Display Device

The present disclosure relates to a display device including a first substrate including an active area and a non-active area which encloses the active area, a display unit disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate, an encapsulation unit which covers the display unit, a touch panel disposed on the encapsulation unit, an adhesive layer which bonds the touch panel and the first substrate, and a polarizer disposed on the touch panel, the touch panel includes a plurality of touch insulating layers and a touch electrode and ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers are spaced apart from an end of the polarizer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0177731 filed on Dec. 13, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device which is capable of reducing a defect rate of a display device due to stress concentration.

Description of the Related Art

As the information society develops, demands for display devices which display images is increasing and various types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic light emitting display device are utilized.

In order to provide more various functions to users, such a display device provides a function of recognizing a touch on a display panel of a user and performing input processing based on the recognized touch.

A display device which is capable of recognizing a touch includes a plurality of touch electrodes which are disposed or embedded in the display panel and drives the touch electrode to detect the presence of the touch of the user for the display panel or a touch coordinate.

SUMMARY

An object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which even though a polarizer is shrunk when the high temperature and high humidity reliability is evaluated, a stress caused by the shrinkage is not applied to a plurality of touch insulating layers so that a damage of a film therebelow is suppressed.

Another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device which improves a reliability by reducing a defect rate when the high temperature and high humidity reliability is evaluated.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a first substrate including an active area and a non-active area which encloses the active area, a display unit disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate, an encapsulation unit which covers the display unit, a touch panel disposed on the encapsulation unit, an adhesive layer which bonds the touch panel and the first substrate, and a polarizer disposed on the touch panel, the touch panel includes a plurality of touch insulating layers and a touch electrode and ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers are spaced apart from an end of the polarizer. Accordingly, the stress due to the shrinkage of the polarizer is suppressed from being concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers during the evaluation of the high temperature and high humidity reliability to reduce a defect rate of the display device due to the stress concentration.

According to the present disclosure, ends of a plurality of touch insulating layers are disposed to be spaced apart from an end of a polarizer so that the stress due to the shrinkage of the polarizer during the evaluation of the high temperature and high humidity reliability is suppressed from being concentrated onto the plurality of touch insulating layers. By doing this, the reliability of the display device may be improved.

Further, according to the present disclosure, even though a damage is caused on the plurality of touch insulating layers due to the stress concentration, the plurality of touch insulating layers are configured to have different lengths to disperse the damage which may occur in the plurality of touch insulating layers. By doing this, the reliability of the display device may be further improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

When an element or layer is disposed “on” another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly disposed on the other element, or another layer or another element may be interposed therebetween.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a schematic plan view of a display device100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a display device100includes a display panel DP.

The display panel DP includes a substrate using glass or plastic and a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines disposed on the substrate to intersect each other. A plurality of pixels PX are defined at intersections of the plurality of gate lines and data lines. An area in which a plurality of pixels implementing images are disposed is referred to as an active area AA and an area disposed at the outside of the active area AA in which the plurality of pixels PX are not disposed is referred to as a non-active area NA.

In the active area AA, a display unit for displaying images and a circuit unit for driving the display unit may be disposed. For example, when the display device100is an organic light emitting display device, the display unit may include a light emitting diode. The display unit may include an anode, an organic light emitting layer on the anode, and a cathode on the organic light emitting layer. For example, the organic light emitting layer may be configured by a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, an organic emission layer, an electron injection layer, and an electron transport layer. However, when the display device100is a liquid crystal display device, the display unit may be configured to include a liquid crystal layer. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, it is assumed that the display device100is an organic light emitting display device, but is not limited thereto.

The circuit unit may include various thin film transistors, capacitors, and wiring lines for driving the light emitting diode. For example, the circuit unit may be configured by various components such as a driving transistor, a switching transistor, a storage capacitor, a gate line, and a data line, but is not limited thereto.

The non-active area NA is an area where no image is displayed and various wiring lines and circuits for driving the display unit disposed in the active area AA are disposed.

The non-active area NA may be defined as an area which encloses the active area AA as illustrated inFIG.1, but it is not limited thereto and the non-active area NA may be defined as an area extending from the active area AA. Further, the non-active area NA may be defined to extend from a plurality of sides of the active area AA.

In the non-active area NA, a COF or an FPCB in which various ICs such as a gate driver IC and a data driver IC and driving circuits are disposed may be disposed. Further, in the non-active area NA, a driving circuit referred to as a gate in panel (GIP) may be disposed.

