Patent Application
20230109163
This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0125063 filed on Sep. 17, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device in which light leakage is improved and damage due to static electricity is reduced.
Display devices used in computer monitors, TVs, and mobile phones include organic light emitting displays (OLEDs) that emit light by themselves, and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that require a separate light source.
Such display devices are being applied to more and more various fields including not only computer monitors and TVs, but also personal mobile devices, and thus, display devices having a reduced volume and weight while having a wide display area are being studied.
In addition, the display device provides optical components such as a camera, a proximity sensor and the like together in order to provide users with more various functions. However, since the optical component such as a camera needs to be exposed to the outside in order to recognize light, display devices in which a part of the display device is cut in a notch shape or a hole is formed in the display device to dispose the optical component therein are being developed.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which occurrence of noise in optical components disposed in a camera area by light emitted from a plurality of sub-pixels is reduced.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device in which light leakage is reduced in a notch portion where an optical component is disposed.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device in which light leakage is reduced in a through hole where an optical component is disposed.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device in which degradation in reliability due to static electricity generated in a cover window is minimized.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device having a reduced bezel area.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device in which manufacturing costs are reduced by simplifying a process.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed and a camera area which is adjacent to the display area and in which a first hole is disposed; a first plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including a second hole overlapping the first hole; a front member disposed on an upper surface of the display panel; and a light blocking member covering a rear surface of the front member which is exposed through the first hole, an inner surface of the first hole, and an inner surface of the second hole. Accordingly, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member is formed on the inner surfaces of the first hole and the second hole, so that it is possible to block light from the plurality of sub-pixels from being transmitted into the camera area and at the same time, to discharge static electricity generated from the front member, thereby allowing for improvements in reliability of the display device.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed and a camera area which is adjacent to the display area and which includes a first notch portion; a first plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including a second notch portion overlapping the first notch portion; a front member disposed on an upper surface of the display panel; and a light blocking member covering a rear surface of the front member and a side surface of the display panel which are exposed through the first notch portion and a side surface of the first plate which is exposed through the second notch portion. Accordingly, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member is formed to cover a side surface of the display device which is exposed through the notch portion, so that light leakage can be improved in the notch portion and damage to the display device due to static electricity can be reduced.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, noise due to light leakage in a camera area where an optical component is disposed can be improved.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, damage to a display device can be reduced by discharging static electricity of a cover window.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a bezel area can be reduced by eliminating a conductive tape.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a manufacturing cost and time can be reduced by simplifying a process of attaching the conductive tape.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the disclosure, illustrate aspects of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure.
In the drawings:
Advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method of achieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear by referring to exemplary aspects described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary aspects disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary aspects are provided by way of example only so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the disclosures of the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims.
The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings for describing the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Like reference numerals generally denote like elements throughout the specification. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed explanation of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. The terms such as “including,” “having,” and “consist of” used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be added unless the terms are used with the term “only”. Any references to singular may include plural unless expressly stated otherwise.
Components are interpreted to include an ordinary error range even if not expressly stated.
When the position relation between two parts is described using the terms such as “on”, “above”, “below”, and “next”, one or more parts may be positioned between the two parts unless the terms are used with the term “immediately” or “directly”.
When an element or layer is disposed “on” another element or layer, another layer or another element may be interposed directly on the other element or therebetween.
Although the terms “first”, “second”, and the like are used for describing various components, these components are not confined by these terms. These terms are merely used for distinguishing one component from the other components. Therefore, a first component to be mentioned below may be a second component in a technical concept of the present disclosure.
Like reference numerals generally denote like elements throughout the specification.
A size and a thickness of each component illustrated in the drawing are illustrated for convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not limited to the size and the thickness of the component illustrated.
The features of various aspects of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely adhered to or combined with each other and can be interlocked and operated in technically various ways, and the aspects can be carried out independently of or in association with each other.
Hereinafter, a display device according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
The display panel 140 is a panel on which an image is implemented, and a display element for implementing an image, a circuit, lines, and components for driving the display element may be disposed on the display panel 140.
Referring to
The display area AA is an area in which a plurality of sub-pixels SP are disposed to display an image. Each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP is an individual unit emitting light, and a light emitting element and a driving circuit are formed in each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP. For example, display elements for displaying an image and circuit units for driving the display elements may be disposed in the plurality of sub-pixels SP. For example, when the display device 100 is an organic light emitting display device, the display element may include an organic light emitting element, and when the display device 100 is a liquid crystal display device, the display element may include a liquid crystal element. The plurality of sub-pixels SP may include a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel, and/or a white sub-pixel, but are not limited thereto.
