Display device

A display device includes: a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a display element and a signal line on the first surface; a first wire on the second surface and electrically connected to the signal line; a cover portion on the second surface; and a first driving unit on the second surface and electrically connected to the first wire. The first wire includes a portion exposed outside the cover portion, and the first driving unit is connected to the first wire at the portion of the first wire which is exposed outside the cover portion.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0145117 filed on Nov. 13, 2019, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display device.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A display device such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), an organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) display, etc. includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels with which an image is displayed. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode for receiving a data signal, and the pixel electrode may be connected to at least one transistor to receive the data signal.

Signal lines or various voltage lines connected to the pixel may receive electronic driving signals or electronic voltages from a driving circuit unit. The driving circuit unit may be mounted on the display panel in a form of a driving circuit chip or mounted on a printed circuit board (“PCB”) connectable to the display panel.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display device in which an area of a dead space of the display device is reduced and for which a degradation of a display element of a display area of the display device is reduced or effectively prevented.

A display device includes: a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a display element and a signal line on the first surface; a first wire on the second surface and electrically connected to the signal line; a cover portion on the second surface; and a first driving unit on the second surface and electrically connected to the first wire. The first wire includes a portion exposed outside the cover portion, and the first driving unit is connected to the first wire at the portion of the first wire which is exposed outside the cover portion.

The cover portion may include a plurality of layers and an adhesive layer which is between the plurality of layers.

The plurality of layers may include a heat dissipation layer.

The heat dissipation layer may include copper or graphite.

The adhesive layer may include an outer surface which is closest to the substrate and has an embossed shape.

The substrate may include a display area in which the display element is provided, and a peripheral area adjacent to the display area and in which the signal line is provided. The cover portion may correspond to both the display area and the peripheral area.

The display device may include an enclosed opening and the portion of the first wire may be exposed outside the cover portion at the enclosed opening in the cover portion.

The enclosed opening in the cover portion may have a planar size defined along the second surface of the substrate, and the first driving unit may include a driving circuit chip which has a planar size smaller than the planar size of the opening.

The substrate may include a side surface which connects the first surface to the second surface, and in a direction along the second surface of the substrate, the cover portion may include an edge which is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate with the portion of the first wire therebetween.

The first driving unit may be a driving circuit chip, and in the direction along the second surface of the substrate, an entirety of the driving circuit chip may be between the side surface of the substrate and the edge of the cover portion.

The display device may include a second wire on the second surface and spaced away from the first wire, and a second driving unit on the second surface and electrically connected to the second wire. The second wire may include a portion exposed outside the cover portion, and the second driving unit may be connected to the second wire at the portion of the second wire which is exposed outside the cover portion.

The second driving unit may be a flexible printed circuit film.

The display device may include an enclosed opening defined in the cover portion. The portion of the second wire may be exposed outside the cover portion at the enclosed opening in the cover portion.

The substrate may include a side surface which connects the first surface to the second surface, and in a direction along the second surface of the substrate, the cover portion may include an edge which is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate with the portion of the first wire and the portion of the second wire therebetween.

The second driving unit may extend from the portion of the second wire to overlap the cover portion.

The substrate may include a display area in which the display element is provided, a peripheral area adjacent to the display area and in which the signal line is provided, and an end portion of the peripheral area in which an opening in the substrate is defined. The first wire may be electrically connected to the signal line at the opening in the substrate at the end portion of the peripheral area.

A display device includes: a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a light-emitting element and a signal line on the first surface; a first wire on the second surface and electrically connected to the signal line; a cover portion on the second surface and corresponding to the light-emitting element on the first surface; and a first driving unit on the second surface and electrically connected to the first wire. The first wire includes a portion exposed outside the cover portion, and the first driving unit is connected to the first wire at the portion of the first wire which is exposed outside the cover portion.

The display device may include an enclosed opening defined in the cover portion. The portion of the first wire may be exposed outside the cover portion at the enclosed opening in the cover portion.

The substrate may include a side surface which connects the first surface to the second surface, and in a direction along the second surface of the substrate, the cover portion may include an edge which is spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate with the portion of the first wire therebetween.

