) can be stretched to some extent, thereby absorbing shocks applied from the outside. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the gasket body portion (80-1) is in the shape of a rectangular column.
[0105] The signal input section (80-2) may include a connection section (80-2a) and a terminal section (80-2b). The signal input section (80-2) may include an electrically conductive material including a metal such as copper, gold, silver, aluminum, etc.
[0106] The connecting portion (80-2a) may be formed in the shape of a flat plate. The connecting portion (80-2a) may be seated on one surface of the gasket body portion (80-1). The connecting portion (80-2a) may be attached to the gasket body portion (80-1) through a separate adhesive member or fixed by direct contact with the gasket body portion (80-1). At this time, the connecting portion (80-2a) may maintain a constant potential (or voltage). For example, the connecting portion (80-2a) may have a potential of 0V by being connected to ground. In another embodiment, the connecting portion (80-2a) may have a potential other than 0V by being connected to the battery of the display device (1).
[0107] The terminal portion (80-2b) can be electrically connected to the connection portion (80-2a). In this case, the terminal portion (80-2b) may protrude from one side of the connection portion (80-2a). In this case, a plurality of terminal portions (80-2b) may be provided, and the plurality of terminal portions (80-2b) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where there are five terminal portions (80-2b).
[0108] The terminal portion (80-2b) can be inserted into the gasket body portion (80-1). In one embodiment, one end of the terminal portion (80-2b) may be exposed to the outside of the gasket body portion (80-1) depending on the volume change (or height change) of the gasket body portion (80-1). For example, a hole (80-1a) may be formed in the gasket body portion (80-1) into which the terminal portion (80-2b) is inserted. In another embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, it is also possible for the terminal portion (80-2b) to have a form that is completely inserted inside the gasket body portion (80-1). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the terminal portion (80-2b) is placed inside the gasket body portion (80-1) and a hole (80-1a) is formed in the gasket body portion (80-1).
[0109] The terminal portion (80-2b) described above may be of various shapes. For example, the terminal portion (80-2b) may be in the shape of a pillar, as shown in FIG. 4a. As another embodiment, the terminal portion (80-2b) may be in the shape of a coil spring, as shown in FIG. 4b. As yet another embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, the terminal portion (80-2b) may be formed in the shape of a bellows. In such cases, the terminal portion (80-2b) may be elastic to some extent and thus be expandable.
[0110] A plurality of terminal sections (80-2b) may include a first terminal section (80-2ba), a second terminal section (80-2bb), a third terminal section (80-2bc), a fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and a fifth terminal section (80-2be) arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
[0111] Additionally, the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) can be arranged in various ways relative to each other. For example, the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) can be arranged in a line. In another embodiment, one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be positioned at the center of the gasket body section (80-1), and the remaining of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be positioned at a certain distance from each other centered on one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be). At this time, the remaining parts among the first terminal section (80-2ba), second terminal section (80-2bb), third terminal section (80-2bc), fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be arranged on the circumference of a virtual circle centered on one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), second terminal section (80-2bb), third terminal section (80-2bc), fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and fifth terminal section (80-2be). As another embodiment, it is also possible for the first terminal section (80-2ba), second terminal section (80-2bb), third terminal section (80-2bc), fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and fifth terminal section (80-2be) to be arranged at different distances from each other.In another embodiment, one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be positioned at the center of the gasket body section (80-1), and the remainder of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be spaced apart from one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) by different distances from each other. At this time, the arrangement of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) is not limited to the above and can be arranged in various ways. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the fact that one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) is positioned at the center of the gasket body section (80-1), and the remaining of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) are positioned on the same arbitrary circumference centered on one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be).
[0112] The first terminal section (80-2ba) may be positioned at the center of the gasket body section (80-1). Additionally, the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be arranged radially around the first terminal section (80-2ba). At this time, the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may each be spaced apart from the first terminal section (80-2ba) by the same distance.
[0113] The length of one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may differ from the length of the other of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be). For example, the length of one of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be greater or smaller than the length of the other of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be). In another embodiment, the lengths of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may differ from each other. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on cases where the lengths of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) are different from each other.
[0114] In one embodiment, based on FIG. 4a, the length of the second terminal section (80-2bb) may be smaller than the lengths of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be), respectively. Additionally, the lengths of the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may increase sequentially with respect to each other. The length of the first terminal section (80-2ba) may be greater than the length of the second terminal section (80-2bb) and smaller than the length of the third terminal section (80-2bc). At this time, the lengths of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may vary, although they are not limited to the above.
[0115] Each of the first terminal section (80-2ba), second terminal section (80-2bb), third terminal section (80-2bc), fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and fifth terminal section (80-2be), having the lengths described above, may be arranged in a form inserted inside the gasket body section (80-1). At this time, each of the first terminal section (80-2ba), second terminal section (80-2bb), third terminal section (80-2bc), fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be less than the height of the gasket body section (80-1). In this case, the ends of the first terminal section (80-2ba), the second terminal section (80-2bb), the third terminal section (80-2bc), the fourth terminal section (80-2bd), and the fifth terminal section (80-2be) may be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the gasket body section (80-1).
[0116] The terminal portion (80-2b) described above can generate a signal by contacting a detection portion of a display circuit board located at a distance from the bottom surface of the gasket body portion (80-1) or at the bottom of the gasket body portion (80-1), or through a gap with the detection portion.
[0117] Figure 5 is a rear view schematically showing the location of the display circuit board and gasket illustrated in Figure 3.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 5, one side of the display circuit board (51) may be bent. At this time, the display circuit board (51) may include a first side and a second side. The first side may be a side facing the display panel (10) with reference to FIG. 3, and the second side may be a side facing the bracket (60) with reference to FIG. 3.
[0119] In the above case, the display circuit board (51) can be connected to the main circuit board (not shown) through a connector (CNA). At this time, the connector (CNA) may include a flexible printed circuit. At this time, one end of the connector (CNA) may be attached to the display circuit board (51), and the other end of the connector (CNA) may be connected to the main circuit board (70, see FIG. 2).
[0120] A display circuit board (51) may be placed on the rear of a display panel (10). At this time, the display circuit board (51) may include a detection area (55). Multiple detection areas (55) may be provided. For example, the detection areas (55) may correspond to each gasket (80).
[0121] Each detection area (55) can detect deformation of each gasket (80) that is positioned to correspond to each gasket (80). At this time, each detection area (55) can detect a signal generated according to the deformation of each gasket (80).
[0122] The location and number of the detection area (55) as described above can be determined according to the location and number of gaskets (80) as described above. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where six gaskets (80) are arranged.
