Display device

A display device includes a window substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a display panel under the window substrate, an opening being defined in the display panel, a light blocking portion directly on the bottom surface of the window substrate and surrounding the opening when viewed from a plan view, and an electronic component overlapping with the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0121157, filed on Oct. 11, 2018, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present disclosure relates to a display device having an expanded display area.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display device such as a smart phone or a tablet may display an image through a display area of a display panel. A bezel area (e.g., a non-display area) may exist around the display area. Signal lines for transmitting input/output signals to a screen may be located in the bezel area. The bezel area may be covered by a separate case, or the transparency of a window panel may be adjusted in such a way that the bezel area is not visible to a user. Due to the bezel area, a size (i.e., an area) of the display device may be larger than that of the display area. Various methods for reducing the bezel area in a limited size of a portable terminal have been studied to provide a larger screen to a user.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device of which a display area is expanded.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided a display device including: a window substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a display panel under the window substrate, an opening being defined in the display panel; a light blocking portion directly on the bottom surface of the window substrate and surrounding the opening when viewed from a plan view; and an electronic component overlapping with the opening.

In some embodiments, the window substrate includes a transparent area and a non-transparent area adjacent to the transparent area, and a print layer in the non-transparent area is directly on the bottom surface of the window substrate.

In some embodiments, the display panel includes: a display area configured to display an image and overlapping with the transparent area; and a non-display area adjacent to the display area and overlapping with the non-transparent area, wherein the opening is defined in the display area.

In some embodiments, the display panel includes: a first display area; and a second display area protruding from the first display area in a first direction, the opening being defined in the second display area.

In some embodiments, a width of the first display area in a second direction intersecting the first direction is greater than a width of the second display area in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the light blocking portion has a circular ring shape.

In some embodiments, a plurality of transparent portions are defined in the light blocking portion.

In some embodiments, the electronic component includes a plurality of electronic components and the opening includes a plurality of openings, the openings overlap with and have one-to-one correspondence with the electronic components when viewed from a plan view, and the transparent portions overlap with and have one-to-one correspondence with the openings when viewed from a plan view.

In some embodiments, the display panel includes dummy pixels in an area adjacent to the opening.

In some embodiments, the dummy pixels include first dummy pixels and second dummy pixels, the first dummy pixels overlap with the light blocking portion when viewed from a plan view, and the second dummy pixels overlap with an area adjacent to the light blocking portion when viewed from a plan view.

In some embodiments, the opening is defined by a side surface of the display panel, and the light blocking portion overlaps with the side surface when viewed from a plan view.

In some embodiments, the electronic component is under the opening.

In some embodiments, the electronic component is in the opening.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, there is provided a display device including: a window substrate; a display panel under the window substrate and defining a first opening and a second opening adjacent to the first opening, and a light blocking portion on a bottom surface of the window substrate and surrounding the first opening and the second opening when viewed from a plan view.

In some embodiments, the window substrate comprises a transparent area and a non-transparent area adjacent to the transparent area, wherein the light blocking portion is in the transparent area.

In some embodiments, the display panel comprises: a display area configured to display an image and overlapping with the transparent area, and a non-display area adjacent to the display area and overlapping with the non-transparent area, wherein the first opening and the second opening are defined in the display area.

In some embodiments, the light blocking portion defines a first transparent portion that overlaps with the first opening when viewed from the plan view and a second transparent portion that overlaps with the second opening when viewed from the plan view.

In some embodiments, the display device further includes: a first electronic component overlapping with the first opening when viewed from the plan view and a second electronic component overlapping with the second opening when viewed from the plan view.

In some embodiments, the first transparent portion, the first opening, and the first electronic component are aligned with each other along a first axis, and the second transparent portion, the second opening, and the second electronic component are aligned with each other along a second axis parallel to the first axis.

In some embodiments, the first opening is defined by a first side surface of the display panel, and the second opening is defined by a second side surface of the display panel, and the light blocking portion overlaps with the first side surface and the second side surface when viewed from the plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the inventive concept refers to “one or more embodiments of the inventive concept.” Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the inventive concept refers to “one or more embodiments of the inventive concept.” Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or adjacent the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to”, or “immediately adjacent” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; andFIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display device ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a display device EA may be activated by an electrical signal. The display device EA may be realized as various embodiments. For example, the display device EA according to the inventive concept may be used in large-sized electronic devices (e.g., televisions and monitors) and small and middle-sized electronic devices (e.g., portable phones, smart phones, tablets, car navigation units, game consoles, and smart watches). In the present embodiment, a smart phone is illustrated as an example of the display device EA.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the display device EA may provide a display surface for displaying an image IM at its front surface. The display surface may be parallel to a plane defined by a first direction DR1and a second direction DR2. The display surface may include a transparent area TA and a non-transparent area NTA adjacent to the transparent area TA.

