Display panel with secured mechanical reliability

A display panel with secured mechanical reliability comprises: a first plate including a display region and a non display region, a second plate facing the first plate, a first frit portion interposed between the first plate and the second plate and sealing the display region from outside, and a second frit portion separated from the first fit portion and comprising a plurality of sub-frits isolated from each other. The sub-frits are located between a first line which passes through points closest to edges of the first plate among outer points of the first frit portion with respect to a sealed space and extends parallel to the edges of the first plate and a second line which passes through points furthest from the edges of the first plate among inner points of the first frit portion with respect to the sealed space and extends parallel to the edges of the first plate.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application earlier filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 15, 2011 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 10-2011-0022951.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display panel which includes a glass package sealed with a frit, and which has secured mechanical reliability.

2. Description of the Related Art

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is a self-luminous display and includes an organic material between two electrodes. The OLED display emits light as injected electrons and holes recombine in the organic material.

Electrodes and an organic layer in an OLED display are readily damaged by the interaction between oxygen and moisture which penetrate into the OLED display. Thus, a frit is interposed between glass plates to seal them and to protect internal elements against oxygen and moisture.

A frit, which is made of a glass material, is very vulnerable to impact and easily broken by tensile force. In addition, since frit is a brittle material which is easily broken by external force such as impact, it is difficult to use the frit in large substrates. To compensate for stress-sensitive characteristics of the frit, a method of adjusting a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the frit is used in a glass packaging process. However, the method has its limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display panel with secured mechanical reliability.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display panel with secured mechanical reliability comprises: a first plate including a display region having light emitters and a non-display region; a second plate facing the first plate; a first frit portion interposed between the first plate and the second plate for sealing the display region from the outside; and a second frit portion separated from the first frit portion and comprising a plurality of sub-frits isolated from each other; wherein the sub-frits are located between a first line which passes through points closest to edges of the first plate among outer points of the first frit portion with respect to a sealed space and which extends parallel to the edges of the first plate, and a second line which passes through points furthest from the edges of the first plate among inner points of the first frit portion with respect to the sealed space and which extends parallel to the edges of the first plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a display panel comprises: a first plate including a display region having light emitters and a non-display region; a second plate facing the first plate; a first frit portion interposed between the first plate and the second plate for sealing the display region from the outside; and a second frit portion separated from the first frit portion and comprising a plurality of sub-frits isolated from each other; wherein the sub-frits comprise first sub-frits located outside the first frit portion with respect to a sealed space and second sub-frits located inside the first frit portion with respect to the sealed space; and wherein a width of the first frit portion in a direction perpendicular to the edges of the first plate is 0.25 to 0.75 times a width of a region formed by a first line which passes through points closest to the edges of the first plate among outer points of the first sub-frits with respect to the sealed space and which extends parallel to the edges of the first plate, and a second line which passes through points furthest from the edges of the first plate among inner points of the second sub-frits with respect to the sealed space and which extends parallel to the edges of the first plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a display panel comprises: a first plate including a display region having light emitters and a non-display region; a second plate facing the first plate; and a frit interposed between the first plate and the second plate for sealing the display region from the outside; wherein the frit comprises horizontal frit portions parallel to edges of the first plate and vertical frit portions perpendicular to the edges of the first plate; wherein the frit extends parallel to the edges of the first plate; and wherein the frit is in a shape of a loop having a zigzag pattern formed by the vertical frit portions and the horizontal frit portions alternately connected at right angles.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a display panel comprises: a first plate including a display region having light emitters and a non-display region; a second plate facing the first plate; a third frit portion interposed between the first plate and the second plate for sealing the display region from the outside; and a fourth frit portion located adjacent to the third frit portion and extending along a circumference of the fourth frit portion; wherein each of the third frit portion and the fourth frit portion comprises horizontal frit portions which are parallel to edges of the first plate and vertical frit portions which are perpendicular to the edges of the first plate and which protrude from the horizontal frit portions; and wherein each vertical frit portion of any one of the third frit portion and the fourth frit portion is inserted into a region surrounded by a horizontal frit portion and two vertical frit portions of the other one of the third and fourth frit portions.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a schematic plan view of a display panel having a frit pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the display panel taken along line II-II′ shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel100includes a first plate200, a second plate250, and a frit300,400and450interposed between the first plate200and the second plate250.