A display device includes: a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a light-emitting element and a signal line on the first surface; a first wire on the second surface and electrically connected to the signal line; a cover portion on the second surface, the cover portion including copper or graphite; and a first driving unit disposed on the second surface and electrically connected to the first wire. The first wire includes a portion exposed outside the cover portion including copper or graphite, and the first driving unit is connected to the first wire at the portion of the first wire which is exposed outside the cover portion copper or graphite.

According to one or more embodiment, a planar area of the dead space within the display device may be reduced and the deterioration of the display element in a display area of the display device may be reduced or effectively prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For clarity of description of the invention, parts unrelated to description are omitted, and the same reference numbers will be used throughout this specification to refer to the same or like parts.

Further, in the drawings, size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily illustrated for ease of description, and the invention is not necessarily limited to those illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. In the drawings, for ease of description, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, “a”, “an,” “the,” and “at least one” do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “an element” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

Throughout this specification, a plan view (or top plan view) means a view of a surface parallel to two directions (e.g., a first direction DR1and a second direction DR2) crossing each other, and a cross-sectional view means a view of a surface along a direction (e.g., a third direction DR3) which crosses each of the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2. The third direction DR3may otherwise be referred to as a thickness direction. The third direction DR3may be perpendicular to the surface which is disposed in plane defined by the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2, without being limited thereto. Also, to overlap two constituent elements means that two constituent elements are overlapped along the third direction DR3unless stated otherwise.

A display device according to one or more embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 4.

FIG. 1is a top plan view of an embodiment of a display device1000,FIG. 2is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display device1000,FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an end portion of a display device1000, andFIG. 4is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover portion200of a display device1000.

Referring toFIG. 1, a display device1000includes a display panel100including a display area DA and a peripheral area PA which is disposed adjacent to, such as outside of the display area DA. Various components of the display device1000may include a display area DA and a peripheral area PA corresponding to the display area DA and the peripheral area PA described above for the display device1000.

Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3, the display panel100includes a substrate110including a first surface10and a second surface20which is opposite to the first surface10.

The display area DA is a planar area in which an image is displayed. The image may be displayed according to one or more electronic signals applied to a component in the display area DA, such as an input image signal. Within the display area DA, a pixel PX provided in plural (e.g., a plurality of pixels PX), a gate line121provided in plural (e.g., a plurality of gate lines121), and a data line171provided in plural (e.g., a plurality of data lines171), may be disposed.

The pixel PX is a basic unit for displaying the image. The pixel PX may be a portion of the display panel100at which light is generated and/or emitted for displaying the image. Each one of the pixel PX among a plurality of pixels PX, may include a pixel circuit including at least one transistor Q (e.g., switching element) and a display unit ER for generating and/or emitting light for displaying the image. The display unit ER may be connected to and driven by the pixel circuit, to generate light, emit light, display the image, etc.

At least one pixel electrode may be disposed in the display unit ER. The pixel electrode may be electrically connected directly to the transistor Q or indirectly through another electrical element. The display unit ER, for example, may include the pixel electrode, a common electrode, and a display element disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The display element may include a light emitting diode (“LED”) including an emission layer, without being limited thereto.

The plurality of pixels PX may be regularly arranged, for example, arranged in a matrix form, within the display area DA.

In order to represent various colors, each pixel PX may generate, emit and/or display light of one color among primary colors. The image of a desired color may be recognized by a spatial and temporal sum of these primary colors. The primary colors may include, for example, three primary colors such as red, green and blue, and may include white.

The gate line121may transmit an electrical signal such as a gate signal including a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage, to a gate terminal of the transistor Q of the pixel PX. The plurality of gate lines121may be arranged substantially parallel to each other, such as parallel to the second direction DR2. Each of the gate lines121may extend substantially along the first direction DR1. Each of the gate lines121may define a length thereof extended along the first direction DR1.

The data line171may transmit an electrical signal such as a data voltage corresponding to the input image signal, to a source terminal of the transistor Q of the pixel PX. The plurality of data lines171may be arranged substantially parallel to the first direction DR1. Each of the data lines171may extend substantially along the second direction DR2. Each of the data lines171may define a length thereof extended along the second direction DR2.

