阅读说明：本技术 具有集成传感器开口的显示设备 (Display device with integrated sensor aperture ) 是由 裵钟晩 朴世勳 朴昶模 周昭娟 于 2019-06-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了显示设备,其包括显示面板、保护盖和指纹传感器,其中,显示面板具有显示区域；保护盖在与显示区域重叠的位置中设置在显示面板的表面上,保护盖具有与显示区域重叠并且在厚度方向上贯穿所述保护盖延伸的开口,保护盖包括第一层；指纹传感器至少部分地设置在开口中。(There is provided a display device including a display panel, a protective cover, and a fingerprint sensor, wherein the display panel has a display area; a protective cover provided on a surface of the display panel in a position overlapping the display region, the protective cover having an opening overlapping the display region and extending through the protective cover in a thickness direction, the protective cover including a first layer; the fingerprint sensor is at least partially disposed in the opening.)

1. A display device, comprising:

A display panel having a display area;

A protective cover provided on a surface of the display panel in a position overlapping with the display area, the protective cover having an opening overlapping with the display area and extending through the protective cover in a thickness direction, the protective cover including a first layer; and

A fingerprint sensor disposed at least partially in the opening.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein,

Wherein the opening exposes at least a portion of the surface of the display panel, an

Wherein the fingerprint sensor has a surface directly facing the display panel without any intervening layers.

3. the display device of claim 2, wherein the surface of the fingerprint sensor is disposed directly on the display panel.

4. the display device of claim 2, wherein the surface of the fingerprint sensor is spaced apart from the display panel by an air gap.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the protective cover comprises a first adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the display panel.

6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises an opacifying pigment.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein,

Wherein the display panel includes a plurality of organic light emitting elements, an

Wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to identify a fingerprint of a user using light emitted from the organic light emitting element.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor is inserted into the opening so as to face the display panel.

9. The display device of claim 8, further comprising:

An adhesive member attaching the fingerprint sensor to the surface of the display panel,

Wherein the adhesive member is spaced apart from a sidewall of the opening.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the protective cover further comprises a second layer disposed on a surface of the first layer opposite the display panel.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein,

Wherein the openings include a first opening formed in the first layer and a second opening formed in the second layer,

Wherein the first opening has a smaller planar area than a planar area of the fingerprint sensor, an

Wherein the second opening has a planar area that is the same as a planar area of the fingerprint sensor.

12. The display device of claim 11, further comprising:

A shoulder formed in a region of the first layer that does not overlap the second layer,

Wherein the fingerprint sensor is attached to the shoulder.

13. The display device of claim 10, wherein the first layer of the protective cover comprises a protective tape and the second layer of the protective cover comprises a pad member comprising at least one of a heat dissipation member and a latent heat member.

14. The display device of claim 1, wherein the protective cover further comprises a third opening overlapping the display area.

15. the display device of claim 14, wherein the third opening houses at least one optical sensor therein.

16. A display device, comprising:

A display panel having a display area;

a protective cover disposed on a surface of the display panel, the protective cover including a first layer overlapping the display area; and

a fingerprint sensor disposed on a surface of the protective cover,

Wherein the first layer includes a first region and a second region surrounding the first region, the first region being a light-transmitting region, an

wherein the fingerprint sensor is arranged to overlap the first area.

17. The display device of claim 16, wherein the second region is an opaque region.

18. The display device of claim 16, wherein the protective cover comprises a first adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the display panel.

19. The display device according to claim 16, wherein,

wherein the display panel includes a plurality of organic light emitting elements, an

Wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to: the fingerprint of a user's finger positioned on the display panel is recognized using light emitted from the organic light emitting elements.

20. The display device of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor is inserted into the protective cover that overlaps the first region.

21. The display device of claim 20, wherein the protective cover further comprises:

A second layer disposed on a surface of the first layer opposite the display panel, the second layer including an opening overlapping the first region.

22. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the protective cover further comprises a second adhesive layer overlapping the second region and disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the second layer, wherein the first region has a smaller planar area than a planar area of the fingerprint sensor, and the opening has the same planar area as the planar area of the fingerprint sensor.

23. the display device of claim 22, wherein the first layer includes a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the second layer, and the fingerprint sensor is attached to the non-overlapping region of the first layer.

24. The display device of claim 21, wherein the first layer of the protective cover comprises a protective tape and the second layer of the protective cover comprises a pad member comprising at least one of a heat dissipation member and a latent heat member.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to display devices and, more particularly, to a display device having an opening integrated in a display area of the display device.

