Display device

A display device includes a touch panel (TP), a transparent adhesive member (TAM) on a surface of the TP, a touch printed circuit board (TPCB), and a display panel (DP) on a surface of the TAM. The TP includes a sensing portion and a pad side portion (PSP) on a side of the sensing portion. The TPCB includes a contact portion (CP) attached to a surface of the PSP. The DP includes a substrate, an optical film (OF) on a surface of the substrate, and a bending protection layer (BPL) on a side of the OF on the surface of the substrate. The surface of the PSP includes a connection area attached to the CP and a non-connection area not attached to the CP. The OF is spaced from the BPL with a gap disposed therebetween. The TAM overlaps, in a thickness direction, with the TPCB and the gap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0025176, filed Mar. 5, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Exemplary embodiments generally relate to a display device, and, more particularly, to a display device including a plurality of members attached thereto via adhesive members.

Discussion

Display devices are for displaying images and include a display panel, such as an organic light-emitting display panel or a liquid-crystal display panel. Such a display device may include a window for protecting the display panel from an external shock. The window may be frequently employed by portable electronic devices, such as smart phones. Some portable electronic devices provide a touch input feature. Such a display device may include a touch panel to perform the touch input feature. The window, the touch panel, and the display panel may be attached to one another by an adhesive. The touch panel and the display panel may receive an external signal through a printed circuit film or the like attached to corresponding connection portions.

The display panel may include a polarizing film and a bending protection layer spaced apart from the polarizing film. The polarizing film typically contains ions that give metal an impetus to corrode, such as iodine ions. Lines disposed at the corresponding connection portions of the touch panel may corrode due to ions, such as iodine ions.

The above information disclosed in this section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, may contain information that does not form prior art.

SUMMARY

Some exemplary embodiments provide a display device capable of preventing (or at least reducing) signal lines disposed on connection portions of a touch panel and lead lines on a touch printed circuit board connected to the signal lines from corroding.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device includes a touch panel, a transparent adhesive member, a touch printed circuit board, and a display panel. The touch panel includes a sensing portion and a pad side portion disposed on a side of the sensing portion. The transparent adhesive member is disposed on a surface of the touch panel. The touch printed circuit board includes a contact portion attached to a surface of the pad side portion. The display panel disposed on a surface of the transparent adhesive member. The display panel includes a display substrate, an optical film disposed on a surface of the display substrate, and a bending protection layer disposed on a side of the optical film on the surface of the display substrate. The surface of the pad side portion includes a connection area attached to the contact portion and a non-connection area not attached to the contact portion. The optical film is spaced apart from the bending protection layer such that a gap is disposed between the optical film and the bending protection layer. The transparent adhesive member overlaps, in a thickness direction, with the touch printed circuit board and the gap.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device includes a touch panel, a first transparent adhesive member, a printed circuit board, a display panel, a second transparent adhesive member, and a window. The touch panel includes a pad side portion. The first transparent adhesive member is disposed on a first surface of the touch panel. The printed circuit board includes a first contact portion attached to a surface of the pad side portion. The display panel is disposed on a surface of the first transparent adhesive member. The display panel includes a display substrate, an optical film disposed on a surface of the display substrate, and a bending protection layer disposed on a side of the optical film on the surface of the display substrate. The second transparent adhesive member is disposed on a second surface of the touch panel. The second surface opposes the first surface. The window is disposed on the second transparent adhesive member. The surface of the pad side portion includes a first connection area attached to the first contact portion, and a first non-connection area not attached to the first contact portion. The optical film is spaced apart from the bending protection layer such that a gap is disposed between the optical film and the bending protection layer. The first transparent adhesive member partially overlaps, in a thickness direction, with the optical film, the bending protection layer, and the printed circuit board. A side surface of the second transparent adhesive member on the first connection area protrudes beyond a side surface of the first transparent adhesive member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some exemplary embodiments. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as an “element” or “elements”), of the various illustrations may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. When, however, an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other terms and/or phrases used to describe a relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion, e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” “on” versus “directly on,” etc. Further, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection. In addition, the DR1-axis, the DR2-axis, and the DR3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1-axis, the DR2-axis, and the DR3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional views, isometric views, perspective views, plan views, and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result of, for example, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. To this end, regions illustrated in the drawings may be schematic in nature and shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of regions of a device, and, as such, are not intended to be limiting.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a display device may include a plurality of members to be attached thereto via adhesive members. The plurality of members may include panels and/or a window. The panel may include a display panel, a touch panel, etc. The adhesive member may be optically transparent.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is an exploded, perspective view of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line II-II′ ofFIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 3is a top plan view showing the layout of a touch panel and first and second transparent adhesive members according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 4is a plan view of a touch panel according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line VI-VI′ ofFIG. 3according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line VII-VII′ ofFIG. 3according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line VIII-VIII′ ofFIG. 3according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 8, a display device1includes a display panel80, a touch panel30, a window10, a first transparent adhesive member50, and a second transparent adhesive member20. The display panel80is a panel for displaying an image by receiving a data signal. At least one of an organic light-emitting display panel, a liquid-crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, and an electrophoretic display panel may be employed as the display panel80. For descriptive and illustrative purposes, an organic light-emitting display panel will be described as the display panel80.