Further, an area of the display panel DP is divided depending on whether to be folded, and for example, the display panel may be folded along a direction perpendicular to a folding axis F. For example, the folding axis F may be formed in both a part of the active area AA and a part of the non-active area NA. When the display panel DP is folded with respect to a direction perpendicular to the folding axis F, the display panel DP may be folded while forming a part of a circle or an oval.

Hereinafter, the touch panel of the display device100according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.2together.

FIG.2is a plan view schematically illustrating a structure of a touch panel TP which is applicable to a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The touch panel TP senses a touch input of a user.

Specifically, the touch panel TP is referred to as a touch sensing unit.

The touch panel TP may be manufactured separately from the display panel DP to be attached onto the display panel DP as an add-on type or may be embedded in the display panel DP.

Specifically, when the touch panel TP is separately manufactured from the display panel DP to be attached onto the display panel DP in an add-on type, the touch panel TP may be attached to the display panel DP by means of an adhesive layer. However, a shape of the touch panel TP is not limited to the above-described type, but may vary depending on the necessity of the design.

The touch panel TP further includes a touch driver which supplies a touch driving signal to the touch panel TP and detects a touch sensing signal from the touch panel TP.

The touch driver determines the presence of the user's touch and a touch position. That is, when the user touches a partial area of the touch panel TP, the touch driver senses a touch signal to determine whether the user touches the touch panel TP and a touch position.

Specifically, the touch driver supplies the touch driving signal to each touch panel TP. The touch driver is applied with a touch sensing signal from the touch panel TP. The touch driver may sense the touch in the touch panel TP by the touch sensing signal.

The touch panel TP includes a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1, a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2, a plurality of touch routing lines TL, and a plurality of touch pads PAD.

The plurality of first touch electrodes TE1may be touch driving electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2may be touch sensing electrodes. The plurality of first touch electrodes TE1are connected in a row direction to form a plurality of electrode rows and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2is connected in a vertical direction by the connection electrode CE to form a plurality of electrode columns.

The first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2may be disposed on the same layer. However, in an area where the first touch electrodes TE1and the second touch electrodes TE2intersect, the second touch electrodes TE2are disposed to be separated and the separated second touch electrodes TE2may be connected by the connection electrode CE.

At this time, the first touch electrodes TE1, the second touch electrodes TE2, and the connection electrode CE are disposed in an area corresponding to the active area AA of the display panel DP.

An outer appearance of the first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2may correspond to a specific shape. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, the outer appearance of the first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2may have a mesh pattern including a plurality of rhombus shapes. The first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2may be formed of a metal including at least one of titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), molytitanium (MoTi), copper (Cu), and tantalum (Ta) or formed of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). However, they are not limited thereto. Light emitted from the display device100passes through the first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2formed of a transparent conductive material to be emitted to the outside. However, it is not limited thereto so that light emitted from the display device100may be emitted to the outside by means of a plurality of openings included in the first touch electrode TE1and the second touch electrode TE2.

The non-active area NA is an area enclosing the active area AA and in the non-active area, a plurality of touch routing lines TL and a plurality of touch pads PAD are disposed.

Similar to the display panel DP, the area of the touch panel TP is divided depending on whether to be folded and for example, the folding axis F may be included in the touch panel TP so as to correspond to the folding axis F of the display panel DP. At this time, the display device100including the display panel DP and the touch panel TP may be folded with respect to the folding axis F.

Each of the plurality of touch routing lines TL electrically connects each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE disposed in the active area AA and the touch pad PAD of the non-active area NA. For example, a touch driving signal is applied to the first touch electrode TE1by means of a touch routing line TL connected to the first touch electrode TE1and a touch sensing signal is received from the second touch electrode TE2by means of a touch routing line TL connected to the second touch electrode TE2.

Such a touch routing line TL may be formed of a low resistive metal material and is also formed of a transparent conductive material, such as ITO or IZO, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the plurality of touch routing lines TL are formed of a low resistive metal material, the resistance thereof is degraded so that the RC delay may be degraded.

One ends of the plurality of touch pads PAD are connected to the touch routing lines TL and the other ends are connected to an external circuit such as a touch driver to receive the touch driving signal from the external circuit or transmit the touch sensing signal to the external circuit.

At this time, the plurality of touch routing lines TL and the plurality of touch pads PAD are disposed in an area of the display panel DP corresponding to the non-active area NA.