The transistor Q of the pixel PX may be turned on or turned off according to the gate signal transmitted from the gate line121to receive the data voltage from the data line171. A pixel voltage corresponding to the data voltage is applied to the pixel electrode, so that the display unit ER of each pixel PX may generate the light, emit the light and/or display the image.

Referring toFIG. 3, the pixel PX, the gate line121, and the data line171may be disposed in a layer120disposed on the first surface10of the substrate110. The layer120may be a single layer, without being limited thereto. Thicknesses of the pixel PX, the gate line121and the data line171may each be within a total thickness of the layer120, along the third direction DR3. The layer120may otherwise be referred to as a display layer or display element layer.

The peripheral area PA may be an area that mostly does not generate light, emit light and/or display the image. The peripheral area PA may be a planar area adjacent to the display area DA. In an embodiment, for example, the peripheral area PA may surround the display area DA in the top plan view. The peripheral area PA in which an image is not displayed may be referred to as dead space or a non-display area.

A voltage line172, a driving signal line, a circuit, etc. may be disposed in the peripheral area PA. One or more of these elements may be connected to an element within the display area DA, such as an element within the pixel PX.FIG. 1illustrates driving units400aand400b(e.g., drivers400aand400b) and a voltage line172disposed in the peripheral area PA as an example.

FIG. 1illustrates an example that the driving units400aand400bare respectively disposed at the left and right portions of the peripheral area PA (e.g., peripheral areas PA), with respect to the display area DA. That is, the driving units400aand400bare disposed facing each other with the display area DA therebetween. The driving units400aand400bmay include a gate driving circuit connected to the gate line121and from which the gate signal is transmitted. The gate driving circuits of the drivers400aand400bin the peripheral area PA may be provided or formed on the first surface10of the substrate110together with the transistor Q of the pixel PX positioned in the display area DA. In an embodiment, one of the driving units400aand400bmay be omitted.

The voltage line172may include a portion extending along a circumference (e.g., an outer edge or boundary) of the display area DA. The voltage line172may be provided or formed on the first surface10of the substrate110.

The peripheral area PA of the substrate110may include or define a through part THA, positioned between an edge110E (or a side surface) of the substrate110and the display area DA. The edge110E of the substrate110may extend substantially parallel to the first direction DR1. The side surface at the edge110E may be parallel to a plane defined by the first direction DR1and the third direction DR3, without being limited thereto.

The data line171, the voltage line172and a driving signal line connected to the driving units400aand400b, may include a wire130(e.g., first wire) of which a portion thereof is disposed in the through part THA or may be connected to the wire130. That is, the data line171, the voltage line172, and the driving signal line connected to the driving units400aand400bas elements on the first surface10, may electrically extend to the through part THA, by including or being connected to the wire130. The wire130may be located in the peripheral area PA. The wire130may extend from the peripheral area PA into the display area DA or from one portion of the peripheral area to a different portion of the peripheral area PA. In an embodiment, the wire130at the first surface10may connect the peripheral area PA to the display area DA, such that electrical signals may be provided from outside the display panel100, through the peripheral area PA, and to the display area DA. The wire130may connect different portions of the peripheral area PA to each other such that electrical signals may be provided from outside the display panel100, through a first region of the peripheral area PA and to a second region of the peripheral area PA. As used herein, a wire130(or a wire140or a wire150) may otherwise be referred to as a conductive wire, a signal wire, a conductive signal wire, etc. The wire130may be provided in plural (e.g., wires130) on the substrate110.

On the first surface10of the substrate110, the wire130in the peripheral area PA, may be disposed in a same layer as or in different layers from the data line171disposed in the display area DA, the voltage line172positioned in the left and right peripheral areas PA of the display area DA, and other driving signal lines.

As being in a same layer, elements may be respective portions of a same material layer on the substrate110, thicknesses of elements of a same layer may be within a total thickness of the same layer measured from a surface of the substrate110, elements may be disposed at a same distance from the substrate110along the third direction DR3(e.g., along a thickness direction of the substrate110), etc.