The display panel80may include a display area DAR and a driving area DDR.

The display area DAR includes a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels may include an emissive layer and a circuit layer for controlling the amount of light emitted from the emissive layer. The circuit layer may include display lines, display electrodes, and at least one transistor. The emissive layer may include an organic light-emitting material. The emissive layer may be sealed by an encapsulation layer. The encapsulation layer can seal the emissive layer to prevent (or at least reduce) moisture and the like from being introduced from the outside. The encapsulation layer may be made up of a single inorganic layer or multiple layers thereof, or a stack of inorganic layers and organic layers alternately stacked on one another.

The display area DAR may further include an optical film60disposed on the encapsulation layer. The optical film60may be disposed in the display area DAR and not in the driving area DDR disposed on, for instance, one side of the display area DAR. Exemplary embodiments, however, are not limited thereto. The optical film60may be disposed on a part of the driving area DDR.

The optical film60may include a plurality of films stacked on one another as shown inFIG. 2. The optical film60may include a first optical protection film61disposed on the encapsulation layer, a phase retardation film63disposed on the first optical protection film61, a polarizing film65disposed on the phase retardation film63, and a second optical protection film67disposed on the polarizing film65.

The first and second optical protection films61and67of the optical film60can protect the polarizing film65and the phase retardation film63of the optical film60from external moisture and foreign substances. The first and second optical protection films61and67may include an organic insulating material.

The phase retardation film63may change the phase of light. For example, the phase retardation film63may be a λ/4 phase retardation film. The phase retardation film63may be made up of a birefringent film including a polymer, an alignment film of a liquid crystal polymer, a film including an alignment layer of a liquid crystal polymer, etc.

The polarizing film65may selectively transmit light. For example, the polarizing film65may be a linear polarizing film. The polarizing film65may be a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film. The polarizing film65may be produced by stretching a polyvinyl alcohol film in a direction and then adsorbing iodine (I) or a dichroic dye onto (or into) it. The polarizing film65has an absorption axis in the direction that it is stretched and a transmission axis in the direction perpendicular to the absorption axis. Light is incident on the polarizing film65, and only linearly polarized light exits in a direction parallel to the transmission axis. It is to be noted that the polarizing film65may further include corrosion promoting ions CPI that corrodes the touch signal line and the touch lead signal line, which will be described later.

The corrosion promoting ions CPI may be in the ionic form of iodine (I) described above. Corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65can be eluted through the external moisture of the polarizing film65. For example, the corrosion promoting ions CPI are not eluted from the top and bottom of the polarizing film65as it is covered by the first and second optical protection films61and67, respectively. However, the corrosion promoting ions CPI may be eluted through external moisture from the side surfaces exposed by the first and second optical protection films61and67. In this regard, in the display device1according to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50disposed on the optical film60covers the touch signal lines and the touch lead signal lines so that it is possible to prevent corrosion of the lines on the connection portions. More detailed description thereon will be given later.

The display area DAR may have a rectangular shape or a rectangular shape with rounded corners. It, however, is contemplated that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The display area DAR may have various shapes, such as a square or other polygonal or circular shape, elliptical shape, etc.

The driving area DDR is disposed around the display area DAR, for example, on one side thereof. The driving area DDR may be a non-display area where no image is displayed. Unlike the display area DAR, the driving area DDR may include no pixel. When the display area DAR has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, the driving area DDR is disposed adjacent to at least one side of the rectangular shape of the display area DAR. In the drawings, the driving area DDR is disposed adjacent to one shorter side of the display area DAR, for example. The driving area DDR may include a driving line connected to the display line of the pixel, and a pad of the driving line. External components, such as a driver chip and a printed circuit board, may be mounted on the driving line pads as will be described later.

In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel80may include a substrate81. The substrate81may be a flexible substrate made of a flexible plastic material, such as polyimide. The circuit layer and the emissive layer of the display area DAR may be disposed on a surface of the substrate81. When the substrate81has flexibility, the substrate81may be bent at the driving area DDR. For example, the substrate81of the driving area DDR disposed adjacent to the shorter side of the display area DAR may be bent away from the display surface to be extended to the rear surface of the display area DAR. The bent driving area DDR may partially overlap with the display area DAR. The bent surface of the substrate81may face the opposite side to the surface of the substrate81of the display area DAR. That is to say, the surface of the substrate81of the display area DAR may face the upper side, whereas the bent surface of the substrate81may face the lower side.

The driving line of the driving area DDR may be extended along the bending area, and the driving line pad may be disposed on the area where the display area DAR overlaps with the bent driving area DDR.

The driving area DDR of the display panel80may include a bending protection layer70. The bending protection layer70may be disposed on one side of the optical film60and may be spaced apart from the optical film60with a first gap GAP1therebetween. InFIG. 2, the optical film60and the bending protection layer70are disposed on the same layer. However, as described above, the optical film60may be disposed on the encapsulation layer of the display area DAR, and the bending protection layer70may not overlap with the encapsulation layer so that the optical film60and the bending protection layer70may not be disposed on the same layer. In this case, the optical film60may be positioned above the bending protection layer70by, for instance, the thickness of the encapsulation layer.

