Display device
阅读说明：本技术 显示设备 (Display device ) 是由 王智煐 李东洙 于 2020-09-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了显示设备,所述显示设备包括：显示面板,具有可折叠区域；以及支撑件,设置在显示面板的底表面上,支撑件包括多个突出部,多个突出部在可折叠区域中彼此间隔开并且相对于底表面倾斜。(Disclosed is a display device including: a display panel having a foldable area; and a support disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel, the support including a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other in the foldable area and inclined with respect to the bottom surface.)
1. A display device, comprising:
a display panel having a foldable area; and
a support disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel, the support including a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other in the foldable area and inclined with respect to the bottom surface.
2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display panel further comprises a display area, and a portion of the display area is defined as the foldable area.
3. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a first adhesive member disposed on a bottom surface of the support, the first adhesive member having an opening overlapping the foldable area.
4. The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the protrusion comprises a support pattern inclined at one or more predetermined angles to block external light incident through the opening of the first adhesive member.
5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a support member having an opening defined by a space between the protrusions.
6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the opening defines an empty space.
7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions comprise support patterns, each of the support patterns comprising a first side surface, a top surface of a first portion adjacent to the first side surface, and a bottom surface of a second portion adjacent to the first side surface opposite the first portion, and
the support pattern includes a first support pattern and a second support pattern adjacent to each other, wherein a top surface of the first support pattern overlaps a bottom surface of the second support pattern.
8. The display device of claim 1,
the support includes a support member and the protrusion includes support patterns formed in the support member, the support patterns including first to nth support patterns arranged in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the display panel, wherein n is an integer of 1 or more;
each of the first to nth support patterns includes a first side surface, a top surface adjacent to a first portion of the first side surface, and a bottom surface adjacent to a second portion of the first side surface opposite to the first portion; and
a top surface of a k-th support pattern and a bottom surface of a (k +1) -th support pattern of the first to n-th support patterns overlap each other, where k is an integer between 1 and n.
9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein an inner side surface of the support member adjacent to a first side surface of the first support pattern is parallel to the first side surface of the first support pattern.
10. The display device of claim 9,
the support member includes first to mth openings arranged in the first direction parallel to the top surface of the display panel, wherein m is an integer of 1 or more;
a jth opening of the first to mth openings is displaced in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, where j is an even number between 1 and m; and
one of the support patterns is positioned from each of the (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings of the first to mth openings in a third direction opposite to the second direction.
11. The display device of claim 1,
the protrusions include support patterns, each of the support patterns including a first side surface, a top surface of a first portion adjacent to the first side surface, a bottom surface of a second portion adjacent to the first side surface opposite to the first portion, and a second side surface facing the first side surface, an
The support pattern includes:
a first support pattern;
a second support pattern inclined at a first angle with respect to a first side surface of the first support pattern; and
a third support pattern inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to a second side surface of the first support pattern.
12. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first support pattern comprises a reference support pattern, the second support pattern comprises an inclined support pattern, and the third support pattern comprises an opposite inclined support pattern, and the inclined support pattern and the opposite inclined support pattern are symmetrical to each other with respect to the reference support pattern.
13. The display device of claim 1,
the support includes a support member and the protrusion includes support patterns formed in the support member, the support patterns including first to nth support patterns arranged in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the display panel, where n is an integer of 1 or more,
each of the first to nth support patterns includes a first side surface, a top surface of a first portion adjacent to the first side surface, a bottom surface of a second portion adjacent to the first side surface opposite to the first portion, and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and
a k-th support pattern of the first to n-th support patterns is defined as a reference support pattern, the first to (k-1) -th support patterns are defined as inclined support patterns inclined at a first angle with respect to a first side surface of the reference support pattern, and the (k +1) -th to n-th support patterns are defined as reverse inclined support patterns inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to a second side surface of the reference support pattern, wherein k is an integer between 1 and n.
14. The display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first to (k-1) th support patterns and the (k +1) th to nth support patterns are symmetrical to each other based on the k-th support pattern.
15. The display device of claim 13,
a first inner side surface of the support member adjacent to a first side surface of the first support pattern is parallel to the first side surface of the first support pattern, an
A second inner side surface of the support member adjacent to a second side surface of the nth support pattern and facing the first inner side surface of the support member is parallel to the second side surface of the nth support pattern.
16. The display device of claim 15,
the support member includes first to mth openings arranged in the first direction parallel to the top surface of the display panel, where m is an integer of 1 or more,
a jth opening of the first to mth openings is displaced in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, where j is an even number between 1 and m, an
One of the support patterns is positioned from each of the (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings of the first to mth openings in a third direction opposite to the second direction.
17. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible member disposed between the support and the display panel.
18. The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the flexible member comprises a shock absorbing member, and further comprising a second adhesive member disposed between the shock absorbing member and the support,
wherein the second adhesive member is in direct contact with the shock-absorbing member and the support.
19. The display device of claim 17, further comprising a lower protective film disposed between the flexible member and the display panel.
20. The display device of claim 19, further comprising:
a window member disposed on the display panel; and
a protective film disposed on the window member.
Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to display devices and, more particularly, to foldable display devices.
Background
Flat panel display devices are used as display devices for replacing cathode ray tube display devices due to their light weight and slim characteristics. Representative examples of such flat panel display devices are liquid crystal display devices and organic light emitting diode display devices.
Recently, a flexible display device has been developed, in which a lower substrate and an upper substrate of a display panel included in the display device have a flexible material, and thus a portion of the display panel may be bent or folded. For example, a lower substrate included in the display panel may be formed of a polyimide substrate, and an upper substrate included in the display panel may have a thin film encapsulation structure. Further, the flexible display device can display an image even in a portion where the display panel is folded. In other words, the flexible display device may include a display area in which an image is displayed, and a portion of the display area may be foldable. The flexible display apparatus may further include a support member disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel and including a plurality of support patterns. The support pattern of the support member may overlap a portion where the display panel is folded. However, when the flexible display device is unfolded, deformation such as a crease in the support pattern may be visually recognized. In addition, when the flexible display device is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the support pattern may be damaged.
