阅读说明：本技术 显示设备 (Display device ) 是由 赵宰亨 金成焕 金正学 于 2020-02-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了显示设备,显示设备包括显示面板和指纹传感器,其中,显示面板包括显示区域,指纹传感器设置在显示面板下方,且与显示区域重叠,指纹传感器包括：光学透镜；透镜框,设置在光学透镜下方；图像传感器,设置在透镜框下方并通过形成在透镜框中的开口朝光学透镜暴露；粘合层,设置在透镜框与显示面板之间且在平面图中围绕光学透镜,并且将透镜框和显示面板彼此附接；以及透镜引导件,在平面图中设置在粘合层与光学透镜之间,并且配置成保持显示面板的下表面与光学透镜的上表面之间的距离,透镜引导件从透镜框的上表面朝显示面板突出。(Disclosed is a display device, the display device including a display panel and a fingerprint sensor, wherein the display panel includes a display area, the fingerprint sensor is disposed under the display panel and overlapped with the display area, the fingerprint sensor includes: an optical lens; a lens frame disposed below the optical lens; an image sensor disposed below the lens frame and exposed toward the optical lens through an opening formed in the lens frame; an adhesive layer disposed between the lens frame and the display panel and surrounding the optical lens in a plan view, and attaching the lens frame and the display panel to each other; and a lens guide disposed between the adhesive layer and the optical lens in a plan view and configured to maintain a distance between a lower surface of the display panel and an upper surface of the optical lens, the lens guide protruding from an upper surface of the lens frame toward the display panel.)

1. A display device, comprising:

a display panel including a display area;

fingerprint sensor, set up display panel below, and with the display area overlaps, fingerprint sensor includes:

an optical lens;

a lens frame disposed below the optical lens;

an image sensor disposed under the lens frame and exposed toward the optical lens through an opening formed in the lens frame; an adhesive layer disposed between the lens frame and the display panel and surrounding the optical lens in a plan view, the adhesive layer attaching the lens frame and the display panel to each other; and

a lens guide disposed between the adhesive layer and the optical lens in the plan view, the lens guide configured to maintain a distance between a lower surface of the display panel and an upper surface of the optical lens, the lens guide protruding from an upper surface of the lens frame toward the display panel.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the lens guide is disposed at a distance farther from the upper surface of the lens frame than the upper surface of the optical lens.

3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a material that compresses from 100% of an original height to 60% of the original height when plastically deformed by an external force.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the adhesive layer is equal to or higher than an upper surface of the lens guide.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens guide surrounds the entire side surface of the optical lens in the plan view.

6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the optical lens comprises a plurality of vertices in the plan view, an

Wherein the lens guide includes a plurality of guides respectively corresponding to the plurality of vertexes of the optical lens, each of the plurality of guides having an "L" shape in the plan view.

7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the optical lens comprises a plurality of edges in the plan view, an

Wherein the lens guide includes a plurality of guides corresponding to the plurality of edges of the optical lens, each of the plurality of guides extending along a corresponding edge of the plurality of edges, respectively.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises a plurality of the optical lenses disposed adjacent to each other,

wherein the lens frame is disposed below all of the plurality of optical lenses,

wherein the adhesive layer surrounds the plurality of optical lenses in the plan view, an

Wherein the lens guide is disposed around each of the plurality of the optical lenses and between all of the plurality of the optical lenses and the adhesive layer.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of the optical lenses are arranged in a matrix form in the plan view.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises a light sensor configured to identify a fingerprint using light reflected from the fingerprint.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to a display device.

Background

With the development of information technology, importance of a display device as a connection medium between a user and information is more and more emphasized. In response to this, the use of display devices such as liquid crystal display devices, organic light emitting display devices, and plasma display devices is increasing.

Some display devices may be configured to recognize fingerprints. The display device may include a fingerprint sensor disposed in a fingerprint sensing area of the finger contact. When a finger touches the upper surface of the display panel, the fingerprint sensor may recognize the fingerprint.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for background understanding of the inventive concept and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The display apparatus constructed according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can improve the performance of the fingerprint sensor by providing a lens guide between an adhesive layer for attaching the fingerprint sensor to the display panel and an optical lens of the fingerprint sensor such that the optical lens and the display panel are spaced apart and an air gap between the display panel and the optical lens is maintained.

