Display apparatus

A display apparatus including a display panel having a display surface on which an image is displayed, and a light condensing member disposed on an upper portion of the display surface. The light condensing member includes a lower condensing layer having a plurality of protrusions protruding upward, and an upper condensing layer having a higher refractive index than the lower condensing layer and disposed on an upper portion of the lower condensing layer to cover the top surface of the lower condensing layer. The protrusions include an upper surface having a planar shape, and a side surface extending downward from an edge of the upper surface and having a curved shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0122055, filed on Sep. 21, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to a display apparatus having improved display quality.

Discussion of the Background

Electronic devices, such as a mobile communication terminal, a digital camera, a laptop computer, and a TV, typically include a display apparatus for displaying an image.

In general, a display apparatus includes a display panel for generating an image and a backlight unit for providing light to the display panel. The display panel adjusts the transmittance of the light provided from the backlight unit to display an image.

A backlight unit may be classified into an edge-type backlight unit, which provides light to a display panel from a side surface of the display panel, and a direct-type backlight unit, which provides light to a display panel from a lower portion of the display panel. The edge-type backlight unit includes a light source for generating light, and a light guide plate for guiding the direction of the light source and the light. The light source is disposed at one side of the light guide plate, and the light guide panel guides the light generated from the light source to the display panel.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts provide a display apparatus having improved display quality.

An exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts provides a display apparatus including a display panel having a display surface on which an image is displayed, and a light condensing member disposed on an upper portion of the display surface. The light condensing member includes a lower condensing layer having a plurality of protrusions protruding upward, and an upper condensing layer having a higher refractive index than the lower condensing layer and disposed on an upper portion of the lower condensing layer to cover the top surface of the lower condensing layer. Each of the protrusions has an upper surface having a planar shape, and a side surface extending downward from an edge of the upper surface and having a curved shape.

The display apparatus may further include a first polarizing member disposed on an upper portion of the display panel and transmitting one polarization component of the light provided from the display panel.

The display panel may include a first substrate having a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed thereon, a second substrate facing the first substrate and having a common electrode disposed thereon, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel electrodes may have a reflective material.

The first polarizing member may include a polarizing layer for transmitting one polarization component of the light provided from the display panel, a phase delay layer interposed between the polarizing layer and the display panel and changing the polarization state of the light provided from the display panel.

The phase delay layer may include at least one of a half-wave film and a quarter-wave film.

The light condensing member may be disposed on an upper portion of the first polarizing member.

The display panel may include a first substrate having a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed thereon, a second substrate facing the first substrate and having a common electrode disposed thereon, a polarizing layer interposed between the common electrode and the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the common electrode and the first substrate.

The lower condensing layer may have a plate shape and may further include a base layer having the protrusions disposed on the top surface thereof.

Each of the protrusions may have a curved surface shape protruding outward from each of the protrusions.

Each of the protrusions may increase in width as facing downward from the upper surface.

The protrusions may be arranged in a first direction on a plane, and a height of each of the protrusions may be greater than or equal to a width of the upper surface in the first direction.

The protrusions may be arranged in a first direction on a plane, and each of the protrusions may be extended in a second direction crossing the first direction

The protrusions may be arranged in a matrix form on a plane.

The light condensing member may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of light condensing members may include a first light condensing member having a first protrusions arranged in a first direction and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a second light condensing member having second protrusions disposed an upper portion of the first light condensing member, arranged in the second direction, and extending in the first direction.

The display apparatus may further include a backlight unit disposed on a lower portion of the display panel to provide light to the display panel.

The display apparatus may further include a first adhesive member disposed on a lower portion of the lower condensing layer and having a plurality of diffusion beads.

The lower condensing layer may include an adhesive material.

The lower condensing layer may further include a plurality of diffusion beads.

Another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts provides a display apparatus including a display panel for displaying an image, a first polarizing member disposed on an upper portion of the display panel and transmitting one polarization component of the light provided from the display panel, and a light condensing member disposed on an upper portion of the first polarizing member, or disposed between the first polarizing member and the display panel. The light condensing member includes a lower condensing layer having a plurality of protrusions arranged in one direction, and an upper condensing layer having a higher refractive index than the lower condensing layer and disposed on an upper portion of the lower condensing layer to cover the lower condensing layer. A side surface of each of the protrusions has a curved surface shape protruding outward and the width of each of the protrusions is less than or equal to the height of each of the protrusions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, andFIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus1000according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts has a rectangular shape which has a short side in a first direction DR1and a long side in a second direction DR2. However, the display apparatus1000is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes.

