Display panel with touch-sensing function and display device including the same

A display panel includes a display substrate including a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region, a pad unit being positioned on a side region of the non-display region, and a touch substrate on the display substrate and bonded to the display substrate, the touch substrate including an input sensing unit overlapping the display region of the display substrate, a first extended portion extending from a side portion of the input sensing unit and overlapping the pad unit of the display substrate, and a second extended portion extending from a side portion of the input sensing unit and overlapping the pad unit of the display substrate, the second extended portion being spaced apart from the first extended portion, wherein a portion of the pad unit is exposed between the first and second extended portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0081715, filed on Jun. 29, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Display Panel with Touch-Sensing Function and Display Device Including the Same,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display panel with a touch-sensing function and a display device including the same, and in particular, to a touch-sensible display panel with improved durability and a display device including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advent of an information-oriented society, there is an increasing demand for display devices (e.g., electronic devices including mobile communication terminals, digital cameras, notebooks, monitors, TVs, and so forth), which are configured to display an image. For example, a touch screen panel (TSP), which is configured to receive information on a touch event and display an image corresponding to the touch information, may be used for the display device. In the case that a display device has a touch-sensing function, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a keypad is not needed, and thus, it is possible to improve the user's convenience.

The TSP includes a display substrate for displaying an image and a touch substrate for performing a touch-sensing function. In general, the display and touch substrates are coupled to each other. The touch substrate may be manufactured to further have an encapsulation function of protecting the display substrate.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a display panel may include a display substrate, which includes a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region and includes a pad unit provided on a side region of the non-display region and a touch substrate, which is provided on the display substrate and is bonded to the display substrate. The touch substrate may include an input sensing unit overlapped with the display region of the display substrate, a first extended portion overlapped with the pad unit of the display substrate and connected to a side portion of the input sensing unit, and a second extended portion overlapped with the pad unit of the display substrate, connected to the side portion of the input sensing unit, and spaced apart from the first extended portion. A portion of the pad unit may be exposed between the first and second extended portions.

In some embodiments, the touch substrate may further include a third extended portion provided between the first and second extended portions and spaced apart from the input sensing unit. The input sensing unit, the first extended portion, the second extended portion, and the third extended portion may be provided to define a hole in a side region of the touch substrate. The hole may be provided to expose a portion of the pad unit.

In some embodiments, the first extended portion, the second extended portion, and the input sensing unit may be provided to define a groove in a side region of the touch substrate.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the groove may include a first surface defined as one of inner side surfaces of the first extended portion, a second surface defined as one of inner side surfaces of the second extended portion, the second surface facing the first surface, and a third surface defined as one of inner side surfaces of the input sensing unit, the third surface connecting the first and second surfaces to each other.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the groove may include a curved surface.

In some embodiments, a distance between the first and second surfaces may increase with increasing distance from the third surface.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the groove may further include a fourth surface provided between the first and third surfaces to connect the first and third surfaces to each other and having an obtuse angle relative to each of the first and third surfaces and a fifth surface provided between the second and third surfaces to connect the second and third surfaces to each other. The fifth surface may have an obtuse angle relative to each of the second and third surfaces.

In some embodiments, a portion of the display substrate overlapped with the pad unit may have a width decreasing with increasing distance from the display region.

In some embodiments, the display panel may further include a sealing element provided on the touch substrate overlapped with the non-display region and used to couple the display and touch substrates to each other. The sealing element may include a first sealing element overlapped with an edge region of the input sensing unit, a second sealing element overlapped with the first extended portion, and a third sealing element overlapped with the second extended portion.

In some embodiments, the sealing element may include glass powder.

In some embodiments, the second sealing element may be overlapped with an edge region of the first extended portion, and the third sealing element may be overlapped with an edge region of the second extended portion.

In some embodiments, each of the second and third sealing elements may be provided to form a patterned structure.

In some embodiments, the display panel may further include a driving integrated circuit provided on the portion of the pad unit exposed between the first and second extended portions.

According to some embodiments, a display panel may include a display substrate, which includes a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region and includes a pad unit provided on a side region of the non-display region, and a touch substrate, which is provided on the display substrate and is bonded to the display substrate. The touch substrate may be provided to have a groove in a side region thereof overlapped with the pad unit, and a portion of the pad unit may be exposed through the groove.