Additional features of the inventive concept will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the inventive concept.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a display panel including a display area, and a fingerprint sensor disposed below the display panel and overlapping the display area, the fingerprint sensor including: an optical lens; a lens frame disposed below the optical lens; an image sensor disposed below the lens frame and exposed toward the optical lens through an opening formed in the lens frame; an adhesive layer disposed between the lens frame and the display panel and surrounding the optical lens in a plan view, the adhesive layer attaching the lens frame and the display panel to each other; and a lens guide disposed between the adhesive layer and the optical lens in a plan view, the lens guide configured to maintain a distance between a lower surface of the display panel and an upper surface of the optical lens, the lens guide protruding from an upper surface of the lens frame toward the display panel.

The upper surface of the lens guide may be disposed at a distance farther from the upper surface of the lens frame than the upper surface of the optical lens.

The first distance between the upper surface of the optical lens and the upper surface of the lens guide may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide.

The first distance between the upper surface of the optical lens and the upper surface of the lens guide may be 30 μm or more.

The thickness of the lens guide may be 20 μm or more.

The adhesive layer may comprise a material capable of compressing from 100% of an original height to 60% of the original height when plastically deformed by an external force.

The upper surface of the adhesive layer may be equal to or higher than the upper surface of the lens guide.

The second distance between the upper surface of the lens guide and the lower surface of the display panel may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide.

The second distance may be 20 μm or less.

The lens guide may surround the entire side surface of the optical lens in a plan view.

The optical lens may include a plurality of vertexes in a plan view, and the lens guide may include a plurality of guides respectively corresponding to the plurality of vertexes of the optical lens, each of the plurality of guides having an "L" shape in a plan view.

The optical lens may include a plurality of edges in a plan view, and the lens guide may include a plurality of guides corresponding to the plurality of edges of the optical lens, each of the plurality of guides extending along a corresponding edge of the plurality of edges, respectively.

The optical lens may have a shape of one of a circle, an ellipse, and a diamond, and the lens guide may extend along a side surface of the optical lens to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the optical lens.

The upper edge of the lens guide may have a rounded shape in a cross-sectional view.

The fingerprint sensor may include a plurality of optical lenses disposed adjacent to each other, the lens frame may be disposed below all of the plurality of optical lenses, the adhesive layer may surround the plurality of optical lenses in a plan view, and the lens guide may be disposed around each of the plurality of optical lenses and may be disposed between all of the plurality of optical lenses and the adhesive layer.

The plurality of optical lenses may be arranged in a matrix form in a plan view.

The plurality of optical lenses may be arranged in a line in a plan view.

The fingerprint sensor may include a light sensor configured to identify the fingerprint using light reflected from the fingerprint.

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 invention as claimed.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concepts and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the inventive concepts.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 1.

Fig. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along a section line III-III' of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fingerprint sensing area of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5A and 5B are enlarged plan views of a fingerprint sensing area of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C are plan views of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7A is a plan view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7B is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 7A.

Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII' of fig. 7B.

Fig. 8A is a plan view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8B is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 8A.

Detailed Description

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiments" and "implementations" are interchangeable words, which are non-limiting examples of devices or methods that employ one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It may be evident, however, that the various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. Moreover, the various exemplary embodiments may be different, but are not necessarily exclusive. For example, particular shapes, configurations and characteristics of exemplary embodiments may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise indicated, the illustrated exemplary embodiments should be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some ways in which the inventive concepts may be practiced. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects and the like (individually or collectively, "elements" below) of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonality among the illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of an element. Further, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or description. When the exemplary embodiments may be implemented differently, certain processes may be performed differently than in the described order. For example, two processes described in succession may be executed substantially concurrently or in the reverse order to that described. In addition, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term "connected" may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connections, with or without intervening elements. Further, the DR1 axis, DR2 axis, and DR3 axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, for example, x axis, y axis, and z axis, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1 axis, DR2 axis, and DR3 axis may be perpendicular to each other, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y and Z" can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "over," "side" (e.g., as in "side wall") and the like, may be used herein for ease of description and to describe one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "beneath" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Further, the device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and other similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as degree terms, and as such, are used to leave margins for inherent variations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and/or exploded views as illustrations of idealized embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the exemplary embodiments described herein should not necessarily be construed as limited to the shapes of regions specifically illustrated, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. In this manner, the regions illustrated in the figures may be schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shape of a region of a device, and as such, this is not necessarily intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 1. Fig. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along a section line III-III' of fig. 2. For convenience of explanation, the display panel 110 and the image sensor 125 are omitted in fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the display device 100 may include a display panel 110 and a fingerprint sensor 120.