Here, a cross-sectional structure of the active area AA of the display device100will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.3.

FIG.3is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′ ofFIG.1. Specifically,FIG.3is a cross-sectional view illustrating one pixel PX of the active area AA of the display device100according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the substrate101supports various components of the display device100. The substrate101may be formed of a transparent insulating material, for example, an insulating material, such as glass or plastic. For example, the substrate101includes a substrate using glass or plastic. Specifically, when the substrate includes an insulating plastic substrate selected from polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate, the substrate may have a flexibility. But embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the substrate101may be formed of a semitransparent insulating material or an opaque insulating material.

In the active area AA of the substrate101, the transistor110which drives each pixel is disposed. The transistor110includes an active layer111, a gate electrode112, a source electrode113, and a drain electrode114.

The active layer111is disposed on the substrate101. The active layer111may be formed of polysilicon (p-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si), or oxide semiconductor, but is not limited thereto.

The gate insulating layer115is disposed on the substrate101and the active layer111. The gate insulating layer115may be formed of silicon oxide SiOx, silicon nitride SiNx, or multiple layers thereof.

The gate electrode112is disposed on the gate insulating layer115. The gate electrode112is disposed on the gate insulating layer115so as to overlap the active layer111. The gate electrode112may be formed of various conductive materials, for example, magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), gold (Au), or an alloy thereof, but is not limited thereto.

An interlayer insulating layer120is disposed on the gate insulating layer115and the gate electrode112. The interlayer insulating layer120may be formed of silicon oxide SiOx, silicon nitride SiNx, or multiple layers thereof.

The source electrode113and the drain electrode114are disposed on the interlayer insulating layer120. The source electrode113and the drain electrode114are electrically connected to the active layer111through the contact holes formed in the gate insulating layer115and the interlayer insulating layer120. The source electrode113and the drain electrode114may be formed of various conductive materials, for example, magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), gold (Au), or an alloy thereof, but is not limited thereto.

Even though it is not illustrated, a buffer layer may be located between the substrate101and the transistor110, specifically, between the substrate101and the active layer111. The buffer layer is a layer for protecting the transistor from impurities such as alkali ions leaked from the substrate101or layers therebelow. The buffer layer may be formed of silicon oxide SiOx, silicon nitride SiNx, or multiple layers thereof.

A planarization layer130is disposed on the transistor110. The planarization layer130protects the transistor110and planarizes an upper portion of the transistor. For example, the planarization layer130may be formed of an organic insulating layer, such as benzocyclobutene (BCB) or acryl, but is not limited thereto.

The light emitting diode140is disposed on the planarization layer130. The light emitting diode140includes an anode141, an organic light emitting layer142, and a cathode143.

The anode141is formed on the planarization layer130so as to correspond to an emission area of each pixel. The anode141is electrically connected to the drain electrode114of the transistor110by means of a contact hole of the planarization layer130. The anode141may be configured by a metallic material having a high work function. When the display device100is a top emission type, the anode141may further include a transparent conductive layer and a reflective layer below the transparent conductive layer.

The transparent conductive layer may be formed of transparent conductive oxide such as ITO or IZO and the reflective layer may be formed of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), chrome (Cr), or an alloy thereof.

A bank layer150is formed in a remaining area excluding an emission area. Therefore, the bank layer150exposes the anode141corresponding to the emission area. The bank layer150may be formed of an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx), or an organic insulating material, such as benzocyclobutene (BCB) resin, acrylic resin or imide resin, but is not limited thereto.

Even though it is not illustrated, a spacer may be further formed on the bank layer150. The spacer may be formed of the same material as the bank layer150. The spacer may serve to protect a damage of the light emitting diode140which may be caused by a fine metal mask (FMM) used to pattern the organic light emitting layer142.

The organic light emitting layer142is disposed on the anode141exposed by the bank layer150. The organic light emitting layer142includes a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. The organic light emitting layer142may be configured with a single emission layer structure which emits single light or may be configured with a structure which is configured by a plurality of emission layers to emit white light.

The cathode143is disposed on the organic light emitting layer142. When the light emitting display device100is a top emission type, the cathode143may be formed of a metal material having a small thickness and a high work function.

An encapsulation unit160is disposed on the cathode143. The encapsulation unit160may protect the light emitting diode140from the moisture and oxygen. When the light emitting diode140is exposed to the moisture or oxygen, the pixel shrinkage phenomenon in which the light emitting diode140is shrunk occurs or a dark spot is generated in the emitting area.