According to some embodiments, a display device may include a window part, a display panel configured to display an image, a polarizing plate provided between the window part and the display panel. The display panel may include a display substrate, which includes a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region and includes a pad unit provided on a side region of the non-display region, and a touch substrate, which is provided on the display substrate and is bonded to the display substrate. The touch substrate may include an input sensing unit overlapped with the display region of the display substrate, a first extended portion overlapped with the pad unit of the display substrate and connected to a side portion of the input sensing unit, and a second extended portion overlapped with the pad unit of the display substrate, connected to the side portion of the input sensing unit, and spaced apart from the first extended portion. A portion of the pad unit may be exposed between the first and second extended portions.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a printed circuit board provided below the display panel and electrically connected to the display panel.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a first flexible circuit board electrically connecting the display substrate to the printed circuit board, and a second flexible circuit board electrically connecting the touch substrate to the printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, the display panel may further include a first bonding part provided on the pad unit and connected to the first flexible circuit board, a second bonding part provided in at least one of the first or second extended portion to be connected to the second flexible circuit board.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include a driving integrated circuit provided on the portion of the pad unit exposed between the first and second extended portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. It will further be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements or layers should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”). Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout

It should further be noted that the figures are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of methods, structure and/or materials utilized in certain example embodiments and to supplement the written description provided below. Therefore, the drawings should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the range of values or properties encompassed by example embodiments.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device according to some embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 1, a display device1000according to some embodiments may have a, e.g., rectangular, shape whose long and short sides are parallel to first and second directions DR1and DR2, respectively. However, embodiments are not limited to this example, e.g., the shape of the display device1000may be variously changed. The display device1000may include a window part100, a polarizing plate200, a display panel300, and a storage element500.

The window part100may include a light-transmitting portion VA, which allows an image produced by the display panel300to pass therethrough, and a light-blocking portion CA, which is disposed adjacent to the light-transmitting portion VA and prevents the image from passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the light-transmitting portion VA may be provided to be overlapped with a center of the display device1000, when viewed in a plan view. The light-blocking portion CA may be provided at a peripheral region of the light-transmitting portion VA to, e.g., completely, surround, e.g., a perimeter of, the light-transmitting portion VA. For example, the light-blocking portion CA may have a frame-like shape.

However, embodiments are not limited to this example, e.g., the window part100of the display device1000may be configured to have only the light-transmitting portion VA. In other words, the light-blocking portion CA may be omitted. In this case, an image can be displayed on the entire top surface of the window part100.

The window part100may be formed of or include at least one of, e.g., glass, sapphire, or plastic.

The polarizing plate200may be provided below the window part100. The polarizing plate200may be configured to prevent or suppress external light from being reflected thereby, and may be used to change a polarization state of light emitted from the display panel300. In certain embodiments, the polarizing plate200may be omitted.

The polarizing plate200may be coupled to the window part100by an adhesive element RS (e.g., seeFIGS. 4 to 6). The adhesive element RS may include a polymer resin. As an example, the adhesive element RS may be formed of or include at least one of, e.g., photo-curable resins or thermo-curable resins.

The display panel300may be provided below the polarizing plate200, e.g., the polarizing plate200may be between the display panel300and the window part100. The display panel300may be configured to sense a touch event. As an example, the display panel300may include a display substrate310and a touch substrate320. The display panel300may have a laminated structure, in which the display and touch substrates310and320are bonded to each other.

The display substrate310may be used as a base structure, allowing the touch substrate320to be disposed thereon, e.g., the touch substrate320may be positioned between the display substrate310and the polarizing plate200. As an example, the display substrate310may be a single insulating substrate or a single insulating film.

The display substrate310may include a display region DA and a non-display region NDA surrounding the display region DA. The display region DA may be overlapped with the light-transmitting portion VA of the window part100, and the non-display region NDA may be overlapped with the light-blocking portion CA of the window part100.

A type of the display panel300may be changed depending on a type of the display substrate310(for example, depending on configuration of the pixels of the display substrate310). As an example, the display panel300may be an organic light emitting display panel. However, embodiments are not limited to a specific type of the display panel300, and various other types of display panels may be used to realize embodiments. For example, the display panel300may be one of a liquid crystal display panel, an electrophoresis display panel, an electrowetting display panel, or various other display panels configured to display an image thereon.

The touch substrate320may include an active region TA and an inactive region NTA surrounding, e.g., an entire perimeter of, the active region TA. The active region TA may be overlapped with the display region DA of the display substrate310, and the inactive region NTA may be overlapped with the non-display region NDA of the display substrate310. In other words, the active region TA of the touch substrate320may be overlapped with the light-transmitting portion VA of the window part100, and the inactive region NTA of the touch substrate320may be overlapped with the light-blocking portion CA of the window part100. However, embodiments are not limited to this example. For example, in certain embodiments, the active region TA may be overlapped with both of the light-transmitting portion VA and the light-blocking portion CA of the window part100.