[0123] A plurality of detection areas (55) may include a first detection area (55-1), a second detection area (55-2), a third detection area (55-3), a fourth detection area (55-4), a fifth detection unit, and a sixth detection area (55-6) that are spaced apart from each other. In this case, the first detection area (55-1), the second detection area (55-2), the fifth detection area (55-5), and the sixth detection area (55-6) may each be placed at the corner portions of the display circuit board (51). Additionally, the third detection area (55-3) and the fourth detection area (55-4) may be placed at the central portion of the display circuit board (51) and may be placed on both sides of the connector (CNA) with the connector (CNA) at the center. The first detection area (55-1) and the second detection area (55-2) can also be placed on both sides of the connector (CNA) with the connector (CNA) as the center, and the fifth detection area (55-5) and the sixth detection area (55-6) can also be placed on both sides of the connector (CNA) with the connector (CNA) as the center.
[0124] FIG. 6a is a circuit diagram schematically showing the gasket and the sensing part illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA´ illustrated in FIG. 6a. FIG. 6a is a circuit diagram briefly showing the positions of the sensing part and the gasket illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6b is also a cross-sectional view showing the 1-1 wiring, 2-1 wiring, and 1 gasket illustrated in FIG. 6a.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 6, a gasket (80) may be placed on the sensing unit (56). For example, a plurality of gaskets (80) may be placed on the sensing unit (56). At this time, the plurality of gaskets (80) may be placed spaced apart from each other. For example, the plurality of gaskets (80) may be placed on the first gasket (81), second gasket (82), third gasket (83), fourth gasket (84), fifth gasket (85), and sixth gasket (86) which are placed spaced apart from each other. At this time, the number of gaskets (80) is not limited to the above and may be at least two. In such a case, each gasket (80) may be placed in each sensing area shown in FIG. 5.
[0126] The sensing unit (56) may include a first wiring (56a) and a second wiring (56b) that intersect each other when viewed in a planar view on one side of the display circuit board (51). At this time, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be electrically insulated from each other. The first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may each be arranged to overlap at least once with each sensing area (not shown) illustrated in FIG. 5. The first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may each be provided in multiple numbers to form multiple points where they intersect each other. At this time, the multiple first wirings (56a) may be arranged parallel to each other and may be spaced apart from each other at a certain distance. Additionally, the multiple second wirings (56b) may be arranged parallel to each other and may be spaced apart from each other at a certain distance. In this case, when viewed in a planar view, each first wiring (56a) and each second wiring (56b) may intersect each other at one point. In one embodiment, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be placed on different layers. For example, one of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b) may be placed on one of the outer surfaces of the display circuit board (51), and the other of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b) may be placed on the inside of the display circuit board (51) or on the other of the outer surfaces of the display circuit board (51). At this time, when viewed on a plane, a part of the display circuit board (51) is placed between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) at the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect each other, thereby electrically insulating the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b). In another embodiment, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be placed on the same layer or at different heights. For example, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be placed inside the display circuit board (51) so as to be spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the display circuit board (51).At this time, a part of the display circuit board (51) may be placed between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) so that they can be electrically insulated from each other. As another embodiment, it is also possible for the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) to be placed on the same layer and at the same height. For example, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be placed on the same outer surface of the display circuit board (51) or at the same height inside the display circuit board (51). At this time, it is also possible to place a separate insulating material between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) that intersect each other when viewed on a plane so that the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) are insulated from each other. Additionally, in this case, when viewed in a planar view, at the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect, one of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may be arranged to extend to the upper or lower part of the other of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b). That is, at the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect when viewed in a planar view, one of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b) may include a bridge that extends from one of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b), is connected at a different height from one of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b), and then is connected again to the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b).
[0127] One of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) as described above may be placed at a different height from the other of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the first wiring (56a) is placed on the outer surface of the display circuit board (51), the second wiring (56b) is placed inside the display circuit board (51), and a part of the display circuit board (51) is placed between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b).
[0128] In one embodiment, at least one of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) as described above may have a uniform width in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, although not illustrated in the drawings, at least one of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may have different widths at the point where they intersect each other when viewed in a plane. For example, at least one of the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may include an electrode formed in a rhombus shape at the point where they intersect each other, with an area larger than that of other parts.
[0129] The sensing unit (56) can detect a signal based on the deformation of the gasket (80) placed in the sensing area. For example, as in one embodiment, the sensing unit (56) can detect the deformation of the gasket (80) based on a change in the distance between at least one of the contact parts of the gasket (80) and the sensing unit (56). Specifically, when the distance between at least one of the contact parts of the gasket (80) and one of the first wiring (56a) or the second wiring (56b) varies, the capacitor between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) changes, and the deformation of the gasket (80) can be determined by the touch driving unit (53) calculating this change.
[0130] In another embodiment, the sensing unit (56) can detect deformation of the gasket (80) when at least one of the contact parts of the gasket (80) comes into contact. At this time, the touch driving unit (53) can determine whether the gasket (80) is deformed by detecting a change in the capacitor between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) at the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect each other, as described above.
[0131] In another embodiment, the sensing part (56) may also detect a signal based on the change in distance and contact between at least one of the contact parts of the gasket (80) and the sensing part (56).
[0132] For convenience of explanation, the sensing unit (56) will be described in detail below, focusing on cases where the distance between at least one of the contact parts of the sensing unit (56) and the gasket (80) varies, and where at least one of the contact parts of the gasket (80) contacts the sensing unit (56) to detect whether the gasket (80) is deformed.
[0133] The first wiring (56a) as described above can be determined according to the number of gaskets (80). Specifically, the number of first wirings (56a) may be equal to the number of terminal portions (not indicated) that are not placed on the same first wiring (56a). In this case, the first wiring (56a) may be extended in a straight line. As another embodiment, the first wiring (56a) may not be in a straight line, and some parts may be in a straight line, while others may be in a bent shape or others may be in a rounded shape.
[0134] The first gasket (81) may include a first-1 terminal section (81-2ba), a second-1 terminal section (81-2bb), a third-1 terminal section (81-2bc), a fourth-1 terminal section (81-2bd), and a fifth-1 terminal section (81-2be). The second gasket (82) may include a first-2 terminal section (82-2ba), a second-2 terminal section (82-2bb), a third-2 terminal section (82-2bc), a fourth-2 terminal section (82-2bd), and a fifth-2 terminal section (82-2be). The third gasket (83) may include a first-3 terminal section (83-2ba), a second-3 terminal section (83-2bb), a third-3 terminal section (83-2bc), a fourth-3 terminal section (83-2bd), and a fifth-3 terminal section (83-2be). The fourth gasket (84) may include a first-4 terminal section (84-2ba), a second-4 terminal section (84-2bb), a third-4 terminal section (84-2bc), a fourth-4 terminal section (84-2bd), and a fifth-4 terminal section (84-2be). The fifth gasket (85) may include a first-5 terminal section (85-2ba), a second-5 terminal section (85-2bb), a third-5 terminal section (85-2bc), a fourth-5 terminal section (85-2bd), and a fifth-5 terminal section (85-2be). The sixth gasket (86) may include a first-6 terminal section (86-2ba), a second-6 terminal section (86-2bb), a third-6 terminal section (86-2bc), a fourth-6 terminal section (86-2bd), and a fifth-6 terminal section (86-2be).
