Display device

A display device includes a display panel, a connection film connected to one side of the display panel, a circuit board connected to the connection film, and a coupling portion coupling the connection film and the circuit board, located at an area where the connection film and the circuit board overlap each other, and including a conductive first coupling portion for coupling the connection film and the circuit board, and an insulative second coupling portion for coupling the connection film and the circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0054097 filed on May 11, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device including a connection film and a circuit board.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display device, which is a device for displaying an image, includes a display panel, such as an organic light emitting display panel or a liquid crystal display panel. Further, the display device includes a circuit board mounted with electronic components suitable for driving a display panel, and a connection film for connecting the circuit board to the display panel.

Meanwhile, a mobile electronic appliance includes a display device for providing an image to a user. The proportion of mobile electronic appliances having a larger display screen, while also having a volume or thickness equal to or smaller than that in the related art, has increased. To provide a larger screen only at the time of use, a foldable display device or a bendable display device having a structure capable of folding or unfolding has been developed.

SUMMARY

An aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides a display device having a layout configuration with relatively high internal space utilization.

An embodiment of the invention provides a display device including a display panel, a connection film connected to one side of the display panel, a circuit board connected to the connection film, and a coupling portion coupling the connection film and the circuit board, located at an area where the connection film and the circuit board overlap each other, and including a conductive first coupling portion for coupling the connection film and the circuit board, and an insulative second coupling portion for coupling the connection film and the circuit board.

The connection film may include a first wiring connected to the first coupling portion, wherein the circuit board includes a second wiring connected to the first coupling portion, and wherein the second coupling portion overlaps the first wiring and the second wiring.

The first coupling portion may adjacent to one side of the connection film in a first direction, and is adjacent to one side of the circuit board in the first direction, wherein the second coupling portion is adjacent to the other side of the circuit board.

The display device may further include an integrated circuit adjacent the connection film and connected to the first wiring, wherein the circuit board does not overlap the integrated circuit.

The circuit board may include a circuit area not overlapping the connection film and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein a length of the second coupling portion in the second direction is longer than a length of the first coupling portion in the second direction, and wherein the second coupling portion extends further in the second direction in a plan view than the first coupling portion.

The circuit board may include a circuit area extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the second coupling portion includes a plurality of first coupling patterns extending in the first direction with a first width, and repeatedly arranged along the second direction, and wherein a distance between adjacent ones of the first coupling patterns decreases toward the circuit area of the circuit board.

The second coupling portion may include a plurality of second coupling patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction with a first width, and repeatedly arranged along the first direction, wherein a distance between adjacent ones of the second coupling patterns decreases toward the first coupling portion.

The second coupling portion may include a plurality of coupling patterns extending in a third direction with a first width, and repeatedly arranged along a fourth direction crossing the third direction, wherein the third direction is a direction in which a reference line connecting two points that are spaced farthest from each other in an overlapping area where the connection film and the circuit board overlap each other is extended.

The circuit board may include a circuit area extending in a second direction crossing a first direction, wherein one end of the reference line is adjacent to the circuit area and the first coupling portion.

The second coupling portion may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a thickness that is equal to a thickness of the first coupling portion, wherein a distance between the connection film and the circuit board is uniform throughout an overlapping area, and wherein the overlapping area is an area where the connection film and the circuit board overlap each other.

The display panel may include a first area and a second area, wherein a degree of bending of the first area due to an external force is lower than a degree of bending of the second area due to the external force, and wherein the connection film and the circuit board overlap the first area in a thickness direction, and do not overlap the second area.

The one side of the display panel may be bent in the thickness direction of the display panel, wherein the connection film is connected to a first surface of the display panel through a first contact portion formed on a first surface of the connection film, and wherein the first coupling portion is directly connected to a second contact portion formed on a second surface of the connection film and a third contact portion formed on a first surface of the circuit board.

The one side of the connection film may be bent in a thickness direction of the display panel, wherein the connection film is connected to a first surface of the display panel through a first contact portion formed on a first surface of the connection film, and wherein the first coupling portion is directly connected to a second contact portion formed on a second surface of the connection film and a third contact portion formed on a first surface of the circuit board.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a display device including a display panel, a connection film connected to one side of the display panel, a circuit board connected to the connection film, the circuit board overlapping the connection film, a conductive first coupling portion between the connection film and the circuit board for coupling the connection film and the circuit board, and an insulative coupling film coupling the connection film and the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is located between the connection film and the coupling film.

The display device may further include an integrated circuit adjacent the coupling film and connected to first wiring in the connection film, wherein the coupling film overlaps the integrated circuit, wherein the coupling film includes a first insulating layer directly contacting the integrated circuit, a first conductive layer overlapping the first insulating layer in a thickness direction, and a second conductive layer overlapping the first conductive layer in the thickness direction, and wherein the first conductive layer is connected to a ground electrode formed on the circuit board.

A space formed along a side surface of the integrated circuit and communicating with the outside may be located between the coupling film and the connection film.

The coupling film may further include a heat radiation layer overlapping the second conductive layer, and completely overlapping the integrated circuit in the thickness direction.

The one side of the display panel may be bent in a thickness direction of the display panel, wherein the connection film is connected to a first surface of the display panel through a first contact portion formed on a first surface of the connection film, wherein the first coupling portion is directly connected to a second contact portion formed on a second surface of the connection film, and to a third contact portion formed on a first surface of the circuit board, and wherein the connection film completely overlaps the coupling film in the thickness direction.

The connection film may partially overlap the one side of the display panel and may be attached to the one side of the display panel.

The display device may further include an insulative second coupling portion in an area where the connection film and the circuit board overlap each other for coupling the connection film and the circuit board.