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 foldable display device constructed according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be repeatedly folded and unfolded without deformation in a support being visible or the support being damaged. For example, the support may include protrusions that are inclined at one or more predetermined angles such that the support pattern may not be visually recognized when the display device is unfolded.
In some exemplary embodiments, the supporter may be a support member and the protrusion may be a support pattern formed in the support member. The support patterns may be inclined at the same angle or include a reference support pattern, an inclined support pattern inclined at a first angle, and an opposite inclined support pattern inclined at a second angle.
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 practice of the inventive concept.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a display apparatus includes: a display panel having a foldable area; and a support disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel, the support including a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other in the foldable area and inclined with respect to the bottom surface.
The display panel may further include a display area, and a portion of the display area may be defined as a foldable area.
A first adhesive member may be disposed on the bottom surface of the support, the first adhesive member having an opening overlapping the foldable area.
The protrusion may include a support pattern inclined at one or more predetermined angles to block external light incident through the opening of the first adhesive member.
The support may include a support member having an opening defined by a space between the projections.
The opening may define an empty space.
The protrusion may include support patterns, each of the support patterns including a first side surface, a top surface adjacent to a first portion of the first side surface, and a bottom surface adjacent to a second portion of the first side surface opposite to the first portion, and the support patterns may include first and second support patterns adjacent to each other, wherein the top surface of the first support pattern overlaps the bottom surface of the second support pattern.
The support may include a support member and the protrusion may include support patterns formed in the support member, the support patterns including first to nth support patterns arranged in a first direction substantially parallel to a top surface of the display panel, where n is an integer of 1 or more, each of the first to nth support patterns may include a first side surface, a top surface adjacent to a first portion of the first side surface, and a bottom surface adjacent to a second portion of the first side surface opposite to the first portion; and a top surface of a kth support pattern and a bottom surface of a (k +1) th support pattern among the first to nth support patterns may overlap each other, where k is an integer between 1 and n.
An inner side surface of the support member adjacent to the first side surface of the first support pattern may be substantially parallel to the first side surface of the first support pattern.
The support member may include first to mth openings arranged in a first direction substantially parallel to a top surface of the display panel, wherein m is an integer of 1 or more; a jth opening of the first to mth openings is displaceable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; wherein j is an even number between 1 and m; and one of the support patterns may be positioned from each of the (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings of the first to mth openings in a third direction opposite to the second direction.
The protrusion may include support patterns, each of the support patterns may include a first side surface, a top surface of a first portion adjacent to the first side surface, a bottom surface of a second portion adjacent to the first side surface, opposite to the first portion, and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the support patterns may include a first support pattern, a second support pattern inclined at a first angle with respect to the first side surface of the first support pattern, and a third support pattern inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the second side surface of the first support pattern.
The first support pattern may include a reference support pattern, the second support pattern may include an inclined support pattern, and the third support pattern may include an opposite inclined support pattern, and the inclined support pattern and the opposite inclined support pattern may be substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the reference support pattern.
The support may include a support member and the protrusion may include support patterns formed in the support member, the support patterns including first to nth support patterns arranged in a first direction substantially parallel to a top surface of the display panel, where n is an integer of 1 or more, each of the first to nth support patterns may include a first side surface, a top surface adjacent to a first portion of the first side surface, a bottom surface adjacent to a second portion of the first side surface opposite to the first portion, and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and a k-th support pattern of the first to nth support patterns may be defined as a reference support pattern, the first to (k-1) th support patterns may be defined as an inclined support pattern inclined at a first angle with respect to the first side surface of the reference support pattern, and the (k +1) th to nth support patterns may be defined as reverse-inclined support patterns inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the second side surface of the reference support pattern, wherein k is an integer between 1 and n.
The first to (k-1) th support patterns and the (k +1) th to nth support patterns may be substantially symmetrical to each other based on the k-th support pattern.
A first inner side surface of the support member adjacent to the first side surface of the first support pattern may be substantially parallel to the first side surface of the first support pattern, and a second inner side surface of the support member adjacent to the second side surface of the nth support pattern and facing the first inner side surface of the support member may be substantially parallel to the second side surface of the nth support pattern.
The support member may include first to mth openings arranged in a first direction substantially parallel to a top surface of the display panel, wherein m is an integer of 1 or more, a jth opening of the first to mth openings may be shifted in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein j is an even number between 1 and m, and one of the support patterns may be positioned from each of (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings of the first to mth openings in a third direction opposite to the second direction.
The flexible member may be disposed between the support and the display panel.
The flexible member may include a shock-absorbing member, and further include a second adhesive member disposed between the shock-absorbing member and the support, wherein the second adhesive member may be in direct contact with the shock-absorbing member and the support.
The lower protective film may be disposed between the flexible member and the display panel.
The window member may be disposed on the display panel; and the protective film may be disposed on the window 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 an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a display panel of the display device of fig. 1 in a folded state.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I' of fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary support pattern that may be included in the display device of fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a region 'a' of the display apparatus of fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of another exemplary display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line II-II' of fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a region 'B' of the display apparatus of fig. 7.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
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 to which one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein apply. 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 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, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects and the like (individually or collectively, "elements" hereinafter) of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, exchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.
The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the drawings is generally used to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, unless otherwise indicated, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for particular materials, material characteristics, 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 descriptive purposes. While example embodiments may perform differently, certain process sequences may be performed differently than those described. For example, two processes described in succession may be executed substantially concurrently or may be executed in the reverse order from 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 mean physically, electrically, and/or fluidically connected, with or without intervening elements. Further, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D4 axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1, D2, and D4 axes 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" may 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," "above," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "side walls") and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes 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 "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and an orientation of below. Furthermore, 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, when the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," and/or "including" are used in this specification, the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, is specified, but does 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 thus, are used to interpret the inherent variation of measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one 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 exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, deviations in 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 particular illustrated shapes of regions but should 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, thus, are 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 an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a display panel of the display device of fig. 1 in a folded state. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I' of fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary support pattern that may be included in the display device of fig. 3.
Referring to fig. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the display apparatus 100 may include a display panel 200, a flexible member in the form of a shock-absorbing member 410, a support in the form of a support member 500, a lower protective film 300, a window member 480, a protective film 490, a first adhesive member 425, a second adhesive member 415, a third adhesive member 205, a fourth adhesive member 305, a fifth adhesive member 485, and the like.