[0135] The first wiring (56a) described above may include a first-1 wiring (56a-1), a first-2 wiring (56a-2), a first-3 wiring (56a-3), a first-4 wiring (56a-4), a first-5 wiring (56a-5) and a first-6 wiring (56a-6) arranged sequentially from the top so as to be spaced apart from each other.
[0136] The 1-1 wiring (56a-1), 1-2 wiring (56a-2), and 1-3 wiring (56a-3) may be placed below the 1st gasket (81), 2nd gasket (82), and 3rd gasket (83). In this case, the 1-1 wiring (56a-1) may be placed to overlap with the 2-1 terminal section (81-2bb), 3-1 terminal section (81-2bc), 2-2 terminal section (82-2bb), 3-2 terminal section (82-2bc), 2-3 terminal section (83-2bb), and 3-3 terminal section (83-2bc). At this time, at least one of the 2-1 terminal section (81-2bb), 3-1 terminal section (81-2bc), 2-2 terminal section (82-2bb), 3-2 terminal section (82-2bc), 2-3 terminal section (83-2bb), and 3-3 terminal section (83-2bc) can come into contact with the 1-1 wiring (56a-1) by varying the shape of the 1 gasket body section (not shown) of the 1 gasket (81) according to the position and magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60). The 1-2 wiring (56a-2) can be arranged to overlap with the 1-1 terminal section (81-2ba), the 1-2 terminal section (82-2ba), and the 1-3 terminal section (83-2ba). At least one of the 1-1 terminal section (81-2ba), the 1-2 terminal section (82-2ba), and the 1-3 terminal section (83-2ba) may come into contact with the 1-2 wiring (56a-2) depending on the position and magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60). Additionally, the 1-3 wiring (56a-3) may be arranged to overlap with the 4-1 terminal section (81-2bd), the 5-1 terminal section (81-2be), the 4-2 terminal section (82-2bd), the 5-2 terminal section (82-2be), the 4-3 terminal section (83-2bd), and the 5-3 terminal section (83-2be), similar to the 1-1 wiring (56a-1). At this time, at least one of the 4-1 terminal part (81-2bd), 5-1 terminal part (81-2be), 4-2 terminal part (82-2bd), 5-2 terminal part (82-2be), 4-3 terminal part (83-2bd), and 5-3 terminal part (83-2be) may come into contact with the 1-3 wiring (56a-3) depending on the position and magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60).
[0137] Additionally, the 1-4 wiring (56a-4), 1-5 wiring (56a-5), and 1-6 wiring (56a-6) may be placed below the 4th gasket (84), 5th gasket (85), and 6th gasket (86). In this case, the 1-4 wiring (56a-4) may be placed to overlap with the 2-4 terminal section (84-2bb), 3-4 terminal section (84-2bc), 2-5 terminal section (85-2bb), 3-5 terminal section (85-2bc), 2-6 terminal section (86-2bb), and 3-6 terminal section (86-2bc). The 1-5 wiring (56a-5) may be arranged to overlap with the 1-4 terminal section (84-2ba), the 1-5 terminal section (85-2ba), and the 1-6 terminal section (86-2ba). Additionally, the 1-6 wiring (56a-6) may be arranged to overlap with the 4-4 terminal section (84-2bd), the 5-4 terminal section (84-2be), the 4-5 terminal section (85-2bd), the 5-5 terminal section (85-2be), the 4-6 terminal section (86-2bd), and the 5-6 terminal section (86-2be).
[0138] In the above case, the second wiring (56b) may include, from the left side with reference to FIG. 6, the second-1 wiring (56b-1), second-2 wiring (56b-2), second-3 wiring (56b-3), second-4 wiring (56b-4), second-5 wiring (56b-5), second-6 wiring (56b-6), second-7 wiring (56b-7), second-8 wiring (56b-8) and second-9 wiring (56b-9). In this case, when viewed on a plane, the second-1 wiring (56b-1) may overlap with the third-1 terminal section (81-2bc), the fourth-1 terminal section (81-2bd), the third-5 terminal section (85-2bc) and the fourth-5 terminal section (85-2bd). When viewed in a planar view, the 2-2 wiring (56b-2) may overlap with the 1-1 terminal section (81-2ba) and the 1-5 terminal section (85-2ba). Additionally, when viewed in a planar view, the 2-3 wiring (56b-3) may be arranged to overlap with the 2-1 terminal section (81-2bb), the 5-1 terminal section (81-2be), the 2-5 terminal section (85-2bb), and the 5-5 terminal section (85-2be). When viewed in a planar view, the 2-4 wiring (56b-4) may overlap with the 3-3 terminal section (83-2bc), the 4-3 terminal section (83-2bd), the 3-4 terminal section (84-2bc), and the 4-4 terminal section (84-2bd). When viewed in a planar view, the 2-5 wiring (56b-5) may overlap with the 1-3 terminal section (83-2ba) and the 1-4 terminal section (84-2ba). Additionally, when viewed in a planar view, the 2-6 wiring (56b-6) may be arranged to overlap with the 2-3 terminal section (83-2bb), the 5-3 terminal section (83-2be), the 2-4 terminal section (84-2bb), and the 5-4 terminal section (84-2be). When viewed in a planar view, the 2-7 wiring (56b-7) may be arranged to overlap with the 3-2 terminal section (82-2bc), the 4-2 terminal section (82-2bd), the 3-6 terminal section (86-2bc), and the 4-6 terminal section (86-2bd). When viewed in a planar view, the 2-8 wiring (56b-8) can be arranged to overlap with the 1-2 terminal section (82-2ba) and the 1-6 terminal section (86-2ba).When viewed in a planar view, the 2-9 wiring (56b-9) can be arranged to overlap with the 2-2 terminal section (82-2bb), the 5-2 terminal section (82-2be), the 2-6 terminal section (86-2bb), and the 5-6 terminal section (86-2be).
[0139] In the above case, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) may intersect at multiple points when viewed on a plane. The points where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect each other may be located at the lower part of each terminal section of each gasket (80). That is, based on FIG. 6, the points where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect may be located at the lower part of each of the first-1 terminal section (81-2ba) to the fifth-1 terminal section (81-2be). Additionally, a point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect may be arranged at the lower portions of each of the first-2 terminal section (82-2ba) to the fifth-2 terminal section (82-2be), the lower portions of each of the first-3 terminal section (83-2ba) to the fifth-3 terminal section (83-2be), the lower portions of each of the first-4 terminal section (84-2ba) to the fifth-4 terminal section (84-2be), the lower portions of each of the first-5 terminal section (85-2ba) to the fifth-5 terminal section (85-2be), and the lower portions of each of the first-6 terminal section (86-2ba) to the fifth-6 terminal section (86-2be).