The display panel 110 on which an image is displayed may include a display area AA and a non-display area NA. A plurality of pixels (not shown) may be defined in the display area AA where an image is displayed. Although the plurality of pixels are not shown in the drawings, each of the plurality of pixels may be connected to a data line, a scan line, and a light emitting line corresponding thereto. The non-display area NA may be a remaining area of the display panel 110 other than the display area AA, for example, an area surrounding the display area AA.

The display area AA may comprise a fingerprint sensing area FSA. The fingerprint sensing area FSA may be an area in which a fingerprint of a user of the display device 100 is recognized. The user may touch the finger 200 on the upper surface of the fingerprint sensing area FSA of the display panel 110, and the fingerprint of the finger 200 may be recognized from the fingerprint sensing area FSA by the fingerprint sensor 120 of the display device 100. The fingerprint sensing area FSA may have a square shape in a plan view, but is not limited thereto. The fingerprint sensing area FSA may have various shapes so that the fingerprint of the finger 200 can be effectively recognized.

The fingerprint sensor 120 may have a configuration for recognizing a fingerprint of a user of the display device 100. The fingerprint sensor 120 may be disposed under the display panel 110 to overlap the fingerprint sensing area FSA of the display panel 110. The fingerprint sensor 120 may include an optical sensor and have an optical-based fingerprint recognition function. For example, the fingerprint sensor 120 may identify the fingerprint of the finger 200 in contact with the fingerprint sensing area FSA based on the light emitted from the display panel 110. The light emitted from the display panel 110 may be reflected by the fingerprint of the finger 200 contacting the upper surface of the display panel 110 and may be incident on the fingerprint sensor 120. The fingerprint sensor 120 including an optical sensor may generate an image signal corresponding to a shape of a fingerprint based on incident light. The image signal may include information related to a fingerprint, and the fingerprint sensor 120 may provide the image signal to a control unit (not shown) of the display apparatus 100. The manner in which the fingerprint sensor 120 identifies a fingerprint is not limited thereto.

The fingerprint sensor 120 may include an optical lens 121, a lens frame 122, an adhesive layer 123, a lens guide 124, and an image sensor 125. The optical lens 121 of the fingerprint sensor 120 may be configured to make light reflected by a fingerprint incident. The optical lens 121 may have a rectangular shape corresponding to the rectangular shape of the fingerprint sensing area FSA. As shown in fig. 3A, the optical lens 121 may be located below the display panel 110 and disposed away from the display panel 110. That is, an air gap may exist between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110. When the distance d0 between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110 may not be maintained at a certain distance or more, the performance of the optical lens 121 may be degraded. The optical lens 121 may be an infrared lens, but is not limited thereto. For example, the optical lens 121 may be a visible light lens.

The lens frame 122 may be a component supporting the optical lens 121. The optical lens 121 may be disposed on an upper surface of the lens frame 122, and the lens frame 122 may protect the optical lens 121 from external impact. An opening may be formed in a lower surface of the lens frame 122 to expose the image sensor 125, so that light incident on the optical lens 121 may be incident on the image sensor 125 disposed below the optical lens 121. Light reflected from the fingerprint may be incident on an upper surface of the optical lens 121, and light transmitted through the optical lens 121 may be incident on an upper surface of the image sensor 125 through an opening of the lens frame 122.

The adhesive layer 123 may be a component for attaching the lens frame 122 and the display panel 110. The adhesive layer 123 may surround the optical lens 121 between the lens frame 122 and the display panel 110. A lower surface of the adhesive layer 123 may contact an upper surface of the lens frame 122, and an upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 may contact a lower surface of the display panel 110. Accordingly, the lens frame 122 and the display panel 110 may be adhered to each other by the adhesive layer 123.