The non-display area NA is an area in which an image is not displayed, and is an area in which various lines, driver ICs and the like for driving the plurality of sub-pixels SP disposed in the display area AA are disposed. For example, various ICs such as a gate driver IC and a data driver IC and driving circuits, and the like may be disposed in the non-display area NA. The non-display area NA in which an image is not displayed may also be defined as a bezel area.
Meanwhile, the non-display area NA may be defined as an area surrounding the display area AA as shown in
The camera area CA is disposed within the display area AA. The camera area CA is disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels SP in the display area AA. The camera area CA is an area in which an optical component such as a camera or a proximity sensor is disposed. The camera area CA includes a through hole TH that penetrates some components of the display device 100 to dispose the optical component. For example, a space in which the optical component is disposed may be secured by forming the through hole TH that penetrates the display panel 140.
Meanwhile, some of light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels SP may travel toward the camera area CA disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels SP, that is, toward the through hole TH. However, when light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP travelling toward the through hole TH is transmitted to an optical component such as a camera, noise may be generated and thus, reliability of the optical component may be degraded. Accordingly, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be disposed in the through hole TH so that light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels SP is not transmitted to an inside of the through hole TH.
Hereinafter, the conductive light blocking member 170 and the display device 100 will be described in more detail with reference to
The cover window 110 is disposed on the display panel 140. The cover window 110 may protect the polarizing plate 130, the display panel 140 and the like under the cover window 110 from external impacts, moisture, heat, and the like. The cover window 110 may be formed of a material having impact resistance and light transmittance. For example, the cover window 110 may be a substrate formed of glass or may be a thin film formed of a plastic material such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but is not limited thereto. In addition, the cover window 110 is an exemplary name, and may be referred to as various names such as a front member and a cover glass, but is not limited thereto.
The polarizing plate 130 is disposed between the cover window 110 and the display panel 140. The polarizing plate 130 may selectively transmit light and reduce reflection of external light incident on the display panel 140. Specifically, the display panel 140 includes various metallic materials that are applied to thin film transistors, lines, electroluminescent devices, and the like. Accordingly, the external light incident on the display panel 140 may be reflected from the metallic material, and visibility of the display device 100 may be reduced due to reflection of the external light. Accordingly, by disposing the polarizing plate 130 on one surface of the display panel 140, reflection of external light may be prevented, and outdoor visibility of the display device 100 may be improved. However, components of the display device 100 illustrated in
In addition, the adhesive layer 120 may be formed between the polarizing plate 130 and the cover window 110, so that the cover window 110 may be bonded and disposed onto the polarizing plate 130. The adhesive layer 120 may be formed of a material having an adhesive property and may be formed of, for example, optical clear adhesive (OCA), pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), or the like, but is not limited thereto.
The back plate 150 is disposed under the display panel 140. When a substrate that constitutes the display panel 140 is formed of a plastic material such as polyimide, a manufacturing process of the display device 100 is conducted in a situation in which a support substrate formed of glass is disposed under the substrate, and the support substrate may be released after forming components such as a polarizing plate and the like on the substrate. However, since components for supporting the substrate are required even after the support substrate is released, the back plate 150 for supporting the substrate may be disposed under the substrate of the display panel 140. The back plate 150 may not only support the display panel 140 and protect the display panel 140 from external moisture, heat, impacts, and the like. The back plate 150 may be, for example, a thin film formed of polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or the like.
The metal plate 160 is disposed under the back plate 150. The metal plate 160 may protect and support components on the metal plate 160. Since the metal plate 160 is formed of a rigid material, it is possible to minimize occurrence of dent marks and the like due to an external impact or the like. In addition, the metal plate 160 may function as a heat dissipation member emitting heat that is generated when the display device 100 is driven. In addition, the metal plate 160 may be formed of a material having excellent electrical conductivity to discharge static electricity that is generated in the cover window 110 together with the conductive light blocking member 170 to the outside. To this end, the metal plate 160 may be formed of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, for example, copper (Cu), graphite and the like, but is not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, in the present specification, components disposed under the display panel 140 are referred to as the back plate 150 and the metal plate 160, but the back plate 150 and the metal plate 160 may be referred to as other names, for example, the metal plate 160 may be referred to as a first plate and the back plate 150 may be referred to as a second plate, but they are not limited thereto.