[0140] In the above case, the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) can be connected to a touch driving unit (53, see FIG. 5). In this case, the touch driving unit (53) can detect a change in the capacitor between the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b), which are arranged to intersect each other at the bottom of each terminal, when each terminal comes close to or contacts the second wiring (56b) at the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect each other. Through this, the touch driving unit (53) can detect a terminal that has come into contact with or has changed distance from the point where the first wiring (56a) and the second wiring (56b) intersect among the plurality of terminals through this change in capacitor.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6a, in the above case, the bracket (60) can be combined with the cover member (50) by applying pressure from the bottom of the display panel (10). At this time, the force can be applied while in contact with the entire outer surface of the bracket (60) (for example, the surface where the main circuit board is placed) or while in contact with each part of a plurality of parts of the outer surface of the bracket (60).
[0142] In the above case, if the force applied to the outer surface of the bracket (60) is not uniform, or if the force applied by the bracket (60) to each gasket (80) due to the force applied to the outer surface of the bracket (60) is not uniform across all gaskets (80), a problem may occur in which at least a part of the display panel (10) or the cover member (50) is damaged. In particular, in the above case, the corners of the display panel (10) or the corners of the cover member (50) may be damaged.
[0143] As described above, when force is applied to the bracket (60), the touch driving unit (53) detects a signal generated by the change in the shape of at least one of the plurality of gaskets (80), thereby detecting and determining the distribution of force applied to the bracket (60), the strength of the force, etc. For example, when a signal is generated from one of the plurality of gaskets (80) (e.g., one of the first gasket (81) to the sixth gasket (86)), it can be determined that the strength of the force applied to the gasket (80) where the signal is generated is greater than that of the other gasket (80) (e.g., another of the first gasket (81) to the sixth gasket (86)), or that the balance of force applied to the gasket (80) where the signal is generated is distorted. In such cases, the distribution of force applied to the bracket (60) can be adjusted, or the area of force applied to the bracket (60) can be moved. As another embodiment, it is also possible to perform the above operation by calculating the number of terminal portions of each gasket (80) that have come into contact with the first wiring (56a) or have a different distance (d) between the first wiring (56a) from the beginning. Specifically, if the number of terminal portions that have come into contact with the first wiring (56a) or have a different distance (d) among one of the terminal portions of the plurality of gaskets (80) is different from the number of terminal portions that have come into contact with the first wiring (56a) or have a different distance (d) among another of the terminal portions of the plurality of gaskets (80), the position and magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) can be adjusted so that the two become equal.For example, if the number of terminal portions of the first gasket (81) that are in contact with the first wiring (56a) or whose distance (d) from the first wiring (56a) is variable is greater than the number of terminal portions of the second gasket (82) that are in contact with the first wiring (56a) or whose distance (d) from the first wiring (56a) is variable, it is determined that a greater force is applied to the first gasket (81) portion than to the second gasket (82) portion, and the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) portion where the first gasket (81) is placed can be reduced, or the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) portion where the second gasket (82) is placed can be increased. Alternatively, it is also possible to adjust the magnitude of the force applied to other parts of the bracket (60). On the other hand, if the number of terminal portions of the first gasket (81) that contacts the first wiring (56a) or whose distance (d) from the first wiring (56a) is variable is smaller than the number of terminal portions of the second gasket (82) that contacts the first wiring (56a) or whose distance (d) from the first wiring (56a) is variable, it is determined that a smaller force is applied to the first gasket (81) portion than to the second gasket (82) portion, and the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) portion where the first gasket (81) is placed can be increased, or the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) portion where the second gasket (82) is placed can be decreased. The above method is not limited to the above and may include all methods for determining the magnitude of the force, the location of the force, and the distribution of the force applied to the bracket (60) based on the number and location of terminal portions of each gasket that contact each wiring.
[0144] In the above case, the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) can be adjusted so that the terminal portion of each gasket (80) contacts the first wiring (56a) or the number of terminal portions with varying distance (d) from the first wiring (56a) is maintained at a preset number. For example, when applying force to the bracket (60), the magnitude of the force applied to the bracket (60) can be controlled so that the terminal portion of each gasket (80) contacts the first wiring (56a) at a preset number. At this time, it is also possible to adjust the magnitude of the force, the position of the force, etc., in the same or similar manner as the method described above.
[0145] Therefore, the lifespan of the display device can be increased as damage to the display device does not occur when the bracket (60) is attached. In addition, the display device can display a clear image.
[0146] The display device supports the bracket (60) through a terminal portion placed in the gasket (80), thereby preventing the bracket (60) from moving toward the display panel even when an external force is applied to the bracket (60).
[0147] Meanwhile, the above process can be carried out similarly when a lower cover (90) is placed on a bracket (60), in addition to when a bracket (60) is attached to a display panel (10).
[0148] FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the display panel illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the display panel illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a pixel taken along the BB´ line of FIG. 7.
[0149] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the display device (1) may include a display panel (10), a display circuit board (51), a display driver (52), and a touch sensor driver (53). The display panel (10) may be a light-emitting display panel including a light-emitting element. For example, the display panel (10) may be an organic light-emitting display panel using an organic light-emitting diode including an organic light-emitting layer, a micro light-emitting diode display panel using a micro LED, a quantum dot light-emitting display panel using a quantum dot light-emitting diode including a quantum dot light-emitting layer, or an inorganic light-emitting display panel using an inorganic display element including an inorganic semiconductor.
[0150] The display panel (10) may be a transparent display panel that is implemented transparently so that an object or background placed on the lower surface of the display panel (10) can be seen on the upper surface of the display panel (10). Alternatively, the display panel (10) may be a reflective display panel that can reflect an object or background on the upper surface of the display panel (10).
[0151] The display panel (10) described above may include a display area (DA) that implements an image and a surrounding area (PA) arranged to surround the display area (DA). A separate driving circuit, pad, etc. may be arranged in this surrounding area (PA).
[0152] In one embodiment, the peripheral area (PA) may include a pad area (not shown). The pad area may protrude in the -Y direction from the peripheral area (PA) on one side of the display panel (10). A display driving unit (52) may be disposed in the pad area, and a display circuit board (51) may be connected thereto.