The display panel 200 may include a display area 10 and a folding area 20. A plurality of pixels may be disposed in the display area 10, and an image may be displayed in the display area 10 by the pixels. For example, the display panel 200 may have a top surface or first surface S1 on which an image is displayed and a bottom surface or second surface S2 facing the first surface S1. In addition, the display panel 200 may have a first side surface SS1 and a second side surface SS2 facing the first side surface SS 1. The folding area 20 may be an area in which the display panel 200 is folded or unfolded. The portion 20 of the display area 10 may be defined as a fold area 20.
When the portion of the display panel 200 located in the folding area 20 is folded, the first and second side surfaces SS1 and SS2 may be adjacent to each other. Further, a portion of the display panel 200 located in the folding area 20 may have a generally curved shape. In this case, the first surface S1 may be located on the inner side, and the second surface S2 may be located on the outer side. Alternatively, the display panel 200 may be folded such that the first surface S1 is located on the outer side and the second surface S2 is located on the inner side.
Although the display panel 200 has been described as having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view, the shape of the display panel 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel 200 may have a substantially triangular shape, a substantially prismatic shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially circular shape, a substantially hollow elliptical shape, or a substantially elliptical shape when viewed in plan view.
Further, as shown in fig. 3, the support member 500 may include a plurality of protrusions, the plurality of protrusions may be in the form of support patterns 530 disposed in the folding region 20, and the support patterns 530 may be spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the openings 520 of the support member 500 may be defined by spaces between the support patterns 530. Further, the first adhesive member 425 may have an opening 427 overlapping the folding area 20.
Referring again to fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4, when the folding area 20 of the display panel 200 is folded or unfolded, the display apparatus 100 may be folded or unfolded in the folding area 20.
The support member 500 may be disposed on the bottom surface S2 of the display panel 200. In other words, the support member 500 may be disposed on the second surface S2 of the display panel 200, and may include a plurality of support patterns 530 formed in the folding area 20. In some exemplary embodiments, the support patterns 530 may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction D1 in the folding area 20 and may be inclined at a predetermined angle θ, wherein the first direction D1 is substantially parallel to the top surface S1 of the display panel 200. In addition, the support patterns 530 may extend in the second direction D2 or the third direction D3, and the second direction D2 or the third direction D3 is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1.
As shown in fig. 4, each of the support patterns 530 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a of a first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, a bottom surface 530c (or a bottom surface 530c facing the top surface 530 a) of a second portion 532d opposite to the first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, and a second side surface 530d facing the first side surface 530 b. The top surface 530a of the first support pattern 530 and the bottom surface 530c of the second support pattern 530 of two adjacent support patterns 530 may overlap each other (e.g., overlap in the thickness direction OR in a fourth direction D4 perpendicular to the first, second, and third directions D1, D2, and D3), and an overlapping portion may be defined as an overlapping area OR. When the bottom surface 530c of the second support pattern 530 overlaps the first portion 532b of the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 530 and the top surface 530a of the first support pattern 530, the overlap area OR may relatively increase. In this case, external light may be further prevented from being transmitted through the opening 520 in the fourth direction D4.
For example, the support patterns 530 may include first to nth support patterns 530 (where n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, each of the first to nth support patterns 530 to 530 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a, a bottom surface 530c, and a second side surface 530D, and a top surface 530a of a kth support pattern 530 (where k is an integer between 1 and n) of the first to nth support patterns 530 to 530 and a bottom surface 530c of a (k +1) th support pattern 530 may overlap each other.
The support pattern 530 may be inclined at a predetermined angle θ to block external light incident through the opening 427 of the first adhesive member 425. In other words, the support pattern 530 is inclined at the predetermined angle θ such that the bottom surface 413 of the second adhesive member 415 may not be exposed through the opening 520 of the support member 500 in a direction from the support member 500 to the display panel 200 (e.g., in the fourth direction D4).
For example, in another embodiment, the support member 500 included in the display apparatus 100 may include the support patterns 530 that are not inclined at the predetermined angle θ, and the support patterns 530 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1. The opening of the support member 500 may be defined by the space between the support patterns 530. The opening may be exposed in the fourth direction D4, and the bottom surface 413 of the second adhesive member 415 disposed on the support member 500 may be exposed through the opening. In this case, external light may pass through the opening in the fourth direction D4, and the shape of the support pattern 530 may be visually recognized on the first surface S1 of the display panel 200 by the external light.
In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the display apparatus 100 may include a support member 500, and the support member 500 includes a support pattern 530 inclined at a predetermined angle θ. The support pattern 530 has a predetermined angle θ such that the bottom surface 413 of the second adhesive member 415 may not be exposed through the opening 520 of the support member 500 and external light may not penetrate in the fourth direction D4. Accordingly, when the display apparatus 100 is unfolded, the shape of the support pattern 530 may not be visually recognized on the first surface S1 of the display panel 200.
Although the support pattern 530 and the support member 500 have been illustrated as being spaced apart from each other in fig. 3, the support pattern 530 may be connected to the support member 500 on the left and right sides of the support pattern 530 in other cross-sectional views of the portion of the display apparatus 100 located in the folding area 20. In other words, the opening 520 may be defined by the support pattern 530, and the support pattern 530 and the support members 500 positioned on the left and right sides of the support pattern 530 may be integrally formed.
In other exemplary embodiments, in other cross-sectional views of the portion of the display device 100 located in the folding region 20, the position of the opening 520 of the support member 500 may be changed (e.g., shifted in the first direction D1), and the position of the support pattern 530 may also be changed as the position of the opening 520 is changed (e.g., shifted in the first direction D1). In this case, in the other cross-sectional views described above, the number of the openings 520 and the number of the support patterns 530 may be changed (see fig. 9).
The support member 500 may be used to support the display panel 200 and may also be used to assist the folding of the display panel 200. For example, the support member 500 may be disposed over the second surface S2 of the display panel 200 to support the display panel 200, and the opening 520 formed in the folding area 20 may assist the display panel 200 by providing flexibility so that the display panel 200 may be folded. In addition, the opening 520 formed in the folding area 20 may prevent a crease from being generated on the first surface S1 in the folding area 20 of the display panel 200 due to repeated folding and unfolding of the display panel 200.