Referring toFIG. 3, the substrate110may include an opening115penetrating the substrate110along the third direction DR3at the through part THA. Portions of the substrate110may define the opening115. The opening115may be open to outside the substrate110at both the first surface10and the second surface20. That is, the opening115may be disposed at the through part THA.

A connection portion180having electrical conductivity may be disposed in the opening115. The wire130disposed on the first surface10of the substrate110and outside of the opening115, may be in contact with and electrically connected to the connection portion180at the opening115and/or the through part THA.

A wire140(e.g., second wire) may be disposed on the second surface20of the substrate110and outside of the opening115, to be in contact with and electrically connected to the connection portion180at the opening115and/or the through part THA. Accordingly, the wire130may be electrically connected to the wire140through the connection portion180. The wire140may be provided in plural (e.g., wires140) on the substrate110.

The connection portion180may include the wire130or the wire140(or a portion thereof), may include a conductive material different from the wire130or the wire140, or may include the same conductive material as the wire130and/or the wire140. In an embodiment of manufacturing a display device1000, when the connection portion180includes a same conductive material as the wire130or the wire140, the connection portion180may be simultaneously provided or formed when the wire130or the wire140is provided or formed. In this case, a boundary line between the connection portion180and the wire130or the wire140shown inFIG. 3may not be visible. That is, the connection portion180, together with a portion of the wire130and/or the wire140, may form a single unitary body without an interface therebetween at a boundary line. In an embodiment, the wire130outside of the substrate110at the first surface10thereof, may extend into the opening115to be disposed in the opening115. Similarly, the wire140outside of the substrate110at the second surface20thereof may extend into the opening115to be disposed in the opening115. Conversely, in an embodiment, the connection portion180in the opening115may extend outside of the opening115to be disposed outside of the substrate110at the first surface10and/or the second surface20.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, a wire150(e.g., third wire) may be disposed on the second surface20of the substrate110. The wire150may be spaced apart from the wire140along the substrate110. A portion of the wire150may be connected to the wire140. A portion of one among the wire150and the wire140may define the other one among the wire150and the wire140. The wire150may include a same material as the wire140or may include a different material from the wire140. In an embodiment of manufacturing a display device1000, when the wire150includes a same conductive material as the wire140, the wire150may be simultaneously provided or formed when the wire140is provided or formed. The wire150may be provided in plural (e.g., wires150) on the substrate110.

A cover portion200is disposed on the wire140and the wire150(which means a lower side of the wire140and the wire150in the drawing and is the same later). The cover portion200may be in a form of a composite film (e.g., film-type) or a panel (e.g., panel-type) including at least one film or layer having heat dissipation and impact resistance characteristics.

Referring toFIG. 4, for example, the cover portion200may include a plurality of layers201to210. The plurality of layers201to210may include at least one heat dissipation layer and an adhesive layer.

In an embodiment, for example, the layer201may include a metal which transfers heat (e.g., heat transfer layer with a heat transfer rate which allows heat to be transferred relatively easily) such as copper (Cu), the layer203may include graphite, at least one of the layers205and207may include a plastic such as polyimide (“PI”) or polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), and the layer209may include a cushioning material to define a cushioning layer. In an embodiment, more specifically, the layer205may include polyimide and the layer207may include PET. The layer207may include PET which is printed and has a black color. The layer209including the cushioning material may include, for example, a sponge, a polyurethane foam, or the like, and may effectively absorb heat and quickly discharge the heat. The positions of these layers201,203,205,207, and209may be interchanged, and at least some layers201,203,205,207, and209may be omitted or the materials may vary within the cover portion200. In addition, at least two of the plurality of layers201,203,205,207, and209may include one layer including the material of the corresponding layers.

The layers202,204,206,208, and210disposed respectively between the layers201,203,205,207, and209described above may include an adhesive material to define an adhesive layer. In an embodiment, for example, the layers202,204,206,208,210may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”). The layers202,204,206,208and210are collectively referred to as adhesive layers.