Therefore, the display device according to the described embodiments may have a relatively high internal space utilization by overlapping the circuit board with the coupling film. In addition, the display device may prevent a damage at the contact portion between the coupling film and the circuit board, and may have improved product reliability by fixing the circuit board to the coupling film using a coupling layer between the circuit board and the coupling film, or a bonding film covering the circuit board to the coupling film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Further, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure. Thus, 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. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, as those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, layer, region, or component, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component, or one or more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may be present. However, “directly connected/directly coupled” refers to one component directly connecting or coupling another component without an intermediate component. Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between components such as “between,” “immediately between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” may be construed similarly. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a display device before bending.FIG. 4is a plan view of the display device ofFIG. 3.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V′ inFIG. 1.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the folded display device.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 6, a display device100may have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The display device100may have a rectangular shape having angled corners in a plan view, or a rectangular shape having rounded corners in a plan view. The display device100may include four sides or edges. The display device100may include long sides LS1and LS2and short sides SS1and SS2.

Unless defined otherwise, in this specification, the term “on”, “over”, “upper side”, or “upper surface” in the thickness direction refers to a side of a display surface with respect to a display panel, and the term “beneath”, “under”, “lower side”, or “lower surface” refers to a side opposite to a display surface with respect to the display panel. Further, the term “upper (over)”, “lower (under)”, “left”, or “right” in the plane direction refers to a direction when viewed from above with a display surface placed at a fixed position.

In a plan view of the display device100, the long side located at the left side thereof is referred to as a first long side LS1, the long side located at the right side thereof is referred to as a second long side LS2, the short side located at the upper side thereof is referred to as a first short side SS1, and the short side located at the lower side thereof is referred to as a second short side SS2. The lengths of the long sides LS1and LS2of the display device100may be in a range of about 1.2 to about 2.5 times that of the lengths of the short sides SS1and SS2thereof, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The display device100may be capable of switching between a folded state and an unfolded state based on a folding axis AXIS_F crossing the first short side SS1and the second short side SS2. A concave portion (for example, a notch, which may be indented toward the center of gravity on the plane) is formed at each of the first short side SS1and the second short side SS2of the display device100corresponding to the folding axis AXIS_F, and a hinge member may be coupled to the concave portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the switching of the display device100between a folded state and an unfolded state will be described later with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

The display device100may include a display panel210, a connection film220, a circuit board230, a first coupling layer250(or a first coupling portion, which may be a conductive first coupling portion), and a second coupling layer260(or a second coupling portion, which may be an insulative second coupling portion). The first and second coupling layers250and260may be referred to as one coupling portion. The display device100may further include a cover panel240, an optical film310, and a window320.

The display panel210may display an image by the input data signal. The display panel210may be an organic light emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, an electrowetting display panel, a quantum dot emission display panel, or a micro light emitting diode (LED) display panel. In an embodiment, an organic light emitting display panel is used as the display panel210.

The display panel210may include a flexible substrate including a flexible polymer material such as polyimide. Thus, the display panel210may be warped, bent, curved, folded, or rolled.

The display panel210may include a main region MR, a bending region BR, and a sub region SR. The bending region BR and the sub region SR may be distinguished from the main region MR based on the direction in which one side of the display panel210faces the other side of the display panel210connected to the circuit board230.

The main region MR may have a shape substantially similar to the planar shape of the display device100. The main region MR may be a flat region located on one plane. However, the main region MR is not limited thereto. In the main region MR, at least one of edges other than the edges (sides) connected to the bending region may be bent to form a curved surface, or may be bent in a vertical direction.

If an area corresponding to a screen in the display panel is defined as a display area DPA, and an area not displaying a screen in the display panel210is defined as a non-display area NDA, the display area DPA of the display panel210is located in the main region MR.

The residual area other than the display area DPA may be the non-display area NDA of the display panel210. In an embodiment, the non-display area NDA may include a peripheral edge portion of the display area DPA in the main region MR, the entire bending region BR, and the entire sub region SR. However, the display area DPA and the non-display area NDA are not limited thereto, and the bending region BR and/or the sub region SR may also include the display area DPA.

The display area DPA of the display panel210may be located at the center of the main region MR. The display area DPA may include a pixel. The pixel may include a light emitting layer and a circuit layer for controlling the amount of light emitted from the light emitting layer. The circuit layer may include a display wiring, a display electrode, and at least one transistor. The light emitting layer may include an organic light emitting material. The light emitting layer may be encapsulated by an encapsulation film. The encapsulation film encapsulates the light emitting layer to prevent external moisture or the like from unwanted permeation or inflowing. The encapsulation layer may be an inorganic single-layered film, an inorganic multi-layered film, or a laminate film in which organic films and inorganic films are alternately laminated.

The display area DPA may have a rectangular shape or may have a rectangular shape having rounded corners. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the display area DPA may have a square shape or may have various shapes, such as a polygonal shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape.

In the main region MR, when at least one of edges or sides that are other than the edges/sides connected to the bending region forms a curved surface or is bent, the display area DPA may or may not be located at the corresponding at least one edge.

In the main region MR, the non-display area NDA may be located around the display area DPA. The non-display area NDA of the main region MR may be an area from the outer boundary of the display area DPA to the edge of the display panel210. The non-display area DPA of the main region MR may include therein signal lines and driving circuits for applying signals to the display area DPA. Further, the non-display area DPA of the main region MR may be provided with an outermost black matrix.

Meanwhile, when the display device100is a foldable display device, the main region MR may include a foldable region FR. The foldable region FR will be described later together with the cover panel240.

The bending region BR is connected to one side of the main region MR. For example, the bending region BR may be connected through, or may extend through, the first long side LS1of the main region MR. The second length L2(or vertical length) of the bending region BR may be shorter than the first length L1of the main region MR, as shown inFIG. 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the bending region BR, the display panel210is bent with a curvature in a downward direction (that is, a direction away from, or facing the opposite side of, the display surface of the display panel210). Although the bending region BR may have a constant curvature radius throughout the bending region BR, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the bending region BR may have different curvature radiuses for each section. As the display panel210is bent in the bending region BR, the surface of the display panel210is inverted. That is, one side of the display panel210faces upward in the main region MR, faces toward a lateral side (for example, a left side) in the bending region BR, and also faces downward in the sub region SR.