Background

The organic light emitting display has advantages in luminance, driving voltage, and response speed characteristics, and may be multi-colored. Due to these advantages, the organic light emitting display is applied to various products including a smart phone. An organic light emitting display includes a display panel having organic light emitting elements. In the organic light emitting element, a cathode and an anode are arranged around an organic light emitting layer. When a voltage is applied to the two electrodes, visible light is generated from the organic light emitting layer connected to the two electrodes.

a protective layer having substantially the same size as the display panel may be disposed under the display panel. The protective layer may protect the display panel from contamination, scratches, and impacts that may occur during the manufacturing process of the display device. The protective layer may be formed directly under the display panel in the form of a printed layer.

With the advent of fingerprint sensors and other types of sensors for use in mobile phones and the like, it is necessary to make a hole in the device to accommodate the sensor. However, the holes may interfere with the electrical connection and integrity of the device. For this reason, a hole for accommodating the sensor is generally made in a non-display area of the device.

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

A display device constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can integrate a hole for accommodating one or more sensors in a display area of the display device, thereby reducing visibility of a sensor attachment portion such as for a fingerprint sensor. Accordingly, an area where a fingerprint sensor constructed according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention is located may display an image and may also be used as an area for recognizing a user's fingerprint when it is required to recognize the user's fingerprint.

A sensor attachment portion constructed in accordance with the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a protective layer in the form of a band and a stepped shoulder structure formed by the layers of the cover member to facilitate mounting and/or aligning the sensor in the display area without interfering with the electrical or structural integrity of the display device.

incorporating one or more sensing regions in the display area of a display device, rather than the non-display area, according to principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, allows the non-display area to be reduced, thereby reducing the bezel and implementing more or substantially all of the display panel as a display area, thereby more efficiently utilizing the available space.

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 embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel having a display area; a protective cover provided on a surface of the display panel in a position overlapping with the display area, the protective cover having an opening overlapping with the display area and extending through the protective cover in a thickness direction, the protective cover including a first layer; and a fingerprint sensor disposed at least partially in the opening.

The opening may expose at least a portion of a surface of the display panel, and wherein the fingerprint sensor may have a surface directly facing the display panel without any intervening layers.

The surface of the fingerprint sensor may be disposed directly on the display panel.

The surface of the fingerprint sensor may be spaced apart from the display panel by an air gap.

The protective cover may include a first adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the display panel.

the first layer may include opacifying pigments.

The display panel may include a plurality of organic light emitting elements, and wherein the fingerprint sensor may be configured to recognize a fingerprint of a user using light emitted from the organic light emitting elements.

At least a portion of the fingerprint sensor may be inserted into the opening so as to face the display panel.

The display device may further include an adhesive member attaching the fingerprint sensor to a surface of the display panel, wherein the adhesive member may be spaced apart from a sidewall of the opening.

The protective cover may further include a second layer disposed on a surface of the first layer opposite the display panel.

the openings may include a first opening formed in the first layer and a second opening formed in the second layer, wherein the first opening may have a smaller planar area than a planar area of the fingerprint sensor, and wherein the second opening may have the same planar area as the planar area of the fingerprint sensor.

the display device may further include a shoulder formed in a region of the first layer that does not overlap with the second layer, wherein the fingerprint sensor may be attached to the shoulder.

The first layer of the protective cover may include a protective tape, and the second layer of the protective cover may include a pad member having at least one of a heat dissipation member and a latent heat member.

The protective cover may further include a third opening overlapping the display area.

At least one optical sensor may be received in the third opening.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel having a display area; a protective cover disposed on a surface of the display panel, the protective cover including a first layer overlapping the display area; and a fingerprint sensor disposed on a surface of the protective cover, wherein the first layer may include a first area and a second area surrounding the first area, the first area being a light-transmitting area, and wherein the fingerprint sensor may be disposed to overlap the first area.

The second region may be an opaque region.

The protective cover may include a first adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the display panel.

The display panel may include a plurality of organic light emitting elements, and wherein the fingerprint sensor may be configured to recognize a fingerprint of a user's finger positioned on the display panel using light emitted from the organic light emitting elements.

at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor may be inserted into the protective cover overlapping the first area.

the protective cover may further include a second layer disposed on a surface of the first layer opposite the display panel, the second layer including an opening overlapping the first region.

The protective cover may further include a second adhesive layer overlapping the second region and disposed on a surface of the first layer facing the second layer, wherein the first region may have a smaller planar area than that of the fingerprint sensor, and the opening has the same planar area as that of the fingerprint sensor.