For example, the encapsulation unit160includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer161, an organic encapsulation layer162on the first inorganic encapsulation layer161, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer163on the organic encapsulation layer162. The first inorganic encapsulation layer161and the second inorganic encapsulation layer163are formed by inorganic insulating layers. For example, the first inorganic encapsulation layer161and the second inorganic encapsulation layer163may be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The organic encapsulation layer162is formed of an organic insulating layer. The second inorganic encapsulation layer163covers upper surfaces and side surfaces of the first inorganic encapsulation layer161and the organic encapsulation layer162. The second inorganic encapsulation layer163minimizes or blocks external moisture or oxygen from permeating the first inorganic encapsulation layer161and the organic encapsulation layer162. At this time, the first inorganic encapsulation layer161and the second inorganic encapsulation layer163serve to block the permeation of moisture or oxygen and the organic encapsulation layer162serves to planarize an upper portion of the first inorganic encapsulation layer161. However, a configuration of the encapsulation unit160is not limited thereto.

In the meantime, the touch panel TP is disposed on the encapsulation unit160to be bonded to the display panel DP by the adhesive layer170. The adhesive layer170is configured by an adhesive material to bond the encapsulation unit160and the touch panel TP. The adhesive layer170seals the light emitting diode140to protect the light emitting diode140from the permeation of the moisture or oxygen from the outside of the display device100. As the adhesive layer170, various materials may be used, and for example, various adhesive materials such as optical clear adhesive or optical clear resin may be used.

The touch panel TP corresponding to the active area AA of the display device100includes a plurality of touch insulating layers180, and touch electrodes TE, and a polarizer190disposed on the plurality of touch insulating layers180and touch electrodes TE.

The plurality of touch insulating layers180include a touch protection layer181, a touch interlayer insulating layer182on the touch protection layer181, a barrier layer183on the touch interlayer insulating layer182, and a touch planarization layer184on the barrier layer183.

The touch protection layer181is in contact with the adhesive layer170when the touch panel TP is bonded to the display panel DP by means of the adhesive layer170. The touch protection layer181is formed of an inorganic insulating material, and for example, formed of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a multilayer thereof. The touch protection layer181protects the touch electrode TE and the connection electrode CE disposed on the touch protection layer181.

The connection electrode CE is disposed on the touch protection layer181. The connection electrode CE is disposed in the intersections of the touch electrodes TE disposed in different directions to be used to connect the touch electrodes TE disposed in one direction. The connection electrode CE may be formed of a transparent conductive material and for example, formed of a transparent conductive oxide, such as ITO or IZO.

The touch interlayer insulating layer182may be disposed on the connection electrode CE and the touch protection layer181. The touch interlayer insulating layer182insulates the connection electrode CE from the touch electrode TE. The touch interlayer insulating layer182may be formed of an organic insulating material, and for example, formed of an acryl, epoxy, or siloxane based material.

The barrier layer183is disposed so as to cover the touch electrode TE. The barrier layer183is formed of an inorganic film, and for example, formed of silicon oxide SiOx, silicon nitride SiNx, or a multilayer thereof. The barrier layer183suppresses the damage of the touch electrode TE caused by the moisture from the outside.

The touch planarization layer184is disposed on the barrier layer183. The touch planarization layer184is disposed so as not to expose the barrier layer183to the outside to perform a substantially similar function to the substrate. The touch planarization layer184may be formed of an organic insulating material, and for example, formed of an acryl, epoxy, or siloxane based material.

The polarizer190suppress reflection of external light on the active area AA of the substrate101. When the display device100is used at the outside, external natural light enters to be reflected by a reflective layer included in the anode141of the light emitting diode or reflected by an electrode which is formed of a metal and disposed below the light emitting diode140. Therefore, the image of the display device100may not be visibly recognized due to the light reflected as described above. The polarizer190polarizes the light entering from the outside to a specific direction and suppresses the reflected light from being emitted to the outside of the display device100.

Here, a cross-sectional structure of the non-active area NA of the display device100will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.4.

FIG.4is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV′ ofFIG.1. Specifically,FIG.4is a cross-sectional view illustrating the non-active area NA of the display device100.

As described with reference toFIG.3, the transistor110for driving the display device100may be disposed on the substrate101corresponding to the active area AA and a driving circuit or a wiring line which generates or applies a signal for driving the display device100may be disposed on the substrate101corresponding to the non-active area NA.