The touch substrate320may sense an external touch signal to be provided to the active region TA. The touch substrate320may include a touch cell, in which touch electrodes sensing an external touch signal are provided, and driving interconnection lines, which are used to apply an electrical signal to the touch cell or to transmit an electrical signal generated in the touch cell to the outside.

A touch signal may be provided in various manners to the touch substrate320. As an example, a touch signal may be provided to the touch substrate320through a part of a user's body (e.g., a finger). However, embodiments are not limited to a specific way of providing a touch signal, e.g., a touch signal may be input using one of optical, contact-sensitive, or magnetic manners.

The touch substrate320may sense a touch signal in various manners. As an example, the touch substrate320may be configured to operate in one of resistive-layer, electrostatic-capacitance, and electromagnetic-induction manners and may be used to obtain information on coordinates of a position at which a touch event occurs.

According to some embodiments, the display device1000may further include a printed circuit board400. The printed circuit board400may be provided below the display panel300.

Furthermore, the display device1000may further include first and second flexible circuit boards10and20. The printed circuit board400may be electrically connected to the display panel300through the first and second flexible circuit boards10and20. The printed circuit board400may be configured to provide an electrical signal to the display substrate310and to receive a touch signal to be sensed through the touch substrate320.

The storage element500may be provided at the lowermost level of the display device1000and may be coupled to the window part100. The storage element500may be used to contain the polarizing plate200, the display panel300, and the printed circuit board400. The storage element500may be formed of or include a plastic or a metal. In certain embodiments, the storage element500may be omitted.

Hereinafter, the display panel300will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the display panel300, andFIG. 3is a top-side view of the display panel300.

Referring further toFIGS. 2 and 3, the display substrate310may include the display region DA, which is overlapped with a center of the display substrate310when viewed in a plan view. Each of the pixels on the display region DA may include an organic light emitting device containing a luminescent material, transistors operating the organic light emitting device, and so forth. The organic light emitting device may be configured to emit light whose color is one of red, green, blue, and white, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The non-display region NDA may include a first non-display region NDA1and a second non-display region NDA2. The first non-display region NDA1may surround, e.g., an entire perimeter of, the display region DA, e.g., to have a frame-like shape. The second non-display region NDA2may be defined in a side region of the display substrate310in the first direction DR1, e.g., the second non-display region NDA2may be adjacent to the display substrate310along the first direction DR1.

A pad unit PD may be provided on the second non-display region NDA2. The pad unit PD may include a plurality of interconnection lines.

The display substrate310may further include at least one driving chip IC provided on the pad unit PD. The driving chip IC may be electrically connected to the pad unit PD through the interconnection lines. The driving chip IC may provide a data signal, which is used to display an image, to the display substrate310. The driving chip IC may be provided on the pad unit PD by a chip-on-glass (COG) method.

The active region TA defined in the touch substrate320may overlap a center of the touch substrate320, when viewed in a plan view. A plurality of touch cells may be provided on the active region TA.

The inactive region NTA may include a first inactive region NTA1, a second inactive region NTA2, and a third inactive region NTA3. The first inactive region NTA1may be provided to surround the active region TA or have a frame-like shape and may be overlapped with the display region DA of the display substrate310.

The second and third inactive regions NTA2and NTA3may be defined in a side region of the touch substrate320, e.g., adjacent to the touch substrate320, in the first direction DR1, and may overlap a portion of the second non-display region NDA2of the display substrate310. The second and third inactive regions NTA2and NTA3may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. For example, the second inactive region NTA2may be defined in a side region of the touch substrate320in the second direction DR2, and the third inactive region NTA3may be defined in another side region of the touch substrate320in the second direction DR2. A plurality of interconnection lines may be provided on the second and third inactive regions NTA2and NTA3and may be electrically connected to touch cells.

The touch substrate320may include an input sensing unit321, a first extended portion322, and a second extended portion323. The input sensing unit321may be provided on the active region TA and the first inactive region NTA1. The first extended portion322may be provided on the second inactive region NTA2. The second extended portion323may be provided on the third inactive region NTA3.

The first and second extended portions322and323may be connected to a side of the input sensing unit321in the first direction DR1. In other words, the first and second extended portions322and323may have a structure extending from the input sensing unit321in the first direction DR1.