The first layer may include a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the second layer, and the fingerprint sensor is attached to the non-overlapping region of the first layer.

The first layer of the protective cover may include a protective tape, and the second layer of the protective cover may include a pad member having at least one of a heat dissipation member and a latent heat member.

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 invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG. 2 taken along section line I-I';

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the display device of FIG. 2 constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken along section line I-I';

fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a fingerprint recognition method of a display device in detail according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a guard band constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protective tape taken along section line II-II' of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the protective tape taken along section line II-II' of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a guard band constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the protective tape taken along section line III-III' of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a display device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, taken along section line I-I' of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a guard band constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the protective tape taken along section line IV-IV' of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of another protective strip taken along section line IV-IV' of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a guard band constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the protective tape taken along section line V-V' of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a display device constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the display apparatus taken along a section line VI-VI' of fig. 16.

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 examples of the invention. As used herein, "embodiments" and "examples" 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. Additionally, the various exemplary embodiments may be different, but are not necessarily exclusive. For example, the particular shapes, configurations and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments may be used or practiced in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments should be understood as exemplary features providing different details of certain ways in which the inventive concept may be practiced. Thus, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects and the like (hereinafter referred to individually or collectively as "elements") 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 employed to demarcate the boundaries between adjacent elements. Thus, unless specified, the presence or absence of cross-sectional lines or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for a particular material, material property, dimension, proportion, commonality between illustrated elements and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc. of an element. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or description. While example embodiments may be practiced differently, the specific process sequences may be executed in a different order than that described. 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 such as a layer is referred to as being on, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may 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. In addition, the D1-axis, D2-axis, and D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, D2-axis, and D3-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 such as X, Y and Z, e.g., 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," "high," "side" (e.g., as in "side walls"), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes and thus 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 "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Additionally, 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. In addition, 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 terms of approximation and not of degree, and thus are used to explain the inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would 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, which are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. 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 disclosed 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 are, therefore, 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.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a display device 1 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 1, the display apparatus 1 may be divided into a display area DA and a non-display area NDA.

The display area DA is defined as an area for displaying an image. The planar shape of the display area DA may be a rectangular shape or a rectangular shape having rounded corners. The planar shape of the display area DA is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may also be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or various other shapes.

in addition, the display area DA may be used as a detection member or a sensor for detecting or sensing an external environment. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the display area DA may be defined as a fingerprint identification area SA1 for identifying a user's fingerprint. That is, the fingerprint identification area SA1 may display an image, and when it is necessary to identify the user's fingerprint, it may also be used as an area for identifying the user's fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor 800 is disposed in the fingerprint identification area SA1 to overlap with the fingerprint identification area SA 1. As described later, the fingerprint recognition area SA1 may overlap the opening OP of the protective cover, wherein the protective cover may include the protective tape 500 and the pad member 600. The pad member 600 may include at least one of a heat dissipation member and a latent heat member.

The non-display area NDA is disposed outside the display area DA and is defined as an area where an image is not displayed. According to the illustrated embodiment, the speaker module SP, the camera module CA, and the sensor module SS may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor module SS may include at least one of an illuminance sensor S1, a proximity sensor S2, an infrared sensor S3, and an ultrasonic sensor S4. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor module SS may perform a function of recognizing the iris of the user. The arrangement of the speaker module SP, the camera module CA and the sensor module SS is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1.

fig. 2 is a bottom view of the display apparatus 1 of fig. 1, and fig. 3A and 3B are sectional views of the display apparatus 1 of fig. 2 taken along a section line I-I'.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, the display apparatus 1 includes a display panel 100, a touch member 200, an adhesive member 300, a cover window 400, a protective tape 500, a pad member 600, a flexible circuit board 700, and a fingerprint sensor 800.

First, the display panel 100 will be described in more detail.

The display panel 100 is a panel for displaying a picture, and may include a plurality of pixels. The display panel 100 may be, for example, an organic light emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or an electrophoretic display panel. For example, the exemplary embodiments of fig. 2 and 3A illustrate a case in which the display panel 100 is an organic light emitting display panel, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

the display panel 100 may include a substrate 110, a plurality of pixel electrodes 120, a pixel defining layer 130, a plurality of organic light emitting layers 140, a common electrode 150, and an encapsulation layer 160.

The substrate 110 may be an insulating substrate. The substrate 110 may include a material such as glass, quartz, or polymer resin. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 110 may be a rigid substrate made of glass. However, the substrate 110 may also include a flexible material such as polyimide.