In the non-active area NA, a gate driving circuit125, a low potential voltage line121, and a pad PAD may be disposed. The gate driving circuit125is connected to each pixel of the active area AA to output a signal for driving the pixel and the low potential voltage line121is disposed to be closer to the outside of the substrate101than the gate driving circuit125and supplies a low potential driving voltage VSS to each pixel. Further, the pad PAD is disposed to be closer to the outside of the substrate101than the low potential voltage line121so that an external module such as COF is bonded thereto. Specifically, the pad PAD may be referred to as a touch pad. Even though inFIG.4, only some configurations of the gate driving circuit are illustrated as wiring lines for the convenience of illustration, various components such as a transistor, a capacitor, and a wiring line may be disposed in the gate driving circuit.

The interlayer insulating layer120is disposed on the gate driving circuit125and the low potential voltage line121.

The planarization layer130is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer120overlapping the gate driving circuit125to planarize an upper portion thereof and the connection line147which is electrically connected to the low potential voltage line121is disposed on the planarization layer130. The connection line147may be simultaneously formed of the same material as the anode141disposed in the active area AA.

A bank layer150including an opening which exposes a partial area of the connection line147is formed on the connection line147.

The cathode143which is in contact with the connection line147in the opening is disposed on the bank layer150.

In the meantime, the encapsulation unit160including the first inorganic encapsulation layer161, the organic encapsulation layer162, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer163is disposed on the cathode143.

The encapsulation unit160covers both the active area AA and the non-active area NA of the substrate101and suppresses the permeation of the moisture and oxygen into the display device100.

A dam DAM which blocks the flow of the organic encapsulation layer162which configures the encapsulation unit160may be disposed in the non-active area NA. Specifically, the dam DAM is disposed in the non-active area NA to block the flow of the organic encapsulation layer62which configures the encapsulation unit160. The dam DAM needs to be formed with a predetermined height or higher to block the flow of the organic encapsulation layer162. To this end, the dam DAM may be formed of at least one or more layers formed of an organic material. For example, the dam DAM may include a lower layer formed of the same material as the planarization layer130and an upper layer formed of the same material as the bank layer150, but is not limited thereto. But embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the dam DAM may include a single layer formed of the same material as the planarization layer130or a single layer formed of the same material as the bank layer150, or even a layer formed of a material different from that of the planarization layer130and the bank layer150. Even though two dams DAM are illustrated in the drawing, one or three or more dams DAM may be provided.

The touch panel TP is bonded onto the encapsulation unit160by the adhesive layer170.

The touch panel TP corresponding to the non-active area AA of the display device100includes a polarizer190disposed on the plurality of touch insulating layers180. Even though it is not illustrated, a touch routing line TL is disposed on the plurality of touch insulating layers180to be connected to the touch electrode TE of the active area AA, but is not limited thereto.

The plurality of touch insulating layers180include a touch protection layer181, a touch interlayer insulating layer182on the touch protection layer181, a barrier layer183on the touch interlayer insulating layer182, and a touch planarization layer184on the barrier layer183.

The polarizer190is disposed not only in the active area AA of the substrate101, but also in the non-active area NA to suppress the reflection of the external light which may be generated in the non-active area NA.

In the related art, after bonding the display panel and the touch panel and detaching a support substrate which supports the display panel and the touch panel, a plurality of touch insulating layers are patterned to open a pad for attaching an external module. However, when the plurality of touch insulating layers are patterned as described above, a stress is concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers so that there is a problem in that not only the plurality of touch insulating layers, but also a film disposed below the plurality of touch insulating layers is damaged. Further, the stress is further applied to the plurality of touch insulating layers due to the shrinkage of the polarizer located above the plurality of touch insulating layers so that there is a problem in that the damage of the film disposed below the plurality of touch insulating layers is further increased.

Therefore, in the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180disposed between the display unit disposed in the active area AA and the plurality of pads PAD are disposed to be spaced apart from an end of the polarizer190. Therefore, even though the polarizer190is shrunk due to a high temperature and high humidity environment, the stress due to the shrinkage of the polarizer190is not applied to the plurality of touch insulating layers180so that the damage of the film disposed below the plurality of touch insulating layers180may be reduced.

For example, the end of the polarizer190may protrude more than the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180. Between the end of the polarizer190and the adhesive layer170, specifically, in an area formed by the polarizer190which protrudes from the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180, a space may be disposed. The stress concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers180by the polarizer190may be reduced by the above-described space.