The lens guide 124 may be a component that separates the lower surface of the display panel 110 from the upper surface of the optical lens 121. For example, the lens guide 124 may separate the lower surface of the display panel 110 from the upper surface of the optical lens 121 by maintaining a distance between the lower surface of the display panel 110 and the upper surface of the optical lens 121. The lens guide 124 may have a rectangular shape corresponding to the rectangular shape of the optical lens 121, and may have the same shape as a wall surrounding the optical lens 121. The lens guide 124 may protrude from an upper surface of the lens frame 122 toward the display panel 110.

The image sensor 125 may be a component that senses an image of a fingerprint using light transmitted through the optical lens 121. The light transmitted through the optical lens 121 may be incident on the image sensor 125 through the opening of the lens frame 122. The image sensor 125 may detect the shape of the fingerprint using incident light.

However, in contrast to fig. 3A and 3B, the image sensor 125 may not be disposed below the lens frame 122. For example, the image sensor 125 may be disposed on the lens frame 122 and supported by the lens frame 122, and the optical lens 121 may be disposed on the image sensor 125. The present invention is not limited thereto.

The adhesive layer 123 may be made of a material that is compressed to a level lower than the original height by an external force and is plastically deformed. The distance between the lower surface of the display panel 110 and the lens guide 124 may vary according to the degree to which the adhesive layer 123 is compressed by an external force and plastically deformed. Specifically, the manufacturing process of the display device 100 may include a step of attaching the display panel 110 and the fingerprint sensor 120 to each other. The fingerprint sensor 120 having the adhesive layer 123 disposed thereon may move the display panel 110 downward, and the fingerprint sensor 120 may be adhered to the display panel 110 by an external force applied to the display panel 110 and the fingerprint sensor 120.

The height of the lens guide 124 may be set to 60% or more of the original height of the adhesive layer 123 before it is compressed. The upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 may be higher than or equal to the upper surface of the lens guide 124. The second distance d2 between the upper surface of the lens guide 124 and the lower surface of the display panel 110 may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 124. For example, the second distance d2 may be 20 μm or less. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 3B, the adhesive layer 123 may be compressed by an external force EF. The adhesive layer 123 may be compressed to a height of 40% or less of the original height before being compressed and plastically deformed. For example, when the adhesive layer 123 is compressed to the maximum extent (i.e., 40% of the original height) and plastically deformed, the height of the adhesive layer 123 may be 60% of the original height. Before the lens guide 124 is compressed, the height of the lens guide 124 is set to 60% of the original height of the adhesive layer 123, so that the upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 and the upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be arranged on the same plane. An upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 and an upper surface of the lens guide 124 may contact a lower surface of the display panel 110.

As shown in fig. 3A, when the adhesive layer 123 is compressed to more than 60% of the original height, the upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 may be higher than the upper surface of the lens guide 124. An upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 contacts a lower surface of the display panel 110, and an upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be spaced apart from the lower surface of the display panel 110.

As described above, before the lens guide 124 is compressed, the height of the lens guide 124 is set to 60% of the original height of the adhesive layer 123, so that the second distance d2 between the lens guide 124 and the display panel 110 in the display apparatus 100 completing the manufacturing process may be 2/3 of the height of the lens guide 124 when the adhesive layer 123 is not compressed, and the second distance d2 may be zero when the adhesive layer 123 is compressed to the maximum extent. That is, the second distance d2 between the lens guide 124 and the display panel 110 in the display device 100 may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 124.

The second distance d2 between the lens guide 124 and the display panel 110 is maintained to be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 124, so that even if the adhesive layer 123 is compressed to the maximum extent by an external force during the manufacturing process of the display device 100, the upper surface of the lens guide 124 may not exert a significant pressure on the lower surface of the display panel 110, and the display panel 110 may not be damaged by the upper surface of the lens guide 124.

The upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be higher than the upper surface of the optical lens 121. The lower surface of the lens guide 124 and the lower surface of the optical lens 121 may be located on the same plane, and the height of the lens guide 124 may be greater than the height of the optical lens 121. Accordingly, the distance between the upper surface of the lens guide 124 and the upper surface of the optical lens 121 may be separated by the first distance d 1. Accordingly, the first distance d1 may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide 124. More specifically, the height of the lens guide 124 may be set to be larger than when the ratio of the height of the lens guide 124 to the height of the optical lens 121 is 10: 7. Accordingly, the first distance d1 may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide 124, and the distance between the upper surface of the optical lens 121 and the upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be secured by the first distance d 1. For example, the first distance d1 may be 30 μm or more. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As described above, the second distance d2 may vary according to the degree of compression and plastic deformation of the adhesive layer 123 due to an external force during the manufacturing process of the display device 100. Specifically, the second distance d2 may be set to 2/3 or more of the height of the lens guide 124. The first distance d1 may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide 124. Accordingly, the distance d0 between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110 may correspond to the sum of the first distance d1 and the second distance d 2.