The layer210as an outermost layer within the cover portion200may have an embossed shape at an outer surface of the layer210. Among the various layers of the cover portion200, the layer210within the cover portion200may be the layer closest to the substrate110shown inFIG. 3. That is, the cover portion200may be attached to the second surface20of the substrate110through the layer210.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the cover portion200has an opening250exposing at least a portion of the wire140and the wire150. The opening250may be an enclosed opening which defined by portions of the cover portion200. A portion of the second surface20of the substrate110is exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250defined therein. The cover portion200of a display device1000, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, may have a single one of the opening250or may have the opening250provided in plural (e.g., a plurality of openings250). The opening250may be surrounded by the remaining portion of the cover portion200, such that portions of the cover portion200define the opening250. That is, the opening250may be in a form of a hole disposed or defined inside the cover portion200. The opening250may penetrate a thickness of the cover portion200along the third direction DR3. A single one of the opening250may be common to a plurality of wires140and/or wires150.

The opening250of the cover portion200may expose at least a portion of the wires140and the wires150, such that the wires140and the wires150are exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250. That is, the cover portion200may not overlap at least a portion of the wires140and150. In an embodiment, for example, as shown inFIG. 3, a first end145of the wire140and a first end of the wire150may be exposed outside the cover portion200at the opening250.

The planar shape of the opening250may be substantially rectangular as shown inFIG. 2, or may have various other shapes.

The outer edge of the cover portion200except for the opening250may be substantially coincident with or aligned with the edge110E of the substrate110. Accordingly, a total planar area of the cover portion200including the planar area of the opening250may be substantially the same as a total planar area of the substrate110.

A driving unit500(e.g., first driving unit) may be attached and/or electrically connected to the first end145of the wire140which is exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250. The driving unit500may be, for example, in a form of a driving circuit chip, and may include a data driving circuit that generates the data voltage to be applied to the plurality of data lines171of the display panel100.

The driving unit500may also be electrically connected to a first end155of the wire150. In this case, the driving unit500may also be attached to the first end155of the wire150. A planar area defined by the driving unit500overlapping one or more of the wire150and one or more of the wire140, may define an attachment area of the driving unit500with respect to the wire140and/or the wire150.

Referring toFIG. 2, a planar size of the opening250of the cover portion200may be larger than a planar size of the driving unit500, in a plan view of a rear surface of the display device1000. That is, the opening250in the cover portion200has a planar size defined along the second surface20of the substrate110, and the driving unit500as a driving circuit chip has a planar size smaller than the planar size of the opening250.

A driving unit600(e.g., second driving unit) may be attached and/or electrically connected to a second end156of the wire150which is opposite to the first end155thereof and exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250. The driving unit600may be, for example, in a form of a flexible printed circuit film or a printed circuit board (“PCB”) and generate the various driving voltages, driving signals, control signals, and the like to be applied to the driving unit500and the display panel100. A planar area defined by the driving unit600overlapping one or more of the wire150may define an attachment area of the driving unit600with respect to the wire150.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in the rear view, the driving unit600may include a portion overlapping the opening250of the cover portion200and a portion overlapping the cover portion200except for the opening250. That is, the driving unit600may extend along a rear surface of the cover portion200and further than an inner sidewall of the cover portion200which defines the opening250, to dispose a portion of the driving unit600within the opening250. A first end of the driving unit600may be disposed corresponding to the opening250.

The cover portion200may cover most of the second surface20except for a portion at which the driving units500and600are attached to the wires140and150. That is, the cover portion200may overlap most of the display area DA where the plurality of transistors is disposed and the left and right peripheral areas PA. A single one of the cover portion200may correspond to the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. The cover portion200may contact (e.g., form an interface with) one or more elements on the second surface20of the substrate110, such as the driving units500and600, the wire140and the wire150, without being limited thereto.

The driving units500and600attached to the display panel100at the second surface20as the rear surface of the substrate110and which generate/provide various electrical signals for driving elements of the display area DA, are electrically connected to the data line171of the display area DA, the voltage line172, the driving units400aand400b, the various other driving signal lines at the first surface10of the substrate110, through the wires140and150at the second surface20, together with the connection portion180penetrating the substrate110and the wire130disposed on the first surface10of the substrate110, thereby transmitting the driving signal and the driving voltage (e.g., electrical signals) between elements respectively disposed at the second surface20and the first surface10.