The display device EA may display the image IM in the transparent area TA. InFIG. 1, an internet search box is illustrated as an example of the image IM. The transparent area TA may have a quadrilateral shape (e.g., a rectangular shape) parallel to the first and second directions DR1and DR2. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the shape of the transparent area TA may be variously modified in a suitable manner.

The non-transparent area NTA may be adjacent to the transparent area TA. The non-transparent area NTA may surround the transparent area TA when viewed from a plan view. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the non-transparent area NTA may be disposed adjacent to only one side of the transparent area TA or may be omitted. In other words, the display device EA according to the inventive concept may be variously embodied and is not limited to a specific embodiment.

A direction perpendicular to the display surface may correspond to a thickness direction DR3(hereinafter, referred to as a third direction DR3) of the display device EA. In the present embodiment, a front surface (or a top surface) and a rear surface (or a bottom surface) of each member may be defined by a direction (e.g., the third direction DR3) in which the image IM is displayed. The front surface and the rear surface may be opposite to each other in the third direction DR3.

However, directions indicated by the first to third directions DR1, DR2and DR3may be relative concepts and may be changed into other directions. Hereinafter, the first to third directions are the directions indicated by the first to third directions.

DR1, DR2and DR3illustrated in the drawings, respectively. In the present specification, a view (or a plane) defined by the first and second directions DR1and DR2may correspond to a plan view, and it may be understood that when one or more components are viewed from a plan view, it or they may be viewed in a direction opposite to the third direction DR3.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the display device EA may include a window substrate100, a display panel200, an electronic component300, and a receiving member400.

In the present embodiment, the window substrate100may provide a front surface of the display device EA. The window substrate100may be disposed on a front surface of the display panel200to protect the display panel200. For example, the window substrate100may include a glass substrate, a sapphire substrate, a plastic film, and/or the like. The window substrate100may have a single-layered or multi-layered structure. For example, the window substrate100may have a stack structure including a plurality of plastic films coupled to each other by an adhesive or may have a stack structure which includes a glass substrate and a plastic film coupled to each other by an adhesive.

The window substrate100may include the transparent area TA and the non-transparent area NTA. The transparent area TA may correspond to a display area DA of the display panel200. For example, the transparent area TA may overlap with a whole or at least a portion of the display area DA. The image IM (seeFIG. 1) displayed in the display area DA of the display panel200may be visible to the outside through the transparent area TA.

The non-transparent area NTA may define a shape of the transparent area TA. The non-transparent area NTA may be adjacent to the transparent area TA and may surround the transparent area TA in a plan view. The non-transparent area NTA may have a set or predetermined color. The non-transparent area NTA may cover a non-display area NDA of the display panel200to prevent the non-display area NDA from being visible to the outside. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. In another embodiment of the inventive concept, the non-transparent area NTA may be omitted in the window substrate100.

A light blocking portion BM may be disposed under the window substrate100. The light blocking portion BM may be disposed directly on a bottom surface of the window substrate100. The light blocking portion BM may surround an opening HA of the display panel200when viewed from a plan view. The light blocking portion BM may hide a side surface of the display panel200, which defines the opening HA. In other words, the light blocking portion BM may hide an inner side surface of the opening HA. The light blocking portion BM may have a circular ring shape. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the shape of the light blocking portion BM may be variously modified in a suitable manner. For example, the light blocking portion BM may have a quadrilateral ring shape or a polygonal ring shape.

The display panel200may include the display area DA and the non-display area NDA, which divide the display panel200when viewed from a plan view. The display area DA may be an area in which the image IM (seeFIG. 1) is generated. The display panel200may include a pixel PX disposed in the display area DA. The pixel PX may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of pixels PX may be arranged in the display area DA. Lights generated from the pixels PX may together form the image IM (seeFIG. 1). The display panel200may include at least one of various suitable display panels, such as a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel, a plasma display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, and an electrowetting display panel.

The non-display area NDA may be adjacent to the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA when viewed from a plan view. A driving circuit and/or driving lines for driving the display area DA may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

In an embodiment, a portion of the non-display area NDA of the display panel200may be bent. Thus, a portion of the non-display area NDA may face the front surface of the display device EA, and another portion of the non-display area NDA may face a rear surface of the display device EA. In some examples, the non-display area NDA may be omitted in the display panel200according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

The opening HA may be defined in the display area DA. The opening HA may penetrate the display panel200. The opening HA may have a cylindrical shape having a height in the third direction DR3. The opening HA may be surrounded by the display area DA. The opening HA may be spaced apart from the non-display area NDA with the display area DA interposed therebetween when viewed in a cross-sectional view. The display panel200according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include at least one opening HA.