The through holes TH are formed in remaining components of the display device 100 except for the cover window 110. The through holes TH may be formed through the adhesive layer 120, the polarizing plate 130, the display panel 140, the back plate 150, and the metal plate 160. The through hole TH is an empty space in which an optical component such as a camera is disposed in the display area AA. The optical component may be disposed in the through hole TH and recognize an external environment outside the cover window 110. The optical component may be operated by recognizing external light that is transmitted to the optical component through the cover window 110. In this case, since the through hole TH is not formed in the cover window 110, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from penetrating into the through hole TH.
Meanwhile, a size of the through hole TH of the metal plate 160 may be configured differently according to an order of an attachment process of the metal plate 160 and a formation process of the through hole TH. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, through holes TH that are continuously formed in the adhesive layer 120, the polarizing plate 130, the display panel 140, and the back plate 150, that is, a through hole TH that is disposed along the adhesive layer 120, the polarizing plate 130, the display panel 140, and the back plate 150 is referred to as a first through hole TH1, and a through hole TH that is formed in the metal plate 160 is referred to as a second through hole TH2. However, the first through hole TH1 and the second through hole TH2 are exemplary, and the first through hole TH1 may be referred to as a first hole and the second through hole TH2 may be referred to as a second hole, but they are not limited thereto.
For example, referring to
For another example, referring to
The light blocking member 170 is disposed within the through hole TH. The light blocking member 170 may be formed of a conductive material and may be referred to as the conductive light blocking member 170. The conductive light blocking member 170 is a component to block light from the display panel 140 from being introduced into the through hole TH and discharge static electricity generated from the cover window 110. The conductive light blocking member 170 may cover a portion of the cover window 110, a side (or lateral) surface of the adhesive layer 120, a side (or lateral) surface of the polarizing plate 130, a side (or lateral) surface of the display panel 140, a side (or lateral) surface of the back plate 150, and a side (or lateral) surface of the metal plate 160 that are exposed through the through hole TH. The conductive light blocking member 170 may be disposed to cover an inner circumferential surface of the through hole TH and a portion of a rear surface of the cover window 110 corresponding to a circumference of the through hole TH. One end of the conductive light blocking member 170 may be disposed on the cover window 110, and the other end of the conductive light blocking member 170 may be in contact with the metal plate 160. The conductive light blocking member 170 may overlap a portion of the metal plate 160.
For example, referring to
For another example, referring to
Meanwhile, referring to
The conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed of an opaque and electrically conductive material to discharge static electricity while preventing light leakage. The conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed of a conductive ink or conductive paste. For example, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed of a conductive ink in which conductive particles such as carbon black or a conductive polymer such as PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) are mixed, or a conductive paste formed of a material such as silver or the like. Also, the conductive light blocking member 170 may have a resistance of 0 to 106 Ω to discharge static electricity. However, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed of various materials other than materials described above, but is not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed using a process such as pneumatic spray coating or electrostatic spray coating. For example, pneumatic spray coating is a method in which a material inside a syringe is pushed and sprayed by using air pressure, and electrostatic spray coating is a method in which after an electric charge is given by applying a voltage to a material, and the charged material is sprayed using a spray nozzle. If the conductive light blocking member 170 is formed by pneumatic spray coating or electrostatic spray coating, a viscosity of the conductive light blocking member 170 may be about 10,000 cPs or less. However, besides this, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed in various other ways, but is not limited thereto.
A print pattern BP is disposed between the cover window 110 and the conductive light blocking member 170. The print pattern BP may be disposed along the circumference of the through hole TH on the rear surface of the cover window 110. At least one of the first through hole TH1 and the second through hole TH2 may overlap the print pattern BP.