The display apparatus1000includes a window member100, a display module DM, a backlight unit BLU, and a receiving member800.

For convenience of explanation, a direction in which an image is provided in the display apparatus1000is defined as an upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as a lower direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower directions are parallel to a third direction DR3which is defined as a direction orthogonal to the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2. The third direction DR3may be a reference direction which distinguishes between a front surface and a rear surface of components to be described later. However, the upper direction or the lower direction is a relative concept and may be converted to another direction.

The window member100includes a light transmitting area TA for transmitting an image provided by the display module DM, and a light shielding area NTA adjacent to the light transmitting area TA and not transmitting an image. The light transmitting area TA is disposed at the center of the display apparatus1000on a plane defined by the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2. The light shielding area NTA is disposed at the periphery of the light transmitting area TA and has a frame shape surrounding the light transmitting area TA.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, the window member100of the display apparatus1000includes only the light transmitting area TA. That is, the light shielding area NTA may be omitted. In this case, an image may be transmitted through the entire top surface of the window member100.

The window member100may be made of a material including glass, sapphire, or plastic.

The display module DM is disposed on a lower portion of the window member100. The display module DM displays an image using the light provided from the backlight unit BLU. The display module DM will be further described below with reference toFIG. 3.

The backlight unit BLU is disposed on a lower portion of the display module DM, and provides light to the display module DM. According to this exemplary embodiment, the backlight unit BLU may be an edge-type backlight unit. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. For example, a backlight unit according to another exemplary embodiment may be a direct-type backlight unit.

The backlight unit BLU includes a light source LS, a light guiding member400, a reflecting member500, an optical member600, and a mold frame700.

The light source LS is disposed at one side of the light guiding member400in the first direction DR1. However, the position of the light source LS is not so limited in the inventive concepts, and may be disposed adjacent to at least any one side surface of the side surfaces of the light guiding member400.

The light source LS includes a plurality of light source units LSU and a light source substrate LSS. The light source units LSU generate light to be provided to the display module DM, and provide the light to the light guiding member400.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the light source units LSU may be in a form in which a light emitting diode (LED) is used a point light source. However, the inventive concepts are not limited to this type of the light source units LSU.

In addition, the inventive concepts are not limited to the number of the light source units LSU. According to another exemplary embodiment, the light source unit LSU may be provided with one LED, not a plurality of LEDs, as a point light source, or may be provided with a plurality of LED groups. Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, the light source units LSU may be linear light sources.

The light source units LSU may be mounted on the light source substrate LSS. The light source substrate LSS is disposed to face one side of the light guiding member400in the first direction DR1, and is extended in the second directions DR2. The light source substrate LSS may include a light source controlling unit (not shown) connected to the light source units LSU. The light source controlling unit (not shown) analyzes an image displayed on the display module DM to output a local dimming signal, and may control the brightness of light generated by the light source units LSU in response to the local dimming signal. In another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, the light source controlling unit (not shown) may be provided being mounted on a separate circuit board, and thus, the position thereof is not particularly limited.

The light guiding member400may have a plate shape. The light guiding member400changes the traveling direction of the light provided from the light source unit LSU so as to be directed to an upper portion on which the display module DM is disposed. Although not shown in the drawings, the light guiding member400may have a diffusion pattern (not shown) formed on a lower surface of the light guiding member400.

The light guiding member400includes a material having high light transmittance in the visible light region. For example, the light guiding member400may include a glass material. In another exemplary embodiment, the light guiding member400may be formed of a transparent polymer resin, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

The reflecting member500is disposed on a lower portion of the light guiding member400. The reflecting member500reflects the light emitted from a lower portion of the light guiding member400toward the upper direction. The reflecting member500includes a material for reflecting light. For example, the reflecting member500may include aluminum or silver.

The optical member600is disposed between the light guiding member400and the display module DM. The optical member600performs a function of diffusing or condensing the light provided from the light guiding member400.