In some exemplary embodiments, the opening 520 may be configured as an empty space. In addition, each of the openings 520 may have a deformed shape when the display device 100 is folded and unfolded. For example, because each of the openings 520 has a geometric shape, the portion of the support member 500 located in the folding region 20 may be deformed in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the first direction D1) without being deformed in the fourth direction D4.
The support member 500 may include metal or plastic having a relatively large elastic force or a relatively large restoring force. In an exemplary embodiment, the support member 500 may include stainless steel (SUS). In some exemplary embodiments, the support member 500 may include nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), copper-zinc-nickel (Cu-Zn-Ni), or nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), or nickel-zinc (Cu-Zn-Ni),Copper-aluminum-nickel (Cu-Al-Ni), copper-aluminum-manganese (Cu-Al-Mn), titanium-nickel-copper-molybdenum (Ti-Ni-Cu-Mo), cobalt-nickel-gallium: one or more alloys (e.g., superelastic metals) of iron (Co-Ni-Ga: Fe), silver-nickel (Ag-Ni), gold-cadmium (Au-Cd), iron-platinum (Fe-Pt), iron-nickel (Fe-Ni), and indium-cadmium (In-Cd). In other exemplary embodiments, the support member 500 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like. For example, the support member 500 may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), palladium (Pd), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), scandium (Sc), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), an aluminum-containing alloy, an aluminum nitride (AlN), which may be used alone or in combination with each otherx) Silver-containing alloy, tungsten nitride (WN)x) Copper-containing alloy, molybdenum-containing alloy, titanium nitride (TiN)x) Chromium nitride (CrN)x) Tantalum nitride (TaN)x) Strontium ruthenium oxide (SrRu)xOy) Zinc oxide (ZnO)x) Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO)x) Indium oxide (InO)x) Gallium oxide (GaO)x) Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), and the like.
The first adhesive member 425 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the support member 500. The top surface of the first adhesive member 425 may be in direct contact with the support member 500, and the bottom surface of the first adhesive member 425 may be in contact with an optional disposition member surrounding the display apparatus 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the first adhesive member 425 may have an opening 427 overlapping with the opening 520. In other words, the opening 427 may overlap the folding area 20. The first adhesive member 425 may adhere the above-described setting member to the bottom surface of the support member 500 except for the folding area 20. The first adhesive member 425 may not be disposed inside each of the openings 520 so that the openings 520 may be configured as empty spaces. Further, when the display apparatus 100 is folded and unfolded, the shape of each of the openings 520 may be deformed, and the shape of each of the openings 520 may be easily deformed because the first adhesive member 425 includes the opening 427. Accordingly, the display apparatus 100 can be easily folded and unfolded.
The first adhesive member 425 may include an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, and the like. For example, the binder may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSul), Polyethylene (PE), polyphthalamide (PPA), Polyethersulfone (PEs), Polyarylate (PAR), polycarbonate oxide (PCO), modified polyphenylene ether (MPPO), and the like, and the resin may include an epoxy resin, an amino resin, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyimide resin, and the like.
The shock-absorbing member 410 may be disposed on the second surface S2 of the display panel 200. In other words, the shock-absorbing member 410 may be disposed between the support member 500 and the display panel 200. The shock-absorbing member 410 may protect the display panel 200 from external impacts. In addition, the shock-absorbing member 410 may include a flexible material so that the display panel 200 may be easily folded. For example, the shock-absorbing member 410 may include a material in the form of foam such as polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, or the like.
The second adhesive member 415 may be disposed between the shock-absorbing member 410 and the support member 500. The top surface of the second adhesive member 415 may be in direct contact with the shock-absorbing member 410, and the bottom surface of the second adhesive member 415 may be in direct contact with the support member 500. Further, the second adhesive member 415 may cover the opening 520. The second adhesive member 415 may adhere the shock-absorbing member 410 to the top surface of the support member 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the second adhesive member 415 may not be disposed inside each of the openings 520, so that the openings 520 may be configured as empty spaces. The second adhesive member 415 may include OCA, PSA, photocurable resin, thermosetting resin, and the like.
The lower protective film 300 may be disposed on the bottom surface S2 of the display panel 200. In other words, the lower protective film 300 may be disposed between the display panel 200 and the shock-absorbing member 410. The lower protective film 300 may include PET, PEN, PP, PC, PS, PSul, PE, PPA, PEs, PAR, PCO, MPPO, and the like.
The third adhesive member 205 may be disposed between the shock-absorbing member 410 and the lower protective film 300. The top surface of the third adhesive member 205 may be in direct contact with the lower protective film 300, and the bottom surface of the third adhesive member 205 may be in direct contact with the shock-absorbing member 410. Further, the third adhesive member 205 may include OCA, PSA, photocurable resin, thermosetting resin, or the like.
The fourth adhesive member 305 may be disposed between the lower protective film 300 and the display panel 200. The top surface of the fourth adhesive member 305 may be in direct contact with the display panel 200, and the bottom surface of the fourth adhesive member 305 may be in direct contact with the lower protective film 300. Further, the fourth adhesive member 305 may include OCA, PSA, photocurable resin, thermosetting resin, or the like.
The polarization structure may be disposed on the display panel 200. The polarization structure may block external light incident from the outside to the display panel 200. For example, the polarizing structure may include a linear polarizing film and a λ/4 phase retardation film. The λ/4 phase retardation film may be disposed on the display panel 200. The λ/4 phase retardation film can convert the phase of light. For example, the λ/4 phase retardation film may convert vertical oscillation light or horizontal oscillation light into right-circularly polarized light or left-circularly polarized light, and may convert right-circularly polarized light or left-circularly polarized light into vertical oscillation light or horizontal oscillation light. The λ/4 phase retardation film may include a birefringent film including a polymer, an alignment film formed of a liquid crystal polymer, a film including an alignment layer formed of a liquid crystal polymer, and the like.