The first plate200may be made of, but is not limited to, a glass material such as borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or a mixture of the same.

In some embodiments, thermal stress may be applied to the first plate200by a heating unit (such as a laser) used in the process of attaching the frit300,400and450to the first plate200. Therefore, the first plate200may be made of a material which mostly does not absorb a wavelength range corresponding to thermal energy from the heating unit.

The first plate200may include a plurality of micro-devices for light emission. For example, the first plate200may include a plurality of thin-film transistors (TFTs) and a plurality of light emitters. In this regard, the light emitters may be organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

The first plate200may be divided into a display region130and a non-display region150according to the above micro-devices. The display region130may include the light emitters.

The second plate250faces the first plate200and covers the light emitters of the first plate200. Like the first plate200, the second plate250may also be made of a glass material such as borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or a mixture of the same. In addition, the second plate250may be made of a material which mostly does not absorb a wavelength range corresponding to thermal energy from the heating unit.

The frit300,400and450is interposed between the first plate200and the second plate250, and provides a sealed space between the first plate200and the second plate250. To provide a sufficient sealed space in the center of the display panel100, the frit300,400and450may be formed in a peripheral region of each of the first plate200and the second plate250.

The frit300,400and450includes a first frit portion300and a second frit portion400and450. The first frit portion300substantially defines the sealed space between the first plate200and the second plate250.

The first frit portion300is shaped like a closed curve with all of its points connected. For example, the first frit portion300may be in the shape of a loop extending along edges of the first plate200. Since the first frit portion300substantially defines the sealed space, lower and upper ends of the first frit portion300are in contact with the first plate200and the second plate250, respectively.

Inside the first plate200, the first frit portion300may be located adjacent to the edges of the first plate200. For example, when the first plate200has a horizontal length of 400 mm and a vertical length of 370 mm, a length of the first frit portion300extending along a horizontal direction of the first plate200may be 360 mm, and a length of the first frit portion300extending along a vertical direction of the first plate200may be 330 mm.

That is, the first frit portion300may be approximately 20 mm away from horizontal edges of the first plate200and may be approximately 20 mm away from vertical edges of the first plate200. However, these numbers are merely an example of dimensions of the display panel100. The dimensions of the first and second plates200and250, respectively, and the first frit portion300may be as varied as the number of products.

Since the display region130located inside the first frit portion300is sealed off from the outside by the first frit portion300as described above, oxygen and moisture cannot penetrate into the display region130. Therefore, the performance of the OLEDs can be maintained, and the useful life of the display panel100can be extended.

The second frit portion400and450includes a plurality of sub-frits isolated from each other. The sub-frits surround the first frit portion300and are separated from the first frit portion300. Since the sub-frits of the second frit portion400and450are isolated from each other, they cannot provide a completely sealed space. However, since the first frit portion300forms a closed curve, the completely sealed space can be provided by the first frit portion300.

Like the first frit portion300, lower and upper ends of the second frit portion400and450may be in contact with the first plate200and the second plate250, respectively. As a result, the second frit portion400and450secures a gap between the first plate200and the second plate250and supports the first plate200and the second plate250. Therefore, even when the first frit portion300has a substantially small width, since the second frit portion400and450makes up for the small width of the first frit portion300, the overall mechanical strength of the frit can be improved.

FIG. 3illustrates stress applied to a frit on a plate.

InFIG. 3, a first direction1is defined as a widthwise direction of a frit, a second direction2is defined as a lengthwise direction of the frit, and a third direction3is defined as a thicknesswise direction of the frit.

To seal the first plate200and the second plate250with a frit, a frit2100may be coated on any one of the first plate200and the second plate250. Then, the plate coated with the frit2100may be bonded to the other one of the first plate200and the second plate250. In this process, thermal energy is supplied to the frit2100using a heating unit such as a laser scanner. After being supplied with the thermal energy, the frit2100contracts as it cools down.

In this regard, a plate (for example, the first plate200) made of a glass material shows a small temperature rise due to its relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). In addition, the first plate200, which is relatively larger than the frit2100, hardly expands or contracts. On the other hand, the frit2100shows a large temperature rise due to its relatively high CTE. In addition, the frit2100, which is relatively smaller than the first plate200, can expand or contract relatively freely.