In this case, the print pattern BP may discharge static electricity that is generated in the cover window 110 to the metal plate 160 together with the conductive light blocking member 170. The print pattern BP may be formed of an insulating material or a conductive material such as the conductive light blocking member 170, and may be formed of, for example, black ink, ink containing a conductive material, silver paste, or the like. In this case, even if the print pattern BP is formed of an insulating material and the conductive light blocking member 170 is indirectly connected to the cover window 110 through the print pattern BP, static electricity that is generated in the cover window 110 may be easily discharged. Meanwhile, in the present specification, a component formed on the rear surface of the cover window 110 is referred to as the print pattern BP, but the print pattern BP may also be referred to as a pattern, and is not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, in the display panel 140 among components in direct contact with the conductive light blocking member 170, a plurality of lines to which various signals are supplied, and the like are disposed on the substrate. Even if the conductive light blocking member 170 is formed on an inner surface of the through hole TH to which an inside of the display panel 140 is directly exposed, without a separate insulating layer, the display panel 140 can be easily driven.
Hereinafter, a detailed structure of the display panel 140 in the camera area CA will be described with reference to
Referring to
The substrate SUB is a support member for supporting other components of the display device 100, and may be formed of an insulating material. For example, the substrate SUB may be formed of glass or resin or the like. In addition, the substrate SUB may be formed to include a polymer or plastic such as polyimide (PI), or may be formed of a material having flexibility.
As a plurality of lines, thin film transistors, light emitting elements, and the like are disposed in the plurality of sub-pixels SP of the display area AA on the substrate SUB, a plurality of insulating layers may be formed on the substrate SUB. Hereinafter, descriptions are made assuming that the buffer layer BUF, the gate insulating layer GI, the first interlayer insulating layer INTI, the second interlayer insulating layer INT2, the third interlayer insulating layer INT3, the planarization layer PLN, and a bank are disposed on the substrate SUB, but the components of the display device 100 are exemplary and are not limited thereto.
The buffer layer BUF is disposed on the substrate SUB. The buffer layer BUF may prevent moisture or impurities from penetrating through the substrate SUB. The buffer layer BUF may be formed of, for example, a single layer or multilayers of silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), but is not limited thereto.
Thin film transistors including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode may be disposed in the plurality of sub-pixels SP on the buffer layer BUF. The gate insulating layer GI may be disposed on the buffer layer BUF to insulate the active layer and the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer GI is an insulating layer for insulating the active layer and the gate electrode, and may be formed of a single layer or multilayers of silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), but is not limited thereto.
The first interlayer insulating layer INT1, the second interlayer insulating layer INT2, and the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 may be sequentially disposed on the gate insulating layer GI. The first interlayer insulating layer INTI, the second interlayer insulating layer INT2, and the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 may be disposed between the respective components of the thin film transistor and the plurality of lines and insulate them. For example, the first interlayer insulating layer INTI, the second interlayer insulating layer INT2, and the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 may be disposed between the gate electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor, and the data line. Each of the first interlayer insulating layer INTI, the second interlayer insulating layer INT2, and the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 may be composed of a single layer or multilayers of silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx) which is an inorganic material or may be composed of a single layer or multilayers of polyimide or photo acryl, which is an organic material, but is not limited thereto.
The planarization layer PLN is disposed on the third interlayer insulating layer INT3. The planarization layer PLN is an insulating layer that planarizes an upper portion of the substrate SUB. The planarization layer PLN may be formed of an organic material, for example, a single layer or multilayers of polyimide or photo acryl, but is not limited thereto.
Although not shown in the drawings, the light emitting element including an anode, an emission layer EL, and a cathode CD may be disposed on the planarization layer PLN in the display area AA.
The anode may be disposed in each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP on the planarization layer PLN. The anode may be connected to a plurality of the thin film transistors and receive a voltage applied thereto. The anode may be formed of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), but is not limited thereto. In addition, when the display device 100 is configured as a top emission type, a reflective layer may be further disposed on the anode to reflect light emitted from the light emitting element upwardly of the substrate SUB. For example, the reflective layer may include a material having excellent reflectivity such as aluminum (Al) or silver (Ag), but is not limited thereto.
The bank may be disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels SP on the anode. The bank is an insulating layer that is disposed to separate the plurality of sub-pixels SP, and may cover an edge of the anode of each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP. The bank may be formed of an organic material, and the bank 132 may be formed of a polyimide, acryl, or benzocyclobutene (BCB)-based resin, but is not limited thereto.
The emission layer EL may be disposed on the anode and the bank. The emission layer EL may be an organic layer for emitting light of a specific color. In addition, the emission layer EL may further include various layers such as a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron injection layer, an electron blocking layer, and an electron transport layer. As shown in
The cathode CD is disposed on the emission layer EL. The cathode CD may be formed as a single layer over the entire surface of the substrate SUB. The cathode CD may be commonly formed in the plurality of sub-pixels SP. The cathode CD may be formed of, for example, a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO) or the like, a metal alloy such as MgAg, or an alloy of ytterbium (Yb) or the like, but is not limited thereto.