The pixel electrode 120 is disposed on the substrate 110. The pixel electrode 120 may be disposed in a pixel. For example, one pixel electrode 120 may be disposed in each pixel. In addition, two or more pixel electrodes 120 may be provided in one pixel, or two or more pixels may share one pixel electrode 120.

A plurality of elements may also be disposed between the substrate 110 and the pixel electrode 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the element may include a buffer layer, a plurality of conductive wirings, an insulating layer, and a plurality of thin film transistors.

Each pixel electrode 120 may be an anode of an organic light emitting element. When formed as an anode, each pixel electrode 120 may include a material having a work function greater than that of the common electrode 150. For example, each pixel electrode 120 may include Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In)₂O₃) One or more of Indium Gallium Oxide (IGO) and Aluminum Zinc Oxide (AZO). When the display panel 100 is a top emission panel, each pixel electrode 120 may further include a reflective material layer disposed under the above conductive layer having a relatively large work function. The reflective material layer may include one or more of silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), and aluminum (Al).

the pixel defining layer 130 may be disposed on the pixel electrode 120. The pixel defining layer 130 may be disposed along the boundary of the pixel. The pixel defining layer 130 may include openings respectively exposing at least a portion of the pixel electrodes 120. The pixel defining layer 130 may include an organic material, an inorganic material, or a stack of an organic material layer and an inorganic material layer. When the pixel defining layer 130 includes an organic material, it may include a material such as photoresist, polyimide resin, acrylic resin, silicon compound, or polyacrylic resin.

The organic emission layer 140 may be disposed on the pixel electrode 120 exposed by the pixel defining layer 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the organic light emitting layer 140 may contact at least a portion of a sidewall of the pixel defining layer 130.

The organic emission layer 140 may emit different colors of light in different pixels. For example, the organic light emitting layer 140 of the red pixel may include a red light emitting layer, the organic light emitting layer 140 of the green pixel may include a green light emitting layer, and the organic light emitting layer 140 of the blue pixel may include a blue light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the organic light emitting layer 140 may emit white light. For example, each of the organic light emitting layers 140 may include a white light emitting material or may have a stacked structure of a red light emitting layer, a green light emitting layer, and a blue light emitting layer to emit white light. In this case, a color filter may be placed in a path of light emitted from each of the organic light emitting layers 140 to represent a color of a corresponding pixel.

The common electrode 150 is disposed on the organic emission layer 140. The common electrode 150 may be a full-sheet type electrode formed completely indiscriminately between pixels. The common electrode 150 may be disposed not only on the organic light emitting layer 140 but also on an upper surface of the pixel defining layer 130.

The common electrode 150 may be a cathode of each organic light emitting element. The common electrode 150 may include a material having a work function smaller than that of the pixel electrode 120. For example, the common electrode 150 may include any one or more of Li, Ca, Li/Ca, LiF/Al, Ag, and Mg. When the display panel 100 is a top emission panel, the common electrode 150 may include a thin conductive layer and a transparent conductive layer stacked on the thin conductive layer. The thin conductive layer may comprise the above-mentioned materials having a small work function, but since it is formed as a thin layer, it may at least partially transmit visible light. The transparent conductive layer stacked on the thin conductive layer may serve to maintain light transmittance in the front direction at a certain level while reducing the resistance of the common electrode 150. The transparent conductive layer may be, but not limited to, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In)₂O₃) Indium Gallium Oxide (IGO) or Aluminum Zinc Oxide (AZO).

Each of the pixel electrodes 120, each of the organic light emitting layers 140, and the common electrode 150 described above may constitute an organic light emitting element.

A hole injection layer and/or a hole transport layer may be disposed between each pixel electrode 120 and each organic light emitting layer 140, and an electron transport layer and/or an electron injection layer may be disposed between each organic light emitting layer 140 and the common electrode 150. At least one of the hole injection layer, the hole transport layer, the electron transport layer, and the electron injection layer may be, but is not limited to, formed as a common layer disposed completely indiscriminately between pixels.

The encapsulation layer 160 is disposed on the common electrode 150. The encapsulation layer 160 may include an inorganic layer. The encapsulation layer 160 may also include an organic layer. For example, the encapsulation layer 160 may include a first inorganic layer, an organic layer disposed on the first inorganic layer, and a second inorganic layer disposed on the organic layer. The encapsulation layer 160 may prevent or reduce moisture and air, which may be introduced from the outside, from penetrating into the organic light emitting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, a package substrate made of glass or the like may be disposed on the common electrode 150 instead of the package layer 160. The encapsulation substrate may be attached to the common electrode 150 through an adhesive layer or a resin layer.