The bending protection layer70covers and protects the driving line. Moreover, the bending protection layer70may reinforce the strength of the substrate81or may relieve the stress in the bending area. The bending protection layer70exposes the driving line pad portion.

In some exemplary embodiments, the bending protection layer70may include an organic coating layer, such as at least one of polyimide, acrylate, and epoxy. In some exemplary embodiments, the bending protection layer70may be attached in the form of a protection film.

The driving line pads in the driving area DDR of the display panel80may be electrically connected to the display printed circuit board COF. For example, the driving line pads may be disposed on a surface of the substrate81, and the display printed circuit board COF may be attached to the driving line pads by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or the like. The display printed circuit board COF may be a film-type flexible printed circuit board. A driver chip D_IC may be mounted on the display printed circuit board COF. The display printed circuit board COF may be implemented as a chip-on-film, a tape carrier package, or the like.

The display printed circuit board COF may be electrically connected to a main circuit board MB. The main circuit board MB may be made of a rigid printed circuit board. The main circuit board MB and the display printed circuit board COF may be attached to each other by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or the like.

A touch panel30is disposed on the display panel80. The touch panel30includes a lower surface30bfacing the display panel80and an upper surface30aopposed to the lower surface30b. The touch panel30can acquire (or detect) position information of an input point by at least one of a capacitive method, a resistive film method, an electromagnetic induction method, and an infrared method, or the like. Although a capacitive-type touch panel30will be described, this is merely illustrative of some exemplary embodiments.

The touch panel30may overlap with the display area DAR and a part of the driving area DDR of the display panel80. The touch panel30may not overlap with the portion of the substrate81of the display panel80beyond the bending portion.

The touch panel30may include touch electrodes and/or touch lines.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the touch panel30includes a sensing portion TAR and a pad side portion TDR. If the touch panel30has a rectangular shape when viewed from the top, e.g., in a direction opposite the third direction DR3, the touch panel30may include four side portions adjacent to the sides, respectively. The pad side portion TDR may be located on one of the side portions adjacent to one shorter side of the touch panel30when viewed from the top. The pad side portion TDR may be disposed on one side of the sensing portion TAR. For example, the pad side portion TDR may be located on one side of the sensing portion TAR in a first direction DR1. The sensing portion TAR of the touch panel30is disposed so as to overlap with the display area DAR of the display panel80, and the pad side portion TAR of the touch panel30is disposed so as to overlap with the display area DAR of the display panel80, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The touch panel30may include a first touch protection layer310, a first line layer320disposed on the first touch protection layer310, a first touch insulating layer330disposed on the first line layer320, a second touch insulating layer350disposed on the first touch insulating layer330, a second line layer360disposed on the second touch insulating layer350, and a second touch protection layer370disposed on the second line layer360. The touch panel30may further include a touch coupling layer340that is disposed between the first touch insulating layer330and the second touch insulating layer350to couple them. The first line layer320and the second line layer360include a plurality of electrodes321,323,325,361,363,365, T_PAD1, T_PAD2and T_PAD3.

The first touch protection layer310may cover and protect the first line layer320. The first touch protection layer310may be a solder resist layer. The solder resist layer may be made of an organic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSF), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), triacetylcellulose (TAC), and cycloolefin polymer (COP).

The first line layer320is disposed on a surface of the first touch protection layer310. The first line layer320may include first touch electrodes321, first connection electrodes323connecting between adjacent ones of the first touch electrodes321, first touch signal lines325, and third touch signal pads T_PAD3.

The first touch electrodes321, the first connection electrodes323connecting between the first touch electrodes321, and the first touch signal lines325may be disposed in the sensing portion TAR of the touch panel30. The third touch signal pads T_PAD3may be disposed in the driving area DDR of the touch panel30. The first touch signal lines325may electrically connect the first touch electrodes321with the third touch signal pads T_PAD3.

The first touch electrodes321adjacent to one another in the column direction (e.g., in the first direction DR1) are physically connected to one another through the first connection electrodes323. The width of the first connection electrodes323may be smaller than the width of the first touch electrodes321.

The first touch signal lines325are connected to the first touch electrodes321to extend toward the pad side portion TDR and form the third touch signal pads T_PAD3at the pad side portion TDR. The first touch protection layer310exposes a surface of the first touch signal lines325at the driving area DDR of the touch panel30. The exposed surface of the first touch signal lines325may become the third touch signal pad T_PAD3. The touch printed circuit board40may be electrically connected to the exposed third touch signal pad T_PAD3. In some exemplary embodiments, a second gap GAP2may be formed between the first touch protection layer310and an end of the touch printed circuit board40in the first direction DR1. The second gap GAP2may expose a portion of an upper surface of the first transparent adhesive member50.

The touch printed circuit board40may be a flexible printed circuit board. The touch printed circuit board40may include first to third contact portions CB1to CB3. A first contact portion CB1located at one end of the touch printed circuit board40may be attached to the first touch signal pads T_PAD1of the touch panel30by an anisotropic conductive film ACF or the like. The touch printed circuit board40may include a base film41and a plurality of touch lead lines LE1to LE3disposed on the base film41. The third touch lead lines LE3may be coupled with the third touch signal pads T_PAD3. The first touch lead lines LE1may be coupled to first touch signal pads T_PAD1to be described later, and the second touch lead lines LE2may be coupled to second touch signal pads T_PAD2to be described later.

