DISPLAY DEVICE

A display device includes: a lower substrate; an upper substrate disposed opposite to the lower substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; a plurality of gate lines disposed on the lower substrate and elongated in a first direction; a plurality of data lines disposed on the lower substrate, insulated from the gate line and elongated in a second direction which intersects the first direction; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; and a reflection layer between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The reflection layer has an aperture region overlapping at least a portion of the pixel electrode.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0061129, filed on Apr. 30, 2015, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention relate to a display device, and more particularly, to a mirror-type display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Display devices are classified into liquid crystal display (“LCD”) devices, organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) display devices, plasma display panel (“PDP”) devices, electrophoretic display (“EPD”) devices, and so forth, based on a light emitting scheme thereof.

The LCD device typically includes two substrates disposed opposite to each other, electrodes disposed on the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates. Upon voltages being applied to the electrodes, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are rearranged, such that the amount of transmitted light is adjusted in the display device.

As a thickness of display devices decreases in recent times, the display devices have found a wide range of applications. A mirror-type display device is a hybrid-type display device which may function as a mirror when an image is not displayed thereon and function as a display device when an image is displayed thereon.

In a case that the mirror-type display device is used to realize a side view mirror or a rear-view interior mirror of a vehicle, navigation information or other useful information may be displayed on the side view mirror or the rear-view interior mirror, which may help a driver to drive safely and effectively.

As such, the mirror-type display device is applicable to a wide range of industrial field, but further development in technology is desired to allow the mirror-type display device to have a property of a mirror and a property of a display device at the same time. In particular, it is difficult to achieve an aperture ratio sufficient for a display device while reflecting light in a range of visible light sufficiently at the same time.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the technology and as such disclosed herein, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what was known or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to a corresponding effective filing date of subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the invention are directed to a display device having a reflection property and a display property.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a display device includes: a lower substrate and an upper substrate disposed opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; a plurality of gate lines disposed on the lower substrate and elongated in a first direction; a plurality of data lines disposed on the lower substrate, insulated from the gate line and elongated in a second direction which intersects the first direction; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; and a reflection layer between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer. In such an embdoiment, the reflection layer has an aperture region overlaping at least a portion of the pixel electrode.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may include a first reflection unit extending along the first direction and a second reflection unit extending along the second direction

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may include a metal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the metal may include at least one of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), and chromium (Cr).

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may have a thickness in a range of about 10 nanometers (nm) to about 300 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture region may have a size in a range of about 50% to about 100% of a size of the pixel electrode.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures having different sizes from one another may be defined in the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures extending along the first direction may be defined in the aperture region of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture may have a width in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apertures may have an interval in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures extending along the second direction may be defined in the aperture region of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture may have a width in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apertures may have an interval in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures extending to form a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction may be defined in the aperture region of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture may have a width in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apertures may have an interval in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a display device includes: a lower substrate and an upper substrate disposed opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; a plurality of gate lines disposed on the lower substrate and elongated in a first direction; a plurality of data lines disposed on the lower substrate to be insulated from the gate line and elongated in a second direction which intersects the first direction; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; and a reflection layer between the lower substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and insulated from the pixel electrode. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer has an aperture region overlapping at least a portion of the pixel electrode, and an aperture is defined in the aperture region of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may include a first reflection unit extending along the first direction and a second reflection unit extending along the second direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may include a metal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the metal may include at least one of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), and chromium (Cr).

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may have a thickness in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture region may have a size in a range of about 50% to about 100% of a size of the pixel electrode.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer may have a first area and a second area, and a size of the aperture region in the first area may be different from a size of the aperture region in the second area.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures extending in the first direction may be defined in the aperture area of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures extending in the second direction direction may be defined in the aperture area of the reflection layer.

In an exemplary embodimenta plurality of apertures extending to form a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction direction may be defined in the aperture area of the reflection layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure of invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Although the invention can be modified in various manners and have several embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be mainly described in the specification. However, the scope of the embodiments of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and should be construed as including all the changes, equivalents, and substitutions included in the spirit and scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” to the other element, or “electrically connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “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. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Some of the parts which are not associated with the description may not be provided in order to specifically describe embodiments of the invention, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a display device according to the invention are described with respect to a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device. In addition, exemplary embodiments of the display device according to the invention are described with respect to a color filter on array (COA) structure. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and alternatively, the display device according to the invention may also be applicable to a structure in which a thin film transistor and a color filter are disposed on the same substrate.