The plurality of touch insulating layers180are formed by laminating the touch protection layer181, the touch interlayer insulating layer182, the barrier layer183, and the touch planarization layer184. The touch protection layer181is formed of an inorganic insulating material and the touch interlayer insulating layer182is formed of an organic insulating material on the touch protection layer181. The barrier layer183is formed of an inorganic insulating material on the touch interlayer insulating layer182, and the touch planarization layer184is formed of an organic insulating material on the barrier layer183. At this time, the touch protection layer181, the touch interlayer insulating layer182, the barrier layer183, and the touch planarizing layer184have different thicknesses. For example, the thicknesses of the touch interlayer insulating layer182and the touch planarization layer184which are formed of an organic insulating material may be larger than the thicknesses of the touch protection layer181and the barrier layer183which are formed of an inorganic insulating material. Therefore, layers formed of an organic insulating material and layers formed of inorganic insulating material are alternately laminated so that even though a damage, such as a crack, is generated in the layers181and183formed of the inorganic insulating material, the spreading of the damage is suppressed by the layers182and184formed of the organic insulating material.

Further, the polarizer190is disposed on the touch planarization layer184formed of an organic insulating material. Therefore, even though the polarizer190is shrunk in the high temperature and high humidity environment, the shrinkage of the polarizer190is cancelled by the touch planarization layer184so that the damage of the plurality of touch insulating layers180caused by the shrinkage of the polarizer190is suppressed in advance.

Further, the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180and the end of the polarizer190overlap the organic encapsulation layer162of the encapsulation unit160. Accordingly, during the process of patterning the plurality of touch insulating layers180to open the pad PAD, even though the stress is concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers180to cause the damage of the plurality of touch insulating layers180or the polarizer190is shrunk to cause the stress to be concentrated on the end of the polarizer190, the spreading of the damage, such as a crack, caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers180and the polarizer190to the light emitting diode140may be suppressed by the organic encapsulation layer162.

Further, the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180also overlap the planarization layer130. Therefore, during the process of patterning the plurality of touch insulating layers180, even though the stress is concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers180to cause the damage of the plurality of touch insulating layers180, the spreading of the damage caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers180to the light emitting diode140is suppressed by the organic encapsulation layer162. Further, the spreading of the damage, such as a crack, caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers180to the transistor110may be suppressed by the planarization layer130.

FIG.5is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically,FIG.5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the non-active area NA of the display device200. The display device200illustrated inFIG.5is substantially the same as the display device100illustrated inFIGS.1to4except for the configuration of a plurality of touch insulating layers280, so that a redundant description will be omitted.

As described above, the plurality of touch insulating layers280are disposed to be spaced apart from the end of the polarizer190, but the plurality of touch insulating layers280are disposed to overlap the organic encapsulation layer162of the encapsulation unit160. By doing this, during the process of patterning the plurality of touch insulating layers280to open the pad PAD, the damage of the plurality of touch insulating layers280or the damage of the film disposed below the plurality of touch insulating layers280due to the damage caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers280which are caused by the stress which is concentrated on the plurality of touch insulating layers280may be suppressed.

At this time, referring toFIG.5, the display device200according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of touch insulating layers280having ends located in different positions. For example, a touch protection layer281, a touch interlayer insulating layer282, a barrier layer283, and a touch planarizing layer284have different lengths.

Specifically, the plurality of touch insulating layers280are configured to include the touch protection layer281, the touch interlayer insulating layer282, the barrier layer283, and the touch planarization layer284. The touch interlayer insulating layer282is disposed on the touch protection layer281and all of a lower surface and side surfaces of the touch interlayer insulating layer282are enclosed by the touch protection layer281. The barrier layer283is disposed on the touch interlayer insulating layer282and all of a lower surface and side surfaces of the barrier layer283are enclosed by the touch interlayer insulating layer282. Further, the touch planarization layer284is disposed on the barrier layer283and all of a lower surface and side surfaces of the touch planarization layer284are enclosed by the barrier layer283.

At this time, the touch protection layer281and the barrier layer283formed of an inorganic insulating material and the touch interlayer insulating layer282and the touch planarization layer284formed of an organic insulating material are alternately disposed. At this time, each layer of the plurality of touch insulating layers280is configured so as to completely enclose a layer disposed thereabove so that even though a damage, such as a crack, is generated in the plurality of touch insulating layers280, layers having different properties are alternately disposed to suppress the spreading of the damage. Therefore, the spreading of the damage caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers280to the lower stage of the plurality of touch insulating layers280may be suppressed.