The sub region SR extends from the bending region BR. The sub region SR may extend in a direction parallel to the main region MR with respect to a portion where bending of the display panel210is completed (e.g., a portion that is outside of the bending region). The sub region SR may overlap the main region MR in the thickness direction of the display panel210. The sub region SR overlaps the non-display area NDA of the edge of the main region MR, and may also overlap the display area DPA of the main region MR.

A wiring may be located between the bending region BR and the sub region SR. The wiring of the bending region BR may be connected to the circuit layer of the main region MR, and may extend to the sub region SR. The wiring extending to the sub region SR may be connected to the circuit board230through the connection film220.

The connection film220may be located to overlap the display panel210in the thickness direction of the display panel210. The connection film220may be fixed to the bottom of the display panel210(or the cover panel240) through an adhesive layer270. The adhesive layer270will be described later.

Hereinafter, an arrangement relationship (for example, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, and “right”) of the connection film220, the circuit board230, the first coupling layer250, the second coupling layer260, and the adhesive layer270will be described with reference toFIG. 2.

One end of the connection film220may be attached to the wiring of the sub region SR of the display panel210, and the other end of the connection film220may be attached to the circuit board230. For example, the left upper surface of the connection film220(e.g., a portion near where the display surface of the display panel210is inverted by bending) may attached to the lower surface of the sub region SR through a first contact portion SPT1, and the right lower surface of the connection film220may be attached to the right upper surface of the circuit board230.

In another embodiment, the lower left surface of the connection film220may be attached to the upper surface of the sub region SR of the display panel210(e.g., such that the connection film220is between the cover panel240and the display panel210). The first contact portion SPT1may be located on the upper surface or lower surface of the connection film220in consideration of the bending curvature of the bending region BR of the display panel210and the total thickness of the display device100.

The connection film220may be attached to the circuit board230at a second contact portion SPT2through the first coupling layer250. For example, the first coupling layer250may be an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). The first coupling layer250may electrically connect a first wiring formed at (or connected to) the second contact portion SPT2of the connection film220to a second wiring formed at (or connected to) a third contact portion SPT3of the circuit board230. Similarly, the connection film220may be attached to the display panel210at the first contact portion SPT1through an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

Meanwhile, although it is shown inFIG. 2that the display device100includes the first coupling layer250, and that the first coupling layer250has a given thickness, this is for the purpose of illustrating that the first coupling layer250is different from the second coupling layer260to be described later, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connection film220may be attached directly to the circuit board230by an ultrasonic bonding technique, and the first coupling layer250may be a portion where the connection film220and the circuit board230are melted and bonded.

The connection film220may be a chip-on film. As shown inFIG. 2, a driving chip221(or an integrated circuit) may be mounted on the lower surface of the chip-on film/connection film220. In another embodiment, the driving chip221may also be mounted on the upper surface of the chip-on film/connection film220.

The connection film220may include a first area A1and a second area A2that are located at left and right sides with respect to the driving chip221. The first area A1may be an area from the first contact portion SPT1to the driving chip221, and the second area A2may be an area from the driving chip221to the second contact portion SPT2. The width of the first area A1(e.g., from left to right) may be smaller than or equal to the width of the second area A2. For example, the ratio of the width of the second area A2to width of the first area A1may be about two or more. When the driving chip221is relatively close to the first contact portion SPT1(or relatively close to the sub region SR of the display panel210), the second area A2may have an area sufficient for the circuit board230to be overlapped.

The circuit board230may be a flexible printed circuit board. The circuit board230may be provided in the form of film-on-plastic, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The circuit board230may be located under the connection film220at the second area A2, and may overlap the second area A2of the connection film220in the thickness direction. The width of the circuit board230may be smaller than the width of the second area A2of the connection film220. The right side of the circuit board230may be aligned with, or located on the same plane (for example, a plane perpendicular to the upper surface of the circuit board230) as, the right side of the connection film220. One of the right side of the connection film220and the right side of the circuit board230may protrude from, or extend beyond, the other, although the area, or length in the horizontal direction, of the protruding portion may be much smaller than the area/length of an overlapping area OA1where the circuit board230and the connection film220overlap each other. For example, the ratio between the area of the protruding portion and the area of the overlapping area OA1may be about 1/10 or less.

The second coupling layer260may be located between the connection film220and the circuit board230, and the second coupling layer260may fix the circuit board230to the connection film220. The second coupling layer260fixes at least a part of a side of the circuit board230opposite the side of the circuit board230fixed to the connection film220through the first coupling layer250, to thereby prevent the circuit board230from being spaced apart from the connection film220or from being partially bent, and to thereby avoid the damage of the first coupling layer250(for example, pad/wiring crack at the second contact portion SPT2or the third contact portion SPT3) due to spacing or bending of the circuit board230.

As shown inFIG. 4, the second coupling layer260may be located on most of the overlapping area OA1of the connection film220and the circuit board230. For example, the second coupling layer260may have an area of about 60% to about 75% or more of the remaining area of the overlapping area OA1not including the first coupling layer250. In this case, the first wirings WS1formed on the connection film220and connected to the second contact portions SPT2may overlap the second coupling layer260in the thickness direction. Similarly, the second wirings WS2formed on the circuit board230and connected to the third contact portion SPT3may overlap the second coupling layer260in the thickness direction. The second coupling layer260may reduce the signal interference between the connection film220(or the first wirings WS1) and the circuit board230(or the second wirings WS2) overlapping each other.

The length of the second coupling layer260in the vertical direction may be the same as, or different from, the length of the first coupling layer250in the vertical direction.