The linear polarizing film may be disposed on the λ/4 phase retardation film. The linear polarizing film may selectively transmit light. For example, linear polarizing films may transmit vertically oscillating light or horizontally oscillating light. In this case, the linear polarizing film may have a horizontal line pattern or a vertical line pattern. When the linear polarization film includes a horizontal line pattern, the linear polarization film may block vertical oscillation light and may transmit horizontal oscillation light. When the linear polarization film has a vertical line pattern, the linear polarization film may block horizontal oscillation light and may transmit vertical oscillation light. The light transmitted through the linear polarizing film may pass through the λ/4 phase retardation film. As described above, the λ/4 phase retardation film can convert the phase of light. For example, a linear polarizing film having a horizontal line pattern may transmit horizontal oscillation light when the vertical oscillation light and the horizontal oscillation light pass through the linear polarizing film. When the horizontal oscillation light passes through the λ/4 phase retardation film, the horizontal oscillation light can be converted into left-handed circularly polarized light. The left-circularly polarized light may be reflected by the upper electrode 340 of fig. 5, and the light may be converted into right-circularly polarized light. When right-handed circularly polarized light passes through the λ/4 phase retardation film, the light can be converted into vertical oscillation light. In this case, the vertical oscillation light may not be transmitted through the linear polarization film having the horizontal line pattern. Accordingly, light can be extinguished through the linear polarizing film and the λ/4 phase retardation film. For example, the linear polarizing film may include an iodine-based material, a dye-containing material, a polyene-based material, and the like. In other exemplary embodiments, the sensing structure may be disposed on or below the polarizing structure. For example, the sensing structure may be substantially transparent, and light emitted from the display panel 200 may be visually recognized by a user of the display device 100 through the sensing structure. The sensing structure may include a sensing electrode. The sensing structure may detect a portion of a user's body, an object, etc. located in front of the display apparatus 100 through the sensing electrode.
The window member 480 may be disposed on the display panel 200. The window member 480 may protect the polarization structure, the display panel 200, and the like. The window member 480 may comprise tempered glass, tempered plastic, or the like.
The fifth adhesive member 485 may be disposed between the window member 480 and the display panel 200. A top surface of the fifth adhesive member 485 may be in direct contact with the window member 480, and a bottom surface of the fifth adhesive member 485 may be in direct contact with the display panel 200. Further, the fifth adhesive member 485 may include OCA, PSA, photocurable resin, thermosetting resin, or the like.
The protective film 490 may be disposed on the window member 480. For example, the protective film 490 may include an anti-fingerprint coating. The protective film 490 may include PET, PEN, PP, PC, PS, PSul, PE, PPA, PEs, PAR, PCO, MPPO, etc. including a fluorine (F) -based material.
The display apparatus 100 according to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the support member 500 having the support pattern 530 inclined at the predetermined angle θ such that the shape of the support pattern 530 may not be visually recognized on the first surface S1 of the display panel 200 when the display apparatus 100 is unfolded.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a region 'a' of the display apparatus of fig. 3.
Referring to fig. 5, the display panel 200 may include a substrate 110, a semiconductor element 250, a planarization layer 270, a lower electrode 290, a pixel defining layer 310, a light emitting layer 330, an upper electrode 340, a first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451, an organic thin film encapsulation layer 452, a second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453, and the like. The semiconductor element 250 may include an active layer 130, a gate insulating layer 150, a gate electrode 170, an insulating interlayer 190, a source electrode 210, and a drain electrode 230.
A substrate 110 including a transparent material or an opaque material may be provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel 200 has a substantially polygonal shape when viewed in a plan view, so that the substrate 110 may also have a substantially polygonal shape when viewed in a plan view.
The substrate 110 may be disposed on the fourth adhesive member 305. The substrate 110 may be formed of a transparent resin substrate. Examples of the transparent resin substrate that can be used as the substrate 110 include a polyimide substrate. In this case, the polyimide substrate may include a first polyimide layer, a barrier film layer, a second polyimide layer, and the like. In other exemplary embodiments, the substrate 110 may include a quartz substrate, a synthetic quartz substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a fluorine-doped quartz substrate (F-doped quartz substrate), a soda lime glass substrate, a non-alkali glass substrate, or the like.
The buffer layer may be disposed on the substrate 110. The buffer layer may prevent diffusion of metal atoms or impurities from the substrate 110 to the semiconductor element 250, and may control a heat transfer rate during a crystallization process for forming the active layer 130 to obtain a substantially uniform active layer 130. In addition, when the surface of the substrate 110 is not uniform, the buffer layer may serve to improve the flatness of the surface of the substrate 110. Depending on the type of the substrate 110, at least two buffer layers may be disposed on the substrate 110 or no buffer layers may be disposed thereon. For example, the buffer layer may include an organic material or an inorganic material.
The active layer 130 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The active layer 130 may include a metal oxide semiconductor, an inorganic semiconductor (e.g., amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon semiconductor), an organic semiconductor, and the like. The active layer 130 may have a source region and a drain region.