[0153] In one embodiment, the display panel (10) may include a bending area (not shown) that is positioned between the pad area and the display area (DA) and is bent. The pad area may be bent in the bending area, and the pad area may be positioned on the lower surface of the panel protection member (PB). The pad area may overlap with the display area (DA) in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the display panel (10). At this time, the pad area may be fixed to the panel protection member (PB) through a panel adhesive member (not shown). The panel adhesive member may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
[0154] In another embodiment, the peripheral area (PA) may not include the bending area. In this case, the flexible film may be bent or the display circuit board (51) may be bent. At this time, the panel adhesive member may be arranged in the same or similar manner as described above.
[0155] As another embodiment, it is also possible for both the display panel (10) and the display circuit board (51) not to be bent.
[0156] The display area (DA) may include a plurality of pixels that are display elements, and may display an image through these plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include subpixels. For example, the plurality of pixels may each include a red subpixel, a green subpixel, and a blue subpixel. Alternatively, the plurality of pixels may each include a red subpixel, a green subpixel, a blue subpixel, and a white subpixel.
[0157] A display circuit board (51) can be attached to one edge of the display panel (10).
[0158] The display driving unit (52) can be placed in various parts. For example, the display driving unit (52) can be placed on the substrate (100) of the display panel (10). In another embodiment, the display driving unit (52) can be placed on a flexible film. In yet another embodiment, the display driving unit (52) can be placed on a display circuit board (51). For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the display driving unit (52) is placed on the substrate (100).
[0159] The display driving unit (52) receives control signals and power voltages and can generate and output signals and voltages to drive the display panel (10). The display driving unit (52) can be formed as an integrated circuit (IC).
[0160] A display circuit board (51) can be attached to a display panel (10). At this time, the display circuit board (51) and the display panel (10) can be connected in various ways. In one embodiment, the display circuit board (51) and the display panel (10) can be attached to each other using a flexible film. In this case, the flexible film can be connected to the display panel (10) and the display circuit board (51) through an anisotropic conductive film. The display circuit board (51) may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that can be bent, or a composite printed circuit board that includes both a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) that is rigid and does not bend well and a flexible printed circuit board.
[0161] In another embodiment, one side of the display circuit board (51) may be directly attached to one edge of the display panel (10) using an anisotropic conductive film. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the display circuit board (51) and the display panel (10) are connected through the anisotropic conductive film.
[0162] A touch sensor driver (53) may be disposed on the display circuit board (51). The touch sensor driver (53) may be formed as an integrated circuit. The touch sensor driver (53) may be attached to the display circuit board (51). The touch sensor driver (53) may be electrically connected to the touch electrodes of the touchscreen layer of the display panel (10) through the display circuit board (51).
[0163] The touchscreen layer (TSL) of the display panel (10) can detect a user's touch input using at least one of various touch methods, such as a resistive method or a capacitive method. For example, when the touchscreen layer (TSL) of the display panel (10) detects a user's touch input using a capacitive method, the touch sensor driving unit (53) can determine whether a user has touched by applying driving signals to driving electrodes among the touch electrodes and detecting voltages charged in the mutual capacitance (hereinafter referred to as "mutual capacitance") between the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes through the sensing electrodes among the touch electrodes. A user's touch may include a contact touch and a proximity touch. A contact touch refers to an object such as a user's finger or a pen directly contacting a cover member placed on the touchscreen layer (TSL). A proximity touch refers to an object such as a user's finger or a pen being positioned close to the cover member, such as hovering. The touch sensor driving unit (53) transmits sensor data to the main processor according to the detected voltages, and the main processor can calculate the touch coordinates where the touch input occurred by analyzing the sensor data.
[0164] A power supply unit for supplying driving voltages to drive the pixels of the display panel (10), the scan driver, and the display driver (52) may be additionally disposed on the display circuit board (51). Alternatively, the power supply unit may be integrated with the display driver (52), in which case the display driver (52) and the power supply unit may be formed as a single integrated circuit.
[0165] The display panel (10) may include a substrate (100), a display layer (DISL), a touchscreen layer (TSL), a functional layer (OFL), and a panel protection member (PB).
[0166] A display layer (DISL) may be disposed on the substrate (100). The display layer (DISL) may be a layer that displays an image and includes pixels. The display layer (DISL) may include a circuit layer equipped with thin-film transistors, a display element layer in which display elements are disposed, and a sealing member for sealing the display element layer.
[0167] The display layer (DISL) can be divided into a display area (DA) and a peripheral area (PA). The display area (DA) may be an area where pixels are arranged to display an image. The peripheral area (PA) may be an area placed outside the display area (DA) that does not display an image. The peripheral area (PA) may be arranged to surround the display area (DA). The peripheral area (PA) may be an area from the outside of the display area (DA) to the edge of the display panel (10). In the display area (DA), not only pixels but also pixel circuits that drive the pixels, scan lines connected to the pixel circuits, data lines, power lines, etc. may be arranged. In the peripheral area (PA), a scan driver for applying scan signals to the scan lines, and fan-out lines connecting the data lines and the display driver (52) may be arranged.
[0168] A touchscreen layer (TSL) may be disposed on a display layer (DISL). The touchscreen layer (TSL) may include touch electrodes and may be a layer for detecting whether a user is touching. The touchscreen layer (TSL) may be formed directly on a sealing member of the display layer (DISL). Alternatively, the touchscreen layer (TSL) may be formed separately and then bonded to the sealing member of the display layer (DISL) through an adhesive layer such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA).
[0169] A functional layer (OFL) may be disposed on the touchscreen layer (TSL). The functional layer (OFL) may include an anti-reflection layer. The anti-reflection layer may reduce the reflectivity of light (external light) incident from the outside toward the display device (1).
[0170] In some embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may be provided as a polarizing film. The polarizing film may include a phase delay film such as a linear polarizer and a λ / 4 plate (quarter-wave plate). The phase delay film may be disposed on a touchscreen layer (TSL), and the linear polarizer may be disposed on the phase delay film.
[0171] In some embodiments, the anti-reflective layer may include a filter layer comprising a black matrix and color filters. The color filters may be arranged in consideration of the color of light emitted from each pixel of the display device (1). For example, the filter layer may include red, green, or blue color filters.
[0172] In some embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may include a destructive interference structure. The destructive interference structure may include a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer disposed on different layers. The first reflected light and the second reflected light reflected from the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, respectively, may destructively interfere with each other, and accordingly, the external light reflectance may be reduced.
[0173] A cover member (50) may be disposed on the functional layer (OFL). The cover member (50) may be attached to the functional layer (OFL) by a transparent adhesive member, such as an optically transparent adhesive (OCA) film.
[0174] A panel protection member (PB) may be disposed on the lower surface of the display panel (10). The panel protection member (PB) may be attached to the lower surface of the display panel (10) through an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The panel protection member (PB) may include at least one of a light absorption layer for absorbing light incident from the outside, a cushion layer for absorbing shock from the outside, and a heat dissipation layer for efficiently dissipating heat from the display panel (10).