However, since the frit2100is already coated on the first plate200before being supplied with thermal energy, it cannot expand or contract easily, resulting in strong residual tensile stress in the frit2100. The residual tensile stress may vary according to direction. That is, the frit2100can contract relatively freely in the third direction3(i.e., the thicknesswise direction of the frit2100). However, the frit2100cannot contract easily in the second direction2(i.e., the lengthwise direction) or in the first direction1(i.e., the widthwise direction).

When a strong residual tensile stress is present in the frit2100, the frit2100may be broken or peel off the first plate200because it is a brittle material which breaks easily with small impact. Consequently, the mechanical reliability of the display panel100is reduced.

When the frit2100is used in a large-sized OLED display, since the frit2100has to support two wide panels, the width of the frit2100should be increased sufficiently. However, an increase in the width of the frit2100makes it harder for the frit2100to contract in the first direction1(the widthwise direction), resulting in stronger residual tensile stress in the frit2100.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in the current exemplary embodiment, the width of the frit related to the strength with which the frit supports the first and second plates200and250, respectively, may be determined by the sum of widths of the first frit portion300and the second frit portion400and450. That is, the width of the frit in the first direction1may be the distance from an innermost side of the frit, which includes the first frit portion300and the second frit portion400and450, to an outermost side of the frit.

Therefore, the width of the frit in the first direction1is equal to or greater than the width of the first frit portion300, and is equal to or greater than the width of the sub-frits of the second frit portion400and450. This indicates that the width of the frit in the first direction1is greater when the first and second frit portions300and400and450, respectively, are employed in combination than when either the first frit portion300or the second frit portion400and450is employed alone, and thus that the frit supports the first and second plates200and250, respectively, with greater strength in the former case.

The width of the frit related to residual tensile stress may be determined not by the width of the entire frit, but by the width of each individual frit. That is, since the first frit portion300and the sub-frits of the second frit portion400and450are adjacent to but separated from each other, they do not affect each other's residual tensile stress.

The width of the first frit portion300in the first direction1(or the width of the first frit portion300perpendicular to a direction in which the first frit portion300extends) is equal to or smaller than the width of the entire frit. In addition, the width of the sub-frits of the second frit portion400and450is equal to or smaller than the width of the entire frit. Therefore, it can be understood that the residual tensile stress is substantially reduced when the width of the entire frit is equal to the sum of the widths of the first and second frit portions300and400and450, respectively, compared with the situation when it is equal to the width of either the first frit portion300or the second frit portion400and450.

To secure a sufficient support strength and reduced residual tensile stress, the first frit portion300and the second frit portion400and450may have various patterns, an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is a partial view of the frit pattern shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first frit portion300extends parallel to the edges of the first plate200and is in the shape of a loop having a zigzag pattern. A straight line passing through points closest to the edges of the first plate200among outer points of the first frit portion300with respect to the sealed space (i.e., the display region130including the light emitters) and extending parallel to the edges of the first plate200may be defined as a first line. In addition, a straight line passing through points furthest from the edges of the first plate200among inner points of the first frit portion300with respect to the sealed space and extending parallel to the edges of the first plate200may be defined as a second line. In this case, the first frit portion300may be in the shape of a loop having a zigzag pattern which is at an acute angle relative to the first line and the second line. The distance between the first line and the second line may be defined as a width W1of the first frit portion300.

Furthermore, regions of the first frit portion300which protrude outward with respect to the sealed space may be referred to as ridges, and regions of the first frit portion300which are recessed inward with respect to the sealed space may be referred to as valleys. In this case, the distance between each ridge and each valley may be defined as a length11of the zigzag pattern.

The distance between two parallel lines, which form edges of the first frit portion300, and perpendicular to the length11of the zigzag pattern is defined as a width d1of the zigzag pattern.

The first frit portion300having the zigzag pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment is bent in a lengthwise direction thereof. Accordingly, the first frit portion300having the zigzag pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment may have a shorter pattern length11than a frit having a linear pattern.

The shorter pattern length11has the effect of reducing the length of the first frit portion300in the lengthwise direction, thereby enabling the first frit portion300to contract relatively easily and thus have reduced residual tensile stress.

In addition, although the shorter pattern length11may not lead to a change in the width W1of the first frit portion300, it has the effect of reducing the width d1of the zigzag pattern. Therefore, the first frit portion300can contract relatively easily and have reduced residual tensile stress.