The touch printed circuit board40may be bent so that it surrounds the bending portion of the substrate81of the display panel80on its outer side as shown inFIG. 2. The other end of the touch printed circuit board40may be electrically connected to the main circuit board MB. In some exemplary embodiments, a touch chip T_IC may be mounted on the touch printed circuit board40. For instance, the touch chip T_IC may be mounted on the touch printed circuit board40prior to the other end of the touch printed circuit board40that may be electrically connected to the main board MB.

The third touch signal pad T_PAD3may be located at the center of the pad side portion TDR when viewed from the top. The first touch signal pad T_PAD1and the second touch signal pad T_PAD2to be described later may be disposed with the third touch signal pad T_PAD3therebetween. The third touch signal pads T_PAD3may have a slightly expanded shape than the first touch signal lines325for connection with the touch printed circuit board40, but this is merely illustrative and exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first touch insulating layer330is disposed on the first line layer320. The first touch insulating layer330may be disposed over the entire surface of the first line layer320, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The touch coupling layer340may be disposed on the first touch insulating layer330. The touch coupling layer340may be made of a material that can be used as a typical adhesive material to couple the first touch insulating layer330with the second touch insulating layer350. For example, the touch coupling layer340may include a material forming a transparent adhesive member, which will be described in more detail later.

The second touch insulating layer350may be disposed on the touch coupling layer340. Each of the first touch insulating layer330and the second touch insulating layer350may be made up of a single layer or multiple layers. In addition, each of the first touch insulating layer330and the second touch insulating layer350may include an inorganic material, an organic material, or a composite material. In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch insulating layer330and/or the second touch insulating layer350may include an inorganic layer. The inorganic layer may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch insulating layer330and/or the second touch insulating layer350may include an organic layer. The organic layer may include at least one selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, a polyisoprene, a vinyl resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a cellulose resin, a siloxane resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin, and a perylene resin.

The second line layer360may be disposed on the second touch insulating layer350. The second line layer360may include second touch electrodes361, second connection electrodes363connecting between adjacent ones of the second touch electrodes361, second touch signal lines365, the first touch signal pads T_PAD1, and second touch signal pads T_PAD2. The first touch electrodes321and the second touch electrodes361may acquire, determine, or otherwise detect position information of a touched (or touch interaction) point by a self-capacitance method and/or a mutual capacitance method.

The second touch electrodes361, the second connection electrodes363connecting between the second touch electrodes361, and the second touch signal lines365may be disposed in the sensing portion TAR of the touch panel30. The first touch signal pads T_PAD1and the second touch signal pads T_PAD2may be disposed in the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30. The second touch signal lines365may electrically connect the second touch electrodes361with the first touch signal pads T_PAD1and the second touch electrodes361with the second touch signal pads T_PAD2. The first touch signal pads T_PAD1may be disposed on one side of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3that faces the sensing portion TAR from the pad side portion TDR when viewed from the top. The second touch signal pads T_PAD2may be disposed on the other side of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3that faces the sensing portion TAR from the pad side portion TDR when viewed from the top. For example, the first touch signal pads T_PAD1may be disposed on one side (e.g., the left side) of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3in the second direction DR2 when viewed from the top, and the second touch signal pads T_PAD2may be disposed on the other side (e.g., the right side) of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3in the second direction DR2.

The second touch electrodes361adjacent to one another in the row direction (e.g., the second direction DR2) are physically connected to one another through the second connection electrodes363. The width of the second connection electrodes363may be smaller than the width of the second touch electrodes361.

The second touch signal lines365are connected to the second touch electrodes361to extend toward the pad side portion TDR and form the first touch signal pads T_PAD1and the second touch signal pads T_PAD2at the pad side portion TDR. The second touch protection layer370exposes a surface of the second touch signal lines365at the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30. The exposed surface of the second touch signal lines365may become the first touch signal pads T_PAD1or the second touch signal pads T_PAD2. The first and second touch signal pads T_PAD1and T_PAD2may be arranged in (e.g., spaced apart from one another in) the second direction DR2.

The touch printed circuit board40may be electrically connected to the exposed first and second touch signal pads T_PAD1and T_PAD2. The first contact portion CB1of the touch printed circuit board40may be attached to the first touch signal pads T_PAD1by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), etc., and the second contact portion CB2may be attached to the second touch signal pads T_PAD2by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), etc.

The first and second touch signal pads T_PAD1and T_PAD2may have a slightly expanded shape than the second touch signal lines365for connection with the touch printed circuit board40, but this is merely illustrative and exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first touch electrodes321and the second touch electrodes361may be arranged in a matrix when viewed from the top. Each of the first touch electrodes321and the second touch electrodes361may have, but is not limited to, a diamond shape. The first touch electrodes321may be electrically connected to one another in the column direction (e.g., the longer side direction), and the second touch electrodes361may be electrically connected to one another in the row direction (e.g., the shorter side direction). Exemplary embodiments, however, are not limited thereto. For instance, the first touch electrodes321may be electrically connected to one another in the row direction, and the second touch electrodes361may be electrically connected to one another in the column direction. The first touch electrodes321and the second touch electrodes361are spaced apart and isolated from one another by the first and second touch insulating layers330and350disposed therebetween.