The gate insulating layer 150 may be disposed on the active layer 130. For example, the gate insulating layer 150 may sufficiently cover the active layer 130 on the substrate 110, and may have a substantially flat top surface without generating a step around the active layer 130. In some example embodiments, the gate insulating layer 150 may be disposed along the outline of the active layer 130 with a uniform thickness to cover the active layer 130 on the substrate 110. The gate insulating layer 150 may include a silicon compound, a metal oxide, and the like. For example, the gate insulating layer 150 may include silicon oxide (SiO)x) Silicon nitride (SiN)x) Silicon oxynitride (SiO)xNy) Silicon oxycarbide (SiO)xCy) Silicon carbonitride (SiC)xNy) Aluminum oxide (AlO)x) Aluminum nitride (AlN)x) Tantalum oxide (TaO)x) Hafnium oxide (HfO)x) Zirconium oxide (ZrO)x) Titanium oxide (TiO)x) And the like. In other exemplary embodiments, the gate insulating layer 150 may have a multi-layered structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
The gate electrode 170 may be disposed on the gate insulating layer 150. The gate electrode 170 may be disposed at a portion of the gate insulating layer 150 below which the active layer 130 is positioned. Gate electrode 170 can include metals, alloys, metal nitrides, conductive metal oxides, transparent conductive materials, and the like. For example, gate electrode 170 can include Au, Ag, Al, W, Cu, Pt, Ni, Ti, Pd, Mg, Ca, Li, Cr, Ta, Mo, Sc, Nd, Ir, aluminum-containing alloys, AlNxSilver-containing alloy, WNxCopper-containing alloy, molybdenum-containing alloy, TiNx、CrNx、TaNx、SrRuxOy、ZnOx、ITO、SnOx、InOx、GaOxIZO, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, gate electrode 170 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
An insulating interlayer 190 may be disposed on the gate electrode 170. The insulating interlayer 190 may sufficiently cover the gate electrode 170 on the gate insulating layer 150 and may have a substantially flat top surface without generating a step around the gate electrode 170. In some example embodiments, the insulating interlayer 190 may be disposed along the profile of the gate electrode 170 with a uniform thickness to cover the gate electrode 170 on the gate insulating layer 150. The insulating interlayer 190 may include a silicon compound, a metal oxide, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating interlayer 190 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
The source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may be disposed on the insulating interlayer 190. The source electrode 210 may be connected to the source region of the active layer 130 through a contact hole formed by removing the first portion of the gate insulating layer 150 and the first portion of the insulating interlayer 190, and the drain electrode 230 may be connected to the drain region of the active layer 130 through a contact hole formed by removing the second portion of the gate insulating layer 150 and the second portion of the insulating interlayer 190. Each of the source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, or the like. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, each of the source electrode 210 and the drain electrode 230 may have a multi-layer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
Accordingly, a semiconductor element 250 including the active layer 130, the gate insulating layer 150, the gate electrode 170, the insulating interlayer 190, the source electrode 210, and the drain electrode 230 may be provided.
Although the semiconductor element 250 has been described as having a top gate structure, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the semiconductor element 250 may have a bottom gate structure, a double gate structure, or the like.
In addition, although the display apparatus 100 has been described as including one semiconductor element, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the display device 100 may include at least one semiconductor element and at least one storage capacitor.
The planarization layer 270 may be disposed on the insulating interlayer 190, the source electrode 210, and the drain electrode 230. For example, the planarization layer 270 may be relatively thick. In this case, the planarization layer 270 may have a substantially flat top surface. In order to achieve a flat top surface of the planarization layer 270, a planarization process may be additionally performed on the planarization layer 270. In some exemplary embodiments, the planarization layer 270 may be disposed on the insulating interlayer 190 with a uniform thickness along the profile of the source and drain electrodes 210 and 230. The planarization layer 270 may be formed of an organic material or an inorganic material. In some example embodiments, the planarization layer 270 may include an organic material. For example, the planarization layer 270 may include photoresist, polyacrylate-based resin, polyimide-based resin, polyamide-based resin, siloxane-based resin, acrylic-based resin, epoxy-based resin, and the like.
The lower electrode 290 may be disposed on the planarization layer 270. The lower electrode 290 may be connected to the drain electrode 230 through a contact hole formed by removing a portion of the planarization layer 270, and the lower electrode 290 may be electrically connected to the semiconductor element 250. The lower electrode 290 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode 290 may have a multi-layered structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
The pixel defining layer 310 may be disposed on the planarization layer 270. For example, the pixel defining layer 310 may expose a portion of the top surface of the lower electrode 290 while covering both sides of the lower electrode 290. The pixel defining layer 310 may be formed of an organic material or an inorganic material. In some exemplary embodiments, the pixel defining layer 310 may include an organic material.
The light emitting layer 330 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer 310 and the lower electrode 290. The light emitting layer 330 may be formed by using at least one of light emitting materials for emitting different colors of light (i.e., red, green, blue, etc.) according to the sub-pixels. Alternatively, the light emitting layer 330 may be formed by laminating a plurality of light emitting materials for emitting different colors of light (such as red, green, and blue light) to emit white light as a whole. In this case, the color filter may be disposed on the light emitting layer 330 disposed on the lower electrode 290. The color filter may include at least one of a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. In some exemplary embodiments, the color filter may include a yellow color filter, a cyan color filter, and a magenta color filter. The color filter may include a photosensitive resin or a color photoresist.
The upper electrode 340 may be disposed on the light emitting layer 330 and the pixel defining layer 310. The upper electrode 340 may include a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the upper electrode 340 may have a multi-layered structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses from each other or may include different materials from each other.
The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may be disposed on the upper electrode 340. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may be disposed along the contour of the upper electrode 340 with a uniform thickness to cover the upper electrode 340. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may prevent the light emitting layer 330 from being deteriorated due to permeation of moisture, oxygen, or the like. In addition, the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may function to protect the display panel 200 from external impact. The first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 may include an inorganic material having flexibility.
The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may be disposed on the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451. The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may improve the flatness of the display panel 200 and protect the display panel 200. The organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 may include an organic material having flexibility.
A second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be disposed on the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be disposed along the contour of the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452 with a uniform thickness to cover the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may prevent the light emitting layer 330 from being deteriorated due to permeation of moisture, oxygen, or the like, together with the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451. In addition, the second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may function to protect the display panel 200 from external impact together with the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451 and the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452. The second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may include an inorganic material having flexibility.
Accordingly, a display panel 200 including the substrate 110, the semiconductor element 250, the planarization layer 270, the lower electrode 290, the pixel defining layer 310, the light emitting layer 330, the upper electrode 340, the first inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 451, the organic thin film encapsulation layer 452, and the second inorganic thin film encapsulation layer 453 may be provided.
Although the display apparatus 100 of some exemplary embodiments has been described as an organic light emitting diode display apparatus, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the display device 100 may include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a field emission display device (FED), a plasma display device (PDP), or an electrophoretic display device (EPD).
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
The display apparatus 700 shown in fig. 6 may have a configuration substantially the same as or similar to that of the display apparatus 100 described with reference to fig. 1 to 5, except for the support pattern 630. In fig. 6, in order to avoid redundancy, redundant description of components substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to fig. 1 to 5 may be omitted. For example, fig. 6 shows a state in which the display device 700 is unfolded.
Referring to fig. 6, the display apparatus 700 may include a display panel 200, a shock-absorbing member 410, a support member 500, a lower protective film 300, a window member 480, a protective film 490, a first adhesive member 425, a second adhesive member 415, a third adhesive member 205, a fourth adhesive member 305, a fifth adhesive member 485, and the like.