[0175] A light absorption layer may be placed at the bottom of a display panel (10). The light absorption layer prevents the transmission of light, thereby preventing components placed at the bottom of the light absorption member, such as a display circuit board (51), from being visible from the top of the display panel (10). The light absorption layer may include a light-absorbing material such as a black pigment or a black dye.
[0176] A cushion layer may be placed below the light-absorbing member. The cushion layer absorbs external shocks to prevent the display panel (10) from being damaged. The cushion layer may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers. For example, the cushion layer may be formed from a polymer resin such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyethylene, or may be composed of an elastic material such as a sponge formed by foam molding rubber, a urethane-based material, or an acrylic-based material.
[0177] The heat dissipation layer may be placed below the cushion layer. The heat dissipation layer may include a first heat dissipation layer comprising graphite or carbon nanotubes, and a second heat dissipation layer formed of a metal thin film such as copper, nickel, ferrite, or silver, which can shield electromagnetic waves and has excellent thermal conductivity.
[0178] The display panel (10) may include a substrate (100), a buffer layer (111), a display layer (DISL), and a thin film encapsulation layer (TFE). The display layer (DISL) may include a pixel circuit layer (PCL) and a display element layer (DEL).
[0179] The substrate (100) may include a polymer resin such as polyethersulfone, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate propionate, etc. The substrate (100) containing the polymer resin may have flexible, rollable, and bendable properties. The substrate (100) may have a multilayer structure including a base layer containing the aforementioned polymer resin and a barrier layer (not shown).
[0180] The buffer layer (111) may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and silicon oxide, and may be a single layer or a multilayer containing the aforementioned inorganic insulating material.
[0181] A pixel circuit layer (PCL) may be disposed on a buffer layer (111). The pixel circuit layer (PCL) may include an inorganic insulating layer (IIL), a first planarization layer (115), and a second planarization layer (116) disposed below or / and above a thin film transistor (TFT) included in the pixel circuit and components of the thin film transistor (TFT). The inorganic insulating layer (IIL) may include a first gate insulating layer (112), a second gate insulating layer (113), and an interlayer insulating layer (114).
[0182] A thin-film transistor (TFT) includes a semiconductor layer (A), and the semiconductor layer (A) may include polysilicon. Alternatively, the semiconductor layer (A) may include amorphous silicon, an oxide semiconductor, an organic semiconductor, etc. The semiconductor layer (A) may include a channel region and a drain region and a source region disposed on both sides of the channel region, respectively. A gate electrode (G) may overlap with the channel region.
[0183] The gate electrode (G) may include a low-resistance metal material. The gate electrode (G) may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be formed as a multilayer or single layer including the above materials.
[0184] The first gate insulating layer (112) between the semiconductor layer (A) and the gate electrode (G) is silicon oxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO x It may include inorganic insulating materials such as ). In this case, zinc oxide (ZnO x ) may be zinc oxide (ZnO), and / or zinc peroxide (ZnO2).
[0185] The second gate insulating layer (113) may be provided to cover the gate electrode (G). Similar to the first gate insulating layer (112), the second gate insulating layer (113) may be made of silicon oxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (SiN2). x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO x It may include inorganic insulating materials such as ). In this case, zinc oxide (ZnO x) may be zinc oxide (ZnO), and / or zinc peroxide (ZnO2).
[0186] An upper electrode (CE2) of a storage capacitor (Cst) may be disposed on the upper portion of the second gate insulating layer (113). The upper electrode (CE2) may overlap with the gate electrode (G) below it. At this time, the gate electrode (G) and the upper electrode (CE2) that overlap with the second gate insulating layer (113) in between may form a storage capacitor (Cst) of the pixel circuit. That is, the gate electrode (G) may function as the lower electrode (CE1) of the storage capacitor (Cst). In this way, the storage capacitor (Cst) and the thin-film transistor (TFT) may be formed by overlapping. In some embodiments, the storage capacitor (Cst) may be formed so as not to overlap with the thin-film transistor (TFT).
[0187] The upper electrode (CE2) may include aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and / or copper (Cu), and may be a single layer or a multilayer of the aforementioned materials.
[0188] The interlayer insulating layer (114) can cover the upper electrode (CE2). The interlayer insulating layer (114) is silicon oxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO x It may include ) etc. In this case, zinc oxide (ZnO x ) may be zinc oxide (ZnO) and / or zinc peroxide (ZnO2). The interlayer insulating layer (114) may be a single layer or a multilayer comprising the aforementioned inorganic insulating material.
[0189] The drain electrode (D) and the source electrode (S) may each be located on the interlayer insulating layer (114). The drain electrode (D) and the source electrode (S) may include a material with good conductivity. The drain electrode (D) and the source electrode (S) may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be formed as a multilayer or single layer including the above materials. In one embodiment, the drain electrode (D) and the source electrode (S) may have a multilayer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.
[0190] The first flattening layer (115) may be disposed to cover the drain electrode (D) and the source electrode (S). The first flattening layer (115) may include an organic insulating layer. The first flattening layer (115) may include an organic insulating material such as a general-purpose polymer like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS), a polymer derivative having a phenolic group, an acrylic polymer, an imide polymer, an aryl ether polymer, an amide polymer, a fluorine polymer, a p-xylene polymer, a vinyl alcohol polymer, and blends thereof.
[0191] A connecting electrode (CML) may be disposed on the first planarization layer (115). At this time, the connecting electrode (CML) may be connected to a drain electrode (D) or a source electrode (S) through a contact hole of the first planarization layer (115). The connecting electrode (CML) may include a material with good conductivity. The connecting electrode (CML) may include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., and may be formed as a multilayer or single layer including the above materials. In one embodiment, the connecting electrode (CML) may have a multilayer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.
[0192] The second flattening layer (116) may be disposed covering the connecting electrode (CML). The second flattening layer (116) may include an organic insulating layer. The second flattening layer (116) may include an organic insulating material such as a general-purpose polymer like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS), a polymer derivative having a phenolic group, an acrylic polymer, an imide polymer, an aryl ether polymer, an amide polymer, a fluorine polymer, a p-xylene polymer, a vinyl alcohol polymer, and blends thereof.
[0193] The display element layer (DEL) may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer (PCL). The display element layer (DEL) may include a display element (ED). The display element (ED) may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The pixel electrode (211) of the display element (ED) may be electrically connected to the connecting electrode (CML) through the contact hole of the second planarization layer (116).
[0194] The pixel electrode (211) may include a conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), indium gallium oxide (IGO), or aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). In another embodiment, the pixel electrode (211) may include a reflective film comprising silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), or a compound thereof. In yet another embodiment, the pixel electrode (211) may further include a film formed of ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3 above and below the aforementioned reflective film.