Each of the first line layer320and the second line layer360may be made of a conductive material. For example, the first line layer320and the second line layer360may be made of a material including at least one of a transparent conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO); a metal material, such as molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or an alloy of at least two of the aforementioned metal materials; a conductive polymer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), etc.; metal nanolines (or nanotubes); carbon nanotubes; graphene; etc.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first line layer320and the second line layer360may include an opaque material, and, as such, the first touch electrodes321and the second touch electrodes361may have a mesh shape.

The window10is disposed on the touch panel30. The window10serves to cover and protect the touch panel30and/or the display panel80. In some exemplary embodiments, the window10completely overlaps with the touch panel30. The window10may be larger than the touch panel30and its side surfaces may protrude from the side surfaces of the touch panel30, respectively. In addition, the window10may completely overlap with the display area DAR of the display panel80, as well as the driving area DDR. The window10may be larger than the display panel80and its side surfaces may protrude from the sides of the display panel80, respectively. The window10may cover even the bending portion of the substrate81of the display panel80.

The window10may be made of a transparent material. The window10may include, for example, glass or plastic. When the window10includes plastic, the window10may have flexible nature.

If the window10includes plastic, it may further include a coating layer (not shown) disposed on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the plastic. In some exemplary embodiments, the coating layers may be a hard coating layer including an organic layer containing an acrylate compound and/or an organic-inorganic hybrid layer. The organic layer may include an acrylate compound. The organic-inorganic hybrid layer may be a layer in which an inorganic material, such as silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, or niobium oxide, and glass beads is dispersed in an organic material, such as an acrylate compound. In some exemplary embodiments, the coating layer may include a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer may include, but is not limited to, metal oxides, such as titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, tantalum, copper, indium, tin, and/or tungsten.

The second transparent adhesive member20is disposed between the window10and the touch panel30. The window10and the touch panel30may be coupled with each other by the second transparent adhesive member20. The first transparent adhesive member50is disposed between the touch panel30and the display panel80. The touch panel30and the display panel80may be coupled with each other by the first transparent adhesive member50.

Each of the first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may be made of an optically transparent adhesive film, an optically transparent adhesive tape, or an optically transparent resin.

The first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may be made of the same material, but they may have different properties. For example, the first transparent adhesive member50may have a lower modulus (e.g., modulus of elasticity, flexural modulus, etc.) than the second transparent adhesive member20.

The first transparent adhesive member50may be thinner than the second transparent adhesive member20. For example, the thickness of the first transparent adhesive member50may be 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the second transparent adhesive member20may be 0.15 mm. It is, however, to be understood that the thicknesses of the first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20are not limited to the aforementioned numerical values.

The first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20have generally similar shapes and sizes, but not all the sides may be aligned with one another. That is to say, a part of the first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may not overlap with one another when viewed from the top. A more detailed description thereon will be given later.

The display device100may further include a cover panel sheet90. The cover panel sheet90may be attached to the rear surface of the display area DAR of the display panel80. The cover panel sheet90includes at least one functional layer. The functional layer may perform a heat dissipation function, an electromagnetic wave shielding function, a grounding function, a buffering function, a strength enhancing function, a supporting function, and/or a digitizing function. The functional layer may be a sheet layer made of a sheet, a film layer made of a film, a thin film layer, a coating layer, a panel, a plate, etc. A single functional layer may be made up of a single layer or a plurality of thin films or coating layers stacked on one another. The functional layer may be, for example, a supporting substrate, a heat-radiating layer, an electromagnetic wave shielding layer, a shock absorbing layer, a digitizer, etc.

The substrate81of the driving area DDR of the display panel80and the display printed circuit board COF and the main circuit board MB connected thereto may be located under the cover panel sheet90. The bent touch printed circuit board40may also be located under the cover panel sheet90. The lower surface of the cover panel sheet90may be coupled with the other surface of the substrate81and/or the main circuit board MB by an adhesive layer, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the positional relationship among the touch panel30, the first transparent adhesive member50, and the second transparent adhesive member20will be described in more detail.

The shape of the touch panel30may conform to the shape of the display area DAR of the display panel80when viewed from the top as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. When the display area DAR of the display panel80has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, the shape of the touch panel30may also have a rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed from the top. The side surface of the touch panel30on the pad side portion TDR may have a straight line shape when viewed from the top.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the upper surface30aof the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30may include a first connection area CNA1to which the first contact portion CB1of the touch printed circuit board40is attached, a second connection area CNA2to which the second contact portion CB2of the touch printed circuit board40is attached, and a first non-connection area NCA1to which none of the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40is attached.

The first touch signal pads T_PAD1and second touch signal pads T_PAD2are disposed in the first connection area CNA1and the second connection area CNA2, respectively. None of the first touch signal pads T_PAD1and the second touch signal pad T_PAD2is disposed in the first non-connection area NCA1or a dummy pad may be disposed in the first non-connection area NCA1, but the touch printed circuit board40is not directly attached to it.