The contraction of the first frit portion300in a widthwise direction thereof is not totally unrelated to the contraction of the first frit portion300in the lengthwise direction thereof by the nature of the material. Due to the interaction between the contraction of the first frit portion300in the widthwise direction and that in the lengthwise direction, if the first frit portion300can contract freely in any one of the widthwise direction and the lengthwise direction, it can also contract freely in the other direction. Accordingly, the first frit portion300as a whole can contract freely and have reduced residual tensile stress.

The second frit portion400and450may be situated between the first and second lines described above. The second frit portion400and450is separated from the first frit portion300and includes a plurality of island-shaped sub-frits isolated from each other. The distance between the first frit portion300and the second frit portion400and450is defined as a gap g1.

The second frit portion400and450may include first sub-frits400situated outside the first frit portion300with respect to the sealed space and second sub-frits450situated inside the first frit portion300with respect to the sealed space.

The first sub-frits400may be located between the ridges of the first frit portion300which protrude outward with respect to the sealed space, and the second sub-frits450may be located between the valleys of the first frit portion300which are recessed inward with respect to the sealed space.

A maximum width and length of the first sub-frits400and the second sub-frits450may be smaller than the length11of the zigzag pattern of the first frit portion300. As a result, the first sub-frits400and the second sub-frits450may be located between the ridges of the first frit portion300and the valleys of the first frit portion300.

While the second frit portion400and450shown inFIG. 4is triangular, it may have various shapes, such as a polygonal shape.

The second frit portion400and450may be located in an empty space created by reducing the width of the first frit portion300to facilitate contraction. That is, to ensure that the frit has a sufficient width to support the first and second plates200and250, respectively, the second frit portion400and450may be attached to the first and second plates200and250, respectively.

Consequently, the first frit portion300has a loop shape and seals the light emitters off from the outside. In addition, for free contraction, the length of the first frit portion300is reduced in the widthwise direction and the lengthwise direction by changing the pattern of the first frit portion300.

To compensate for a reduction in the area of the frit, which supports the first and second plates200and250, respectively, due to the change in the shape of the first frit portion300, the second frit portion400and450may be located around the first frit portion300.

In some embodiments, in the case of a product with a 10-inch or less display, the width W1(i.e., the distance between the first and second lines) of the first frit portion300may be, but is not limited to, W1<1 mm. In the case of a product with a 10-inch or more display, 1 mm W1<3 mm. The width d1of the zigzag pattern may be 0.25W1<d1<0.75W1, and the length11of the zigzag pattern may be l1<5d1. In addition, the gap g1may be g1<0.1W1.

With the above dimensions, the frit can contract relatively freely and securely support the first and second plates200and250, respectively. However, the dimensions which ensure superior mechanical reliability are not limited to the above example.

To increase the mechanical reliability of the frit, the addition of a material can be considered in addition to the pattern change.

When the CTE of the frit300,400and450is largely different from the CTEs of the first and second plates200and250, respectively, the frit may crack easily after being heated and cooled. To prevent this problem, the frit300,400and450may be doped with a filler (e.g., a conversion filler or an additional filler) which reduces the CTE of the frit300,400and450to or substantially to the CTEs of the first and second plates200and250, respectively.

To attach the first frit portion300and the second frit portion400and450onto the first and second plates200and250, respectively, the frit300,400and500may be heated using a heating source such as a laser or an infrared lamp. To better absorb a wavelength range corresponding to energy from the heating source, the frit300,400and450may include a component containing one or more absorption ions selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, vanadium, and neodymium, which are transition metals.

The light emitters (not shown) may be provided as additional elements. The light emitters may be OLEDs, and each of the OLEDs may include an anode electrode, a plurality of organic layers, and a cathode electrode. The light emitters may form the display region130, and may be sealed off by the first frit portion300.

FIG. 5is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, the frit pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment may include a first frit portion500which seals light emitters from the outside and a second frit portion600and650which is separated from the first frit portion500, and which includes a plurality of sub-frits isolated from each other.

The sub-frits of the second frit portion600and650may include first sub-frits600which are located outside the first frit portion500with respect to a sealed space and second sub-frits650which are located inside the first frit portion500with respect to the sealed space.

A straight line passing through points closest to edges of a first plate200among outer points of the first frit portion500with respect to the sealed space (i.e., a display region including the light emitters) and extending parallel to the edges of the first plate200may be defined as a first line. In addition, a straight line passing through points furthest from the edges of the first plate200among inner points of the first frit portion500with respect to the sealed space and extending parallel to the edges of the first plate200may be defined as a second line.