The first extended portion322may be connected to a side of the input sensing unit321in the second direction DR2, e.g., the first extended portion322may extend along a part of a side of the input sensing unit321in the second direction DR2, and the second extended portion323may be connected to other side of the input sensing unit321in the second direction DR2, e.g., the second extended portion323may extend along a part of a side of the input sensing unit321in the second direction DR2. The first extended portion322may be spaced apart from the second extended portion323in the second direction DR2. In some embodiments, the first and second extended portions322and323may be provided to cover two portions of the pad unit PD which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2.

A side surface SS of the touch substrate320parallel to the second direction DR2may be provided to have a groove G. The groove G may have a recessed shape in a direction from the side surface SS toward the input sensing unit321. For example, the groove G may separate the first and second extended portions322and323along the second direction DR2.

For example, in a side region of the touch substrate320in the first direction DR1, the groove G may be defined by the input sensing unit321, the first extended portion322, and the second extended portion323. The groove G may be defined by an inner side surface of each of the input sensing unit321, the first extended portion322, and the second extended portion323.

For example, the groove G may include a first surface S1, a second surface S2, and a third surface S3. The first surface S1may be defined as one of inner side surfaces of the first extended portion322. The second surface S2may be defined as one of inner side surfaces of the second extended portion323. The third surface S3may be defined as one of inner side surfaces of the input sensing unit321.

The first surface S1may face the second surface S2. The first surface S1may be parallel to the second surface S2. The third surface S3may be positioned between the first and second extended portions322and323to connect the first surface S1to the second surface S2. In some embodiments, angles between the first and third surfaces S1and S3and between the second and third surfaces S2and S3may be about 90 degrees.

The groove G of the touch substrate320may be formed to expose a portion of the pad unit PD of the display substrate310. For example, the groove G may be provided to expose a center region of the pad unit PD in the second direction DR2. The driving chip IC may be provided on the exposed region of the pad unit PD.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the pad unit PD of the display substrate310may include at least one bonding part. As an example, the pad unit PD may include a first bonding part MB, which is provided in a side region of the pad unit PD in the first direction DR1. The first flexible circuit board10may include two portions which are attached to the first bonding part MB and to the printed circuit board400to electrically connect the display substrate310to the printed circuit board400. The first bonding part MB may be exposed by the groove G.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the first or second extended portion322or323of the touch substrate320may include at least one bonding part. As an example, the second extended portion323may include a second bonding part TB (FIGS. 2-3), which is provided in a side region of the second extended portion323in the first direction DR1. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the second flexible circuit board20may include two portions which are attached to the second bonding part TB and to the printed circuit board400to electrically connect the touch substrate320to the printed circuit board400.

FIG. 7is a bottom-side view of the touch substrate320.

Referring toFIGS. 4 to 7, sealing elements SL1-SL3may be provided to hermetically seal a space between the display and touch substrates310and320. For example, the sealing elements SL1-SL3may include glass or polymer. In some embodiments, fit including glass powder may be coated on a bottom surface of the touch substrate320, and this may make it possible to couple the display and touch substrates310and320to each other. The sealing elements SL1-SL3may have a black color. The sealing elements SL1-SL3may be provided along an edge region of each of the first to third inactive regions NTA1to NTA3and on the bottom surface of the touch substrate320.

In some embodiments, a space between the display and touch substrates310and320, in which the sealing elements SL1-SL3are not provided, may be a vacuum state. The sealing elements SL1-SL3may have a thickness ranging from about 3 μm to about 10 μm.

Embodiments are not limited to a specific color of the sealing elements SL1-SL3. For example, in certain embodiments, the sealing elements SL1-SL3may be formed of or include a colorless transparent material and may be provided to fully cover the bottom surface of the touch substrate320or to fill the space between the display and touch substrates310and320.

The sealing elements SL1-SL3may include first, second, and third sealing elements SL1, SL2, and SL3. The first sealing element SL1may be coated on a bottom surface of the input sensing unit321of the touch substrate320. For example, the first sealing element SL1may be provided to be overlapped with the first inactive region NTA1.

The second sealing element SL2may be coated on a bottom surface of the first extended portion322of the touch substrate320. For example, the second sealing element SL2may be provided to be overlapped with an edge region of the first extended portion322.

The third sealing element SL3may be coated on a bottom surface of the second extended portion323of the touch substrate320. For example, the third sealing element SL3may be provided to be overlapped with an edge region of the second extended portion323.