InFIGS. 1 and 2, one optical member600is illustrated, but the inventive concepts are not so limited, and the optical member600may be provided in plurality. For example, the plurality of optical members600may include a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, and a protection sheet. The diffusion sheet may diffuse the light provided from the light guiding member400. The prism sheet may condense the light diffused by the diffusion sheet in the upper direction perpendicular to a plane. The protection sheet may protect the prism sheet from external friction.

The mold frame700is disposed between the light guiding member400and the optical member600. In this exemplary embodiment, the mold frame700has a frame shape. The mold frame700overlaps, on a plane, the light shielding area NTA of the window member100and a non-display region NDA of a display panel200. Specifically, the mold frame700may be disposed to correspond to the outermost region on the top surface of the light guiding member400.

The display module DM and the optical member600may be seated on the mold frame700. The mold frame700serves a role to fix the display module DM, the optical member600, and the backlight unit BLU.

The receiving member800is disposed at the lowermost position of the display apparatus1000to receive the backlight unit BLU. The receiving member800includes a bottom portion810and a plurality of side wall portions820connected to the bottom portion810. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, the light source LS may be disposed on one inner side surface of the side wall portions820of the receiving member800. The receiving member800may include a metal having rigidity.

FIG. 3is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display module according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, andFIG. 4is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4together withFIGS. 1 and 2, the display module DM includes the display panel200, a first polarizing member PM1, a second polarizing member PM2, and a light condensing member300.

The display panel200displays an image using the light provided from the backlight unit BLU. That is, the display panel200may be a receiving type display panel. For example, the display panel200may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD).

On a plane, a surface of the display panel200, which is the surface on which an image is displayed, is defined as a display surface DS. The display surface DS includes, on the display surface DS, a display region DA on which an image is displayed, and the non-display region NDA on which an image is not displayed. The display region DA is defined, on the plane, at the center of the display module DM, and overlaps the light transmitting area TA of the window member100.

The display panel200includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, and a liquid crystal layer LC.

The first substrate SUB1is disposed on an upper portion of the backlight unit BLU. The first substrate SUB1may be formed of a material having high light transmittance so as to easily transmit the light provided from the backlight unit BLU. For example, the first substrate SUB1may be a transparent glass substrate, a transparent plastic substrate, or a transparent film.

Although not shown, on the plane, at least one pixel region (not shown) and a non-pixel region (not shown) adjacent to the pixel region are defined. In this exemplary embodiment, the pixel region is provided in plurality, and the non-pixel region may be defined between the pixel regions.

The first substrate SUB1includes a plurality of pixel electrodes PE. The pixel electrodes PE are disposed to correspond one-to-one to the pixel regions (not shown). Although not shown, the first substrate SUB1further includes a plurality of thin film transistors (not shown) electrically connected in one-to-one correspondence to the pixel electrodes PE. The thin film transistors may be respectively connected to the pixel electrodes PE to switch a driving signal provided to each pixel electrode PE.

The second substrate SUB2is disposed on an upper portion of the first substrate SUB1to face the first substrate SUB1. The liquid crystal layer LC may be interposed between the second substrate SUB2and the first substrate SUB1. The liquid crystal layer LC includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules LCM arranged in a predetermined direction.

The second substrate SUB2includes a common electrode CE forming an electric field for controlling the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules LCM together with the pixel electrodes PE. The display panel200drives the liquid crystal layer LC to display an image in the third direction DR3, which is the upper direction.

Although not shown, the display module DM may be provided with a driving chip for providing a driving signal, a tape carrier package (TCP) on which the driving chip is mounted, and a printed circuit substrate which is electrically connected to the display panel200through the tape carrier package.

The first polarizing member PM1and the second polarizing member PM2are disposed on an upper portion and on a lower portion of the display panel200. Specifically, the first polarizing member PM1is disposed on an upper portion of the display panel200, and the second polarizing member PM2is disposed on a lower portion of the display panel200. Although not shown in the drawings, the first polarizing member PM1and the second polarizing member PM2respectively include a polarizing layer (not shown). The polarizing layer (not shown) may have a predetermined optical axis.

Specifically, the polarizing layer of the second polarizing member PM2polarizes the component of the light provided from the backlight unit BLU. The polarizing layer of the second polarizing member PM2may have a second transmission axis (not shown) having a predetermined direction. That is, of the light provided from the backlight unit BLU, only the polarization component parallel to the second transmission axis may be transmitted through the second polarizing member PM2.