The encapsulation unit EC is disposed on the light emitting element. The encapsulation unit EC is a sealing layer for protecting the light emitting element from moisture, oxygen and the like penetrating from an outside of the display device 100. The encapsulation unit EC includes a first inorganic layer EC1, an organic layer EC2, and a second inorganic layer EC3.
The first inorganic layer EC1 may be disposed on the cathode CD and block moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the display device 100. The first inorganic layer EC1 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiNxOy), or aluminum oxide (AlyOz), but is not limited thereto.
The organic layer EC2 may be disposed on the first inorganic layer EC1 and planarize the upper portion of the substrate SUB including the first inorganic layer EC1. The organic layer EC2 may cover foreign substances or particles that may be generated during a manufacturing process. The organic layer EC2 may be formed of an organic material, for example, silicon oxycarbon (SiOxCz), acryl or epoxy-based resin, but is not limited thereto.
The second inorganic layer EC3 may be disposed on the organic layer EC2 and prevent penetration of moisture or oxygen like the first inorganic layer EC1. The second inorganic layer EC3 and the first inorganic layer EC1 may be formed to seal the organic layer EC2. For example, the first inorganic layer EC1 and the second inorganic layer EC3 may extend to an outside of the organic layer EC2, contact each other and seal the organic layer EC2. The second inorganic layer EC3 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiNxOy), or aluminum oxide (AlyOz), but is not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, a plurality of dams DM are disposed around the through hole TH. At least some of the plurality of dams DM may be formed in a shape of a closed curve surrounding the through hole TH. The plurality of dams DM may prevent the organic layer EC2 of the encapsulation unit EC from overflowing toward the through hole TH. The plurality of dams DM may block external moisture from penetrating into the display area AA.
The plurality of dams DM include first dams DM1, a second dam DM2, third dams DM3, a fourth dam DM4, and fifth dams DM5. The first dams DM1 are disposed closest to the through hole TH. The fifth dams DM5 are disposed closest to the display area AA. The third dams DM3 are disposed between the first dams DM1 and the fifth dams DM5. In addition, the second dam DM2 is disposed between the first dams DM1 and the third dams DM3, and the fourth dam DM4 is disposed between the third dams DM3 and the fifth dams DM5.
Each of the first dams DM1, the third dams DM3, and the fifth dams DM5 may be composed of a plurality of dams DM that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In
The plurality of dams DM may be formed by patterning some of a plurality of the insulating layers disposed on the substrate SUB. For example, the first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, and the fifth dam DM5 may include a first layer INT3a that is formed by patterning the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 and a second layer PLNa that is formed by patterning the planarization layer PLN.
The first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, and the fifth dam DM5 may prevent moisture from penetrating into the display area AA through the emission layer EL. For example, the emission layer EL, which is vulnerable to moisture penetration, may be formed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB and partially exposed through the through hole TH. The first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, and the fifth dam DM5 may disconnect the emission layer EL to thereby reduce penetration of moisture through the emission layer EL.
In this case, in order to easily disconnect the emission layer EL, each of the first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, and the fifth dam DM5 may be configured such that a width of the first layer INT3a under the second layer PLNa is smaller than that of the second layer PLNa. As the width of the first layer INT3a formed by patterning the third interlayer insulating layer INT3 is configured to be smaller than the width of the second layer PLNa formed by patterning the planarization layer PLN, the emission layer EL may be disconnected in the first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, and the fifth dam DM5. In this case, similarly to the emission layer EL, the cathode CD formed on the entire surface of the substrate SUB may be discontinued in the first dam DM1, the third dam DM3 and the fifth dam DM5.
Meanwhile, the encapsulation unit EC may cover the emission layer EL and the cathode CD that are discontinued in the dams DM. For example, the first inorganic layer EC1 and the second inorganic layer EC3 may cover both the emission layer EL and the cathode CD that are discontinued. Accordingly, even if moisture penetrates through the emission layer EL that is exposed through the through hole TH, it is possible to prevent moisture from moving to the display area AA by the first dam DM1, the third dam DM3, the fifth dam DMS, and the encapsulation unit EC.