In a conventional display device, a relatively large planar area of the peripheral area PA at the first surface10of the substrate110of the display panel100is provided for attaching the driving unit such as the driving circuit chip or the flexible printed circuit film. As above-described, according to an embodiment, the driving units500and600such as the driving circuit chip for driving the display panel100and the flexible printed circuit film are not attached to the peripheral area PA of the first surface10of the substrate110as the same surface at which the pixel PX is provided or formed, but are attached on the second surface20as the rear surface of the substrate110. Therefore, different from the prior art, a planar area at which the driving unit such as the driving circuit chip or the flexible printed circuit film is attached is reduced. Therefore, the planar area of the dead space of the display device1000according to one or more embodiment may be greatly reduced.

When the driving units500and600are disposed on the second surface20of the substrate110as shown in the embodiment, a planar area at which the driving units500and600and the wires140and150are attached to each other may be disposed close to or corresponding to the display area DA and/or the driving circuit such as the driving units400aand400bwhich occupy a planar area at the first surface10. That is, the driving units500and600are attached to the wires140and150at the rear surface of the substrate110, and an attachment area defined along the second surface20corresponds to components at the front surface (e.g., components in the display area DA and/or components like the driving circuit such as the driving units400aand400b).

In an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the display device1000, heat compression may be applied to mount the driving units500and600to the second surface20of the substrate110. Heat generated during the heat compression may be transmitted to the pixels PX of the display area DA or to the driving circuits such as the driving units400aand400bwhich are at the first surface10of the substrate110, such that electrical elements which are at the first surface10(e.g., the plurality of transistors Q, the display elements, and the gate driving circuits, etc.) may be deteriorated and damaged due to the heat.

However, according to one or more embodiment, the cover portion200on the second surface20of the substrate110covers most of the second surface20of the substrate110except for the planar region at which the driving units500and600are attached to the wire140and/or the wire150, and may overlap the display area DA and the peripheral area PA (e.g., portions of the peripheral area PA at left and right of the display area DA). The cover portion200may transmit heat generated during the heat compression in attachment of the driving units500and600on the second surface20of the substrate110. Therefore, since the heat generated during the heat compression during mounting of the driving units500and600on the second surface20, which is the rear surface of the substrate110, may be emitted through the cover portion200in a direction away from various electrical elements at the first surface10(e.g., components of the pixel PX, the driving units400aand400b, etc.), damage or degradation of such electrical elements due to the heat may be reduced or effectively prevented.

An embodiment of a display device1000is hereinafter described with reference toFIG. 5as well as the above-described drawings.

FIG. 5is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display device1000.

Referring toFIG. 5, the display device1000is the same as most of the display device1000of the above-described embodiment, however, the driving unit600may be attached to a portion157of the wire150to be electrically connected thereto, and an entirety of the driving unit600may be within the opening250of the cover portion200(e.g., does not overlap a solid portion of the cover portion200which defines the opening250). The driving unit600may be in a form of a flexible printed circuit film or a driving circuit chip.

According to an embodiment, the wire150may be omitted, and in this case, one of the driving unit500of the type of the driving circuit chip and/or the driving unit600of the type of the flexible printed circuit film, may be attached to the wire140at the through part THA.

An embodiment of a manufacturing method of the display device1000is described with reference toFIG. 6toFIG. 9as well as the above-described drawings.FIG. 6toFIG. 9are perspective views of a display device1000in an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the display device1000.

Referring toFIG. 6along withFIG. 1, after providing or forming a plurality of pixels PX, the driving units400aand400b, and the various voltage lines and signal lines on the first surface10which is the front surface of the substrate110, the wires140and150are provided or formed on the second surface20which is the rear surface of the substrate110. The wire140may include a first end145, and the wire150may include a first end155and a second end156which is opposite to the first end155. The wire140may be electrically connected to the various voltage lines and signal lines on the first surface10of the substrate110, through the through part THA of the substrate110as above-described.

Referring toFIG. 7, the cover portion200having the opening250is attached to the substrate110at the second surface20of the substrate110. In this case, the first end145of the wire140, and the first end155and the second end156of the wire150may each be exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250. As described above, in an embodiment, the wire150may be omitted. That is, the cover portion200which is attachable to the substrate110at the second surface20, disposes a portion of the wire140and a portion of the wire150exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250.

Referring toFIG. 8, the driving units500are aligned with the first end145and the first end155of the wires140and150which are exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250of the cover portion200. Compression is applied, such as by using a compression device300, to mount the driving unit500to the substrate110at the second surface20of the substrate110. At this time, a heat compression process may be performed.

Referring toFIG. 9, the driving unit600is aligned with the second end156or the portion of the wire150which is exposed to outside the cover portion200at the opening250of the cover portion200. Compression is applied, such as by using the compression device300, to mount the driving unit600to the substrate110at the second surface20of the substrate110. At this time, the heat compression process may be performed.

When the heat compression process is performed, since heat generated during heat compressing of the driving units500and600at the second surface20which is the rear surface of the substrate110is discharged by the cover portion200as above-described, damage to the display element of the pixel PX of the display device1000or the electrical elements of the driving circuit such as the driving units400aand400bat the first surface10of the substrate110, from the heat, may be reduced or effectively prevented.

FIG. 10andFIG. 11are perspective views of an embodiment of a display device1000a.

Since the display device1000ais substantially the same as the display device1000of the above-described embodiment, differences are mainly described.

Referring toFIG. 10, the wire140aand wire150aincluded in a display panel100of the display device1000aare the same as the wire140and the wire150of the above-described embodiment. However, the wire140aand wire150amay be disposed closer to the edge110E of the substrate110than the wire140and the wire150.

A cover portion200ais substantially the same as the cover portion200described above, except the cover portion200adefines an edge200E spaced apart from the edge110E of the substrate110. Portions of the wire140aand the wire150aare exposed to outside the cover portion200aat the edge200E. The edge200E of the cover portion200afaces the edge110E of the substrate110, with the portions of the wire140aand the wire150atherebetween. The cover portion200aaccording to the present embodiment may not have the same opening250as the above-described embodiment. That is, the cover portion200aaccording to the present embodiment may be continuously provided or formed as a solid portion along a direction, without a hole or opening250defined therein.

The driving unit500is attached a first end145aand a first end155aof the wires140aand150a, respectively, that are not covered by the cover portion200aand are exposed outside thereof to be electrically connected to the driving unit500. The driving unit600may be attached and electrically connected to a second end156aof the wire150athat is not covered by the cover portion200aand is exposed to outside thereof. InFIG. 10, the driving unit500is illustrated as transparent for convenience of description and understanding.

The cover portion200amay not be disposed between the driving unit500and the edge110E of the substrate110in a plan view of the rear side of the display device1000a. More specifically, unlike the cover portion200described above, the edge200E of the cover portion200amay or may not be aligned with the edge110E of the substrate110at the end portion of the display device1000a. Accordingly, a total planar area of the cover portion200amay be smaller than the total planar area of the substrate110. In an embodiment, the driving unit500may be a driving circuit chip, and an entirety of the driving circuit chip may be between the side surface100E of the substrate110and the edge200E of the cover portion200a.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects according to the above-described embodiment, a separate opening in the cover portion200ais excluded, so that the process in a method of manufacturing the display device1000amay be simplified. In addition, since the portion at which the driving units500and600are attached to the wires140aand150ais disposed closer to the edge110E of the substrate110, the portion at which the driving units500and600are attached to the wires140aand150amay be spaced further away from the display area DA and the driving circuits such as the driving units400aand400b. Accordingly, in an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the display device1000a, a risk that heat generated during the heating compressing when mounting the driving units500and600on the second surface20of the substrate110is transmitted to the display element of the pixel PX of the display area DA or the driving circuit such as the driving units400aand400b, may be further reduced.

Referring toFIG. 11, the display device1000bis substantially the same as most of the display device1000aillustrated inFIG. 10, but the wire150aand the driving unit600are omitted. Since the effects of the display device1000bare the same as described above, the description thereof is omitted.