The thickness w of the lens guide 124 may be 20 μm or more. When the thickness w of the lens guide 124 is less than 20 μm, the lens guide 124 may not separate and support the adhesive layer 123 and the optical lens 121, and may collapse. The lens guide 124 may be formed to have a thickness w of 20 μm or more in order to more stably separate and support the adhesive layer 123 and the optical lens 121.

Conventional display devices do not include a lens guide disposed between the adhesive layer and the optical lens. In this case, since the adhesive layer may be compressed by an external force during the manufacturing process of the display device and the degree of compression of the adhesive layer may vary, the spaced distance between the optical lens and the display panel may not be maintained at a certain distance or more. When the fingerprint sensor includes the optical lens, if an air gap between the optical lens and the display device is not maintained at a distance or more, the performance of the optical lens may be deteriorated. Therefore, in the conventional display apparatus, when the adhesive layer is compressed and plastically deformed, the distance between the optical lens and the display panel may not be maintained at a distance or more, and the performance of the optical lens is deteriorated, so that the fingerprint sensor may not correctly recognize the fingerprint.

However, in the display apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment, the distance d0 between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110 may be maintained at a distance corresponding to the sum of the first distance d1 and the second distance d 2. The lens guide 124 may be disposed between the optical lens 121 and the adhesive layer 123. The upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be higher than the upper surface of the optical lens 121 and lower than or equal to the upper surface of the adhesive layer 123. A first distance d1 between the upper surface of the optical lens 121 and the upper surface of the lens guide 124 may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide 124, and a second distance d2 between the upper surface of the lens guide 124 and the upper surface of the adhesive layer 123 may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 124. Accordingly, the distance d0 between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110 may be maintained at a distance corresponding to the sum of the first distance d1 and the second distance d 2. Accordingly, the air gap between the optical lens 121 and the display panel 110 may be maintained at a distance or more, and the performance of the optical lens 121 may be improved. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor 120 can more effectively recognize the fingerprint.

Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 100 may include a lens guide 124 such that the adhesive layer 123 may not be introduced into an area where the optical lens 121 is disposed. Specifically, when viewed from the lens guide 124, a space in which the optical lens 121 is disposed may be separated from a space in which the adhesive layer 123 is disposed. Therefore, when the adhesive layer 123 is disposed on the lens frame 122 in the manufacturing process of the display device 100, the adhesive layer 123 may not be misplaced to overlap the optical lens 121. Further, the lens guide 124 may prevent or inhibit the adhesive layer 123, which is expanded by pressure during the attachment of the fingerprint sensor 120 and the display panel 110, from being introduced to the area where the optical lens 121 is disposed. Accordingly, all light reflected from the fingerprint may be incident on the optical lens 121, and the fingerprint sensor 120 may effectively recognize the fingerprint.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fingerprint sensing area of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment. The display apparatus 400 of fig. 4 is substantially the same as the display apparatus 100 of fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B except for the lens guide 424, and thus, a repetitive description is omitted.

Referring to fig. 4, the upper surface of the lens guide 424 may have a rounded shape in a cross-sectional view. Specifically, the upper edge of the lens guide 424 may have a rounded shape, rather than an angled shape, and may have a shape of a portion of a spherical shape. In this case, as described above, even when the display panel 110 and the lens guide 424 contact each other, there is no angled corner, and the rounded corner may contact the display panel 110. Accordingly, damage of the display panel 110 may be reduced.

Fig. 5A and 5B are enlarged plan views of a fingerprint sensing area of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment. The display apparatuses 500a and 500B of fig. 5A and 5B are substantially the same as the display apparatus 100 of fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B except for the shapes in plan views of the lens guides 524a and 524B, and thus duplicate descriptions are omitted.