The second dam DM2 and the fourth dam DM4 may be formed in a shape of a closed curve surrounding the through hole TH. The second dam DM2 and the fourth dam DM4 may include a first layer INT3a that is formed by patterning the third interlayer insulating layer INT3, a second layer PLNa that is formed by patterning the planarization layer PLN, and a third layer BKa that is formed by patterning the bank.
The second dam DM2 and the fourth dam DM4 may prevent the organic layer EC2 of the encapsulation unit EC from overflowing into the through hole TH. The organic layer EC2 may be formed up to an inside of the second dam DM2. However, although it is illustrated in
In addition, the additional planarization layer TPLN is disposed on the encapsulation unit EC. The additional planarization layer TPLN includes a first additional planarization layer TPLN1 and a second additional planarization layer TPLN2. For example, when a touch unit is disposed on the encapsulation unit EC, the first additional planarization layer TPLN1 and the second additional planarization layer TPLN2 may be further disposed to form touch electrodes in a flat manner and insulate the touch electrodes from each other. The first additional planarization layer TPLN1 may cover an area in which the plurality of dams DM are formed from the through hole TH, and the second additional planarization layer TPLN2 may cover the entire surface of the substrate SUB. However, the first additional planarization layer TPLN1 and the second additional planarization layer TPLN2 may be omitted according to a design of the touch unit, but is not limited thereto.
However, a configuration and arrangement of the display panel 140 illustrated in
Meanwhile, the inside of the display panel 140 is exposed through the through hole TH. For example, the substrate SUB, the emission layer EL, the cathode CD, the encapsulation unit EC, the first additional planarization layer TPLN1, and the second additional planarization layer TPLN2 of the display panel 140 may be exposed through the through hole TH. The substrate SUB, the encapsulation unit EC, the first additional planarization layer TPLN1, and the second additional planarization layer TPLN2 of which side surfaces are exposed through the through hole TH, are formed of an insulating material, so they do not affect the inside of the display panel 140 even if they come into contact with the conductive light blocking member 170. On the other hand, since the cathode CD and the emission layer EL of which the side surfaces are exposed through the through hole TH are not formed of an insulating material, but are discontinued with the cathode CD and the emission layer EL of the display area AA by the plurality of dams DM. Therefore, the cathode CD and the emission layer EL of which the side surfaces are exposed through the through hole TH do not affect the plurality of sub-pixels SP of the display area AA even if the conductive light blocking member 170 is in contact with the side surfaces of the cathode CD and the emission layer EL. Accordingly, even if the conductive light blocking member 170 is directly formed on the inner surface of the through hole TH without forming a separate insulating layer, driving inside the display panel 140 may not be affected.
In the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent light from the display panel 140 from being transmitted to an optical component by forming the conductive light blocking member 170 in the through hole TH where the optical component is disposed. Specifically, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be disposed to cover the inner surface of the through hole TH and block light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels SP from being directed into the through hole TH. If the light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP is transmitted to an inside of the through hole TH, recognition of external light of the optical component may be interfered and reliability of the optical component may be degraded. That is, light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP may act as noise. Accordingly, in the display device 100 according to the exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be disposed inside the through hole TH to thereby prevent light leakage and improve the reliability of the optical component.
In the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, static electricity generated in the cover window 110 may be discharged using the conductive light blocking member 170. The cover window 110 is a component that is exposed to the outside of the display device 100, and static electricity may be easily generated therein by friction with the outside. However, when static electricity generated in the cover window 110 is introduced into the display panel 140, components inside the display panel 140 may be damaged, which may lead to a defect in the display device 100. In this case, the conductive light blocking member 170 may be formed of a material having electrical conductivity, and may discharge static electricity generated in the cover window 110 to the metal plate 160. The metal plate 160 is electrically grounded and configured to discharge static electricity. The conductive light blocking member 170 may be connected between the metal plate 160 and the cover window 110 and form a path through which static electricity generated from the cover window 110 is discharged. Accordingly, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the conductive light blocking member 170 connecting the cover window 110 and the metal plate 160 is disposed, so that static electricity of the cover window 110 may be discharged and the introduction of static electricity into the display panel 140 may be minimized.