The cover window 400 may be disposed over the display panel 100. The cover window 400 may be disposed over the display panel 100 to protect the display panel 100 while transmitting light emitted from the display panel 100.

The cover window 400 may include, but is not limited to, transparent glass or a transparent material such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene resin, or polyester. The type of the cover window 400 is not limited as long as the cover window 400 has a transmittance sufficient to transmit light emitted from the display panel 100.

The cover window 400 may overlap the display panel 100 and may cover the entire surface of the display panel 100. The cover window 400 may be larger than the display panel 100. For example, at both short sides of the display apparatus 1, the cover window 400 may protrude outward from the display panel 100. The cover window 400 may also protrude from the display panel 100 at both long sides of the display device 1, but the protruding distance at both short sides may be greater.

The touch member 200 may be disposed between the display panel 100 and the cover window 400. The touch member 200 may be disposed on the entire surface of the display panel 100. That is, the touch member 200 may have substantially the same size as the display panel 100, and may overlap the display panel 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the touch member 200 may be manufactured as a panel separate from the display panel 100 and then placed on the display panel 100. In this case, the display panel 100 and the touch member 200 may be bonded together by an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA) or an Optically Clear Resin (OCR).

In an exemplary embodiment, the touch member 200 may be integrated into the structure of the display panel 100. For example, the touch member 200 may be formed by forming a touch electrode on an insulating layer of the display panel 100.

the touch member 200 and the cover window 400 may be bonded together by an adhesive member 300 such as OCA or OCR. The adhesive member 300 may have a refractive index similar to that of the cover window 400. If the refractive indexes of the adhesive member 300 and the cover window 400 are similar, light reflection due to the difference in refractive indexes may be minimized or reduced. In addition, the adhesive member 300 may be formed to have relatively higher elasticity than the cover window 400. When the elasticity of the adhesive member 300 is relatively high, the display panel 100 may be protected from external impact.

the cover member CM may be disposed on the lower surface of the display panel 100. The cover member CM may include the protective tape 500 and the pad member 600, and the flexible circuit board 700.

The protective tape 500 may be disposed on the lower surface of the display panel 100. Here, the lower surface of the display panel 100 may be a lower surface of the substrate 110. That is, the protective tape 500 may be directly disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 110. The protective tape 500 may include an opening OP in which a fingerprint sensor 800 to be described later is to be placed. The opening OP may overlap the fingerprint identification area SA 1.

The protective tape 500 may include a protective layer 520 and a first adhesive layer 510. The protective layer 520 and the first adhesive layer 510 may each include an opening OP for disposing the fingerprint sensor 800.

The protective layer 520 may protect the display panel 100 from external impact occurring under the display panel 100. For example, the protective layer 520 may protect the display panel 100 from contamination, scratches, and impacts that may occur during the manufacturing process of the display device 1. The protective layer 520 may contain components such as fine powder silica, a silicone-based defoaming agent, additives, an antistatic agent, a naphtha solvent, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethyl ether acetate.

The first adhesive layer 510 may be disposed between the substrate 110 and the protective layer 520 of the display panel 100. The first adhesive layer 510 may be used to attach the protective layer 520 to the lower surface of the substrate 110. The first adhesive layer 510 and the protective layer 520 may completely overlap each other. That is, the first adhesive layer 510 and the protective layer 520 may have the same planar shape.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first adhesive layer 510 may include a polymer material, for example, a silicone polymer, a urethane polymer, an SU polymer of a silicone-urethane structure, an acrylic polymer, an isocyanate polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, a gelatin polymer, a vinyl polymer, a latex polymer, a polyester polymer, or a water-based polyester polymer.

The pad member 600 may be disposed on the lower surface of the protective belt 500. The pad member 600 may have an adhesive layer on at least one surface thereof, and may be attached to the lower surface of the protective tape 500 by the adhesive layer. The pad member 600 may include an opening OP-1 overlapping the opening OP of the protective tape 500 for disposing the fingerprint sensor 800. The pad member 600 and the protective tape 500 may completely overlap each other.

The pad member 600 may include a buffering member capable of absorbing external impact. The cushioning member may comprise a shock absorbing material. In an exemplary embodiment, the cushioning member may be a sponge formed by foaming an elastic polymer resin, a rubber liquid, a urethane-based material, or an acrylic material.

The pad member 600 may further include a light shielding member that prevents or reduces light emitted from the display panel 100 from leaking to below the display panel 100 and/or a heat dissipation member that may dissipate heat generated in the display device 1, in addition to the buffer member. The heat dissipation member may include a metal having excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), a copper alloy, or aluminum (Al), or may include a carbon-based material such as graphite or graphene. The buffer member, the light shielding member, and the heat dissipation member may be stacked in a thickness direction of the display panel 100.