Referring to fig. 5A, the lens guides 524a may be disposed to respectively correspond to a plurality of vertexes of the optical lens 121. Specifically, the optical lens 121 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and may include four vertices. The lens guide 524a may include four lens guides 524a corresponding to four vertexes of the optical lens 121. At this time, each of the lens guides 524a may be formed in an "L" shape adjacent to the vertex of the optical lens 121. Accordingly, the lens guide 524a having an "L" shape may be arranged to correspond to a portion of both edges forming the vertex. The number of lens guides 524a is not limited thereto. When the optical lens 121 is a polygon such as a pentagon or a hexagon instead of a square, the number of the lens guides 524a may correspond to the number of a plurality of vertices of the polygon.

Referring to fig. 5B, lens guides 524B may be disposed to respectively correspond to a plurality of edges of the optical lens 121. Specifically, the optical lens 121 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and may include four edges. The lens guide 524b may include four lens guides 524b corresponding to four edges of the optical lens 121. At this time, each of the lens guides 524b may be adjacent to each of the edges of the optical lens 121, and may have a straight line extending along each of the edges. The number of lens guides 524b is not limited thereto. When the optical lens 121 is a polygon such as a pentagon or a hexagon instead of a square, the number of lens guides 524b may correspond to the number of a plurality of edges of the polygon.

Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C are plan views of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment. The display apparatus 600 of fig. 6A, 6B and 6C is substantially the same as the display apparatus 100 of fig. 1, 2, 3A and 3B except for the shape of the fingerprint sensing area FSA, and thus, a repetitive description is omitted.

Referring to fig. 6A, 6B and 6C, the shape of the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be variously changed from the rectangular shape of fig. 1, 2, 3A and 3B. For example, the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be circular as shown in fig. 6A, and the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be elliptical in view of the shape of the finger 200, as shown in fig. 6B. As shown in fig. 6C, the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be diamond shaped. The present invention is not limited thereto. The shape of the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be varied differently as required.

In the display device 600 according to another exemplary embodiment, the shape of the fingerprint sensing area FSA may be one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a diamond shape, and may be variously changed as needed.

Fig. 7A is a plan view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7B is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII' of fig. 7B. The display apparatus 700 of fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C is substantially the same as the display apparatus 100 of fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B except for the fingerprint sensor 720, and thus, a repetitive description is omitted.

Referring to fig. 7A, 7B and 7C, a plurality of optical lenses 721 may be disposed in the fingerprint sensing area FSA. The plurality of optical lenses 721 may be arranged in a matrix form. For example, as shown in fig. 7B, the number of the optical lenses 721 may be nine, and may be arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns. The number of the optical lenses 721 and the number of rows and columns of the matrix are not limited thereto.

The optical lens 721 may be disposed on the lens frame 722, and an opening may be formed on a lower surface of the lens frame 722 so as to correspond to the optical lens 721. The image sensor 725 disposed under the lens frame 722 may be exposed by the opening. The image sensors 725 may be arranged to correspond to the optical lenses 721, respectively. Light reflected from the fingerprint may be incident on the upper surface of the optical lens 721, and light transmitted through the optical lens 721 may be incident on the upper surface of each of the image sensors 725 through the opening of the lens frame 722. The image sensor 725 may use incident light to identify a fingerprint.

The lens guide 724 may be provided at the periphery of each of the plurality of optical lenses 721 so as to correspond to each of the plurality of optical lenses 721. The lens guide 724 may be disposed between the optical lenses 721, and may be disposed to surround the entire optical lenses 721. The lens guide 724 may include nine spaces in a matrix form in which nine optical lenses 721 are arranged. As described in fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the upper surface of the lens guide 724 may be higher than the upper surface of the optical lens 721, and the distance between the upper surface of the lens guide 724 and the upper surface of the optical lens 721 may be 30% or more of the height of the lens guide 724. For example, the distance between the upper surface of the optical lens 721 and the upper surface of the lens guide 724 may be 30 μm or more. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The adhesive layer 723 may surround the plurality of optical lenses 721 as a whole, and may attach the lens frame 722 and the display panel 110. The adhesive layer 723 may be disposed along the circumference of the lens guide 724 and located outside the lens guide 724 including nine spaces in a matrix form. As described in fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the upper surface of the adhesive layer 723 may be higher than or equal to the upper surface of the lens guide 724. The distance between the upper surface of the lens guide 724 and the lower surface of the display panel 110 may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 724, and may be, for example, 20 μm or less. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the display apparatus 700 according to another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 700 may include a plurality of optical lenses 721. The plurality of optical lenses 721 may recognize fingerprints of a plurality of fingers, respectively. When a plurality of fingers are in contact with the upper surface of the display panel 110, each fingerprint of the plurality of fingers can be recognized at the same time. Further, since the distance between the optical lens 721 and the display panel 110 is maintained at a specific distance or more, the performance of the optical lens 721 may be improved. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor 720 can more effectively recognize a plurality of fingerprints simultaneously.