For example, the length of the second coupling layer260in the vertical direction may be equal to the length of the first coupling layer250in the vertical direction, and the upper side (or lower side) of the second coupling layer260may be located at the same plane (or at the same line) as the upper side (or lower side) of the first coupling layer250. In this case, stress due to the non-overlapping portion of the circuit board230(for example, a portion extending downward from the overlapping area OA1with the connection film220) may be uniformly distributed to the first coupling layer250and the second coupling layer260.

As another example, the length of the second coupling layer260in the vertical direction may be longer than the length of the first coupling layer250in the vertical direction, and the upper side of the second coupling layer260may be located on the same plane (or the same line) as the upper side of the first coupling layer250. As still another example, the length of the second coupling layer260in the vertical direction may be shorter than the length of the first coupling layer250in the vertical direction. The second coupling layer260may be formed longer than the first coupling layer250in consideration of the relationship between the coupling force of the first coupling layer250and the coupling force of the second coupling layer260and the width of the second coupling layer260in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the second coupling layer260may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) film. Referring toFIG. 2, the second coupling layer260has the same thickness as the first coupling layer250, and may uniformly maintain the gap between the connection film220and the circuit board230over the entire overlapping area OA1.

As shown inFIG. 3, after the display panel210is connected to the connection film220, and the circuit board230is attached to the connection film220, a process of bending the bending region BR of the display panel210, and a coupling process of fixing the sub region SR of the bent display panel210(and the connection film220) to the bottom of the display panel210, may be performed. In the bending process and the coupling process, pressure may be applied to the circuit board230in the bending direction of the display panel210. In this case, the pressure-sensitive adhesive film can prevent or reduce warping or deformation of the circuit board230with respect to the connection film220due to pressurization, and can prevent or reduce damage of the first coupling layer250due to the pressurization.

The adhesive layer270may be located between the connection film220and the display panel210(or the cover panel240) to fix the connection film220to the display panel210. For example, the adhesive layer270may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive film.

The adhesive layer270may overlap the driving chip221on the connection film220in the thickness direction, or might not overlap the driving chip221. When the adhesive layer270overlaps the driving chip221, according to the characteristics of the adhesive layer270, it is possible to transfer the heat generated from the driving chip221to a heat radiation layer provided in the cover panel240, or to reduce or prevent heat generated from the driving chip221from moving to the display panel210. When the adhesive layer270does not overlap the driving chip221, the heat generated from the driving chip221may be discharged to the outside through a space between the connection film220and the cover panel240(or through a space between the sub region SR of the display panel210and the adhesive layer270).

Meanwhile, the cover panel240(or a cover panel member or a cover module) is located under the main region MR of the display panel210. The cover panel240includes at least one functional layer. The functional layer may be a layer that performs a heat radiation function, an electromagnetic wave blocking function, a grounding function, a buffering function, a strength enhancing function, a supporting function, a coupling function, a pressure sensing function, or a digitizing function. The functional layer may be a sheet layer, a film layer, a thin film, a coating layer, a panel, or a plate. One functional layer may be a single layer, but may be a laminate of a plurality of thin films or coating layers. Examples of the functional layer may include a supporting substrate, a heat radiation layer, an electromagnetic wave blocking layer, an impact absorbing layer, a coupling layer, a pressure sensor, and a digitizer.

As shown inFIG. 5, the cover panel240may include a second substrate241, a fourth adhesive layer AD4, an impact absorbing layer242, a fifth adhesive layer AD5, and a hard layer243.

The second substrate241may be located under the display panel210, and may be coupled to the display panel210through a third adhesive layer AD3. Each of the third adhesive layer AD3, the fourth adhesive layer AD4, and the fifth adhesive layer AD5may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Each of the third adhesive layer AD3, the fourth adhesive layer AD4, and the fifth adhesive layer AD5may be provided in the form of a single-sided tape or a double-sided tape.

The impact absorbing layer242may be located under the second substrate241, and may be coupled to the second substrate241through the fourth adhesive layer AD4. The impact absorbing layer242can reduce or prevent an impact from the outside (for example, downward direction) from being transferred to the display panel210. For example, the impact absorbing layer242may include polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone (Si), or polydimethylacrylamide (PDMA).

The hard layer243may be located under the impact absorbing layer242, and may be coupled to the impact absorbing layer242through the fifth adhesive layer AD5. The hard layer243may include a metal material such as stainless steel (SUS) or a polymer such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or terephthalate (PET). The hard layer243can alleviate the degree of bending of the display panel210by an external force, and can maintain the display panel210in a relatively flat state.

Meanwhile, when the display panel210is implemented as a flexible display panel, the hard layer243may include a first hard layer243-1and a second hard layer243-2, which may be separated from each other (e.g., to be located at the left and right sides, respectively).

Although it is shown inFIG. 5that the first hard layer243-1and the second hard layer243-2are spaced apart from, and are therefore separated from, each other, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first hard layer243-1and the second hard layer243-2may be located to be in contact with each other.

The first hard layer243-1may be coupled to the impact absorbing layer242through a second adhesive film AD5-2, and the second hard layer243-2may be coupled to the impact absorbing layer242through a first adhesive film AD5-1. Here, the first adhesive film AD5-1and the second adhesive film AD5-2are included in the fifth adhesive layer AD5, and may be separated from each other at the right and left sides.

The foldable region FR and first and second non-foldable regions NFR1and NFR2of the display panel210(or the main region MR) may be defined or set by the first adhesive film AD5-1and the second adhesive film AD5-2, respectively. The first and second non-foldable regions NFR1and NFR2, which are coupled to the first hard layer243-1and the second hard layer243-2through the first adhesive film AD5-1and the second adhesive film AD5-2, respectively, may have a low degree of bending due to an external force, and may have a generally flat state. The foldable region FR, which is a region not directly coupled (or not directly supported) with the first hard layer243-1and the second hard layer243-2, may have high degree of bending due to an external force, and may be a region capable of switching between a folded state and an unfolded state. For example, with respect to the same external force, the degree of deformation (for example, a bent angle) of the foldable region FR may be three times or more the degree of deformation of the first and second non-foldable regions NFR1and NFR2.