In the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a process may be simplified and manufacturing costs may be reduced by using the conductive light blocking member 170 having an integrated function of preventing light leakage and discharging static electricity. Conventionally, a process of forming a light blocking ink to prevent light leakage in the through hole and a process of attaching a conductive tape to the inside of the display device for discharging static electricity were separately performed. On the other hand, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the light blocking member 170 that prevents light leakage in the through hole TH has conductivity and thus may also perform an electrostatic discharge function. Accordingly, the process of attaching the conductive tape can be eliminated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Thus, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, some processes may be eliminated and manufacturing costs may be reduced by using the conductive light blocking member 170.
Meanwhile, when the conductive light blocking member 170 is formed, in a case where there occurs a defect in which the conductive light blocking member 170 is not applied to a partial area, light leakage may occur and noise of the optical component may occur. Accordingly, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, whether or not the conductive light blocking member 170 is defective may be inspected during image quality inspection of the display device 100. Hereinafter, a method of inspecting the conductive light blocking member 170 in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect will be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
For example, referring to
For example, referring to
Accordingly, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the convex lens CL that is disposed to correspond to the through hole TH is formed in the jig, so that image quality inspection and defect inspection of the conductive light blocking member 170 may be performed at the same time, and a process can be simplified. Conventionally, the inspection of the conductive light blocking member and the image quality inspection were performed separately. For example, in the image quality inspection, the image quality inspection is performed after the front surface of the display device is positioned upwardly. However, in the inspection of the conductive light blocking member, after the rear surface of the display device is positioned upwardly on a separate device, whether light leakage occurred was inspected by driving the display device. Unlike this, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the convex lens CL is formed on the jig on which the display device 100 is mounted during the image quality inspection, and light reflected from the convex lens CL is sensed when light leakage occurs, so that a defect in which the conductive light blocking member 170 is not applied can be detected. Accordingly, in the display device 100 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, when the image quality is inspected, the defect in which the conductive light blocking member 170 is not applied can be detected together, so that a process can be simplified and a manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Referring to
Referring to
In addition, in order to prevent light from the plurality of sub-pixels SP from being introduced toward the notch portion NC, a conductive light blocking member 870 is formed to cover the notch portion NC. The conductive light blocking member 870 may be disposed to cover a side (or lateral) surface of the adhesive layer 820, a side (or lateral) surface of the polarizing plate 830, a side (or lateral) surface of the display panel 840, a side (or lateral) surface of the back plate 850, and a side (or lateral) surface of the metal plate 860 that are exposed from the notch portion NC.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the notch portion NC formed in the adhesive layer 820, the polarizing plate 830, the display panel 840, and the back plate 850 will be referred to as a first notch portion NC1, and the notch portion NC formed in the metal plate 860 will be referred to as a second notch portion NC2, but the first notch portion NC1 and the second notch portion NC2 are exemplary and are not limited thereto.
For example, referring to
The first notch portion NC1 is formed in the adhesive layer 820, the polarizing plate 830, the display panel 840, and the back plate 850 at a time, and the metal plate 860 having the second notch portion NC2 may be attached. In this case, a size of the second notch portion NC2 may be greater than that of the first notch portion NC1.
However, in
The conductive light blocking member 870 may cover the side surface of the adhesive layer 820, the side surface of the polarizing plate 830, the side surface of the display panel 840, and the side surface of the back plate 850 that are exposed through the first notch portion NC1, and the side surface of the metal plate 860 that is exposed through the second notch portion NC2. Specifically, the conductive light blocking member 870 may cover a boundary portion between the side surface of the adhesive layer 820 and the rear surface of the cover window 110, the side surface of the adhesive layer 820, the side surface of the polarizing plate 830, the side surface of the display panel 840, and the side surface of the back plate 850 in the first notch portion NC1. In addition, the conductive light blocking member 870 may cover a boundary portion between a rear surface of the back plate 850 and the side surface of the metal plate 860 and the side surface of the metal plate 860 in the second notch portion NC2. In addition, the conductive light blocking member 870 may overlap a portion of the print pattern BP.
Meanwhile, the conductive light blocking member 870 is disposed only on the side surface of the metal plate 860 in the second notch portion NC2 and is not disposed up to a rear surface of the metal plate 860. An end portion of the conductive light blocking member 870 may not be disposed on the rear surface of the metal plate 860. If the conductive light blocking member 870 is disposed up to the rear surface of the metal plate 860, a circuit board for driving an optical component and the conductive light blocking member 870 may interfere with each other, so that a short circuit defect may occur and interference with components such as a frame and the like may occur. Accordingly, the conductive light blocking member 870 may be formed only to the side surface of the metal plate 860 in the second notch portion NC2.