According to the embodiment of the inventive concept, since the opening HA is defined in the display panel200, a separate space for disposing the electronic component300may be omitted. Thus, an area (or size) of the non-display area NDA may be reduced to realize the display device EA having a narrow bezel. In addition, when the electronic component300is received in the opening HA, a thin display device EA may be realized.

The electronic component300may include at least one of various suitable functional modules for operating the display device EA. The electronic component300may receive an external input transferred through the opening HA and/or may provide an output signal through the opening HA. For example, the electronic component300may include a camera, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor and/or the like. However, the electronic component300is not limited thereto.

The light blocking portion BM, the opening HA and the electronic component300may be aligned with each other along an axis Z. The axis Z may be parallel to the third direction DR3.

The receiving member400may be coupled to the window substrate100. The receiving member400may provide the rear surface of the display device EA. The receiving member400may be coupled to the window substrate100to define an inner space. The display panel200, the electronic component300, and various suitable components (e.g., a battery) may be received in the inner space.

The receiving member400may be formed of a material having relatively high rigidity. For example, the receiving member400may include a plurality of frames and/or plates, which are formed of glass, plastic, a metal, and/or the like. The receiving member400may stably protect the components of the display device EA received in the inner space from an external impact.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. InFIG. 3, the same components as described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2will be indicated by the same reference numerals or designators, and the detailed descriptions thereto may not be repeated.

Referring toFIG. 3, the display device EA may include the window substrate100, a print layer portion PL, a first adhesive portion AD1, a polarizing portion POL, a second adhesive portion AD2, the display panel200, and the receiving member400.

The print layer portion PL may be disposed on the bottom surface of the window substrate100. The print layer portion PL may include a light blocking portion BM (seeFIG. 4A) and a print layer PA (seeFIG. 4A). The light blocking portion BM may be located on the same plane as the print layer PA. The print layer portion PL may have an opaque black color. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the print layer portion PL may have at least one of other various suitable colors.

The first adhesive portion AD1may be disposed on a bottom surface of the print layer portion PL. The first adhesive portion AD1may adhere the print layer portion PL to the polarizing portion POL and may adhere the window substrate100to the polarizing portion POL. For example, the first adhesive portion AD1may include an optically clear adhesive film, an optically clear resin, or a pressure sensitive adhesive film.

The polarizing portion POL may reduce reflection of external light to improve display quality.

The second adhesive portion AD2may be disposed on a bottom surface of the polarizing portion POL. For example, the second adhesive portion AD2may adhere the polarizing portion POL to the display panel200. The second adhesive portion AD2may be substantially the same as the first adhesive portion AD1. Thus, the descriptions to the second adhesive portion AD2are omitted.

The receiving member400may be disposed under the display panel200.

At least one lower functional layer may be disposed between the display panel200and the receiving member400. The lower functional layer may include a functional layer for absorbing an impact, a functional layer for blocking light, a functional layer for assisting heat dissipation, and/or an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding layer for shielding against or blocking electromagnetic noise.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare cross-sectional views taken along the line X-X′ ofFIG. 1to illustrate a display device according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. Hereinafter, the same components as described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3will be indicated by the same reference numerals or designators, and the descriptions thereto may be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in description.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the print layer PA may be disposed on the bottom surface of the window substrate100. For example, the non-transparent area NTA of the window substrate100may be defined by the print layer PA. The print layer PA may include a plurality of stacked print layers. In an embodiment, the print layer PA may include a first print layer PAa, a second print layer PAb, and a third print layer PAc. The first print layer PAa may be disposed on the same plane as the light blocking portion BM. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited to the number of the layers of the print layer PA illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B. In other embodiments, the number of the layers of the print layer PA may be less or more than 3.

The light blocking portion BM may be formed by the same process as one of the first print layer PAa, the second print layer PAb, and the third print layer PAc. For example, the light blocking portion BM may be formed concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) with the first print layer PAa. Thus, the light blocking portion BM may include the same material as the first print layer PAa.

Referring toFIG. 4A, the electronic component300may be disposed under the opening HA.