In addition, the lower surface30bof the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30may include a third connection area CNA3to which the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40is attached, and a second non-connection area NCA2to which the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40is not attached.

Third touch signal pads T_PAD3are disposed in the third connection area CNA3. None of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3is disposed in the second non-connection area NCA2or a dummy pad may be disposed in the second non-connection area NCA2, but the touch printed circuit board40is not directly attached to it.

The first connection area CNA1and the second connection area CNA2may be spaced apart from each other with the third connection area CNA3therebetween when viewed from the top. The first non-connection area NCA1may overlap with the third connection area CNA3in the thickness direction (e.g., in the third direction DR3), and the second non-connection area NCA2may overlap with the first connection area CNA1and the second connection area CNA2in the thickness direction.

In some exemplary embodiments, the side surface of the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30may not be a straight line when viewed from the top For example, the profile of the side surface of the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30when viewed from the top may include a reference line and a protrusion protruding outward from the reference line. The protrusion of the pad side portion TDR may be disposed in line with the first to third connection areas CNA1to CNA3. For instance, the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30may have the protrusion in the third connection area CNA3. Further, the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30may have the protrusions at the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2.

The second transparent adhesive member20is disposed on the upper surface30aof the touch panel30, and the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed on the lower surface30bof the touch panel30. The first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20have a shape generally similar to the touch panel30when viewed from the top. The first and second transparent adhesive members50and20may generally overlap with the sensing portion TAR of the touch panel30.

The side surface of each of the first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may be disposed more to the inside than the side surface of the touch panel30. In other words, the side surface of the touch panel30at that part may protrude outwardly from the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50and the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the edge of one surface of the touch panel30may not be covered by the first transparent adhesive member50, and the edge of the other surface of the touch panel30may not be covered by the second transparent adhesive member20. As the first and second transparent adhesive members50and20are not completely formed up to the side surface of the touch panel30as described above, it is possible to prevent (or at least reduce) the overflow of the adhesive material, such as prevent the overflow of the adhesive material beyond the edge of the touch panel30.

The side surface of each of the first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may have a straight line shape in parallel with the upper surface30aof the touch panel30on the sides other than the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30. The first transparent adhesive member50and the second transparent adhesive member20may have the same shape on the sides other than the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30when viewed from the top. On the sides other than the pad side portion TDR, the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50may be aligned with the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20without being protruded therefrom.

On the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30, the first transparent adhesive member50may partially protrude outwardly from the second transparent adhesive member20.

For instance, the first and second transparent adhesive members50and20may include shorter side edges extending along the boundary of the sensing portion TAR adjacent to the pad side portion TDR of the touch panel30, and the side surfaces included in the shorter side edges of the first and second transparent adhesive members50and20may be aligned with each other in the thickness direction. That is to say, the side surfaces included in the shorter edges of the first and second transparent adhesive members50and20may be aligned with each other in the thickness direction in the second non-connection area NCA2, but not in the thickness direction in the third connection area CNA3. The side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50on the third connection area CNA3may include a protrusion PT protruding outwardly relative to the second non-connection area NCA2. The protrusion PT may protrude from the first transparent adhesive member50disposed in the sensing portion TAR and may be disposed on the pad side portion TDR, e.g., on the third connection area CNA3. Thus, the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50on the third connection area CNA3protrudes outwardly from the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20on the second non-connection area NCA2, and may protrude outwardly more than the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20.

The protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may partially cover a surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40attached to the lower surface30bof the touch panel30. That is to say, the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may include a portion overlapping with the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40in the thickness direction, and a non-overlapping portion. The thickness t2of the portion of the protrusion PT that overlaps with the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be smaller than the thickness t1of the non-overlapping portion.

The first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with a surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40. Accordingly, a space between the touch printed circuit board40and the optical film60of the display panel80thereunder can be filled with the first transparent adhesive member50, and a surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40can be secured by the first transparent adhesive member50.

After the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40has been attached, the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be detached when it is bent due to tension. As such, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed up to the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40to thereby prevent the third contact portion CB3from being detached. In addition, by eliminating the space between the display panel80and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to protect the display device1from external impact. Further, by suppressing fluctuation of the display panel80and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to improve flatness of the display device1.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 8, the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may cover not only the surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40, but also the side surface thereof.

The width of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40in the second direction DR2. The protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2, and may cover the side surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40. The first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2. By doing so, it is possible to further suppress the fluctuation of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40.

Further, the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may be disposed such that it overlaps with a portion exposed by the first touch protection layer310, which is not coupled with the third touch lead lines LE3. For instance, the first transparent adhesive member50may cover the side surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40and overlap with the first touch signal lines325exposed by the first touch protection layer310so that it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI eluted from the polarizing film65of the optical film60from corroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

FIG. 9is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a part of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 10is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of the display device ofFIG. 9according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 9 and 10show the paths along which the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65can move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3. The corrosion promoting ions CPI may be eluted from a side surface of the polarizing film65in the first direction DR1 to move through a first gap GAP1between the optical film60and the bending protection layer70as shown inFIG. 9, or may be eluted from side surfaces of the polarizing film65in the second direction DR2 to move as shown inFIG. 10.