Referring toFIG. 4, the foldable region FR may have a rectangular shape. For example, the foldable region FR may have a first width W1in a horizontal direction with respect to the vertically extending folding axis AXIS_F, and may extend vertically. Meanwhile, the first width W1may be determined by the bending curvature of the display panel210and the spacing distance between the first and second adhesive films AD5-1and AD5-2, and may be de minimis/substantially zero. The first non-foldable region NFR1may have a second width W2, and may be connected to one side (for example, a left side with respect to the folding axis AXIS_F) of the foldable region FR. The second non-foldable region NFR2may have a third width W3, and may be connected to the other side (for example, a right side with respect to the folding axis AXIS_F) of the foldable region FR. The second width W2of the first non-foldable region NFR1may be the same as, or different from, the third width W3of the second non-foldable region NFR2.

Meanwhile, the connection film220and the circuit board230may overlap the first non-foldable region NFR1in the thickness direction, and might not overlap the foldable region FR or the second non-foldable region NFR2.

Referring toFIG. 5again, the cover panel240may further include a step compensating layer510located between the first adhesive film AD5-1and the second adhesive film AD5-2(and/or between the impact absorbing layer242and the hard layer243in the foldable region FR of the display panel210). The step compensating layer510may have a thickness that is equal to the thickness of the fifth adhesive layer AD5, may be implemented as a single-sided adhesive film, and may be attached to the upper surface of the hard layer243. In the lamination process of attaching the hard layer243to the impact absorbing layer242, the step compensating layer510can prevent the foldable region FR of the display panel210from being deformed by the step due to the fifth adhesive layer AD5(that is, by the distance between the impact absorbing layer242and the hard layer243), and can prevent the deterioration of image quality due to the deformation of the display panel210.

An optical film310may be located over the display panel210. The optical film310may include a polarizing film, a microlens, a prism film, or the like. The optical film310may have substantially the same shape as the main region MR of the display panel210. The optical film310may be omitted. A second adhesive layer AD2made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or the like may be located on the lower surface of the optical film310, and may be attached to the upper surface of the display panel210through the second adhesive layer AD2.

A window320is located over the optical film310. The window320serves to cover and protect the display panel210. The window320may be made of a transparent material. For example, the window320may include glass or plastic. When the window320includes plastic, the window320may have flexible properties.

When the display device100is implemented as a foldable display device, the window320may further include a coating layer on the upper surface thereof. In an embodiment, the coating layer may be a hard coating layer including an organic layer and/or organic-inorganic composite layer including an acrylate compound. The organic layer may include an acrylate compound. The organic-inorganic composite layer may be a layer in which an inorganic material, such as silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, niobium oxide, or glass beads, is dispersed in an organic material such as an acrylate compound.

A first adhesive layer AD1may be located between the window320and the optical film310, and the window320and the optical film310may be coupled to each other by the first adhesive layer AD1. The first adhesive layer AD1may be formed of an optical transparent adhesive film, an optical transparent adhesive tape, an optical transparent resin, or the like.

As described above, the display device100may have a structure in which the circuit board230is laminated on the connection film220to secure an empty space (e.g., empty space “EMPTY” inFIG. 2) having a certain thickness under the main region MR of the display panel210. For example, a battery device for storing a power suitable for driving the display device100may be located in the empty space EMPTY, and in particular, a thicker high-capacity battery device may be located in the empty space EMPTY.

Further, the circuit board230is laminated on the connection film220, so that the display device100(or the display panel210) can be realized as a foldable display device that can be folded at the short side. In the case of the foldable display device, the lower space of the display device100may be divided into two sub spaces by the folding axis AXIS_F, and a driving circuit and the like may be arranged in the limited one sub space.

Moreover, the circuit board230is fixed to the connection film220through the second coupling layer260, so that the damage of the first coupling layer250between the circuit board230and the connection film220can be reduced or prevented.

Meanwhile, although it is shown inFIG. 4that the second coupling layer260is located over the entire overlapping area OA1where the connection film220and the circuit board230overlap each other, the location and disposition of the second coupling layer260is not limited thereto. The second coupling layer260may be located at at least a part of the edge of the overlapping area OA1where the connection film220and the circuit board230overlap each other, or may be uniformly distributed over the entire overlapping area OA1.

Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

FIGS. 7 to 13are plan views of display devices according to various embodiments.

First, referring toFIG. 7, a display device100_1(or a second coupling layer260) ofFIG. 7is different from the display device100(or the second coupling layer260) ofFIG. 2, in that the display device100_1includes a first coupling member761and a second coupling member762.

Each of the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762has a rectangular planar shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762may have a seventh width W7in the horizontal direction that is longer than a seventh length L7in the vertical direction. For example, the ratio of the seventh width W7to the seventh length L7may be about 3 times or more. Because each of the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762are substantially the same as, or similar to, the second coupling layer260having been described with reference toFIG. 2, redundant description will not be repeated.

The first coupling member761and the second coupling member762may be located at the upper edge and lower edge of the overlapping area OA1, respectively, or may be located adjacent to the upper edge and lower edge thereof, respectively. Here, for convenience of explanation, the overlapping area OA1may be an area corresponding to where the circuit board230and the connection film220overlap each other and not including the first coupling layer250.

For example, the upper side of the first coupling member761may coincide with the upper side of the overlapping area OA1, and the lower side of the second coupling member762may coincide with the lower side of the overlapping area OA1. Meanwhile, the seventh width W7of each of the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762may be equal to or smaller than the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1.

As another example, the upper side of the first coupling member761may be spaced apart from the upper side of the overlapping area OA1by a suitable distance, and may be located on the same line (or the same plane) as the upper side of the first coupling layer250. Similarly, the lower side of the second coupling member762may be spaced apart from the lower side of the overlapping area OA1by a suitable distance, and may be located on the same line or plane as the lower side of the first coupling layer250.