FIG. 1is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 1; andFIG. 3is a plan view illustrating a reflection layer according to an exemplary embodiment.

In reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an exemplary embodiment of the display device may include a lower panel100, an upper panel200disposed opposite to the lower panel100, and a liquid crystal layer300interposed between the lower panel100and the upper panel200.

The lower panel100may include a lower substrate110on which a plurality of pixel units (or pixel areas)101, each including red, green and blue pixel units101r,101gand101b,are defined and arranged in a matrix form, a layer structure120disposed on the lower substrate110and including a thin film transistor Q, a plurality of color filters170disposed on the layer structure120and including red, green and blue color filters170r,170gand170b,a planarization layer175on the plurality of color filters170, and a pixel electrode180on the planarization layer175.

The lower substrate110may be an insulating substrate including or formed of a transparent material, e.g., transparent glass such as soda lime glass or borosilicate glass, plastic, or the like.

Gate wirings122and124for transmitting a gate signal may be disposed on the lower substrate110. The gate wirings122and124may include a gate line122extending in a direction, for example, a first direction R1, and a gate electrode124protruding from the gate line122or defined by a protrusion of the gate line112. The gate electrode124may constitute a three-terminal structure of the thin film transistor Q, along with a source electrode165and a drain electrode166which will be described later in detail.

Although not illustrated, a storage wiring (not illustrated), which defines a storage capacitor along with the pixel electrode180, may further be disposed on the lower substrate110. The storage wiring, which may be provided or formed simultaneously with the gate wirings122and124, may be disposed in or on a same layer as a layer in or on which the gate wirings122and124are disposed, and may include or be formed of a material substantially the same as that of the gate wirings122and124.

The gate wirings122and124may include or be formed of an aluminum (Al) based metal such as Al or an Al alloy, a silver (Ag) based metal such as Ag or an Ag alloy, a copper (Cu) based metal such as Cu or a Cu alloy, a molybdenum (Mo) based metal such as Mo or a Mo alloy, chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the gate wirings122and124may have a multilayer structure including two conductive layers (not illustrated) having different physical properties from each other.

In such an embodiment, one of the two conductive layers (not illustrated) may include or be formed of a metal having low resistivity, for example, an Al-based metal, an Ag-based metal, or a Cu-based metal, such that a signal delay or a voltage drop of the gate wirings122and124may be reduced.

In such an embodiment, the other of the two conductive layers may include or be formed of a material having a high contact property with another material, e.g., with indium tin oxide (“ITO”) and indium zinc oxide (“IZO”). In one exemplary embodiment, for example, such a material having the high contact property may include a Mo-based metal, Cr, Ti, Ta, or the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, such a multilayer structure including the two conductive layers may include a Cr lower layer and an Al upper layer, an Al lower layer and a Mo upper layer, or a Ti lower layer and a Cu upper layer. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and alternatively, the gate wirings122and124may be modified to include or be formed of various metals and conductors.

A gate insulating layer130may be disposed on the lower substrate110and the gate wirings122and124. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate insulating layer130may include silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx). In such an embodiment, the gate insulating layer130may further include aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, or zirconium oxide.

A semiconductor layer142for forming a channel of the thin film transistor Q may be disposed on the gate insulating layer130to overlap at least the gate electrode124. In an exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor layer142may include or be formed of amorphous silicon (“a-Si”), or an oxide semiconductor including at least one of gallium (Ga), indium (In), tin (Sn), and zinc (Zn).

Ohmic contact layers155and156may be disposed on the semiconductor layer142. The ohmic contact layers155and156may serve to enhance a contact property between the source electrode165and/or the drain electrode166, which will be described later in detail, and the semiconductor layer142.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ohmic contact layers155and156may include or be formed of amorphous silicon doped with n-type impurities at high concentration (“n+a-Si”). In an alternative exemplary embodiment, where the contact property between the source electrode165and/or the drain electrode166and the semiconductor layer142is sufficiently secured, the ohmic contact layers155and156may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, data wirings162,165and166may be disposed on the ohmic contact layers155and156and the gate insulating layer130.