In this regard, for the display device1according to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50may include the protrusion PT that protrudes on the third connection area CNA3to cover the side surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40and overlaps with the first touch signal lines325exposed by the first touch protection layer310. That is to say, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed on the two paths that would otherwise allow the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65to move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3. As such, it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI from eroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3or at least to slow down the corrosion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent line cracking and/or line disconnection due to corrosion of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

Hereinafter, display devices according to other exemplary embodiments will be described. In the following description, the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or briefly described.

FIG. 11is a top plan view showing the layout of a touch panel and first and second transparent adhesive members according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 11according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display device2according to some exemplary embodiments is different from the display device1in that the width of the first transparent adhesive member50_1is larger than the width of the first transparent adhesive member50. For instance, the first transparent adhesive member50_1not only may be disposed in the third connection region CNA3of the pad side portion TDR on the lower surface30bof the touch panel30, but also may be extended to the second non-connection area NCA2. The first transparent adhesive member50_1may be extended to one side and the other side of the third connection area CNA3of the pad side portion TDR of the lower surface30bof the touch panel30in the second direction DR2. As such, the first transparent adhesive member50_1may overlap with the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2of the pad side portion TDR of the upper surface30aof the touch panel30.

As shown inFIG. 12, the first transparent adhesive member50_1may be in contact with one surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40, and further disposed in a step space between the first touch protection layer310of the touch panel30and the optical film60so as to be in direct contact with the optical film60and the first touch protection layer310. Accordingly, the space between the touch printed circuit board40and the optical film60of the display panel80thereunder can be filled with the first transparent adhesive member50_1, and a surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40can be secured by the first transparent adhesive member50_1.

The thickness t4of the portion of the protrusion PT_1that overlaps with the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be smaller than the thickness t3of the portion of the protrusion PT_1that does not overlap with the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40and is in contact with the optical film60and the first touch protection layer310.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50_1is disposed on the two paths that would otherwise allow the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65to move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3so that it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI from eroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3or at least to slow down the corrosion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent line cracking and/or line disconnection due to corrosion of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

FIG. 13is a top plan view showing the layout of a touch panel and first and second transparent adhesive members according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 13according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display device3according to some exemplary embodiments is different from the display device2in that a first transparent adhesive member50_2includes a plurality of protrusions PTa, PT, and PTb spaced apart from each other. For instance, the first transparent adhesive member50_2according to some exemplary embodiments may include a plurality of protrusions PT, PTa, and PTb spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. The first transparent adhesive member50_2may include a protrusion PT disposed in the third connection area CNA3, a first subsidiary protrusion PTa disposed on one side (e.g., a left side) of the protrusion PT in the second direction DR2, and a second subsidiary protrusion PTb disposed on the other side (e.g., the right side) of the protrusion PT in the second direction DR2.

The first subsidiary protrusion PTa, the protrusion PT, and the second subsidiary protrusion PTb may be spaced apart from one another. The first subsidiary protrusion PTa and the second subsidiary protrusion PTb may be disposed in respective portions of the second non-connection area NCA2. The side surfaces of the first subsidiary protrusion PTa and the second subsidiary protrusion PTb protrude outwardly from the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50_2on the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2, respectively.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50_2includes the plurality of protrusions PT, PTa, and PTb spaced apart from one another so that a space between the touch printed circuit board40and the optical film60of the display panel80thereunder can be filled with the first transparent adhesive member50_2, and a surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40can be secured by the first transparent adhesive member50_2.

Similarly to the protrusion PT_1of display device2, the thickness of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50_2disposed on the surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be smaller than the thickness of the first and second subsidiary protrusions PTa and PTb of the adjacent peripheral region as the contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40is pressed. As a result, the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be pressed such that some of the constituent materials of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50_2may move along the second direction DR2 to form the first and second subsidiary protrusions PTa and PTb.

As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, when the first transparent adhesive member50_2has an expanded shape in the adjacent second non-connection area NCA2, as well as the third connection area CNA3, some of the constituent materials of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50_2may move around along the second direction DR2. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50_2includes a plurality of protrusions PT, PTa, and PTb spaced apart from one another so that a space between the protrusions PT, PTa, and PTb is filled with the constituent materials of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50_2moving around the direction DR2 when viewed from the top. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first transparent adhesive member50_2from being detached.

Although the length of each of the first subsidiary protrusion PTa and the second subsidiary protrusion PTb protruding in the first direction DR1 may be equal to the length of the protrusion PT in the first direction DR1 in the example shown inFIG. 13, this is merely illustrative and exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The length of one or more of the first subsidiary protrusion PTa and the second subsidiary protrusion PTb in the first direction DR1 may be less than the length of the protrusion PT protruding in the first direction DR1.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first transparent adhesive member50_2is disposed on the two paths that would otherwise allow the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65to move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3so that it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI from eroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3or at least to slow down the corrosion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent line cracking and/or line disconnection due to corrosion of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

FIG. 15is a top plan view showing the layout of a touch panel and first and second transparent adhesive members according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 16is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 15according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display device4according to some exemplary embodiments is different from the display device1in that a second transparent adhesive member20_1includes second protrusions PT2that protrude outwardly from the second transparent adhesive member20on the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2. For instance, the second transparent adhesive member20_1may include second protrusions PT2protruding outwardly from the second transparent adhesive member20_1on the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2in the first direction DR1.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second transparent adhesive member20_1may protrude outwardly more on the first connection area CNA1and the second connection area CNA2than on the first non-connection area NCA1. The second protrusions PT2of the second transparent adhesive member20_1may not overlap with the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50thereunder in the thickness direction. It is, however, contemplated that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The second protrusions PT2of the second transparent adhesive member20_1may partially overlap with the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50thereunder in the thickness direction.