In the display device 800 according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the conductive light blocking member 870 is formed in the notch portion NC corresponding to a camera area CA, so that light leakage can be prevented and at the same time, static electricity of the cover window 110 can be discharged. Specifically, the notch portion NC is formed by cutting a portion of the adhesive layer 820, the polarizing plate 830, the display panel 840, the back plate 850, and the metal plate 860 under the cover window 110, so that the camera area CA in which a camera is disposed may be formed. In this case, in order to block the light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels SP of the display panel 840 from being directed to the notch portion NC, the conductive light blocking member 870 covering the side surfaces of the adhesive layer 820, the polarizing plate 830, the display panel 840, the back plate 850, and the metal plate 860 in the notch portion NC may be formed. In this case, the conductive light blocking member 870 may be formed of a conductive material, so that static electricity generated in the cover window 110 may be discharged toward the metal plate 860 through the conductive light blocking member 870. Accordingly, in the display device 800 according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the conductive light blocking member 870 is formed in the notch portion NC, so that it is possible to block light inside the display panel 840 from being introduced to the camera area CA and at the same time, to discharge static electricity generated in the cover window 110, thereby allowing for improvements in reliability of the display device 800.
The exemplary aspects of the present disclosure can also be described as follows.
A display device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed and a camera area which is adjacent to the display area and in which a first hole is disposed, a first plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including a second hole overlapping the first hole, a front member disposed on an upper surface of the display panel, and a light blocking member covering a rear surface of the front member which is exposed through the first hole, an inner surface of the first hole, and an inner surface of the second hole.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an end portion of the light blocking member may be disposed on a side surface of the first plate exposed through the second hole.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the display device may further include an adhesive layer disposed between the display panel and the front member, a polarizing plate disposed between the adhesive layer and the display panel, and a second plate disposed between the display panel and the first plate. The first hole may be disposed along the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel, and the second plate.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a diameter of the first hole may be smaller than a diameter of the second hole. The light blocking member may cover a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the polarizing plate, a side surface of the display panel, and a side surface of the second plate which are exposed through the first hole, and a rear surface of the second plate and a side surface of the first plate which are exposed through the second hole.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a diameter of the first hole and a diameter of the second hole may be identical to each other. The light blocking member may cover a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the polarizing plate, a side surface of the display panel, and a side surface of the second plate which are exposed through the first hole, and a side surface of the first plate which is exposed through the second hole.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the camera area may be disposed between the plurality of sub-pixels of the display area. Light which travels toward the first hole among light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels may be blocked by the light blocking member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, static electricity of the front member may be discharged to the first plate through the light blocking member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the front member may include a pattern which is disposed to correspond to a circumference of the first hole in the rear surface of the front member. The light blocking member disposed on the rear surface of the front member may overlap the pattern.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of the first hole and the second hole may overlap the pattern.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may be formed of a conductive member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may be formed of a conductive ink or a conductive paste.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may overlap a portion of the first plate.
A display device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed and a camera area which is adjacent to the display area and which includes a first notch portion, a first plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and including a second notch portion overlapping the first notch portion, a front member disposed on an upper surface of the display panel, and a light blocking member covering a rear surface of the front member and a side surface of the display panel which are exposed through the first notch portion and a side surface of the first plate which is exposed through the second notch portion.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an end portion of the light blocking member may be disposed on the side surface of the first plate which is exposed through the second notch portion.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the display device may further include an adhesive layer disposed between the display panel and the front member, a polarizing plate disposed between the adhesive layer and the display panel, and a second plate disposed between the display panel and the first plate. The first notch portion may be disposed along the adhesive layer, the polarizing plate, the display panel, and the second plate.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may cover a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the polarizing plate, a side surface of the display panel, and a side surface of the second plate which are exposed through the first notch portion.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, light which is directed toward the first notch portion among light emitted from the plurality of sub-pixels may be blocked by the light blocking member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the first plate may be electrically grounded and configured to discharge static electricity of the front member through the light blocking member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may be one of a conductive ink and a conductive paste.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may be formed of a conductive member.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the light blocking member may overlap a portion of the first plate.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the technical idea or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2021-0125063 | Sep 2021 | KR | national |