When the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1is longer than the seventh length L7(that is, the seventh length L7of each of the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762), and the overlap length LT of the overlapping area OA1is shorter than the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1, the workability of the coupling process between the circuit board230and the connection film220can be improved through the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762.

Meanwhile, although it is shown inFIG. 7that the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762have the same seventh length L7and the same seventh width W7, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, considering a non-overlapping portion of the circuit board130(for example, a portion extending downward from the overlapping area OA1), the second coupling member762may have a length that is longer than the seventh length L7of the first coupling member761. As another example, the second coupling member762may have a width that is longer than the seventh width W7of the first coupling member761.

Referring toFIG. 8, a display device100_2(or a second coupling layer260) is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2in that the display device100_2includes a third coupling member860.

The third coupling member860has a rectangular planar shape, and may have an eighth length L8in the vertical direction that is larger than an eighth width W8in the horizontal direction. For example, the ratio of the eighth length L8to the eighth width W8may be about 3 or more. Meanwhile, the planar shape of the third coupling member860is not limited thereto. The third coupling member860may be located at the left edge (that is, at an edge opposite to the edge where a first coupling layer250is located) of the overlapping area OA1, or may be located adjacent to the right edge thereof.

The eighth length L8of the third coupling member860may be longer or equal to the length of the first coupling layer250in the vertical direction. For example, the upper side of the third coupling member860may be located above the upper side of the first coupling layer250, and the lower side of the third coupling member860may be located below the lower side of the first coupling layer250. As another example, the upper side of the third coupling member860may coincide with the upper side of the first coupling layer250, or may be located on the same line (or the same plane) as the upper side of the first coupling layer250, and the lower side of the third coupling member860may be located below the lower side of the first coupling layer250. As still another example, the upper side of the third coupling member860may coincide with the upper side of the first coupling layer250, or may be located on the same line (or the same plane) as the upper side of the first coupling layer250, and the lower side of the third coupling member860may coincide with the lower side of the first coupling layer250.

The eighth width W8of the third coupling member860is ½ times, or more, the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1. When the overlap length LT of the overlapping area OA1is longer than the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1(for example, when the ratio of the overlap length LT to the overlap with WT is about 3 or more), the workability of the coupling process between the circuit board230and the connection film220can be improved through the third coupling member860.

Referring toFIG. 9, a display device100_3(or a second coupling layer260) is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2in that the display device100_3includes fourth, fifth, and sixth coupling members961,962, and963.

The fourth coupling member961and the fifth coupling member962may be substantially the same as, or similar to, the first coupling member761and the second coupling member762shown inFIG. 7. The sixth coupling member963may be substantially the same as or similar to, the third coupling member860shown inFIG. 8. Therefore, a redundant description will not be repeated.

The fourth to sixth coupling members961,962, and963may have the same thickness on the same plane (e.g., between the connection film220and the circuit board230), and might not overlap each other.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the fourth to sixth coupling members961,962, and963are line tapes having a reference width W0.

For example, when the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1is between about 1.5 times and about 3 times the size of the reference width W0, and when the overlap width WT is about half the size of (or less) the overlap length LT, each of the fourth and fifth coupling members961and962may have the same width (that is, horizontal width) as the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1. In this case, the sixth coupling member963is located between the fourth and fifth coupling members961and962, and the length of the sixth coupling member963in the vertical direction may be smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the total length (total length in the vertical direction) of the fourth and fifth coupling members961and962from the overlap length LT of the overlapping area OA1.

As another example, when the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1is about 3 times or more greater than the reference width W0, and when the overlap width WT is about 2 times or more greater than the overlap length LT, the sixth coupling member963may have the same length as the overlap length LT. In this case, the fourth and fifth coupling members961and962are instead located between the sixth coupling member963and the first coupling layer250, and the length of each of the fourth and fifth coupling members961and962in the horizontal direction may be smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the width in the horizontal direction of the sixth coupling member963from the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1.

As still another example, when the overlap width WT of the overlapping area OA1is between about 1.5 times and about 3 times the size of the reference width W0, and when the ratio of the overlap width WT and the overlap length LT is about 2 or less, the fourth coupling member961may have the same width as the overlap width WT, the sixth coupling member963may have a length that is equal to or smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the reference width W0from the overlap length LT, and the fifth coupling member may have a width equal to or smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the reference width W0from the overlap width WT.

Referring toFIG. 10, a display device100_4(or a second coupling layer260) is different from the display device100_1ofFIG. 7in that the display device100_4includes seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N (N being an integer of 3 or more).

Each of the seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N may be substantially the same as the first coupling member760having been described with reference toFIG. 7. Therefore, a redundant description will not be repeated.

The seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N may be arranged repeatedly to be spaced apart from each other at suitable intervals in the vertical direction. Here, the intervals between the seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N may be the same as, or different from, each other. For example, the intervals between the seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N may increase toward the upper side, and may decrease toward the lower side.

When each of the overlap width WT and overlap length LT of the overlapping area OA1is about 2 time or more greater than the length of each of the seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N, and when the overlap width WT is about 1.5 times or more greater than the overlap length LT, the width between the connection film220and the circuit board230can be substantially uniformly maintained over the entire overlapping area OA1through the seventh coupling members1060-1to1060-N.

Referring toFIG. 11, a display device100_5(or a second coupling layer260) may include eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M (M is an integer of 3 or more).

Each of the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M may be substantially the same as the third coupling member860having been described with reference toFIG. 8. Therefore, a redundant description will not be repeated.

The eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M may be arranged repeatedly to be spaced apart from each other at suitable intervals in the horizontal direction. Here, the intervals between the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M may be the same as, or different from, each other. For example, the intervals between the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M may decrease toward the left side, and may increase toward the right side. As another example, the intervals between the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M may increase toward the left side, and may decrease toward the right side.