Fig. 8A is a plan view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 8B is an enlarged plan view of the fingerprint sensing area of fig. 8A.

The display apparatus 800 of fig. 8A and 8B is substantially the same as the display apparatus 100 of fig. 1, 2, 3A and 3B except for the fingerprint sensor 820, and thus duplicate descriptions are omitted.

Referring to fig. 8A and 8B, a plurality of optical lenses 821 may be disposed in the fingerprint sensing areas FSA1 and FSA 2. The plurality of optical lenses 821 may be arranged in a line. For example, the number of optical lenslets 821 may be eight, and four optical lenslets 821 may be arranged in a line in the first one of the fingerprint sensing areas FSA1 and FSA2 FSA 1. Four optical lenses 821 may be arranged in a line in second fingerprint sensing area FSA 2. Accordingly, each set of four optical lenses 821 among the total eight optical lenses 821 may be adjacent to each other, and all eight optical lenses 821 may be arranged on one line. The number of the optical lenses 821 is not limited thereto.

Figure 8B is an enlarged plan view of the first fingerprint sensing area FSA 1. Specifically, the lens guide 824 may be disposed to correspond to the periphery of each of the four optical lenses 821. The lens guide 824 may be disposed between the optical lenses 821, and may be disposed to entirely surround the optical lenses 821. Accordingly, the lens guide 824 may include four spaces in a line in which the four optical lenses 821 are arranged. As described in fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, an upper surface of the lens guide 824 may be higher than an upper surface of the optical lens 821, and a distance between the upper surface of the lens guide 824 and the upper surface of the optical lens 821 may be 30% or more of a height of the lens guide 824. For example, the distance between the upper surface of the optical lens 821 and the upper surface of the lens guide 824 may be 30 μm or more. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The adhesive layer 823 may surround the four optical lenses 821 and may attach the lens frame 822 and the display panel 110. The adhesive layer 823 may be disposed along the circumference of the lens guide 824 and outside the lens guide 824 including four spaces arranged in a line. As described in fig. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the upper surface of the adhesive layer 823 may be higher than or equal to the upper surface of the lens guide 824. The distance between the upper surface of the lens guide 824 and the lower surface of the display panel 110 may be 2/3 or less of the height of the lens guide 824, and may be, for example, 20 μm or less. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The fingerprint sensors 820 provided in the second fingerprint sensing area FSA2 may have the same configuration as the fingerprint sensors 820 provided in the first fingerprint sensing area FSA 1.

In the display apparatus 800 according to another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 800 may include a plurality of optical lenses 821. The plurality of optical lenses 821 may respectively recognize fingerprints of a plurality of fingers. For example, a user of the display device 800 may use four fingers of the left hand other than the thumb to contact the four optical lenses 821 of the first fingerprint sensing area FSA 1. Further, the user may use four fingers of the right hand other than the thumb to contact four optical lenses 821 of second fingerprint sensing area FSA 2. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor 820 may simultaneously recognize eight fingers of both hands. In addition, since the distance between the optical lens 821 and the display panel 110 is maintained to be a certain distance or more, the performance of the optical lens 821 may be improved. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor 820 can more effectively recognize a plurality of fingerprints simultaneously.

The display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may improve the performance of the fingerprint sensor.

The foregoing description is intended to illustrate and describe the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing is illustrative only and is an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and as described above, the invention may be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. Variations or modifications may be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein, within the scope and range of equivalents of those described, and/or within the skill or knowledge of persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Furthermore, the appended claims should be construed to include other embodiments.

While certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. The inventive concept is therefore not limited to such embodiments, but is to be defined by the broader scope of the appended claims along with various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.