Patent Application
20210323287
The present inventive concepts relate to a window and a display device, and more particularly, to a window having increased reliability.
A display device includes a display panel that generates an image for viewing by a user and a window for protecting the display panel.
Display devices having various shapes have recently been developed, such as a display device including a curved surface, a rollable display device, or a foldable display device. Research has been performed to increase the flexibility and light-transmitting property of a window for the display device.
For example, it may he advantageous for a window of a display device having a relatively small thickness to have an increased flexibility and light-transmitting property. The window may be made of various materials such as glass, a synthetic resin, and a natural polymer resin.
The present inventive concepts provide a window having excellent light transmitting property and flexibility while having a slim thickness.
The present inventive concepts also provide a display device including a window having improved property.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, a display device includes a display panel having a light emitting element. A nano-cellulose sheet is disposed on the display panel. The nano-cellulose sheet is configured to transmit light generated from the light emitting element. The nano-cellulose sheet includes a plurality of layers that are sequentially laminated. Each of the plurality of layers includes a pattern comprising a nano-cellulose fiber arranged in a hexagonal shape.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pattern may extend in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and the first layer to the third layer may be laminated in a third direction crossing each of the first direction and the second direction.
In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet may have a surface modulus less than a cross-sectional modulus thereof, the surface modulus may be a modulus of a surface parallel to a surface defined by the first direction and the second direction, and the cross-sectional modulus may be a modulus of a surface crossing the surface defined by the first direction and the second direction.
In an exemplary embodiment, in a first pattern contained in the first layer, a second pattern contained in the second layer, and a third pattern contained in the third layer, the first to third patterns may have the same shape as each other, and the first to third layers may be laminated so that the first pattern and the third pattern are aligned on a plane, and the second pattern is misaligned with each of the first pattern and the third pattern.
In an exemplary embodiment, in a first nano-cellulose fiber contained in the first pattern, a second nano-cellulose fiber contained in the second pattern, and a third nano-cellulose fiber contained in the third pattern, the first nano-cellulose fiber and the third nano-cellulose fiber may overlap each other on a plane, and the second nano-cellulose fiber may not overlap the first nano-cellulose fiber and the third nano-cellulose fiber.
In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.35 mm and equal to or less than about 0.6 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, a hexagonal shape of the pattern to have a diameter equal to or greater than about 10 μm and equal to or less than about 50 μm.
In an exemplary embodiment, a hexagonal opening may be defined in the pattern.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pattern may be provided in a spray coating method.
In an exemplary embodiment, an ink layer having a predetermined color may be further provided on a bottom surface of the nano-cellulose sheet.
In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first to third layers may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 5 μm and equal to or less than about 7 μm.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, a window includes a nano-cellulose sheet having a light transmitting property. The nano-cellulose sheet includes a base layer and a pattern. The nano-cellulose sheet includes a plurality of layers that are sequentially laminated. The pattern comprises nano-cellulose fibers arranged in a hexagonal shape.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pattern may extend in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and the first layer to the third layer may be laminated in a third direction crossing each of the first direction and the second direction.
In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet may have a surface modulus less than a cross-sectional modulus thereof, the surface modulus may be a modulus of a surface parallel to a surface defined by the first direction and the second direction, and the cross-sectional modulus may be a modulus of a surface crossing the surface defined by the first direction and the second direction.
In an exemplary embodiment, in a first nano-cellulose fiber contained in the pattern of the first layer, a second nano-cellulose fiber contained in the pattern of the second layer, and a third nano-cellulose fiber contained in the pattern of the third layer, the first nano-cellulose fiber and the third nano-cellulose fiber may overlap each other on a plane, and the second nano-cellulose fiber may not overlap the first nano-cellulose fiber and the third nano-cellulose fiber.
In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.35 mm and equal to or less than about 0.6 mm.
In an exemplary embodiment, a hexagonal shape of the pattern may leave a diameter equal to or greater than about 10 μm and equal to or less than about 50 μm.
In an exemplary embodiment, a hexagonal opening may be defined in the pattern.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pattern may be provided in a spray coating method.