The first frit portion500includes horizontal frit portions A parallel to the first line and vertical frit portions B perpendicular to the first line. The first frit portion500extends parallel to the edges of the first plate200and is in the shape of a loop having a zigzag pattern formed by the vertical frit portions B and the horizontal frit portions A alternately connected at right angles. The distance between the first line and the second line is defined as a width W2of the first frit portion500.

In addition, a length of the horizontal frit portions A is defined as a length l2of the zigzag pattern, and a length of a cross-section of the first frit portion500, which is taken in a direction perpendicular to the first line, in the direction perpendicular to the first line is defined as a width d2of the zigzag pattern.

The first frit portion500having the zigzag pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment is bent in a lengthwise direction thereof. Therefore, the first frit portion500having the zigzag pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment may have a shorter pattern length l2than a frit having a linear pattern.

The shorter pattern length l2has the effect of reducing the length of the first frit portion500in the lengthwise direction, thereby enabling the first frit portion500to contract relatively easily and thus have reduced residual tensile stress.

In addition, although the shorter pattern length l2may not lead to a change in the width W2of the first frit portion500, it has the effect of reducing the width d2of the zigzag pattern. Therefore, the first frit portion500can contract relatively easily and have reduced residual tensile stress.

The second frit portion600and650may be situated between the first and second lines described above. The second frit portion600and650is separated from the first frit portion500and includes a plurality of island-shaped sub-frits isolated from each other. The distance between the first frit portion500and the second frit portion600and650is defined as a gap g2.

As described above, the second frit portion600and650may include the first sub-frits600situated outside the first frit portion500with respect to the sealed space and the second sub-frits650situated inside the first frit portion500with respect to the sealed space.

Each of the first sub-frits600and the second sub-frits650may be located in a space surrounded by two vertical frit portions B and one horizontal frit portion A which connects the two vertical frit portions B.

A maximum width and length of the first sub-frits600and the second sub-frits650may be smaller than the length11of the zigzag pattern of the first frit portion500. As a result, the first sub-frits600and the second sub-frits650may be located in spaces surrounded by the horizontal frit portions A and the vertical frit portions B.

While the second frit portion600and650shown inFIG. 5is square, it may have various shapes, such as a polygonal shape.

The second frit portion600and650may be located in an empty space created by reducing the width of the first frit portion500to facilitate contraction. That is, to ensure that the entire frit has a sufficient width to support the first and second plates, the second frit portion600and650may be attached to the first and second plates.

Consequently, the first frit portion500has a loop shape and seals the light emitters from the outside. In addition, for free contraction, the length of the first frit portion500is reduced in a widthwise direction and in a lengthwise direction by changing the pattern of the first frit portion500.

To compensate for a reduction in the area of the frit, which supports the first and second plates, due to the change in the shape of the first frit portion500, the second frit portion600and650may be located around the first frit portion500.

In some embodiments, in the case of a product with a 10-inch or less display, the width W2(i.e., the distance between the first and second lines) of the first frit portion500may be, but is not limited to, W2<1 mm. In the case of a product with a 10-inch or more display, 1 mm W2<3 mm.

The width d2of the zigzag pattern may be 0.25 W2<d2<0.75 W2, and the length l2of the zigzag pattern may be l2<5d2. In addition, the gap g2may be g2<0.1 W2.

With the above dimensions, the frit can contract relatively freely and securely support the first and second plates. However, the dimensions which ensure superior mechanical reliability are not limited to the above example.

FIG. 6is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, the frit pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment includes a single first frit portion700which seals light emitters from the outside and a second frit portion which is separated from the first frit portion700and which includes a plurality of sub-frits710through760isolated from each other.

The second frit portion, including the sub-frits710through760, is surrounded by the first frit portion700and is sealed off from the outside and a display region130including the light emitters. InFIG. 6, the sub-frits710through760are arranged in two columns. However, the arrangement of the sub-frits710through760may vary.

As shown in the drawing, the second frit portion710through760is separated from the first frit portion700, and is surrounded by the first frit portion700. Thus, spaces are formed between the first frit portion700and the second frit portion710through760. Accordingly, a length of the first frit portion700is reduced in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a first line and in a lengthwise direction parallel to the first line.