[0195] A pixel defining film (118) having an opening (118OP) that exposes the central portion of the pixel electrode (211) may be disposed on the pixel electrode (211). The pixel defining film (118) may include an organic insulating material and / or an inorganic insulating material. The opening (118OP) may define a light-emitting region (hereinafter referred to as the light-emitting region) (EA) of light emitted from a display element (ED). For example, the width of the opening (118OP) may correspond to the width of the light-emitting region (EA) of the display element (ED).
[0196] A spacer (119) may be placed on the pixel defining film (118). The spacer (119) may be used to prevent damage to the substrate (100) in a manufacturing method for manufacturing a display device. When manufacturing a display panel, a mask sheet may be used. At this time, when the mask sheet enters the opening (118OP) of the pixel defining film (118) or adheres to the pixel defining film (118) to deposit a deposition material on the substrate (100), the defect of a part of the substrate (100) being damaged or broken by the mask sheet can be prevented.
[0197] The spacer (119) may include an organic insulating material such as polyimide. Alternatively, the spacer (119) may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide, or may include both an organic insulating material and an inorganic insulating material.
[0198] In one embodiment, the spacer (119) may include a material different from that of the pixel defining film (118). Or in another embodiment, the spacer (119) may include the same material as that of the pixel defining film (118), in which case the pixel defining film (118) and the spacer (119) may be formed together in a mask process using a halftone mask, etc.
[0199] An intermediate layer (212) may be disposed on the pixel defining film (118). The intermediate layer (212) may include a light-emitting layer (212b) disposed in the opening (118OP) of the pixel defining film (118). The light-emitting layer (212b) may include a polymer or low-molecular-weight organic material that emits light of a predetermined color.
[0200] A first functional layer (212a) and a second functional layer (212c) may be disposed respectively below and above the light-emitting layer (212b). The first functional layer (212a) may, for example, include a hole transport layer (HTL) or include a hole transport layer and a hole injection layer (HIL). The second functional layer (212c) may be optional as a component disposed on the light-emitting layer (212b). The second functional layer (212c) may include an electron transport layer (ETL) and / or an electron injection layer (EIL). The first functional layer (212a) and / or the second functional layer (212c) may be a common layer formed to cover the entire substrate (100), similar to the opposing electrode (213) described later.
[0201] The counter electrode (213) may be made of a conductive material with a low work function. For example, the counter electrode (213) may include a (semi)transparent layer comprising silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), or alloys thereof. Alternatively, the counter electrode (213) may further include a layer such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In2O3 on the (semi)transparent layer comprising the aforementioned materials.
[0202] In some embodiments, a capping layer (not shown) may be further disposed on the counter electrode (213). The capping layer may include LiF, an inorganic material, or / and an organic material.
[0203] A thin film encapsulation layer (TFE) may be disposed on a counter electrode (213). In one embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer (TFE) comprises at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer, and FIG. 7 illustrates that the thin film encapsulation layer (TFE) comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer (310), an organic encapsulation layer (320), and a second inorganic encapsulation layer (330) that are sequentially stacked.
[0204] The first inorganic encapsulation layer (310) and the second inorganic encapsulation layer (330) may include one or more inorganic materials selected from aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. The organic encapsulation layer (320) may include a polymer-based material. Polymer-based materials may include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, and polyethylene. In one embodiment, the organic encapsulation layer (320) may include acrylate.
[0205] Figures 9a and 9b are circuit diagrams schematically showing the circuit of the display panel shown in Figure 7.
[0206] Referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the pixel circuit (PC) is connected to the display element (ED) to enable light emission of subpixels. The pixel circuit (PC) includes a driving thin-film transistor (T1), a switching thin-film transistor (T2), and a storage capacitor (Cst). The switching thin-film transistor (T2) is connected to a scan line (SL) and a data line (DL), and transmits a data signal (Dm) input through the data line (DL) to the driving thin-film transistor (T1) according to a scan signal (Sn) input through the scan line (SL).
[0207] The storage capacitor (Cst) is connected to the switching thin-film transistor (T2) and the driving voltage line (PL), and stores a voltage corresponding to the difference between the voltage received from the switching thin-film transistor (T2) and the driving voltage (ELVDD) supplied to the driving voltage line (PL).
[0208] The driving thin-film transistor (T1) is connected to the driving voltage line (PL) and the storage capacitor (Cst), and can control the driving current flowing from the driving voltage line (PL) to the display element (ED) in correspondence with the voltage value stored in the storage capacitor (Cst). The display element (ED) can emit light having a predetermined brightness by the driving current.
[0209] FIG. 9a describes a case where the pixel circuit (PC) includes two thin-film transistors and one storage capacitor, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0210] Referring to FIG. 9b, the pixel circuit (PC) may include a driving thin-film transistor (T1), a switching thin-film transistor (T2), a compensation thin-film transistor (T3), a first initialization thin-film transistor (T4), an operation control thin-film transistor (T5), a light emission control thin-film transistor (T6), and a second initialization thin-film transistor (T7).
[0211] FIG. 9b illustrates a case in which signal lines (SL, SL-1, SL+1, EL, DL), an initialization voltage line (VL), and a driving voltage line (PL) are provided for each pixel circuit (PC), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, at least one of the signal lines (SL, SL-1, SL+1, EL, DL), or / and the initialization voltage line (VL) may be shared among neighboring pixel circuits.
[0212] The drain electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (T1) can be electrically connected to the display element (ED) via the light-emitting control thin-film transistor (T6). The driving thin-film transistor (T1) receives a data signal (Dm) according to the switching operation of the switching thin-film transistor (T2) and supplies a driving current to the display element (ED).
[0213] The gate electrode of the switching thin-film transistor (T2) is connected to the scan line (SL), and the source electrode is connected to the data line (DL). The drain electrode of the switching thin-film transistor (T2) is connected to the source electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (T1) and can be connected to the driving voltage line (PL) via the operation control thin-film transistor (T5).
[0214] The switching thin-film transistor (T2) is turned on according to the scan signal (Sn) received through the scan line (SL) and performs a switching operation to transmit the data signal (Dm) transmitted through the data line (DL) to the source electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (T1).
[0215] The gate electrode of the compensation thin film transistor (T3) can be connected to the scan line (SL). The source electrode of the compensation thin film transistor (T3) is connected to the drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1) and can be connected to the pixel electrode of the display element (ED) via the light emission control thin film transistor (T6). The drain electrode of the compensation thin film transistor (T3) can be connected together with one electrode of the storage capacitor (Cst), the source electrode of the first initialization thin film transistor (T4), and the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1). The compensation thin film transistor (T3) is turned on according to the scan signal (Sn) received through the scan line (SL) to connect the gate electrode and the drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1) to each other, thereby making the driving thin film transistor (T1) diode-connected.