In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first to third layers may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 5 μm and equal to or less than about 7 μm.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, a display device includes a display panel including a light emitting element. A window is disposed on the display panel. The window includes a nano-cellulose sheet that is configured to transmit light generated from the light emitting element. The nano-cellulose sheet includes a plurality of layers that are sequentially laminated. Each of the plurality of layers includes a pattern comprised of at least one nano-cellulose fiber arranged in a shape that forms a plurality of openings.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present inventive concepts, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present inventive concepts in the drawings:
Since the present inventive concepts may have diverse modified embodiments specific exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and are described in the detailed description of exemplary embodiments. However, the present inventive concepts are not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments and it should be understood that the present inventive concepts cover all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the present inventive concepts.
In this specification, it will also be understood that when one component (or region, layer, portion) is referred to as being ‘on’, ‘connected to’, or ‘coupled to’ another component, it can be directly disposed/connected/coupled onto the one component, or an intervening third component may also be present.
In this specification, it will be understood that when a component, layer, a film, a region, a portion, or a plate “directly contacts” another component, layer, film, region, portion or plate, there are no intervening elements therebetween. For example, a feature of being “directly disposed” may represent that two layers or two members that are disposed in direct contact with each other without using an additional intervening member such as an adhesive members disposed therebetween.
Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, in the figures, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of components are exaggerated for clarity of illustration.
The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that although the terms such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, a first element referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referred to as a second element in another embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless referred to the contrary.
Also, “under”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, and the like are used for explaining relation association of components illustrated in the drawings. The terms may be a relative concept and described based on directions expressed in the drawings and are not limiting.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary should be construed as having the same meaning as in an associated technical context, and unless defined apparently in the description, the terms are not ideally or excessively construed as having formal meaning.
The meaning of “include” or “comprise” specifies a property, a fixed number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof, but does not exclude other properties, fixed numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.
Hereinafter, a window according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts and a display device including the window will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Although a smartphone is illustrated as an example of the display device in
A display area DA and a non-display area NDA may be defined in the display device DD.
The display area DA on which an image IM is displayed may extend in a plane defined in a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
A normal direction of the display area DA, (e.g., a thickness direction of the display device DD) is indicated by a third direction DR3 which is perpendicular to the first and second directions DR1, DR2. A front surface (e.g a top surface) and a rear surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the display device DD are spaced apart in the third direction DR3. However, directions indicated by the first to third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be a relative concept and converted with respect to each other.
Although a shape of the display area DA is exemplary illustrated in
The non-display area NDA is an area adjacent to the display area DA and on which the image IM is not displayed. The non-display area NDA may define a bezel area of the display device DD.
The non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The display device DD may include an auxiliary panel AP, a display panel DP, an anti-reflection layer PL, an adhesive layer AD, an ink layer BL, and a window WM. In an exemplary embodiment, the display device DD may further include a housing for accommodating the auxiliary panel AP, the display panel DP, the anti-reflection layer PL, the adhesive layer AD, the ink layer BL, and the window WM. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a synthetic resin or a metal material, which has a relatively high degree of rigidity. The housing may be coupled to the window WM to support or accommodate components disposed thereon.
The auxiliary panel AP is disposed below the display panel DP (e.g., in the third direction DR3). The auxiliary panel AP may protect the display panel DP from an impact applied therebelow and may assist the discharge of heat generated from the display panel to the outside.
In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary panel AP may include a synthetic resin or a metal material. For example, the metal material may be aluminium (AI). However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.
The display panel DP is a component that generates the image IM provided on the display area DA. The display panel DP may be disposed above the auxiliary panel AP (e.g., the third direction DR3). For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The anti-reflection layer PL may be disposed above the display panel DP. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The adhesive layer AD may be disposed between the anti-reflection layer PL and the window WM (e.g., in the third direction DR3) to couple the anti-reflection layer PL and the window WM to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer AD may be an optically clear adhesive (OCA). However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto. For example, the adhesive layer AD may include any component that has a transparent property and allows light generated from the display panel DP to be transmitted therethrough.
The ink layer BL may be disposed on a bottom surface of the window WM. The ink layer BL may have a predetermined color. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined color may be black. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto. The non-display area NDA of the display device DD may be defined by the ink layer BL. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the ink layer BL may be disposed in the non-display area NDA and may not be disposed in the display area DA.
The window WM may transmit the light generated from the display panel DP and protect the display panel DP from the outside. The window WM according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts may include a nano-cellulose sheet TNP and a functional layer FL.