Consequently, the entire frit can contract relatively freely while sealing the light emitters off from the outside. This enables the provision of a display panel100with increased mechanical reliability.

FIG. 7is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, a loop-shaped first frit portion800which seals light emitters may include a plurality of sealing frits820and850. The sealing frits820and850may include a first sealing frit820which substantially seals the light emitters from the outside and a second sealing frit850which is located outside the first sealing frit820with respect to a sealed space.

A second frit portion is separated from the first frit portion800and includes a plurality of sub-frits860,865,870,875,880and885isolated from each other. The second frit portion may be surrounded by the first and second sealing frits820and850, respectively. InFIG. 7, the sub-frits875,880and885surrounded by the first sealing frit820are arranged in one column, and the sub-frits860,865and870surrounded by the second sealing frit850are arranged in one column. However, the arrangement of the sub-frits860,865,870,875,880and885may vary.

As shown in the drawing, the second frit portion860,865,870,875,880and885is separated from the first frit portion800and is surrounded by the first frit portion800. Thus, spaces are formed between the first frit portion800and the second frit portion860,865,870,875,880and885.

In addition, a space is formed between the first and second sealing frits820and850, respectively, of the first frit portion800. Accordingly, a length of the first frit portion800is reduced in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a first line and in a lengthwise direction parallel to the first line. Consequently, the entire frit can contract relatively freely while sealing the light emitters off from the outside. This enables the provision of a display panel100with increased mechanical reliability.

FIG. 8is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, a loop-shaped first frit portion900which seals light emitters may include a plurality of sealing frits920and950. The sealing frits920and950may include a first sealing frit920which substantially seals the light emitters from the outside and a second sealing frit950which is located outside the first sealing frit920with respect to a sealed space.

A second frit portion is separated from the first frit portion900and includes a plurality of sub-frits960,965,970,975,980,985,1000,1100and1200isolated from each other. Specifically, the second frit portion may include sub-frits(capture-frits)960,965,970,975,980and985surrounded by the first and second sealing frits920and950, respectively, and sub-frits(hiatus-frits)1000,1100and1200interposed between the first and second sealing frits920and950.

InFIG. 8, the sub-frits960,965and970surrounded by the second sealing frit950are arranged in one column, the sub-frits975,980and985surrounded by the first sealing frit920are arranged in one column, and the sub-frits1000,1100and1200interposed between the first and second sealing frits920and950, respectively, are arranged in one column. However, the arrangement of the sub-frits960,965,970,975,980,985,1000,1100and1200may vary.

Since the second frit portion includes the surrounded sub-frits960,965,970,975,980and985and the interposed sub-frits1000,1100and1200as shown in the drawing, spaces are formed between the first frit portion900and the second frit portion960,965,970,975,980,985,1000,1100and1200. In addition, a space is formed between the first and second sealing frits920and950, respectively, of the first frit portion900.

Accordingly, a length of the first frit portion900is reduced in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a first line and in a lengthwise direction parallel to the first line. Consequently, the entire frit can contract relatively freely while sealing the light emitters off from the outside. This enables the provision of a display panel100with increased mechanical reliability.

FIG. 9is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, a loop-shaped first frit portion1300seals light emitters and includes a plurality of sealing frits1320and1350. The sealing frits1320and1350may include a first sealing frit1320which substantially seals the light emitters from the outside and a second sealing frit1350which is located outside the first sealing frit1320with respect to a sealed space.

A second frit portion is separated from the first frit portion1300and includes a plurality of sub-frits1400,1450and1500isolated from each other. The sub-frits(hiatus-frits)1400,1450and1500of the second frit portion may be interposed between the first and second sealing frits1320and1350, respectively.

InFIG. 9, the sub-frits1400,1450and1500of the second frit portion are arranged in one column. However, the arrangement of the sub-frits1400,1450and1500may vary.

Since the second frit portion includes the interposed sub-frits1400,1450and1500as shown in the drawing, spaces are formed between the first frit portion1300and the second frit portion1400,1450and1500. In addition, a space is formed between the first and second sealing frits1320and1350, respectively, of the first frit portion1300.

Accordingly, a length of the first frit portion1300is reduced in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a first line and in a lengthwise direction parallel to the first line. Consequently, the entire frit can contract relatively freely while sealing the light emitters off from the outside. This enables the provision of a display panel100with increased mechanical reliability.