According to some embodiments, the first and second extended portions322and323of the touch substrate320may extend from the input sensing unit321in the first direction DR1and may cover at least a portion of the pad unit PD of the display substrate310. Accordingly, a contact area between the display and touch substrates310and320may be increased, e.g., as compared to a contact area between substrates having no extended portions, and this may make it possible to increase hardness of the display panel300. According to some embodiments, the first and second extended portions322and323of the touch substrate320may cover a portion of the pad unit PD and thus may protect interconnection lines formed in the pad unit PD. Accordingly, it may be possible to improve durability of the display panel300.

FIG. 8is a top-side view of a display panel according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIG. 8, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

According to other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 8, a portion of the pad unit PD exposed by a groove G-1of a touch substrate320-1may have a trapezoid shape, when viewed in a plan view. As an example, a distance between the first surface S1and the second surface S2may increase with increasing distance from the third surface S3. In such an embodiment, a contact area between a display substrate310-1and the touch substrate320-1may be further increased.

FIG. 9is a top-side view of a display panel according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIG. 9, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

According to other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 9, a pad unit PD-2may have a trapezoid shape whose width decreases with increasing distance from an input sensing unit321-2. For example, a length, in the second direction DR2, of the pad unit PD-2may decreases with increasing distance from the display region DA and the first non-display region NDA1.

A first extended portion322-2and a second extended portion323-2may have a shape corresponding to that of the pad unit PD-2. For example, a length, in the second direction DR2, of each of the first and second extended portions322-2and323-2may decreases with increasing distance from the input sensing unit321-2. Here, a distance between the first and second extended portions322-2and323-2may not be changed. In such an embodiment, it may be possible to reduce an area of a weak portion of the display panel300.

FIG. 10Ais a top-side view of a display panel according to other embodiments.FIG. 10Bis an enlarged view of the groove ofFIG. 10A. In the following description ofFIGS. 10A and 10B, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

According to other embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, an inner surface of a groove G-3of a touch substrate320-3may further include a fourth surface S4and a fifth surface S5.

The fourth surface S4may be defined as one of inner side surfaces of a first extended portion322-3extending from the first surface S1. The fourth surface S4may connect the first surface S1to the third surface S3. The fourth surface S4may be provided to have an obtuse angle relative to each of the first and third surfaces S1and S3.

The fourth surface S4may be defined as one of inner side surfaces of the second extended portion323-3extending from the second surface S2. The fifth surface S5may connect the second surface S2to the third surface S3. The fifth surface S5may be provided to have an obtuse angle relative to each of the second and third surfaces S2and S3.

For example, the first surface S1may be provided to have a first angle θ1relative to the fourth surface S4. The fourth surface S4may be provided to have a second angle θ2relative to the third surface S3. The third surface S3may be provided to have a third angle θ3relative to the fifth surface S5. The fifth surface S5may be provided to have a fourth angle θ4relative to the second surface S2.

Each of the first to fourth angles θ1-θ4may be one of internal angles of a closed curve which is defined by an extension surface ES, which is an imaginary surface connecting a side surface of the first extended portion322-3to a side surface of the second extended portion323-3, and the first to fifth surfaces S1-S5.

As an example, the first to fourth angles θ1-θ4may be 135 degrees. However, embodiments are not limited to this angle. For example, the first to fourth angles θ1-θ4may be obtuse angles, at least one of which is different from the others. In such an embodiment, a contact area between a display substrate310-3and the touch substrate320-3may be increased.

FIG. 11is a top-side view of a display panel according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIG. 11, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

According to other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 11, a groove G-4of a touch substrate320-4may include at least one curved surface. For example, the groove G-4may have a semi-circular shape, when viewed in a plan view. However, embodiments are not limited to this example. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one of the first to fifth surfaces S1to S5shown inFIGS. 10A and 10Bmay include a curved surface. In such an embodiment, a contact area between a display substrate310-4and the touch substrate320-4may be increased.

FIG. 12is a top-side view of a display panel according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIG. 12, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

According to other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 12, a touch substrate320-5may further include a third extended portion324. The third extended portion324may be provided between first and second extended portions322-5and323-5. The third extended portion324may be provided in a side region of the touch substrate320-5in the first direction DR1. The third extended portion324may be spaced apart from the input sensing unit321-5.

The input sensing unit321-5, the first extended portion322-5, the second extended portion323-5, and the third extended portion324may be provided to define a hole H in a side region of the touch substrate320-5in the first direction DR1. The hole H may be defined by an inner side surface of each of the input sensing unit321-5, the first extended portion322-5, the second extended portion323-5, and the third extended portion324.