When each of the overlap width WT and overlap length LT of the overlapping area OA1is about 2 times or more greater than the width of each of the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M, and when the overlap length LT is about 1.5 times or more greater than the overlap width WT, the width between the connection film220and the circuit board230can be substantially uniformly maintained over the entire overlapping area OA1through the eighth coupling members1160-1to1160-M.

Referring toFIG. 12, a display device100_6(or a second coupling layer260) is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2in that the display device100_6includes ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L (L is a positive integer).

The ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L each may have a rectangular shape, may have a reference width W0, may extend in a second diagonal direction DD2, and may be arranged repeatedly to be spaced apart from each other at suitable intervals in a first diagonal direction DD1that is substantially perpendicular to the second diagonal direction DD2. Here, the first diagonal direction DD1may be a direction in which a first reference line DL1(or a diagonal line) connecting the two most distant points (or corner points) of the overlapping area OA extends. One end (starting point or end point) of the first reference line DL1may be adjacent to the extended portion of the circuit board230and the first coupling layer250.

The intervals between the ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L may be the same as, or different from, each other. For example, the intervals between the ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L may decrease toward the lower side, and may increase toward the upper side.

As shown inFIG. 12, the circuit board230may overlap the connection film220, and may extend in a downward direction with a larger area than the connection film220. In this case, a bending force may be generated along the first reference line DL1due to the extended portion of the circuit board230. Therefore, considering the distribution of the bending force, the damages of the circuit board230, the first coupling layer250, and the like can be reduced or prevented by the ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L.

Referring toFIG. 13, a display device100_7(or a second coupling layer260) is different from the display device100_6ofFIG. 12in that the display device100_7includes tenth coupling members1360-1to1360-L (L is a positive integer).

The tenth coupling members1360-1to1360-L may be substantially the same as the ninth coupling members1260-1to1260-L. Therefore, a redundant description will not be repeated.

The tenth coupling members1360-1to1360-L may extend in a fourth diagonal direction DD4, and may be arranged repeatedly to be spaced apart from each other at suitable intervals in a third diagonal direction DD3that is substantially perpendicular to the fourth diagonal direction DD4. Here, the third diagonal direction DD3may be a direction in which a second reference line DL2connecting the two most distant points (or corner points) of the overlapping area OA extends. One end (starting point or end point) of the second reference line DL2may be adjacent to the extended portion of the circuit board230, and may be spaced apart from the first coupling layer250.

At least one of the tenth coupling members1360-1to1360-L is continuously supported with respect to a line from which a bending force is generated due to the extended portion of the circuit board230, so that the damages of the circuit board230, the first coupling layer250, and the like due to the extended portion of the circuit board230can be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.FIG. 15is a plan view of the display device ofFIG. 14.FIG. 16is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI′ inFIG. 15.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 14, a display device100_8ofFIG. 14is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2in that the display device100_8includes a coupling film1460(or a cover member).

The coupling film1460may be located to overlap the connection film220and the circuit board230in the thickness direction, and may be attached to the lower surfaces of the connection film220and the circuit board230(or to the lower surface of portions of the connection film220and the circuit board230). The coupling film1460may be implemented as a single-sided adhesive film, and may be attached to the exposed portion of the lower surface of the connection film220and the lower surface of the circuit board230. That is, the coupling film1460may completely cover the connection film220and the circuit board230at the bottom, and may fix the circuit board230to the connection film220.

As described with reference toFIG. 2, when the connection film220includes the driving chip221mounted in an area not overlapping the circuit board230, the coupling film1460may cover the driving chip221. Empty spaces ES1and ES2formed along the side surface of the driving chip221and connected to the outside may be formed between the connection film220and the coupling film1460. The empty spaces ES1and ES2may be formed by steps due to the driving chip221(for example, steps corresponding to the height from the lower surface of the connection film220to the lower end surface of the driving chip221, and corresponding to the height from the lower surface of the circuit board230to the lower end surface of the driving chip221) and the bending properties of the coupling film1460.

As shown inFIG. 16, when the coupling film1460is formed larger than the driving chip221in the vertical direction (that is, in the vertical direction of the display device100_8), the lower end of the coupling film1460may be kept spaced apart from the connection film220. Air can circulate along the empty spaces ES1and ES2connected to the outside, and the heat generated from the driving chip221can be prevented from being trapped between the connection film220and the coupling film1460.

Meanwhile, although it is shown inFIGS. 15 and 16that the coupling film1460has a length that is longer than the length of the driving chip221in the vertical direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the coupling film1460is equal to, or shorter than, that of the driving chip221, so that the coupling film1460may partially cover the driving chip221.

As described above, the coupling film1460may be located under the connection film220and the circuit board230, may entirely cover the connection film220and the circuit board230, and may fix the circuit board230to the connection film220. Further, because the empty spaces ES1and ES2are exposed to the outside are formed in the vicinity of the driving chip221mounted on the connection film220, the heat generated from the driving chip221can be prevented from being trapped between the connection film220and the coupling film1460. Further, because the coupling film1460is located after the connection (or attachment) between the connection film220and the circuit board230is performed, a process of locating the coupling film1460may be performed separately from the coupling process of the connection film220and the circuit board230.

FIG. 17is a cross-sectional view of a coupling film according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 17, the coupling film1460may include a first insulating layer1710, a conductive layer1720, and a second insulating layer1730, which are sequentially laminated.

The first insulating layer1710may cover the upper surface of the driving chip221, and may be in direct contact with the connection film220and the circuit board230.

When the conductive layer1720is brought into contact with the driving chip221, signals generated from the driving chip221may be confused. Accordingly, the driving chip221and the conductive layer1720may be completely insulated from each other by the first insulating layer1710.