The flexible circuit board 700 includes a first flexible circuit board 710 and a second flexible circuit board 720. The first flexible circuit board 710 may be disposed near one edge of the display device 1. A driver chip for driving the touch member 200 may be mounted on the first flexible circuit board 710. The first flexible circuit board 710 may be attached to one side of the touch member 200 to electrically connect the driver chip and the touch member 200. The first flexible circuit board 710 may be bent toward below the display panel 100 and placed on the rear surface of the pad member 600 to overlap the rear surface of the pad member 600. The first flexible circuit board 710 may be bonded to the rear surface of the pad member 600 by an adhesive layer or the like in a region overlapping the pad member 600 or otherwise integrated with the rear surface of the pad member 600.

The second flexible circuit board 720 may be disposed on the pad member 600 and the first flexible circuit board 710. The second flexible circuit board 720 may provide a signal for driving the fingerprint sensor 800. A driver chip for driving the fingerprint sensor 800 may be mounted on the second flexible circuit board 720, and the second flexible circuit board 720 may be electrically connected to the first flexible circuit board 710. The second flexible circuit board 720 may be at least partially bonded to the first flexible circuit board 710 by a double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

the fingerprint sensor 800 may be disposed in the openings OP and OP-1. The fingerprint sensor 800 may directly face the substrate 110. For example, the fingerprint sensor 800 may be disposed directly on the substrate 110; alternatively, the fingerprint sensor 800 may be spaced apart from the substrate 110 by an air gap. The fingerprint sensor 800 may be, for example, an optical sensor using light emitted from a plurality of organic light emitting elements of the display panel 100. Alternatively, a product performing a sensing function using light may be applied to the fingerprint sensor 800.

The fingerprint sensor 800 will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view for explaining a fingerprint recognition method of the display device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment in detail.

Referring to fig. 4, the fingerprint sensor 800 may include a sensor substrate 810, an image sensor 820, and an infrared filter 830. The fingerprint sensor 800 may be placed in the opening OP of the protective tape 500 by attaching the fingerprint sensor 800 to the substrate 110 using any means known in the art including a double-sided adhesive tape TP and a resin RS. The light emitted from the organic luminescent layer 140 may be provided to a finger of a user. Among the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer 140, light reflected from a user's finger may be received by the image sensor 820. The reflected light may travel to the image sensor 820 through the openings OP and OP-1, and the reflected light or external light in other areas irrelevant to the present area may be blocked by the light shielding member of the protective layer 520 or the pad member 600. Accordingly, sensing noise of the image sensor 820 may be reduced.

the light emitted from the light source other than the display apparatus 1 may include light in the long-wavelength infrared region. Infrared filter 830 filters light in the infrared region by absorbing and/or reflecting light to prevent or reduce infrared light from entering image sensor 820. Accordingly, the image sensor 820 may more clearly recognize the fingerprint of the user based on the infrared-free light provided by the finger. The fingerprint of a finger includes relatively convex ridges and relatively concave valleys, and may form a pattern that is unique to each individual. The image sensor 820 may form image information required for fingerprint recognition using the received light and store the image information in a memory within the fingerprint sensor 800.

fig. 5 is a plan view of a protective tape 500 constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 6 is a sectional view of the protective tape 500 taken along a section line II-II' of fig. 5.

referring to fig. 5 and 6, the width W1 and the height H1 of the opening OP formed in the protective belt 500 and the pad member 600 may be greater than the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800. The lower surface of the substrate 110 may be exposed by the opening OP formed in the protective tape 500 and the cushion member 600, and may directly face the fingerprint sensor 800. Further, the fingerprint sensor 800 and the opening OP may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap. Therefore, the protective tape 500 may not overlap the adhesive member such as the double-sided tape TP and the resin RS bonded to the fingerprint sensor 800. That is, when the protective tape 500 is removed from the substrate 110, it can be easily removed without being disturbed by the adhesive member.

However, the opening OP may be filled with the resin RS _ 1. Referring to fig. 3B, the fingerprint sensor 800 and/or the space between the double-sided tape TP and the protective tape 500 may be filled with an adhesive member such as resin RS _ 1. Herein, the resin RS _1 may be a black resin. The black resin may include polyamic acid and polyimide; acrylate, epoxy, siloxane, ester or styrene monomers per se, or oligomers or polymers thereof. In addition, the black resin having the black additive may include the above organic composition. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light from flowing in from the outside and to prevent the fingerprint sensor 800 from being observed.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment will be described. In the following embodiments, elements consistent with those of the above-described exemplary embodiments will not be described, or differences will be mainly described with a focus on avoiding redundancy.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the protective tape 500A taken along section line II-II' of fig. 5.