The support member 500 may include a plurality of support patterns 630 disposed in the folding area 20. The support patterns 630 may be spaced apart from each other. In this case, the openings 520 of the support member 500 may be defined by spaces between the support patterns 630. Further, the first adhesive member 425 may have an opening 427 overlapping the folding area 20.
The support member 500 may be disposed on the bottom surface S2 of the display panel 200. In other words, the support member 500 may be disposed on the second surface S2 of the display panel 200, and may include a plurality of support patterns 630 formed in the folding area 20. In some exemplary embodiments, the support patterns 630 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1 in the folding area 20, wherein the first direction D1 is substantially parallel to the top surface S1 of the display panel 200. In addition, the support patterns 630 may extend in the second direction D2 or the third direction D3, and the second direction D2 or the third direction D3 is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1.
Similar to that shown in fig. 4 for the support patterns 530, each of the support patterns 630 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a of a first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, a bottom surface 530c of a second portion 532d adjacent to the first side surface 530b opposite to the first portion 532b, and a second side surface 530d facing the first side surface 530 b.
Referring again to fig. 6, the support patterns 630 may include a reference support pattern 631, an inclined support pattern 632, and an opposite inclined support pattern 633. The reference support patterns 631 may be disposed substantially in the middle of the support patterns 630, each of the inclined support patterns 632 may be inclined at a first angle with respect to the first side surface 530b of the reference support pattern 631 while being spaced apart from each other, and each of the reverse inclined support patterns 633 may be inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the second side surface 530d of the reference support pattern 631 while being spaced apart from each other. In other words, the inclined support pattern 632 and the reverse inclined support pattern 633 may be substantially symmetrical to each other based on the reference support pattern 631.
For example, the support patterns 630 may include first to nth support patterns 630 through 630 (where n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, and each of the first to nth support patterns 630 through 630 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a, a bottom surface 530c, and a second side surface 530D. Among the first to nth support patterns 630 to 630, the k-th support pattern 630 (where k is an integer between 1 and n) may be defined as a reference support pattern 631, the first to (k-1) th support patterns 630 to 630 may be defined as inclined support patterns 632 inclined at a first angle with respect to a first side surface 530b of the reference support pattern 631, and the (k +1) -th support patterns 630 to 630 may be defined as reverse inclined support patterns 633 inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to a second side surface 530d of the reference support pattern 631. In addition, the first to (k-1) th support patterns 630 to 630 and the (k +1) th to nth support patterns 630 to 630 may be substantially symmetrical to each other based on the k-th support pattern 630.
For example, the support members included in the conventional display apparatus may include support patterns inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., an angle inclined from the fourth direction D4) to be asymmetrically disposed (e.g., disposed at an angle corresponding to the fourth direction D4) based on the reference support pattern, and the support patterns may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1. The openings of the support member may be defined by spaces between the support patterns. The opening may contract or expand when the conventional display device is folded or unfolded. In the conventional display apparatus, the range of contraction and expansion of the opening defined by the top surface of each of the support patterns may be relatively large, and the support member located in the folding region may be subjected to relatively large stress. Accordingly, the support pattern of the support member may be easily damaged.
In some exemplary embodiments, the display apparatus 700 may include a support pattern 630, the support pattern 630 including a reference support pattern 631, an inclined support pattern 632 inclined at a first angle, and an opposite inclined support pattern 633 inclined at a second angle. The inclined support patterns 632 and the reverse inclined support patterns 633 are symmetrically disposed such that the bottom surface (see '413' in fig. 3) of the second adhesive member 415 may not be exposed through the opening 520 of the support member 500 and external light may not penetrate in the fourth direction D4. Accordingly, when the display apparatus 700 is unfolded, the shape of the support pattern 630 may not be visually recognized on the first surface S1 of the display panel 200.
Further, the inclined support patterns 632 and the reverse inclined support patterns 633 are symmetrically disposed such that when the display apparatus 700 is folded or unfolded, the range of contraction and expansion of each of the openings 520 defined by the top surfaces 530a of each of the inclined support patterns 632 and the reverse inclined support patterns 633 may be relatively reduced and the support member 500 located in the folding area 20 may be subjected to relatively small stress. Accordingly, the support member 500 may not be easily damaged.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of another exemplary display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line II-II' of fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a region 'B' of the display apparatus of fig. 7.
The display apparatus 800 shown in fig. 7 to 9 may have a configuration substantially the same as or similar to that of the display apparatus 100 described with reference to fig. 1 to 5, except for the shape of the support member 500. In fig. 7 to 9, in order to avoid redundancy, redundant description of components substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to fig. 1 to 5 may be omitted. For example, fig. 7 to 9 show a state in which the display apparatus 800 is unfolded.
Referring to fig. 7, 8 and 9, the display apparatus 800 may include a display panel 200, a shock-absorbing member 410, a support member 500, a lower protective film 300, a window member 480, a protective film 490, a first adhesive member 425, a second adhesive member 415, a third adhesive member 205, a fourth adhesive member 305, a fifth adhesive member 485, and the like. In this case, as shown in fig. 9, a plurality of openings 535, a plurality of support patterns 530, and a plurality of openings 520 may be formed in the support member 500.
The support member 500 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the shock-absorbing member 410. In other words, the support member 500 may be disposed on the second surface S2 of the display panel 200, and may include a plurality of openings 535 formed in the folding area 20.
In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in fig. 9, the openings 535 may include an opening 531 arranged in a first direction D1 and an opening 532 laterally displaced in a second direction D2 and arranged in a first direction D1. In addition, the support member 500 may further include a plurality of support patterns 530 protruding in a third direction D3 opposite to the second direction D2. The support patterns 530 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1 in the folding area 20, and may be inclined at a predetermined angle θ. In addition, the support pattern 530 may extend in the second direction D2 or the third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1. In addition, the opening 520 may be defined by a space between two adjacent support patterns 530. The first side surface 530b of each of the support patterns 530 may be observed through the opening 520. In other words, the opening 520 and the first side surface 530b of each of the support patterns 530 may overlap each other in the fourth direction D4.