[0216] The gate electrode of the first initialization thin film transistor (T4) can be connected to the previous scan line (SL-1). The drain electrode of the first initialization thin film transistor (T4) can be connected to the initialization voltage line (VL). The source electrode of the first initialization thin film transistor (T4) can be connected together with one electrode of the storage capacitor (Cst), the drain electrode of the compensation thin film transistor (T3), and the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1). The first initialization thin film transistor (T4) can be turned on according to the previous scan signal (Sn-1) received through the previous scan line (SL-1) to transmit an initialization voltage (Vint) to the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1) and perform an initialization operation to initialize the voltage of the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1).
[0217] The gate electrode of the operation control thin film transistor (T5) can be connected to the light emission control line (EL). The source electrode of the operation control thin film transistor (T5) can be connected to the driving voltage line (PL). The drain electrode of the operation control thin film transistor (T5) is connected to the source electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1) and the drain electrode of the switching thin film transistor (T2).
[0218] The gate electrode of the light-emitting control thin film transistor (T6) can be connected to the light-emitting control line (EL). The source electrode of the light-emitting control thin film transistor (T6) can be connected to the drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor (T1) and the source electrode of the compensation thin film transistor (T3). The drain electrode of the light-emitting control thin film transistor (T6) can be electrically connected to the pixel electrode of the display element (ED). The operation control thin film transistor (T5) and the light-emitting control thin film transistor (T6) are simultaneously turned on according to the light-emitting control signal (En) received through the light-emitting control line (EL), so that the driving voltage (ELVDD) is transmitted to the display element (ED) and the driving current flows to the display element (ED).
[0219] The gate electrode of the second initialization thin film transistor (T7) can be connected to the scan line (SL+1). The source electrode of the second initialization thin film transistor (T7) can be connected to the pixel electrode of the display element (ED). The drain electrode of the second initialization thin film transistor (T7) can be connected to the initialization voltage line (VL). The second initialization thin film transistor (T7) can be turned on according to the scan signal (Sn+1) received through the scan line (SL+1) to initialize the pixel electrode of the display element (ED).
[0220] In FIG. 9b, the case in which the first initialization thin film transistor (T4) and the second initialization thin film transistor (T7) are connected to the previous scan line (SL-1) and the subsequent scan line (SL+1), respectively, is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first initialization thin film transistor (T4) and the second initialization thin film transistor (T7) are both connected to the previous scan line (SLn-1) and can be driven according to the previous scan signal (Sn-1).
[0221] Another electrode of the storage capacitor (Cst) can be connected to the driving voltage line (PL). Any one electrode of the storage capacitor (Cst) can be connected together to the gate electrode of the driving thin-film transistor (T1), the drain electrode of the compensation thin-film transistor (T3), and the source electrode of the first initialization thin-film transistor (T4).
[0222] The counter electrode (e.g., cathode) of the display element (ED) is provided with a common voltage (ELVSS). The display element (ED) receives a driving current from a driving thin-film transistor (T1) and emits light.
[0223] The pixel circuit (PC) is not limited to the number and circuit design of the thin-film transistors and storage capacitors described with reference to FIGS. 9a and 9b, and the number and circuit design can be varied.
[0224] As such, the present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols
[0225] 1: Display device 59: Panel adhesive member 10: Display panel 60: Bracket 100: Board 70: Main circuit board 50: Cover missing 71: Main processor 51: Display circuit board 73: Camera device 52: Display drive unit 75: Main connector 53: Touch actuator 80: Gasket 54: Touch circuit board 80-1: Gasket body part 55: Detection area 80-2: Signal input section 56: Detector 80-2a: Connection part 56a: First wiring 80-2b: Terminal section 56b: Second wiring 90: Lower cover
Claims
Claim 1 A display device comprising: a display panel; a cover window disposed on a first surface of the display panel; a display circuit board connected to the first surface of the display panel; and a gasket disposed on one surface of the display circuit board connected to the display panel, wherein the gasket comprises a signal input unit; and the display circuit board comprises a detection unit that detects a signal varying according to a distance to a part of the signal input unit. Claim 2 In claim 1, the display circuit board is a bent display device. Claim 3 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the signal input unit comprises: a connection unit; and a terminal unit connected to the connection unit, wherein the distance from the detection unit varies according to the applied pressure. Claim 4 In claim 3, the terminal portion is a display device that extends perpendicularly with respect to one surface of the connection portion. Claim 5 A display device according to claim 3, wherein the terminal portion is provided in a plurality of three or more, and the remainder of the plurality of terminal portions are arranged radially based on one of the plurality of terminal portions. Claim 6 In claim 3, the terminal portion is provided in a plurality, and the length of one of the plurality of terminal portions and the length of another of the plurality of terminal portions are different from each other. Claim 7 In claim 1, the sensing unit comprises: a first wire; and a second wire arranged to intersect the first wire; a display device. Claim 8 In claim 7, at least one of the first wiring and the second wiring is provided in multiple quantities, and the first wiring and the second wiring intersect each other in multiple regions. Claim 9 A display device according to claim 1, further comprising a panel protection member disposed between the display panel and the display circuit board. Claim 10 A display device comprising, in claim 1, a bracket coupled to the display panel. Claim 11 A display device comprising: a bracket; a display panel coupled to the bracket and having a substrate and a display layer disposed on the substrate; a display circuit board connected to the display panel and disposed on the rear surface of the substrate; and a gasket disposed between the display circuit board and the bracket, wherein the display circuit board includes a sensing unit that detects a signal according to the height of the gasket which varies. Claim 12 A display device further comprising, in claim 11, a cover member disposed on the display panel. Claim 13 In claim 12, the border of the cover member, when viewed in a planar view, is a display device positioned at the outer edge of the border of the display layer. Claim 14 In claim 11, the gasket comprises: a gasket body portion; a connection portion disposed on one surface of the gasket body portion; and a terminal portion inserted into the gasket body portion and connected to the connection portion; a display device. Claim 15 In claim 14, the terminal portion is provided in a plurality, and the length of one of the plurality of terminal portions and the length of another of the plurality of terminal portions are different from each other in the display device. Claim 16 In claim 14, the terminal portion is a display device extending in a vertical direction from the connection portion. Claim 17 In claim 11, the sensing unit comprises: a first wire; and a second wire arranged to intersect the first wire; a display device. Claim 18 A display device according to claim 17, wherein the first wiring and the second wiring are each provided in multiple numbers, and the intersection points of each first wiring and each second wiring are arranged to be spaced apart from each other. Claim 19 In claim 17, the first wiring and the second wiring are electrically insulated from each other in a display device. Claim 20 A display device further comprising, in claim 11, a panel protection member disposed between the substrate and the display circuit board.
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