For example, the hole H may include a sixth surface S6, in addition to the first surface S1, the second surface S2, and the third surface S3. The first surface S1may be defined as an inner side surface of the first extended portion322-5. The second surface S2may be defined as an inner side surface of the input sensing unit321-5. The third surface S3may be defined as an inner side surface of the second extended portion323-5. The sixth surface S6may be defined as an inner side surface of the third extended portion324.

The first surface S1may face the second surface S2. The first surface S1may be parallel to the second surface S2. The third surface S3may face the sixth surface S6. The third surface S3may be parallel to the sixth surface S6. Each of the first, second, third, and sixth surfaces S1, S2, S3, and S6may be provided to form a right angle relative to a surface adjacent thereto. In other words, the hole H may have a rectangular or square shape. However, the shape of the hole H is not limited to the rectangular or square shape, e.g., the hole H may have a polygonal, a circular, or an elliptical shape.

The hole H of the touch substrate320-5may be provided to at least partially expose the pad unit PD of a display substrate310-5. As an example, the hole H may be provided to expose a center region of the pad unit PD in the second direction DR2. The driving chip IC may be provided on the exposed region of the pad unit PD. In this case, although not shown, the first bonding part MB in the previous embodiments may be covered with the touch substrate320-5and may be prevented from being exposed to the outside. In the case where the first bonding part MB is provided in a space between the touch and display substrates320-5and310-5, the sealing elements SL1-SL3may have a thickness that is greater than or equal to that of the first flexible circuit board10.

Various types of display panels have been described. However, embodiments are not limited to a specific type of the display panel300, and various other types of display panels may be used to realize embodiments.

FIGS. 13A and 13Bare bottom-side views of touch substrates according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIGS. 13A and 13B, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

Referring toFIG. 13A, sealing elements SL1a, SL2a, and SL3amay be coated on the touch substrate320. The first sealing element SL1amay be provided on the bottom surface of the input sensing unit321of the touch substrate320to be overlapped with the first inactive region NTA1.

The second sealing element SL2amay be provided on the bottom surface of the first extended portion322of the touch substrate320and may be overlapped with an edge region of the first extended portion322. The third sealing element SL3amay be provided on the bottom surface of the second extended portion323of the touch substrate320to be overlapped with an edge region of the second extended portion323.

The second and third sealing elements SL2aand SL3amay form a patterned structure. For example, the second and third sealing elements SL2aand SL3amay be provided on the bottom surfaces of the first and second extended portions322and323to extend in the first direction DR1and may be arranged in the second direction DR2.

Referring toFIG. 13B, second and third sealing elements SL2band SL3bmay be provided on the bottom surfaces of the first and second extended portions322and323to extend in the second direction DR2and may be arranged in the first direction DR1to form a patterned structure.

In such embodiments, a contact area between the display and touch substrates310and320may be increased. Therefore, durability of the display panel may be improved.

FIGS. 14A and 14Bare bottom-side views of touch substrates according to other embodiments. In the following description ofFIGS. 14A and 14B, a previously described element may be identified by a similar or identical reference number without repeating an overlapping description thereof, for the sake of brevity.

Referring toFIG. 14A, a second sealing element SL2cand a third sealing element SL3cmay be provided to form a patterned structure. The second and third sealing elements SL2cand SL3cmay be provided to have a zigzag shape, on bottom surfaces of the first and second extended portions322and323. For example, each of the second and third sealing elements SL2cand SL3cmay include long portions, which are parallel to the second direction DR2, and short portions, which are parallel to the first direction DR1and are provided to connect the long portions to each other.

Referring toFIG. 14B, a second sealing element SL2dand a third sealing element SL3dmay be provided to have a zigzag shape, on bottom surfaces of the first and second extended portions322and323. For example, each of the second and third sealing elements SL2dand SL3dmay include long portions, which are parallel to the first direction DR1, and short portions, which are parallel to the second direction DR2and are provided to connect the long portions to each other.

According to this embodiment, a contact area between the display and touch substrates310and320may be increased, and this may make it possible to improve durability of the display panel. In addition, embodiments are not limited to a specific structure of the sealing elements, and various other structures of the sealing elements may be used to realize embodiments.

By way of summation and review, according to embodiments, it is possible to improve mechanical properties (e.g., hardness and durability) of a display panel. That is, portions of the touch substrate extend from the input sensing unit to cover at least a portion of the pad unit on the display substrate to increase a contact area between the display and touch substrates, thereby increasing hardness of the display panel while protecting interconnection lines on the pad area.