As shown in fig. 4, each of the support patterns 530 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a of a first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, a bottom surface 530c of a second portion 532d opposite to the first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, and a second side surface 530d facing the first side surface 530 b. The top surface 530a of the first support pattern 530 and the bottom surface 530c of the second support pattern 530 may overlap each other in the fourth direction D4, and the overlapping portion may be defined as an overlapping area OR, wherein the first support pattern 530 and the second support pattern 530 correspond to two adjacent support patterns 530 among the support patterns 530. When the bottom surface 530c of the second support pattern 530 overlaps the first portion 532b of the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 530 and the top surface 530a of the first support pattern 530, the overlap area OR may relatively increase.
For example, the support patterns 530 may include first to nth support patterns 530 (where n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, each of the first to nth support patterns 530 to 530 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a, a bottom surface 530c, and a second side surface 530D, and a top surface 530a of a kth support pattern 530 (where k is an integer between 1 and n) of the first to nth support patterns 530 to 530 and a bottom surface 530c of a (k +1) th support pattern 530 may overlap each other. Further, the support member 500 may include first to mth openings 535 (where m is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, a jth opening 535 (where j is an even number between 1 and m) of the first to mth openings 535 may be shifted in the second direction D2, and one of the support patterns 530 may be positioned from the (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings 535 of the first to mth openings 535, 535 in the third direction D3.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first inner side surface 502 of the support member 500 adjacent to the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 530 may be substantially parallel to the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 530, and the second inner side surface 504 of the support member 500 adjacent to the second side surface 530d of the nth support pattern 530 may be substantially parallel to the second side surface 530d of the nth support pattern 530.
The support pattern 530 may be inclined at a predetermined angle θ to block external light incident through the opening 427 of the first adhesive member 425. In other words, the support pattern 530 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ such that the bottom surface (see '413' in fig. 3) of the second adhesive member 415 may not be exposed through the opening 520 of the support member 500 in the fourth direction D4.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an expanded state.
The display apparatus 900 shown in fig. 10 may have a configuration substantially the same as or similar to that of the display apparatus 100 described with reference to fig. 1 to 5, except for the shape of the support member 500. In fig. 10, in order to avoid redundancy, redundant description of components substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to fig. 1 to 5 may be omitted. For example, fig. 10 shows a state in which the display apparatus 900 is unfolded.
Referring to fig. 10, the display apparatus 900 may include a display panel 200, a shock-absorbing member 410, a support member 500, a lower protective film 300, a window member 480, a protective film 490, a first adhesive member 425, a second adhesive member 415, a third adhesive member 205, a fourth adhesive member 305, a fifth adhesive member 485, and the like. In this case, as shown in fig. 9, a plurality of openings 535, a plurality of support patterns 530, and a plurality of openings 520 may be formed in the support member 500.
The support member 500 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the shock-absorbing member 410. In other words, the support member 500 may be disposed on the second surface S2 of the display panel 200, and may include a plurality of openings 535 formed in the folding area 20.
As shown in fig. 9, the openings 535 may include an opening 531 arranged in the first direction D1 and an opening 532 displaced in the second direction D2 and arranged in the first direction D1. In addition, the support member 500 may further include a plurality of support patterns 630 protruding in a third direction D3 opposite to the second direction D2. The supporting patterns 630 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1 in the folding region 20, and the supporting patterns 630 may extend in the second direction D2 or the third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1.
As shown in fig. 4, each of the support patterns 630 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a of a first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, a bottom surface 530c of a second portion 532d opposite to the first portion 532b adjacent to the first side surface 530b, and a second side surface 530d facing the first side surface 530 b.
Referring again to fig. 10, the support patterns 630 may include a reference support pattern 631, an inclined support pattern 632, and an opposite inclined support pattern 633. The reference support patterns 631 may be disposed in the middle of the support patterns 630, each of the inclined support patterns 632 may be inclined at a first angle with respect to the first side surface 530b of the reference support pattern 631 while being spaced apart from each other, and each of the reverse inclined support patterns 633 may be inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the second side surface 530d of the reference support pattern 631 while being spaced apart from each other. In other words, the inclined support pattern 632 and the reverse inclined support pattern 633 may be substantially symmetrical to each other based on the reference support pattern 631. Further, as shown in fig. 9, the opening 520 may be defined by a space between two adjacent support patterns 630. The first side surface 530b of each of the support patterns 630 may be observed through the opening 520. In other words, the opening 520 and the first side surface 530b of each of the support patterns 630 may overlap each other in the fourth direction D4.
For example, the support patterns 630 may include first to nth support patterns 630 through 630 (where n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, and each of the first to nth support patterns 630 through 630 may include a first side surface 530b, a top surface 530a, a bottom surface 530c, and a second side surface 530D. Among the first to nth support patterns 630 to 630, the k-th support pattern 630 (where k is an integer between 1 and n) may be defined as a reference support pattern 631, the first to (k-1) th support patterns 630 to 630 may be defined as inclined support patterns 632 inclined at a first angle with respect to a first side surface 530b of the reference support pattern 631, and the (k +1) -th support patterns 630 to 630 may be defined as reverse inclined support patterns 633 inclined at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to a second side surface 530d of the reference support pattern 631. In addition, the first to (k-1) th support patterns 630 to 630 and the (k +1) th to nth support patterns 630 to 630 may be substantially symmetrical to each other based on the k-th support pattern 630. Further, the support member 500 may include first to mth openings 535 (where m is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D1, a jth opening 535 (where j is an even number between 1 and m) of the first to mth openings 535 may be shifted in the second direction D2, and one of the support patterns 630 may be positioned from each of the (j-1) th and (j +1) th openings 535 of the first to mth openings 535, 535 in the third direction D3.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first inner side surface 502 of the support member 500 adjacent to the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 630 may be substantially parallel to the first side surface 530b of the first support pattern 630, and the second inner side surface 504 of the support member 500 adjacent to the second side surface 530d of the nth support pattern 630 may be substantially parallel to the second side surface 530d of the nth support pattern 630.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be applied to various electronic devices including a display device. For example, some example embodiments may be applied to vehicle display devices, ship display devices, airplane display devices, portable communication devices, display devices for display or for information transfer, medical display devices, and the like.
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 is to be limited only by the broader scope of the appended claims and by various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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