For example, the touch interlayer insulating layer282and the touch planarization layer284formed of an organic insulating material are disposed so as to be completely enclosed by the touch protection layer281and the barrier layer283formed of an inorganic insulating material. Therefore, even though the damage, such as a crack, is generated in the plurality of touch insulating layers280, the damage is dispersed, that is, the spreading of the damage is suppressed, by the touch interlayer insulating layer282and the touch planarization layer284formed of an organic insulating material. Consequently, the spreading of the damage caused by the plurality of touch insulating layers280to the lower stage of the plurality of touch insulating layers280may be suppressed.

Hereinafter, the effects of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the following Examples are set forth to illustrate the present disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In order to find out the effect of the present disclosure, as Example, as illustrated inFIG.4, a display device100in which an end of the polarizer190and ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180were disposed to be spaced apart from each other and the end of the polarizer190and the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers180were disposed in an area overlapping the organic encapsulation layer162was used. As Comparative Example, a display device in which an end of the polarizer and ends of the plurality of touch insulating layer overlapped and the end of the polarizer and the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers were disposed in an area protruding from the organic encapsulation layer was used. By doing this, the reliability was evaluated for 504 hours under a temperature and humidity condition represented in Table 1.

Specifically, in a state in which the display device100is statically folded, that is, in a static folding state in which the display device100was fastened with a static folding jig to fold, the static folding jig was put in a reliability evaluation chamber and the reliability was evaluated for 504 hours under the temperature and humidity condition represented in Table 1. Further, in a flat state in which the display device100was not folded, the display device was put in the reliability evaluation chamber to evaluate the reliability for 504 hours under the temperature and humidity condition represented in Table 1.

At this time, 10 display devices were used for each condition to evaluate the reliability and the number of display devices in which moisture permeation defect occurred within 504 hours was indicated as failure (F) and the time when the moisture permeation defect occurred was indicated in parentheses.

As represented in Table 1, it is confirmed that in both a static folding state and a flat state of the display device, even though the high temperature and high humidity condition is changed, the display device of Example shows a superior reliability to the display device of Comparative Example.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display device, comprising: a first substrate including an active area and a non-active area which encloses the active area; a display unit disposed on an upper surface of the first substrate; an encapsulation unit which covers the display unit; a touch panel disposed on the encapsulation unit; an adhesive layer which bonds the touch panel and the first substrate; and a polarizer disposed on the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes a plurality of touch insulating layers and a touch electrode and ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers are spaced apart from an end of the polarizer.

The encapsulation unit includes a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer on the first inorganic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer on the organic encapsulation layer, and the end of the polarizer and the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers may overlap the organic encapsulation layer.

The display unit includes a transistor, a planarization layer which covers the transistor, and a light emitting diode which is disposed on the planarization layer and electrically connected to the transistor and the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers may overlap the planarization layer.

The end of the polarizer may protrude from the ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers.

A space may be disposed between the end of the polarizer and the adhesive layer.

The plurality of touch insulating layers include a touch protection layer, a touch interlayer insulating layer on the touch protection layer, a barrier layer on the touch interlayer insulating layer, and a touch planarization layer on the barrier layer and positions of ends of the touch protection layer, the touch interlayer insulating layer, the barrier layer, and the touch planarization layers may be different from each other.

The touch protection layer, the touch interlayer insulating layer, the barrier layer, and the touch planarization layers may have different lengths.

The touch protection layer, the touch interlayer insulating layer, the barrier layer, and the touch planarization layers may have different thicknesses.

The touch interlayer insulating layer whose lower surface and side surfaces are enclosed by the touch protection layer is disposed on the touch protection layer, the barrier layer whose lower surface and side surfaces are enclosed by the touch interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the touch interlayer insulating layer, the touch planarization layer whose lower surface and side surfaces are enclosed by the barrier layer is disposed on the barrier layer, and the polarizer may be disposed on the touch planarization layer.

The display device may further comprise a plurality of pads disposed in the non-active area; ends of the plurality of touch insulating layers and the end of the polarizer may be disposed between the display unit and the plurality of pads.

The display device may further comprise a folding axis which is present in the active area and the non-active area and folds the display device.