Referring to fig. 7, a guard band 500A according to the illustrated embodiment differs from the embodiment of fig. 6 in that: the protective layer 520-1 further includes an opacifying pigment.

More specifically, since the protective layer 520-1 includes light-shielding pigments, the protective tape 500A may prevent or reduce light emitted from the display panel 100 from leaking below the display panel 100. That is, the protective layer 520-1 not only protects the display panel 100 from external impact occurring in the process, but also performs a function of blocking light emitted from the display panel 100. Accordingly, a separate light blocking member of the pad member 600 may be omitted from the display device according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a protective tape 500-1 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the protective tape 500-1 taken along section line III-III' of fig. 8.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, the guard band 500-1 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment differs from the embodiment of fig. 6 in that: the opening OP-2 is smaller than the fingerprint sensor 800 and the protective tape 500-1 further includes a second adhesive layer 530.

More specifically, the width W1-1 and the height H1-1 of the opening OP-2 formed in the protective tape 500-1 may be smaller than the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800. In some exemplary embodiments, the size of the opening OP-2 formed in the protective belt 500-1 may be the same as the size of the image sensor 820 of the fingerprint sensor 800. The width W1-2 and the height H1-2 of the opening OP-3 formed in the pad member 600-1 may be the same as the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800. The lower surface of the substrate 110 may be exposed through the opening OP-2 formed in the protective tape 500-1 and the opening OP-3 formed in the pad member 600-1, and the exposed portion of the lower surface of the substrate 110 may directly face the fingerprint sensor 800.

Unlike the protective layer 520-1 shown in fig. 7, the protective layer 520-2 shown in fig. 9 may further include a second adhesive layer 530 on a lower surface thereof. The second adhesive layer 530 may be disposed between the protective layer 520-2 and the pad member 600-1, and may completely overlap the protective layer 520-2. In addition, the second adhesive layer 530 may form a shoulder SH in a non-overlapping region with the pad member 600-1. The fingerprint sensor 800 may be mounted on the shoulder SH in a non-overlapping area. Accordingly, misalignment of the fingerprint sensor 800 may be prevented or reduced. In addition, the protective layer 520-2 may further include an opaque pigment. Since the openings OP-3 of the fingerprint sensor 800 and the pad member 600-1 completely overlap each other, the visibility of the fingerprint identification area SA1 (i.e., the fingerprint sensor attachment portion SA1) may be reduced.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a display device 2 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, taken along section line I-I' of fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a guard band 500-2 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the guard band 500-2 taken along section line IV-IV' of fig. 11.

Referring to fig. 10, 11 and 12, the guard band 500-2 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment differs from the embodiment of fig. 6 in that: the protective layer 520-3 does not include the opening OP, but includes a first region as the transparent window region TW and a second region as the opaque region.

More specifically, the display device 2 shown in fig. 10 is different from the display device 1 shown in fig. 3A in that: the protective tape 500-2 does not include an opening exposing the substrate 110. The protective layer 520-3 of the protective tape 500-2 may include a transparent window region TW in a region overlapping with the fingerprint sensor 800 and a light-shielding region in a region not overlapping with the fingerprint sensor 800. The first adhesive layer 510-2 may be disposed between the protective layer 520-3 and the substrate 110. Since the transparent window region TW and the light blocking region are integrally formed in the protective layer 520-3, the first adhesive layer 510-2 may completely overlap the protective layer 520-3. In addition, the pad member 600-2 may have an opening OP-4 overlapping the transparent window region TW. The opening OP-4 may be larger than the transparent window region TW. Specifically, the width W1-3 and the height H1-3 of the transparent window region TW may be equal to the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800. The width W1-4 and the height H1-4 of the opening OP-4 formed in the pad member 600-2 may be greater than the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800.

the fingerprint sensor 800 may be bonded to the lower surface of the transparent window region TW by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape TP or a resin RS. Accordingly, when the protective tape 500-2 is removed, the adhesive members (e.g., TP and RS) may be removed. That is, it is possible to prevent or reduce damage to the protective tape 500-2 and to reduce the time required to remove the adhesive members (e.g., TP and RS).

fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of another protective strip 500-3 taken along section line IV-IV' of fig. 11.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, the guard band 500-3 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the embodiment of fig. 12 in that: both the first and second regions are transparent.

more specifically, unlike the protective layer 520-3 shown in fig. 12, the entire area of the protective layer 520-4 shown in fig. 13 may be transparent. The pad member 600-2 may be disposed on the lower surface of the protective belt 500-3. In some exemplary embodiments, the pad member 600-2 may include a light blocking member that prevents or reduces light emitted from the display panel 100 from leaking to below the display panel 100. Accordingly, if the entire region of the protective layer 520-4 is transparent, a process of dividing the entire region of the protective layer 520-4 into the transparent window region TW and the light-shielding region can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a protective tape 500-4 constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 15 is a sectional view of the protective tape 500-4 taken along a section line V-V' of fig. 14.

Referring to fig. 14 and 15, a guard band 500-4 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the exemplary embodiment of fig. 12 in that: the transparent window area TW-1 is smaller than the fingerprint sensor 800 and the protective tape 500-4 further includes a second adhesive layer 530-1.

More specifically, the width W1-5 and the height H1-5 of the transparent window region TW-1 formed in the protective tape 500-4 may be smaller than the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800. In some exemplary embodiments, the transparent window region TW-1 formed in the protective tape 500-4 may have the same size as the image sensor 820 of the fingerprint sensor 800. The width W1-6 and the height H1-6 of the opening OP-5 formed in the pad member 600-3 may be the same as the width W2 and the height H2 of the fingerprint sensor 800.

unlike the protective layers 520-3 and 520-4 shown in fig. 12 and 13, the protective layer 520-5 shown in fig. 15 may further include a second adhesive layer 530-1 on a lower surface thereof. The second adhesive layer 530-1 may be disposed between the protective layer 520-5 and the pad member 600-3, and may completely overlap with the light-shielding region of the protective layer 520-5. In addition, the second adhesive layer 530-1 may form a shoulder SH in a non-overlapping region with the pad member 600-3. The fingerprint sensor 800 may be disposed on the shoulder SH in a non-overlapping area. Accordingly, misalignment of the fingerprint sensor 800 may be prevented or reduced. Further, since the fingerprint sensor 800 and the transparent window region TW-1 of the protective layer 520-5 completely overlap each other, the visibility of the fingerprint sensor attachment portion SA1 may be reduced.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a display apparatus 3 constructed according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 17 is a sectional view of the display apparatus 3 taken along a section line VI-VI' of fig. 16.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, the display device 3 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment differs from the embodiment of fig. 1 in that: it also includes a second sensing area SA2 located in the display area DA.

More specifically, the display device 3 may further include a second sensing area SA2 located in the display area DA. The second sensing area SA2 may be disposed in a portion of the display area DA adjacent to the non-display area NDA. In the second sensing area SA2, second optical sensors 800-1 and 800-2 such as an iris recognition sensor and a proximity sensor may be disposed.

The protective tape 500-5 (e.g., the first adhesive layer 510-3, the protective layer 520-6, and the second adhesive layer 530-2) may further include a second opening or a second transparent window region overlapping the second sensing region SA 2. The second opening exposes the lower surface of the substrate 110. The second optical sensors 800-1 and 800-2 may be inserted into the second opening or the second transparent window area. The second optical sensors 800-1 and 800-2 may directly face the lower surface of the substrate 110 exposed by the second opening.

Similar to the fingerprint sensor 800, a driver chip for driving the second optical sensors 800-1 and 800-2 may be mounted on the second flexible circuit board 720, and the second flexible circuit board 720 may be electrically connected to the first flexible circuit board 710. In this case, the first flexible circuit board 710 may extend from the fingerprint identification area SA1 (i.e., the first sensing area SA1) to the second sensing area SA 2. In the display device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, the first flexible circuit board 710 is disposed adjacent to only the first sensing area SA 1. On the other hand, the first flexible circuit board 710 of the display device 3 according to the illustrated embodiment of fig. 16 may extend from the first sensing region SA1 to the second sensing region SA 2.

When the second sensing area SA2 is disposed in the display area DA, the non-display area NDA may be reduced, thereby reducing the bezel. That is, the entire area of the display device 3 except for the imaging device 900 using visible light may be used as the display area DA. Accordingly, since a large area of the display device 3 can be used as the display area DA, a small bezel display device with a minimized bezel can be realized.

In the display device according to the exemplary embodiment, damage to the protective layer may be prevented or reduced.

Further, in the display device according to the embodiment, the visibility of the fingerprint sensor attachment portion may be reduced.

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