The data wirings162,165and166may include a data line162extending in a direction intersecting the gate line122, for example, a second direction R2, the source electrode165branched off from the data line162to extend on to the semiconductor layer142, and the drain electrode166spaced apart from the source electrode165and disposed on the semiconductor layer142opposite to the source electrode165with respect to the gate electrode124or a channel area of the thin film transistor Q. In one exemplary embodiment, the data line162may define the pixel unit101along with the gate line122, but not being limited thereto.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drain electrode166may extend from an upper portion of the semiconductor layer142to a lower portion of the pixel electrode180.

A protection layer169may be disposed over a structure defined by the data wirings162,165and166and the layers therebelow. The protection layer169may have a monolayer structure or a multilayer structure including, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a photosensitive organic material, or a low dielectric constant insulating material such as a-Si:C:O or a-Si:O:F. The structure or feature of the thin film transistor Q of exemplary embodiments of the invention is not limited to those described above, and the layer structure120including the thin film transistor Q may be modified in various manners.

The plurality of color filters170including the red color filter170r,the green color filter170gand the blue color filter170bmay be disposed on the layer structure120.

The red color filter170r,the green color filter170gand the blue color filter170bmay be disposed to correspond to the red pixel unit101r,the green pixel unit101gand the blue pixel unit101b,respectively.

The red color filter170r,the green color filter170gand the blue color filter170bmay be disposed in a stripe form elongated along the second direction R2, to correspond to the pixel unit101, for example, the red pixel unit101r,the green pixel unit101gand the blue pixel unit101b,respectively.

Adjacent color filters of the color filters170may be spaced apart from one another, or alternatively, edges thereof at a boundary therebetween may overlap one another.

The planarization layer175may be disposed on the plurality of color filters170. The planarization layer175may have a monolayer structure or a multilayer structure including, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a photosensitive organic material, or a low dielectric constant insulating material such as a-Si:C:O or a-Si:O:F.

A contact hole185may be defined or formed in the protection layer169, the color filter170and the planarization layer175such that a portion of the drain electrode166, for example, an end portion of the drain electrode166disposed below the pixel electrode180, is exposed through the contact hole185.

The pixel electrode180may be disposed on the planarization layer175and electrically connected to the drain electrode166through the contact hole185. The pixel electrode180may include or be formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO, for example.

Although not illustrated, a lower alignment layer may be disposed on the pixel electrode180. The lower alignment layer may be a homeotropic layer and may include a photo-sensitive material.

The lower alignment layer may include or be formed of at least one selected from polyamic acid, polysiloxane, and polyimide.

The upper panel200may include an upper substrate210, a common electrode220and a reflection layer230.

The upper substrate210may include an insulating substrate including or formed of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, for example. The common electrode220may include or be formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO and IZO, for example.

The reflection layer230may be disposed on the upper substrate210. In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the reflection layer230may be disposed on a surface of the upper substrate210, which is disposed opposite to the lower substrate110, but the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer230may be disposed on another surface of the upper substrate210which is disposed to face the lower substrate110.

In another alternative exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer230may be disposed on the lower substrate110and insulated from the pixel electrode180.

The reflection layer230may include a metal which reflects light in a range of visible light. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the reflection layer230may include at least one of Al, Ag, Ti, and Cr.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer230may have a thickness t in a range of about 10 nanometers (nm) to about 300 nm. When the reflection layer230has a thickness of 10 nm or less, it may be difficult for the reflection layer230to have a reflection property; and when the reflection layer230has a thickness of 300 nm or more, it may be difficult to achieve a thin film structure of the display device.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, where the reflection layer230includes or is formed of Ti, the reflection layer230may have a thickness of 10 nm or more to exhibit a reflection property. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may have a predetermined thickness to have a reflectivity of about50% or more.

The reflection layer230may include a first reflection unit231extending along the first direction R1and a second reflection unit232extending along the second direction R2. The second reflection unit232may connect the first reflection units231.

In such an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the first reflection unit231may be disposed on or to cover the gate line122and the thin film transistor Q, and may be disposed further on or to cover a portion of the pixel electrode180. The second reflection unit232may be disposed on or to cover the data line162.

The first reflection unit231and the second reflection unit232may reflect externally incident light to be directed back outwards and at the same time, may effectively prevent light supplied from a backlight unit (not illustrated) from being dissipated outwards. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may have a light shielding function. Accordingly, an additional light shielding member may be omitted in the display device, and thus the thickness thereof may be decreased.