The polarizing layer of the first polarizing member PM1polarizes the component of the light provided from the display panel200. The first polarizing member PM1may have a first transmission axis (not shown) having a predetermined direction. That is, of the light provided from the display panel200, only the polarization component parallel to the first transmission axis may be transmitted through the first polarizing member PM1.

In the inventive concepts, according to the arrangement mode of the liquid crystal molecules LCM, an angle formed by the first transmission axis and the second transmission axis may be set. For example, the first transmission axis may be perpendicular to the second transmission axis on a plane.

The light condensing member300is disposed between the display panel200and the first polarizing member PM1. The light condensing member300serves a role to condense the light provided from the display panel200in the upper direction. The light condensing member300according to an exemplary embodiment has a form in which layers having different refractive indexes are coupled. The light condensing member300will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.

The display module DM according to this exemplary embodiment may further include a first adhesive member AD1and a second adhesive member AD2. The first adhesive member AD1and the second adhesive member AD2may include an adhesive material.

The first adhesive member AD1is disposed between the display panel200and the light condensing member300to couple the display panel200with the light condensing member300. The second adhesive member AD2is disposed between the light condensing member300and the first polarizing member PM1to couple the light condensing member300with the first polarizing member PM1.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a light condensing member according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, andFIG. 6is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a light condensing member according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the light condensing member300according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts includes a lower light condensing layer310and an upper light condensing layer320. The lower light condensing layer310is disposed on a lower portion of the upper light condensing layer320to be coupled with the upper light condensing layer320.

The lower light condensing layer310has a first refractive index n1. For example, the first refractive index n1may be about 1.45 to about 1.55. The lower light condensing layer310includes a base layer311and a plurality of protrusions312. The base layer311has a plate shape. The protrusions312may be disposed on the top surface of the base layer311.

The protrusions312may be spaced apart from each other to have a predetermined distance in the first direction DR1, and may be extended in the second direction DR2. In this exemplary embodiment, the separation distance between the protrusions312is constant. However, the inventive concepts are not particularly limited to a constant separation distance between the protrusions312. For example, to adjust the uniformity of the light provided from the display panel200, the separation distances between the protrusions312may be set to be different from each other.

Each of the protrusions312includes an upper surface US, a side surface SS, and a bottom surface BS. The upper surface US and the bottom surface BS face each other. The upper surface US and the bottom surface BS have a planar shape. That is, the upper surface US may be a plane parallel to the top surface of the base layer311. The bottom surface BS is in direct contact with the base layer311.

The side surface SS connects the upper surface US and the bottom surface BS. The side surface SS is extended downward from an edge of the upper surface US. According to this exemplary embodiment, on a cross section, each of the protrusions312may include a plurality of side surfaces SS. The plurality of side surfaces SS face each other in the first direction DR1.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the height h of each of the protrusions312may be greater than or equal to the width W of each of the protrusions312in the first direction DR1.

Also, according to this exemplary embodiment, each of the side surfaces SS may have a curved shape. Specifically, the side surfaces SS of each of the protrusions312according to this exemplary embodiment has a convex shape on the outside of each of the protrusions312in the first direction DR1. For example, in a cross section, the side surfaces SS of each of the protrusions312may be a part of a semi-elliptical shape having a long axis in the third direction DR3. Therefore, each of the protrusions312may have a greater width W in the first direction DR1as facing downward from the upper surface US.

Although not shown in the drawings, according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, the lower light condensing layer310may include an adhesive material. In this case, the above-mentioned first adhesive member AD1may be omitted.

The upper light condensing layer320is disposed on an upper portion of the lower light condensing layer310to cover the top surface of the lower light condensing layer310. Specifically, the upper light condensing layer320covers regions exposed by the protrusions312of the regions on the top surface of the base layer311, and the upper surfaces US and the side surfaces SS of the protrusions312.

The upper light condensing layer320has a second refractive index n2. In this exemplary embodiment, the second refractive index n2has a value greater than the first refractive index n1. For example, the second refractive index n2may be about 1.55 to about 1.65.

FIG. 7is a schematic view showing the path of light entering onto a light condensing member. InFIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, paths of lights entering from the display panel200to the light condensing member300are exemplarily illustrated.

Referring toFIG. 7, lights L1to L4entering from the display panel200to the light condensing member300may be condensed in the upper direction by the protrusions312of the light condensing member300.