Referring toFIG. 4B, the electronic component300may be disposed in the opening HA. The opening HA may be defined by a display panel boundary portion SH (e.g., a side surface) of the display panel200. The electronic component300may be surrounded by the display panel boundary portion SH. Since the electronic component300is received in the opening HA, the thin display device EA (seeFIG. 1) may be realized.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Hereinafter, the same components as described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4Bwill be indicated by the same reference numerals or designators, and the descriptions thereto may be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in description.

Referring toFIG. 5, the display panel200may include dummy pixels DPX disposed in an area adjacent to the display panel boundary portion SH. The dummy pixels DPX may include a first dummy pixel DPX1and a second dummy pixel DPX2. The first dummy pixel DPX1may be disposed in a first area DP1that overlaps with the light blocking portion BM when viewed from a plan view. The second dummy pixel DPX2may be disposed in a second area DP2adjacent to the first area DP1. Thus, the second dummy pixel DPX2may not overlap with the light blocking portion BM when viewed from a plan view. The dummy pixels DPX may be pixels that do not provide light. For example, the dummy pixels DPX may be black pixels.

FIG. 6is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, andFIG. 7is a plan view illustrating the area ZZ′ ofFIG. 6. Hereinafter, the same components as described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5will be indicated by the same reference numerals or designators, and the descriptions thereto may be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in description.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, a light blocking portion BMa may be disposed on the bottom surface of the window substrate100. A first transparent portion TAa and a second transparent portion TAb may be defined in the light blocking portion BMa. A first opening HAa and a second opening HAb may be defined in the display panel200. The first opening HAa and the second opening HAb may be defined in the display area DA of the display panel200. The light blocking portion BMa may overlap with the display area DA when viewed from a plan view.

The first transparent portion TAa, the first opening HAa, and a first electronic component300amay be aligned with each other along a first axis Za. The second transparent portion TAb, the second opening HAb, and a second electronic component300bmay be aligned with each other along a second axis Zb. The first axis Za and the second axis Zb may be parallel to the third direction DR3.

The first electronic component300aand the second electronic component300bmay be functional modules. The first and second electronic components300aand300bmay receive external inputs transferred through the first and second openings HAa and HAb, respectively, and/or may provide output signals through the first and second openings HAa and HAb, respectively. For example, each of the first and second electronic components300aand300bmay include a camera, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, and/or the like. The first and second electronic components300aand300bmay include the same functional module or may include different functional modules.

Two transparent portions TAa and TAb, two openings HAa and HAb, and two electronic components300aand300bare illustrated as an example inFIGS. 6 and 7. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited to the numbers of the transparent portions TAa and TAb, the openings HAa and HAb and the electronic components300aand300billustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7. In other examples, there may be three or more of transparent portions, openings, and electronic components.

FIG. 8is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, andFIG. 9is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display device ofFIG. 8. Hereinafter, the same components as described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7will be indicated by the same reference numerals or designators, and the descriptions thereto may be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in description.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, a window substrate100may include a transparent area TA-1which may include a first transparent area TA1, a second transparent area TA2, and a third transparent area TA3. Each of the second and third transparent areas TA2and TA3may protrude from the first transparent area TA1in the first direction DR1. The second transparent area TA2and the third transparent area TA3may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. In another embodiment, one of the second transparent area TA2and the third transparent area TA3may be omitted.

A display panel200may include a display area DA-1which may include a first display area DA1, a second display area DA2, and a third display area DA3. Each of the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may protrude from the first display area DA1in the first direction DR1. The second display area DA2and the third display area DA3may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. In another embodiment, one of the second display area DA2and the third display area DA3may be omitted.

An opening HA may be defined in the second display area DA2. The opening HA may penetrate the display panel200. The opening HA may have a cylindrical shape having a height in the third direction DR3. The opening HA may be surrounded by the second display area DA2. The display panel200according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include at least one opening HA.

A light blocking portion BM may be disposed under the second transparent area TA2. The light blocking portion BM and the opening HA defined in the second display area DA2may be aligned with each other in the third direction DR3and may overlap with each other when viewed from a plan view.

A width PO1of the first transparent area TA1in the second direction DR2may be greater than a width PO2of the second transparent area TA2in the second direction DR2and a width PO3of the third transparent area TA3in the second direction DR2.

According to the embodiments of the inventive concept, since the opening HA is defined in the display panel200, a separate space for disposing the electronic component300may be omitted. Thus, the area (or size) of the non-display area NDA may be reduced to realize the display device EA having a narrow bezel. In addition, when the electronic component300is received in the opening HA, the thin display device EA may be realized.

While the inventive concept have been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various suitable changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirits and scopes of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not intended to be limiting, but rather illustrative. Thus, the scopes of the inventive concept are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing description.