The reflection layer230may have an aperture region235which entirely or partially overlaps the pixel electrode180, and at least one aperture235his defined or formed in the aperture region235. In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture region235may be in at least a portion of the pixel electrode180when viewed from a top plan view. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, an aperture235hdefined in the reflection layer230may have a size substantially the same as that of the aperture region235.

The aperture region235is a region through which the light supplied from the backlight unit (not illustrated) may transmit or may not transmit based on an alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer300.

The aperture region235may have a size which accounts for about 50% or more and about 100% or less of a size of the pixel electrode180, that is, a size in a range of about 50% to about 100% of the size of the pixel electrode180. Herein, the size of the aperture region235and the size of the pixel electrode180may a size or area thereof when viewed from a top plan view as shown inFIG. 1. As the size of the aperture region235increases, the display property of the display device may be enhanced; and as the size of the aperture region235decreases, the reflectivity of the display device may be enhanced.

In an exemplary embodiment, although not illustrated, the upper panel200may further include an upper alignment layer. The upper alignment layer may be disposed on the common electrode220. The upper alignment layer may include or be formed of a material substantially the same as that of the aforementioned lower alignment layer.

When surfaces of the lower substrate110and the upper substrate210facing each other therebetween, e.g., inner surfaces, are defined as upper surfaces of the corresponding substrates, respectively, and surfaces opposite to the upper surfaces, e.g., outer surfaces, are defined as lower surfaces of the corresponding substrates, respectively, an upper polarizer may further be disposed on the lower surface of the lower substrate110and a lower polarizer may further be disposed on the lower surface of the upper substrate210.

The liquid crystal layer300may include nematic liquid crystal materials having positive dielectric anisotropy. The nematic liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer300may have a structure in which a major or longitudinal axis thereof is parallel to one of the lower panel100and the upper panel200, and the direction of the major axis is spirally twisted at an angle of about 90 degrees from a rubbing direction of the alignment layer of the lower panel100to the upper panel200. Alternatively, the liquid crystal layer300may include homeotropic liquid crystal materials, in lieu of the nematic liquid crystal materials.

FIG. 4is a plan view illustrating a reflection layer230according to an alternative exemplary embodiment. The reflection layer inFIG. 4is substantially the same as the reflection layer shown inFIG. 3except for the aperture regions235. The same or like elements shown inFIG. 4have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the reflection layer shown inFIG. 3, and any repetitive detailed description thereof may hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the reflection layer230may include a first reflection unit231extending along a first direction R1and a second reflection unit232extending along a second direction R2.

The reflection layer230may have an aperture region235which entirely or partially overlaps the pixel electrode180, and at least one aperture235hmay be defined or formed in the aperture region235. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may have an aperture235hhaving a size substantially the same as that of the aperture region235.

In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may be divided into two or more areas each including the aperture regions235having different sizes. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the reflection layer230may have a first area A1, which is a center portion, and a second area A2around the first area A1. An aperture region235aof the first area A1may have a size which accounts for about 50% or more to about 70% or less of a size of a pixel electrode180, and an aperture region235bof the second area A2may have a size which accounts for about 70% to about 100% of the size of the pixel electrode180.

In such an embodiment, the first area A1, which is the center portion of the reflection layer230, is an area which primarily serves the reflection property of the display device, and the second area A2is an area which primarily serves the display property thereof

The first area A1and the second area A2of the reflection layer230, however, are merely given by way of example, and in other alternative exemplary embodiments, the reflection layer230may include two or more areas, and may be divided into multiple regions based on a purpose of use thereof.

Hereinafter, other alternative exemplary embodiments will be described in detail.

FIG. 5is a plan view illustrating a display device according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ ofFIG. 5; andFIG. 7is a plan view illustrating a reflection layer230according to another alternative exemplary embodiment. The display device inFIGS. 5 to 7is substantially the same as the display device shown inFIGS. 1 to 3except for the reflection layer. The same or like elements shown inFIGS. 5 to 7have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the display device shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, and any repetitive detailed description thereof may hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In reference toFIGS. 5, 6, and 7, an exemplary embodiment of the display device may include a lower panel100, an upper panel200disposed opposite to the lower panel100, and a liquid crystal layer300interposed between the lower panel100and the upper panel200.