For example, the first light L1of the lights L1to L4entering from the display panel200to the light condensing member300is sequentially transmitted through the base layer311of the lower light condensing layer310and the protrusion312, and enters onto the upper light condensing layer320through the upper surface US. In this case, due to the refractive index difference of the lower light condensing layer310and the upper light condensing layer320, the first light L1may be refracted in the upper direction.

The second light L2of the lights L1to L4entering from the display panel200to the light condensing member300is sequentially transmitted through the base layer311of the lower light condensing layer310and the protrusion312, and enters onto the upper light condensing layer320through the side surface SS. In this case, due to the refractive index difference of the lower light condensing layer310and the upper light condensing layer320, the second light L2may be refracted in the upper direction.

The third light L3and the fourth light L4of the lights L1to L4entering from the display panel200to the light condensing member300are transmitted through the base layer311of the lower light condensing layer310and enter onto the upper light condensing layer320through the top surface of the base layer311. The third light L3and the fourth light L4entering onto the upper light condensing layer320may be reflected in the upper direction by the side surface SS of the protrusion312.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the height h of each of the protrusions312may be greater than or equal to the width W of each of the protrusions312in the first direction DR1. That is, the amount of light entering onto the side surface SS of each of the protrusions312from the display panel200may be increased.

Specifically, the direction of the light L1entering onto the upper surface US before entering onto the upper light condensing layer320may be adjacent to the upper direction than the directions of the lights L2to L4entering onto the side surface SS before entering onto the upper light condensing layer320are. According to this exemplary embodiment, the light condensing efficiency of the lights L2to L4which are not relatively adjacent to the upper direction may be increased.

In addition, according to this exemplary embodiment, since each of the protrusions312has a greater width as facing toward the bottom surface BS from the upper surface US, the amount of light entering onto the side surface SS may be increased.

As a result, according to this exemplary embodiment, the light condensing efficiency of the display apparatus1000may be improved.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a light condensing member according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIG. 8, a light condensing member300-1according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts may be provided in plurality. The plurality of light condensing members300-1include a first light condensing member300aand a second light condensing member300b.

The first light condensing member300aincludes a first lower light condensing layer310aand a first upper light condensing layer320a. First protrusions312aof the first lower light condensing layer310aare arranged in the first direction DR1and are extended in the second direction DR2.

The second light condensing member300bis disposed on an upper portion of the first light condensing member300a. The second light condensing member300bincludes a second lower light condensing layer310band a second upper light condensing layer320b. Second protrusions312bof the second lower light condensing layer310bare arranged in the second direction DR2and are extended in the first direction DR1.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the first light condensing member300acondenses a first direction DR1component of the incident lights, and the second light condensing member300bcondenses a second direction DR1component of incident lights. Therefore, the amount of the light condensed by the light condensing members300aand300bmay be increased. Furthermore, the light condensing efficiency of the display apparatus1000may be further improved.

FIG. 9is an enlarged perspective view of a light condensing member according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIG. 9, a light condensing member300-2according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts includes a lower light condensing layer310-2and an upper light condensing layer320-2.

Protrusions312-2of the lower light condensing layer310-2are disposed on an upper surface of a base layer311-2. Each of the protrusions312-2may have a shape of a rotating body. For example, side surfaces of each of the protrusions312-2may be part of a semi-elliptical sphere.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the protrusions312-2may be arranged in a matrix form on the top surface of the base layer311-2. Specifically, the protrusions312-2are arranged in the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2. The inventive concepts are not particularly limited to this arrangement shape of the protrusions312-2.

FIG. 10is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display module according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIG. 10, the first adhesive member AD1of a display module DM-3according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts may include a plurality of diffusion beads DBD. The diffusion beads DBD function to diffuse the light provided from the display panel200. For example, the diffusion beads DBD may include silver. According to this exemplary embodiment it is possible to prevent a moire phenomenon occurring in an image provided from the display apparatus1000.

FIG. 11is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display module according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIG. 11, a lower light condensing layer310-4of a light condensing member300-4according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts may include the plurality of diffusion beads DBD. For example, the diffusion beads DBD may include silver. Also, the lower light condensing layer310-4of the light condensing member300-4may include an adhesive material. Therefore, the first adhesive member AD1described above with reference toFIG. 3may be omitted.

According to this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to prevent a moire phenomenon occurring in an image provided from the display apparatus1000.

FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIG. 12, a display module DM-5according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts includes the display panel200, the first polarizing member PM1, the second polarizing member PM2, and a light condensing member300-5.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the light condensing member300-5is disposed on an upper portion of the first polarizing member PM1. That is, the light condensing member300-5may be disposed at the uppermost position of the display module DM-5. In this case, it is possible to prevent the amount of light transmitted and absorbed by the first polarizing member PM1from being changed by the phase delay which may be caused by the light condensing member300-5. That is, the display quality of the display apparatus1000may be improved.

FIG. 13is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display module according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, andFIG. 14is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display panel shown inFIG. 13.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 13 and 14, a display panel200-6of a display module DM-6according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts may include a polarizing layer POL-6. That is, in this exemplary embodiment, the first polarizing member PM1described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3is omitted.

Specifically, the display panel200-6according to this exemplary embodiment further includes the polarizing layer POL-6. The polarizing layer POL-6may be disposed between the second substrate SUB2and the common electrode CE.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the polarizing layer POL-6may be a wire grid polarizer (WGP). That is, the polarizing layer POL-6has a form in which a plurality of nanowires extending in a predetermined direction are arranged. The polarizing layer POL-6includes a metal material. For example, the polarizing layer POL-6may include aluminum.

FIG. 15is an exploded perspective view of a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts, andFIG. 16is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a display panel shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 17is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first polarizing member shown inFIG. 15.

For convenience of explanation, differences from an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts will be mainly described, and omitted parts are in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. In addition, the constituent elements described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the constituent elements is omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 15 to 17, a display apparatus1000-7according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts may be a reflective display apparatus1000-7. That is, the display device1000-7according to this exemplary embodiment may display an image by receiving external light provided from the outside. Therefore, according to this exemplary embodiment, the backlight unit BLU and the second polarizing member PM2described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3may be omitted.

Specifically, a display module DM-7according to this exemplary embodiment includes a first polarizing member PM1-7, a display panel200-7, and the light condensing member300. The light condensing member300is disposed between a first polarizing member PM1-7and the display panel200-7. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto, and the light condensing member300may be disposed on an upper portion of the first polarizing member PM1-7.

A pixel electrode PE-7of the display panel200-7according to this exemplary embodiment may include a reflective material. For example, the pixel electrode PE-7may include aluminum. Therefore, the light provided from the outside is reflected by the pixel electrode PE-7, and the display apparatus1000-7may display an image using the reflected light through the display surface DS.

The first polarizing member PM1-7includes a polarizing layer POL and a phase retarding layer RTL. The phase retarding layer RTL is disposed on a lower portion of the polarizing layer POL. The phase retarding layer RTL serves a role to delay the phase of one component of the light provided from the display panel200-7. That is, the light which has passed through the phase retarding layer RTL may be polarized.

The phase retarding layer RTL according to this exemplary embodiment includes a half-wave film HWP and a quarter-wave film QWP. The half-wave film HWP is disposed between the quarter-wave film QWP and the polarizing layer POL.

The half-wave film HWP may be a phase difference film which delays the phase of one component of the incident light by V2. That is, the light provided from the outside is transmitted through the polarizing layer POL and linearly polarized so as to be parallel to the light transmission axis of the polarizing layer POL, and the linearly polarized light is transmitted through the half-wave film HWP such that the linear polarization direction may be changed.

The quarter-wave film QWP may be a phase difference film which delays the phase of one component of the incident light by V2. That is, the quarter-wave film QWP may convert the light provided from the half-wave film HWP from being in the linearly polarized state to being in the circularly polarized state.

The circularly polarized light is reflected by the pixel electrode PE-7of the display panel200-7and enters again onto the quarter-wave film QWP, and the light transmitted through the quarter-wave film QWP is converted from being in the circularly polarized state to being in the linearly polarized state. The linearly polarized light is transmitted and absorbed by the half-wave film HWP and the polarizing layer POL, and an image may be finally displayed through the display surface DS.

In this exemplary embodiment, the phase retarding layer RTL includes one half-wave film HWP and one quarter-wave film QWP, but the inventive concept is not particularly limited to the type and the number of film which the phase retarding layer RTL has.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts as defined in the appended claims. In addition, the present exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the inventive concepts, and all technical ideas within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof should be construed as falling within the scope of the inventive concepts.