The conductive layer1720may be located on the first insulating layer1710. The conductive layer1720may include a metal or a polymer material having electrical conductivity. For example, the metal may include at least one selected from aluminum (Al)-based metals including aluminum alloys, silver (Ag)-based metals including silver alloys, copper (Cu)-based metals including copper alloys, molybdenum (Mo)-based metals including molybdenum alloys, chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), and tantalum (Ta). However, these metals are illustrative, and the kinds of metals that may be used are not limited thereto. Any metal having electrical conductivity may also be used as the material of the conductive layer1720. The conductive layer1720may be bonded to the first insulating layer1710through a nonconductive adhesive.

The second insulating layer1730may be located on the conductive layer1720. The second insulating layer1730may completely cover the conductive layer1720. Thus, the first insulating layer1710and the second insulating layer1730may be located to respectively cover the back surface (or lower surface) and front surface (or upper surface) of the conductive layer1720. That is, the front surface and back surface of the conductive layer1720may not be exposed to the outside by the first insulating layer1710and the second insulating layer1730. The second insulating layer1730may be bonded to the conductive layer1720through a nonconductive adhesive.

The conductive layer1720may serve to induce static electricity generated irregularly in accordance with the transmission of various signals in the connection film220and the circuit board230. The reason for this is that the static electricity may be generated unintentionally in accordance with the signal transmission in the drive chip221or various wirings arranged in the connection film220, and the static electricity may affect the driving chip221or the adjacent wiring to confuse the signals.

Meanwhile, at least one ground electrode may be formed under the circuit board230. The ground electrode may be located in an island shape in a suitable area of the circuit board230. In this case, the conductive layer1720of the coupling film1460may be electrically connected to the ground electrode. That is, the conductive layer1720of the coupling film1460may be grounded to the ground electrode.

The coupling film1460may further include a heat radiation layer1740. The heat radiation layer1740may be formed of a graphite film, and may be located on or applied on the second insulating layer1730.

As described above, when the coupling film1460includes the conductive layer1720, the static electricity may be induced to move to the ground electrode of the circuit board230through the conductive layer1720. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the static electricity from adversely affecting the flow of signals or the electrical characteristics of each wiring.

FIG. 18is a plan view of a display device according to still another embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 18, a display device100_9ofFIG. 18is different from the display device100_8ofFIG. 15in that the display device100_9includes first and second cover members1861and1862not covering the driving chip221.

Each of the first and second cover members1861and1862is implemented as a single-sided adhesive tape extending in the horizontal direction. The first cover member/adhesive tape1861may be located on the upper portion of the overlapping area of the circuit board230(that is, the area overlapping the connection film) and the upper portion of the exposed area of the connection film220. Similarly, the second cover member/adhesive tape1862may be located on the lower portion of the overlapping area of the circuit board230and the lower portion of the exposed area of the connection film220.

Although it is shown inFIG. 18that the width of the first cover member/adhesive tape1861(that is, the width in the vertical direction) and the width of the second cover member/adhesive tape1862are equal to each other, this is illustrative, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the width of the second cover member/adhesive tape1862may be greater than the width of the first cover member/adhesive tape1861.

FIG. 19is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to still another embodiment.FIG. 20is a plan view of a display device according to still another embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 19 and 20, a display device100_10according to this embodiment is different from the display device100_8ofFIG. 14in that the display device100_10includes a coupling film1960covering a part of the display panel210.

The coupling film1960is a single-sided adhesive film, and may be located to cover the lower surface of the circuit board230, the region where the connection film220is exposed downward (or a region not overlapping the circuit board230), and the sub region SR of the display panel210(or a portion of the sub region SR excluding the first contact portion SPT1).

Similarly to the coupling film1460having been described with reference toFIG. 17, the coupling film1960may include a conductive layer, and may induce static electricity generated from the display panel210.

As shown inFIG. 20, the coupling film1960may be located to cover the entire sub region SR of the display panel210.

FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to still another embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 21, a display device100_11according to this embodiment is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2and the display device100_8ofFIG. 14in that the display device100_11includes both a second coupling layer2161and a coupling film2162.

The second coupling layer2161is located between the connection film220and the circuit board230. The second coupling layer2161may be implemented as the first to tenth coupling members having been described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 13, or may include a combination thereof.

The coupling film2162is located to cover the exposed portion of the connection film220and the lower surface of the circuit board230, and may be implemented as the coupling films having been described with reference toFIGS. 14 to 20.

FIG. 22is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to still another embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 22, a display device100_12according to this embodiment is different from the display device100ofFIG. 2in that the display device100_12includes a display panel210including only a main region MR and a connection film2220having a region bent in a thickness direction.

The display panel210may include only the main region MR of the display panel210having been described with reference toFIG. 4, and a fourth contact portion SPT4may be formed at one side of the upper surface of the display panel210at the main region MR. The position of the fourth contact portion SPT4shown inFIG. 4is illustrative, and is not limited thereto. For example, the fourth contact portion SPT4may be located on the left lower side of the display panel210.

The connection film2220may be located in the thickness direction to overlap the display panel2210, and may be coupled to the cover panel240through the adhesive layer270. One side of the connection film2220is bent upward, and one side of the bent connection film2220may be connected to the fourth contact portion SPT4of the display panel210.

That is, the display device100_12has a structure in which the connection film2220is bent and connected to the display panel210. Even in this case, the circuit board230is fixed to the connection film2220using the second coupling layer2261and the coupling film2162, thereby reducing or preventing the occurrence of damage in the vicinity of the first coupling layer250.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention,

Further, according to the display device of an embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board is located to overlap the connection film, and thus the circuit board is located on one side of the display panel, thereby increasing the utilization of internal space. Further, the circuit film is fixed to the connection film through a coupling layer located between the connection film and the circuit board or a coupling film covering the connection film and the circuit board, thereby reducing or preventing the damage at the contact portion between the connection film and the circuit board and improving the reliability of a product.

The effects of embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the foregoing, and other various effects are considered herein.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims, with functional equivalents thereof to be included.