The lower panel100may include a lower substrate110, on which a plurality of pixel units101, each including red, green and blue pixel units101r,101gand101b,are defined and arranged in a matrix form, a layer structure120disposed on the lower substrate110and including a thin film transistor Q, a plurality of color filters170disposed on the layer structure120and including red, green, and blue color filters170r,170g,and170b,a planarization layer175on the plurality of color filters170, and a pixel electrode180on the planarization layer175.

The upper panel200may include an upper substrate210, a common electrode220and a reflection layer230.

The upper substrate210may include an insulating substrate including or formed of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, for example. The common electrode220may include or be formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO and IZO.

The reflection layer230may be disposed on the upper substrate210. The reflection layer230may include a first reflection unit231extending along the first direction R1and a second reflection unit232extending along the second direction R2.

The reflection layer230may include a metal which reflects light in a range of visible light. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the reflection layer230may include at least one of Al, Ag, Ti, and Cr. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may have a thickness t in a range of about 10 nm to about 300 nm.

The reflection layer230may have an aperture region235which entirely or partially overlaps a pixel electrode180, and at least one aperture235his defined or formed in the aperture region235.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, a plurality of apertures235hextending along the second direction R2may be defined in the aperture region235.

The aperture235hmay have a width w in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm, and may have an interval p in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm with an aperture235hadjacent thereto. Herein, a width of the aperture235hmay be defined as a length thereof in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of apertures235hhaving a predetermined width w and a predetermined interval p may be defined in the aperture region235of the reflection layer230, thus defining a wire grid pattern.

The wire grid pattern refers to a stripe pattern having a line width and an interval which are less than a magnitude of red, green and blue wavelengths corresponding to a range of visible lights that humans may perceive. When light supplied from a backlight unit is incident onto the wire grid pattern, a polarized light which is parallel to the wire grid pattern may be reflected off, and a polarized light which is perpendicular to the wire grid pattern may transmit therethrough.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may reflect a polarized light parallel to the second direction R2, and may transmit a polarized light perpendicular to the second direction R2.

In an exemplary embodiment, an additional polarizer of the display device may be omitted therefrom and polarization of the light supplied from the backlight unit may be performed by the reflection layer230, such that a thickness of the display device may be decreased and a manufacturing cost thereof may be reduced.

FIGS. 8 and 9are plan views illustrating other alternative exemplary embodiment of the reflection layer230, respectively. The reflection layers inFIGS. 8 and 9is substantially the same as the reflection layer shown inFIG. 7except for the aperture defined therein. The same or like elements shown inFIGS. 8 and 9have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the exemplary embodiments of the reflection layer shown inFIG. 7, and any repetitive detailed description thereof may hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer230may include a first reflection unit231extending along a first direction R1and a second reflection unit232extending along a second direction R2.

The reflection layer230may include a metal which may reflect light in a range of visible light. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the reflection layer230may include at least one of Al, Ag, Ti, and Cr. In such an embodiment, the reflection layer230may have a thickness t in a range of about 10 nm to about 300 nm.

The reflection layer230may have an aperture region235which entirely or partially overlaps a pixel electrode180, and at least one aperture235his defined or formed in the aperture region235.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8, a plurality of apertures235hextending along the first direction R1is defined in the aperture region235.

The aperture235hmay have a width w in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm, and may have an interval p in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm with an aperture235hadjacent thereto.

In such an embodiment, a plurality of apertures235hhaving a predetermined width w and a predetermined interval p is defined in the aperture region235, thus defining a wire grid pattern.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 9, a plurality of apertures235hextending to form a predetermined angle with respect to a first direction R1is defined in the aperture region235. The aperture235hmay form an angle in a range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, for example, about 45 degrees, with the first direction R1.

The aperture235hmay have a width in a range of about 50 nm to about 300 nm, and may have an interval p in a range of about 10 nm to about 100 nm with an aperture235hadjacent thereto.

In such an embodiment, a plurality of apertures235hhaving a predetermined width w and a predetermined interval p is defined in the aperture region235, thus defining a wire grid pattern.

FIG. 10Ais a view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the display device applied to a rear-view interior mirror400of a vehicle, andFIGS. 10B to 10Dare an enlarged view of portions of the reflection layer in the portions ‘a’ ‘b’ and ‘c’ of the rear-view interior mirror400inFIG. 10A, respectively.FIGS. 10B to 10Dillustrate portions of the reflection layer disposed in different areas of the rear-view interior mirror400of a vehicle, respectively, in which the aperture regions of the different portions of the reflection layer have different sizes from each other.