The second transparent adhesive member20_1convexly protruding on the first and second connection areas CNA1and CNA2may partially cover the surface of each of the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40attached to the touch panel30as shown inFIG. 16. The second transparent adhesive member20_1may be in contact with a surface of each of the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40. Accordingly, a space between the touch printed circuit board40and the window10can be filled with the second transparent adhesive member20_1, and a surface of the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40can be secured by the second transparent adhesive member20_1. After the touch printed circuit board40has been attached, the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40may be detached when it is bent due to tension. In this regard, the second transparent adhesive member20_1may be disposed up to the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2of the touch printed circuit board40to thereby prevent the first and second contact portions CB1and CB2from being detached. In addition, by eliminating the space between the window10and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to protect the display device4from external impact. Further, by suppressing fluctuation of the window10and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to improve flatness of the display device4.

FIG. 17is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display device5according to some exemplary embodiments is different from the display device1in that a driver chip D_IC_1is mounted on the display panel80instead of the display printed circuit board P_CB. For instance, in the display device5according to some exemplary embodiments, the driver chip D_IC_1is mounted on substrate81_1of the display panel80. One end of the display printed circuit board P_CB may be connected to the end of the display panel80, and the other end of the display printed circuit board P_CB may be connected to an end of the main circuit board MB.

According to some exemplary embodiments, after the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40has been attached, the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be detached when it is bent due to tension. In this regard, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed up to the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40to thereby prevent the third contact portion CB3from being detached. In addition, by eliminating a space between the display panel80and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to protect the display device5from external impact. Further, by suppressing fluctuation of the display panel80and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to improve flatness of the display device5.

In addition, the width of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40in the second direction DR2. The protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2, and may cover the side surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40. The first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2. By doing so, it is possible to further suppress the fluctuation of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40.

Further, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed on the two paths that would otherwise allow the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65to move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3so that it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI from eroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3or at least to slow down the corrosion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent line cracking and/or line disconnection due to corrosion of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

FIG. 18is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display device6according to some exemplary embodiments is different from the display device1in that the display panel is not bent, but is flat. For instance, the driving area DDR of the display panel may be extended outwardly and may maintain the same flatness as the display area DAR. A substrate81_2of the display panel may be a rigid substrate, such as a glass substrate. It is, however, contemplated that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The substrate81_2may be made of a flexible plastic material, such as polyimide, and may still maintain the flatness without being bent in the driving area DDR.

The driver chip D_IC_2may be mounted on the driving area DDR of the display panel. The driver chip D_IC_2may be located less to the outside than the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Moreover, the driver chip D_IC_2may be located less to the outside than the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50and the side surface of the touch panel30, but this is merely illustrative and exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

A display printed circuit board P_CB_1may be attached on the outer side of the driver chip D_IC_2. The display printed circuit board P_CB_1may be attached to one surface of the display panel by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) or the like. The end of the display printed circuit board P_CB_1attached to the display panel may be located less to the outside than the side surface of the first transparent adhesive member50and the side surface of the touch panel30, as well as the side surface of the second transparent adhesive member20.

The display printed circuit board P_CB_1may be a flexible printed circuit board like the touch printed circuit board40. The display printed circuit board P_CB_1may be bent to surround the side surface of the display panel on its outer side, as shown inFIG. 18. The other end of the display printed circuit board P_CB_1may be electrically connected to the main circuit board MB. The touch printed circuit board40may be bent to surround the display printed circuit board P_CB_1on its outer side.

According to some exemplary embodiments, after the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40has been attached, the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40may be detached when it is bent due to tension. In this regard, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed up to the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40to thereby prevent the third contact portion CB3from being detached. In addition, by eliminating a space between the display panel and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to protect the display device6from external impact. Further, by suppressing fluctuation of the display panel and the touch printed circuit board40, it is possible to improve flatness of the display device6.

In addition, the width of the protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40in the second direction DR2. The protrusion PT of the first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2, and may cover the side surface of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40. The first transparent adhesive member50may be in contact with the first touch protection layer310located on one side and the other side of the first touch signal lines325in the second direction DR2. By doing so, it is possible to further suppress the fluctuation of the third contact portion CB3of the touch printed circuit board40.

Further, the first transparent adhesive member50is disposed on the two paths that would otherwise allow the corrosion promoting ions CPI of the polarizing film65to move to the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3so that it is possible to prevent the corrosion promoting ions CPI from eroding the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3or at least to slow down the corrosion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent line cracking and/or line disconnection due to corrosion of the third touch signal pads T_PAD3and the third touch lead lines LE3.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the accompanying claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.