FIG. 10is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, the frit pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment may include a single frit1600which seals light emitters.

The frit1600includes horizontal frit portions C parallel to edges of a first plate200and vertical frit portions D perpendicular to the edges of the first plate200. The frit1600extends parallel to the edges of the first plate200, and is in the shape of a zigzag pattern formed by the vertical frit portions D and the horizontal frit portions C alternatively connected at right angles.

Due to the zigzag pattern, a length of the frit1600is reduced in a lengthwise direction parallel to the edges of the first plate200and in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the edges of the first plate200. Therefore, the frit1600can contract relatively freely in the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction.

In addition, the area of the frit1600may be 0.9 to 0.95 times the area of a region surrounded by a first line which passes through outer edges of the horizontal frit portions C on an outermost side of the frit1600with respect to a sealed space and a second line which passes through inner edges of the horizontal frit portions C on an innermost side of the frit1600with respect to the sealed space.

As a result, the frit1600can securely support the first and second plates200and250, respectively, despite a reduction in the area of the frit1600in the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction.

FIG. 11is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, a first frit portion1700may extend in a direction parallel to edges of a first plate200, and may be in the shape of a loop having a linear pattern.

A second frit portion may be separated from the first frit portion1700and may include a plurality of island-shaped sub-frits1800and1850isolated from each other. The sub-frits1800and1850may extend along a circumference of the first frit portion1700.

The sub-frits1800and1850may include first sub-frits1800which are located outside the first frit portion1700with respect to a sealed space and second sub-frits1850which are located inside the first frit portion1700with respect to the sealed space. The first and second sub-frits1800and1850, respectively, may be, but are not limited to, polygonal.

A straight line passing through outermost points of the first sub-frits1800with respect to the sealed space and extending parallel to edges of the first plate200may be referred to as a first line, and a straight line passing through innermost points of the second sub-frits1850with respect to the sealed space and extending parallel to the edges of the first plate200may be referred to as a second line.

The distance between the first line and the second line may be defined as a width W3of a frit, and a length of the first frit portion1700in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the first line may be defined as a width D of sealing.

In addition, the distance between every two adjacent sub-frits of the second frit portion1800and1850may be defined as a gap g3, and a maximum width and length of the second sub-frit may be smaller than the width D of the first frit portion1700.

The range of the width D which enables the first frit portion1700to contract relatively freely and securely support the first and second plates may be, but is not limited to, 0.25W3<D<0.75 W3.

In some embodiments, in the case of a product with a 10-inch or less display, the width W3(i.e., the distance between the first and second lines) of the frit including the first frit portion1700and the second frit portion1800and1850may be, but is not limited to, W3<1 mm. In the case of a product with a 10-inch or more display, 1 mm W3<3 mm. In addition, the gap g3may be g3<0.1 W3.

With the above dimensions, the frit can contract relatively freely and securely support the first and second plates200and250, respectively. However, the dimensions that ensure superior mechanical reliability are not limited to the above example.

This pattern structure formed by the first frit portion1700and the second frit portion1800and1850has the effect of reducing the length of the frit in the lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction. Therefore, the frit can contract relatively easily and have reduced residual tensile stress.

FIG. 12is a partial view of a frit pattern according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 12, the frit pattern according to the current exemplary embodiment may include a loop-shaped third frit portion1900which substantially seals light emitters from the outside, and a loop-shaped fourth frit portion2000which extends along the third frit portion1900.

The third frit portion1900and the fourth frit portion2000may respectively include horizontal frit portions E1and E2which are parallel to edges of a first plate200, and vertical frit portions F1and F2which are perpendicular to the edges of the first plate200and protrude from the horizontal frit portions E1and E2.

Each vertical frit portion (e.g., F2) of any one (e.g., the fourth frit portion2000) of the third frit portion1900and the fourth frit portion2000may be inserted into a region surrounded by a horizontal frit portion (e.g., E1) and two vertical frit portions (e.g., F1) of the other one (e.g., the third frit portion1900) of the third frit portion1900and the fourth frit portion2000.

This positional relationship between the third frit portion1900and the fourth frit portion2000has the effect of reducing the width and length of the entire frit. As a result, the entire frit can contract relatively freely, while sealing the light emitters off from the outside. This enables the provision of a display panel100with increased mechanical reliability.