The functional layer FL may be disposed above the nano-cellulose sheet TNP. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The nano-cellulose sheet TNP may transmit the light generated from the display panel DP.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP includes a base layer BS and a pattern PN. The pattern PN may be obtained by arranging at least one nano-cellulose fiber NF in a hexagonal shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose fiber NF may be cellulose having a diameter in a range of about 1 nm to about 100 nm. In an exemplary embodiment, the pattern PN may be applied by a spray coating method.
The base layer BS may include a resin. For example, the base layer BS may include an acrylic-based resin. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.
The pattern PN may be obtained such that a plurality of nano-cellulose fibers NF each having a hexagonal shape extend in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 crossing the first direction DR1 and may have a height in the third direction DR3. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
In an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may include a plurality of nano-cellulose layers each including the pattern PN. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The first layer LA1 may include a first pattern PN1. In an exemplary embodiment, the first pattern PN1 may be obtained by arranging at least one first nano-cellulose fiber NF1 in a hexagonal shape.
The second layer LA2 may include a second pattern PN2. In an exemplary embodiment, the second pattern PN2 may be obtained by arranging at least one second nano-cellulose fiber NF2 in a hexagonal shape.
The third layer LA3 may include a third pattern PN3. In an exemplary embodiment, the third pattern PN3 may be obtained by arranging a third nano-cellulose fiber NF3 in a hexagonal shape.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer LA1 and the second layer LA2 may be arranged in a manner so that the first pattern PN1 and the second pattern PN2 are misaligned when they are laminated together. The second layer LA2 and the third layer LA3 may be arranged in a manner so that the second pattern PN2 and the third pattern PN3 are misaligned when they are laminated together. The first layer LA1 and the third layer LA3 may be arranged so that the first pattern PN1 and the third pattern PN3 are aliened when they are laminated to the second layer LA2.
For example, the first nano-cellulose fiber NF1 may overlap the third nano-cellulose fiber NF3 on a plane defined in the first and second directions DR1, DR2. However, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of
Referring to the exemplary embodiment of
In an exemplary embodiment, as the hexagonal shaped pattern PN is arranged on the plane defined in the first and second directions DR1, DR2, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have a low modulus on a plane and be flexible to prevent damages such as a crack when the nano-cellulose sheet TNP is folded. Also, since the nano-cellulose sheet TNP has a structure in which the first to third layers LA1, LA2, and LA3 are laminated, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have a high modulus on a cross-section and have an increased robustness and durability when the window WM is applied. The nano-cellulose sheet TNP according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts may have an anisotropic structure having a low surface modulus and a high cross-sectional modulus to increase the flexibility and durability of the window WM.
An opening OP having a hexagonal shape may be defined in the pattern PN. For example, the pattern PN may surround the opening OP (e.g., in a plane defined in the first and second directions DR1, DR2). Since the opening OP is defined in the pattern PN, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have an improved light transmitting property. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may transmit about 96% or more of the light generated from the display panel DP.
In an exemplary embodiment, the hexagonal-shaped opening contained in the pattern PN may have a diameter in a range of about 10 μm to about 50 μm. Thus, the hexagonal shape of the pattern PN may be in a range of about 10 μm to about 50 μm. In this specification, a diameter of a hexagon may be a linear distance between vertexes facing each other.
While the exemplary embodiments of
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have a thickness c (e.g., length in the third direction DR3) in a range of about 0.35 mm to about 0.6 mm. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have a thickness c of about 0.5 mm. Since the nano-cellulose sheet TNP has a small thickness of about 0.5 mm, the display device DD may be relatively thin and may have an improved light transmitting property.
The window WM according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts may have an increased light transmitting property and an increased flexibility by including the nano-cellulose sheet. TNP including the pattern PN obtained by arranging the nano-cellulose fiber NF in a hexagonal shape. Also, the nano-cellulose sheet TNP may have increased durability by laminating a plurality of nano-cellulose layers. In an exemplary embodiment, the display device DD may have an increased quality and reliability by including the window WM including the nano-cellulose sheet TNP as a base.
The window according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts tray have a small thickness and an increased light transmitting property and flexibility.
The display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts may include the window having an increased reliability.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts have been described, it is understood that the present inventive concepts should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present inventive concepts.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2020-0047887 | Apr 2020 | KR | national |
This application claims priority wider 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0047887, tiled on Apr. 21, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