In reference toFIGS. 10A to 10D, in an exemplary embodiment, the rear-view interior mirror400of a vehicle may be divided into a plurality of portions including a center portion401and side portions402and403on both sides of the center portion401. Such division of the areas is merely given by way of example, and may be modified in various manners.

The portions of the reflection layer230disposed in the center portion401and the side portions402and403may be integrally formed as a single unitary and indivisible unit, and may each have aperture regions235having different sizes based on each area. In the reflection layer230an aperture235hhaving substantially the same size as that of the aperture region235may be defined.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, an aperture region235aof the reflection layer230disposed in the center portion401of the rear-view interior mirror400may have a size which accounts for about 70% or more to about 80% or less of a size of a pixel electrode180, and an aperture regions235band235cof the reflection layer230disposed in the side portions402and403of the rear-view interior mirror400may have a size which accounts for about 80% to about 100% of the size of the pixel electrode180.

In such an embodiment, the center portion401of the rear-view interior mirror400may primarily serve the reflection function of the display device, and may serve as a main mirror. In such an embodiment, the center portion401of the rear-view interior mirror400may display a warning sign, navigation information, or other useful information. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the useful information may include vehicle running information, rear camera information, lane detection information, and the like.

Side view mirrors402and403may primarily serve the display function of the display device, and may display navigation information, night vision, vehicle running information, rear camera information, lane detection information, and the like, for example.

FIG. 11Ais a view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the display device applied to a side view mirror500of a vehicle, andFIGS. 11B to 11Dare an enlarged view of different portions of the reflection layer in the portions ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ of the side view mirror500inFIG. 11A, respectively.FIGS. 11B to 11Dillustrate portions of the reflection layer disposed on different areas of the side view mirror500of a vehicle, respectively and having aperture regions of different sizes from each other.

In reference toFIG. 11, in an exemplary embodiment, the side view mirror500of a vehicle may be divided into a plurality of portions including an inner upper portion501, an inner lower portion502, and an outer portion503. The division of the areas is merely given by way of example, and may be modified in various manners.

The portion of the reflection layer230disposed in the inner upper portion501, the inner lower portion502, and the outer portion503may be integrally formed as a single unitary and indivisible unit, and may each have aperture regions235having different sizes based on each area. In the reflection layer230, an aperture235hhaving substantially the same size as that of the aperture region235is defined.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, an aperture region235aof the reflection layer230disposed in the inner upper portion501may have a size which accounts for about 50% or more to about 70% or less of a size of a pixel electrode180, an aperture region235bof the reflection layer230disposed in the inner lower portion502may have a size which accounts for about 70% or more to about 80% or less of the size of the pixel electrode180, and an aperture region235cof the reflection layer230disposed in the outer portion503may have a size which accounts for about 70% or more to about 80% or less of the size of the pixel electrode180.

The inner upper portion501may primarily serve the reflection function of the display device, and may serve as a main mirror. In such an embodiment, the inner upper portion501may serve a display function to display a warning sign

The inner lower portion502may primarily serve the display function of the display device, and may display parking lane information and other useful information. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the other useful information may include vehicle running information, rear camera information, lane detection information, and the like.

The outer portion503may primarily serve the display function of the display device, and may display navigation information, night vision, vehicle running information, rear camera information, lane detection information, and the like, for example.

As set forth hereinabove, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a display device includes a reflection layer having an aperture which entirely or partially overlaps a pixel electrode, and thereby a mirror-type display device may be realized.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the apertures defined in the reflection layer of the display device have different sizes based on locations thereof in the display device, and thereby a mirror-type display device having a reflection property and a display property may be realized.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the display device includes a wire grid polarizer defined in the reflection layer, and thus an additional polarizer may be omitted, such that a thickness of the display device may be decreased and a manufacturing cost thereof may be reduced.

Further, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the reflection layer serves to divide adjacently disposed pixels in the display device, and thus an additional black matrix may be omitted, such that a thickness of the display device may be decreased and a manufacturing cost thereof may be reduced.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments in accordance with the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting of the true scope and spirit of the invention. Various features of the above described and other exemplary embodiments can be mixed and matched in any manner, to produce further exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention.