Patent Publication Number: US-2023134755-A1

Title: Display apparatus

Description:
This application is a continuation application of U.S. Application No. 16/922,123 filed Jul. 7, 2020, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0000486, filed on Jan. 2, 2020, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under  35  U.S.C. §119, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more embodiments relate to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus including a display panel having an opening area. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Use of display apparatuses has diversified. Also, as display apparatuses become slimmer and lighter, a range of use of such display apparatuses has widened. 
     As a planar area occupied by a display area in a display apparatus has been expanded, various functions combined and/or associated with a display apparatus have been added. As a method of adding various functions while increasing the display area, research has been conducted into a display apparatus having a planar area for adding various functions within the display area, other than a function such as an image display. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more embodiments include a highly reliable display apparatus including a display panel having an opening area inside a display area. 
     Additional features will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments of the disclosure. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus includes a display element including a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode; a substrate including: an opening area corresponding to a component which uses light or sound for a function associated with the display apparatus, a display area including the display element and adjacent to the opening area, a non-display area between the opening area and the display area, and a boundary line separating the opening area from the non-display area; an encapsulation layer including: a first inorganic encapsulation layer, an organic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer in the display area and each covering the display element, and the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer extending from the display area to the non-display area; and a dam portion in the non-display area and corresponding to the boundary line which separates the opening area from the non-display area. The dam portion which corresponds to the boundary line includes a plurality of grooves in which the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer which are in the non-display area, are in contact with each other. 
     In an embodiment, a width of each of the plurality of grooves may increase and then decrease in a thickness direction of the substrate. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a first opposite electrode pattern in a same layer as the opposite electrode and between a plurality of grooves adjacent to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a second opposite electrode pattern spaced apart from the first opposite electrode pattern in the plurality of grooves. 
     In an embodiment, the display element may further include an intermediate layer between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode, and the display apparatus may further include a first intermediate layer pattern in a same layer as the intermediate layer and between the plurality of grooves adjacent to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a second intermediate layer pattern spaced apart from the first intermediate layer pattern and in the plurality of grooves. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a pixel defining layer including an opening exposing the pixel electrode, and a spacer on the pixel defining layer. The dam portion may further include a first layer in a same layer as the pixel defining layer, and a first auxiliary dam in a same layer as the spacer. 
     In an embodiment, bottom surfaces of the plurality of grooves may coincide with an upper surface of the first layer. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of grooves may be defined by the first auxiliary dam and the first layer. 
     In an embodiment, a thickness of a pattern portion between the plurality of grooves adjacent to each other, may be less than a thickness of the first auxiliary dam. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a second auxiliary dam on the first auxiliary dam. 
     In an embodiment, the first auxiliary dam may define an upper groove. 
     In an embodiment, a depth of the upper groove may be equal to a thickness of the first auxiliary dam. 
     In an embodiment, the substrate may define a lower groove in the non-display area and spaced apart from the dam portion in a direction from the opening area to the display area. 
     In an embodiment, the organic encapsulation layer may fill the lower groove. 
     In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a touch input layer including an insulating layer and a sensing electrode on the encapsulation layer. 
     In an embodiment, the insulating layer may be inside the plurality of grooves. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus includes a substrate including an opening area corresponding to a component which uses light or sound for a function associated with the display apparatus, a display area adjacent to the opening area and including a display element and, and a non-display area between the opening area and the display area; a dam portion in the non-display area and including a plurality of grooves; an encapsulation layer covering the display element; and a touch input layer including an insulating layer and a sensing electrode in the display area, the touch input layer facing the substrate with the encapsulation layer therebetween. The insulating layer in the display area extends from the display area to the non-display area, and the insulating layer which is in the non-display area extends into the plurality of grooves of the dam portion. 
     In an embodiment, the dam portion may coincide with a boundary line which separates the opening area from the non-display area. 
     In an embodiment, the insulating layer may include an inorganic layer and an organic layer, and the inorganic layer may fill the plurality of grooves. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features, and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a display apparatus; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a display panel; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic equivalent circuit of an embodiment of a pixel of a display panel; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   .  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C  are enlarged cross-sectional views of regions A and B of  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are respectively enlarged cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a groove; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   ; and 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    are respectively cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain features of the present description. 
     The disclosure may have various modifications and embodiments. Embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description. The advantages and features of the disclosure and methods for achieving them will become more apparent from the following embodiments that are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and may be embodied in various forms. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and a redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “an element” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof. 
     It will be understood that terms such as “comprise,” “include,” and “have” used herein specify the presence of stated features or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or elements. 
     Sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of description. In other words, because the sizes and thicknesses of elements in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of description, the following embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     When an embodiment may be implemented differently, a process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order. 
     In the following embodiments, it will be understood that when a film, layer, region, element, or component is referred to as being related to another element such as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another film, layer, region, element, and component, it may be directly or indirectly connected or coupled to the other film, layer, region, element, or component. That is, for example, intervening films, regions, or components may be present. In the following embodiments, it will be understood that when a film, layer, region, element, or component is referred to as being related to another element such as being “electrically connected to” or “electrically coupled to” another film, layer, region, element, and component, it may be directly or indirectly electrically connected or coupled to the other film, layer, region, element, or component. That is, for example, intervening films, layers, regions, elements, or components may be present. In contrast, when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being related to another element such as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another layer, region or element, no intervening layer, region or element is therebetween. 
     Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element’s relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a display apparatus  1 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the display apparatus  1  may include a first area A 1  and a second area A 2  which is adjacent to the first area A 1 , such as surrounding the first area A 1 . A pixel P provided in plurality (e.g., plurality of pixels P), for example, an array of pixels P, may be arranged in the second area A 2 . The second area A 2  may allow an image to be displayed through operation or control of the array of pixels P. The second area A 2  corresponds to a display area at which an image is displayed. The first area A 1  may be entirely surrounded by the second area A 2 , in a top plan view. The first area A 1  may be within the second area A 2  as a display area. An entirety of a planar area of the first area A 1  may be within a total planar area of the second area A 2 . 
     The first area A 1  may be a planar area in which a component  20 , circuitry, etc. for providing various functions to the display apparatus  1 , are arranged (e.g., a component area). In an embodiment, for example, when the component  20  includes a sensor, a camera and the like as functional elements which use light within a function combined and/or associated with the display apparatus  1 , the first area A 1  corresponds to a transmission area through which light from the sensor to outside the display apparatus  1  and/or light traveling toward the camera from outside the display apparatus  1  is transmitted (e.g., light transmission area). The first area A 1  may include an opening area OA (e.g., opening or enclosed opening) in a substrate  100  so as to increase light transmittance. The first area A 1  may be considered a non-display area (e.g., a third non-display area) in which none of the pixels P is arranged. That is, an image is not displayed at the first area A 1 . The first area A 1  may correspond to the opening area OA. 
     A third area A 3  may be arranged between the first area A 1  and the second area A 2 . The third area A 3  is a first non-display area in which none of the pixels P is arranged. That is, an image is not displayed at the third area A 3 . Lines (e.g., signal lines or conductive lines) or dam portions that bypass the first area A 1  (e.g., are excluded or not disposed in the first area A 1 ), may be arranged in the third area A 3 . The third area A 3  may be within the second area A 2  as a display area. An entirety of a planar area of the third area A 3  may be within a total planar area of the second area A 2 . 
     Like the third area A 3 , a fourth area A 4  surrounding the second area A 2  may be a second non-display area in which none of the pixels P is arranged. That is, an image is not displayed at the fourth area A 4 . Various types of lines, internal circuits and the like, for operating and/or controlling the display apparatus  1 , may be arranged in the fourth area A 4 . Referring to  FIG.  1   , for example, the first area A 1 , the third area A 3 , the second area A 2  and the fourth area A 4  may be arranged in order, in a direction along a plane of the display apparatus  1 . One or more element of the display apparatus  1  may include a first area A 1 , a second area A 2 , a third area A 3  and/or a fourth area A 4  corresponding to those described above for the display apparatus  1 . Each of the first area A 1 , the second area A 2 , the third area A 3  and/or the fourth area A 4  may define an enclosed shape or enclosed planar shape. 
     Each one of the pixel P provided in the display apparatus  1  may include a light-emitting diode as a display element which generates and/or emitting colored light. The display element may include an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) including an organic material as an emission layer  220   b . Alternatively, the display element may include an inorganic light-emitting diode. Alternatively, the display element may include quantum dots as an emission layer  220   b . Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a case in which the display element includes an OLED will be described. 
     The display apparatus  1  and elements thereof, may be disposed in a plane defined by a first direction (e.g., x direction) and a second direction (e.g., y direction) which crosses the first direction. A thickness of the display apparatus  1  and elements thereof, may be disposed along a third direction (e.g., z direction or thickness direction) which crosses each of the first direction and the second direction. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates that the first area A 1  is arranged at the central portion of the second area A 2 , along in a width direction (e.g., ±x direction) of the display apparatus  1 , but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first area A 1  may be arranged to be offset to the left or right based on a center of the second area A 2 , along the width direction of the display apparatus  1 . In addition, the first area A 1  may be arranged at various positions along a length direction (e.g., ±y direction) of the display apparatus  1 , such as being disposed at an upper portion, a middle portion or a lower portion of the second area A 2 . 
       FIG.  1    illustrates that the display apparatus  1  includes one of the first area A 1 , but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the display apparatus  1  may include the first area A 1  provided in plurality (e.g., a plurality of first areas A 1 ). 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatus  1  taken along line II-II′ of  FIG.  1   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the display apparatus  1  may include a display panel  10 , a touch input layer  40  (e.g., touch sensing layer) arranged on the display panel  10 , and an optical function layer  50 . The display panel  10 , the touch input layer  40  and the optical function layer  50  may each be covered with a window  60 . The window  60  may be bonded to an underlying element, for example, the optical function layer  50 , such as through an adhesive layer OCA. The adhesive layer OCA may include an optical clear adhesive (“OCA”). The window  60  may form an outer surface of the display apparatus  1 , without being limited thereto. The window  60  may define a display surface (or display screen) of the display apparatus  1 . 
     The display apparatus  1  may be provided in various electronic apparatuses such as a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer (“PC”), a notebook computer or a smart watch. 
     The display panel  10  may include a plurality of diodes arranged in the second area A 2 . The touch input layer  40  may acquire coordinate information according to an external input, for example, a touch event. The touch input layer  40  may include sensing electrodes (or touch electrodes) and trace lines which are connected to the sensing electrodes. The touch input layer  40  may be arranged on the display panel  10 . The touch input layer  40  may sense an external input in a mutual capacitance method or a self-capacitance method. The display panel  10  may face the window  60 , with the touch input layer  40  therebetween. 
     The touch input layer  40  may be provided or formed directly on the display panel  10 . Alternatively, the touch input layer  40  may be separately provided or formed, and then subsequently bonded through an adhesive layer OCA. In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the touch input layer  40  may be provided or formed directly on the display panel  10 . In this case, the adhesive layer OCA may be excluded from between the touch input layer  40  and the display panel  10 . 
     The optical function layer  50  (e.g., a light control layer) may include an anti-reflective layer. The anti-reflective layer may reduce a reflectance of light (e.g., external light) incident from outside the display apparatus  1  and toward the display panel  10  through the window  60 . The anti-reflective layer may include a retarder and/or a polarizer. The retarder may be a film type retarder or a liquid crystal coating type retarder and may include a λ/2 retarder and/or a λ/4 retarder. The polarizer may also be a film type polarizer or a liquid crystal coating type polarizer. The film type polarizer may include a stretched synthetic resin film, and the liquid crystal coating type polarizer may include liquid crystals arranged in an arrangement. The retarder and/or the polarizer may each further include a protective film. 
     In an embodiment, the anti-reflective layer may include a structure of a black matrix and/or color filters. The color filters may be arranged considering the color of light emitted from each of a pixel P of the display panel  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the anti-reflective layer may include a destructive interference structure. The destructive interference structure may include a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer arranged stacked such as to be in different layers. First reflected light and second reflected light, which are respectively reflected from the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, may destructively interfere with each other, thereby reducing reflectance of external light. 
     The optical function layer  50  may include a lens layer. The lens layer may improve light output efficiency of the light emitted from the display panel  10  and/or may reduce color deviation. The lens layer may include a layer having a concave lens shape or convex lens shape and/or may include a plurality of layers having different refractive indices from each other. The optical function layer  50  may include either or both of the anti-reflective layer and the lens layer. 
     The display panel  10 , the touch input layer  40  and the optical function layer  50  may each define or include a hole (e.g., a component hole). In an embodiment, for example, the display panel  10  may include a first hole  10 H passing through the top surface and the bottom surface of the display panel  10  (e.g., extended through a thickness of the display panel  10 ), the touch input layer  40  may include a second hole  40 H passing through the top surface and the bottom surface of the touch input layer  40 , and the optical function layer  50  may include a third hole  50 H passing through the top surface and the bottom surface of the optical function layer  50 . The first hole  10 H of the display panel  10 , the second hole  40 H of the touch input layer  40 , and the third hole  50 H of the optical function layer  50  may be arranged in the first area A 1  and may be arranged to correspond to each other. The first hole  10 H, the second hole  40 H and the third hole  50 H may be aligned with each other to provide a single hole or single component hole. 
     When the adhesive layer OCA between the window  60  and the optical function layer  50  includes an optical clear adhesive, the adhesive layer OCA may not include a hole corresponding to the first area A 1  since light may still transmit through the adhesive layer OCA. 
     A component  20  may be arranged in the first area A 1 . The component  20  which defines or corresponds to the first area A 1 , may include an electronic element. In an embodiment, for example, the component  20  may be an electronic element using light or sound within a function combined and/or associated with the display apparatus  1 . In an embodiment, for example, the electronic element may be a sensor (e.g., infrared sensor) which receives and uses light to perform a function related to the display apparatus  1 , a camera which receives light and capture an image as a function related to the display apparatus  1 , a sensor which outputs and senses light or sound so as to measure a distance or recognize a fingerprint as a function related to the display apparatus  1 , a small lamp which outputs light as a function related to the display apparatus  1 , a speaker which outputs sound as a function related to the display apparatus  1 , and the like. 
     When the component  20  is an electronic element using light within a function combined and/or associated with the display apparatus  1 , the component  20  may use light of various wavelength bands, such as visible light, infrared light and ultraviolet light. In one or more embodiments, the first area A 1  may be a transmission area (e.g., light transmission area) through which light output from the component  20  is transmitted to outside the display apparatus  1  and/or light traveling toward the electronic element from outside the display apparatus  1  is transmitted. 
     In an embodiment, when the display apparatus  1  is used as a smart watch and/or a dashboard for a vehicle, the component  20  may be a member such as a clock hand or a needle indicating information (e.g., vehicle speed, etc.). When the display apparatus  1  includes a clock hand or needle within a dashboard for a vehicle, the component  20  may be exposed to outside the window  60  of the display apparatus  1 . Here, the window  60  may include or define an opening or hole corresponding to the first area A 1 . 
     The component  20  may include a device which adds a function related to the display apparatus  1  as described above, or may include features such as accessories that increase an aesthetic appearance of the display panel  10 . 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the display panel  10 , and  FIG.  4    is a schematic equivalent circuit of an embodiment of a pixel P in the display panel  10 . 
     The display panel  10  may include a first area A 1 , a second area A 2  surrounding the first area A 1 , a third area A 3  between the first area A 1  and the second area A 2 , and a fourth area A 4  surrounding the second area A 2 . Alternatively, a substrate  100  of the display panel  10  may include the first area A 1 , the second area A 2 , the third area A 3 , and the fourth area A 4 . 
     The display panel  10  may include a plurality of pixels P arranged in the second area A 2 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the pixels P may each include a pixel circuit PC and a display element which is connected to the pixel circuit PC. The display element may include, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”). The pixel circuit PC may include a first thin-film transistor (“TFT”) T 1 , a second TFT T 2 , and a storage capacitor Cst. The pixels P may each generate and/or emit, for example, light of a red color, a green color or a blue color through the OLED or may generate and/or emit, for example, light of a red color, a green color, a blue color or a white color through the OLED. 
     The second TFT T 2  may serve as a switching TFT and may be connected to one or more of a signal line such as a scan line SL and a data line DL. The switching TFT may transfer, to the first TFT T 1 , an electronic signal such as a data signal input from the data line DL, according to an electronic signal such as a switching voltage input from the scan line SL. The storage capacitor Cst may be connected to the second TFT T 2  and a driving voltage line PL and may store a voltage corresponding to a difference between a voltage received from the second TFT T 2  and a first power supply voltage ELVDD supplied to the driving voltage line PL. 
     The first TFT T 1  may serve as a driving TFT and may be connected to the driving voltage line PL and the storage capacitor Cst. The driving TFT may control an electrical driving current flowing from the driving voltage line PL to the OLED, according to a voltage value stored in the storage capacitor Cst. The OLED may generate and/or emit light having a luminance according to the electrical driving current. An opposite electrode (e.g., a cathode) of the OLED may receive a second power supply voltage ELVSS. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates that the pixel circuit PC includes two TFTs and one storage capacitor Cst, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the number of TFTs and the number of the storage capacitor Cst may be variously changed according to the design of the pixel circuit PC. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    again, the third area A 3  may surround the first area A 1 . The third area A 3  is a planar area in which a display element such as an OLED which emits light, is excluded or not arranged. Signal lines which provide electrical signals (e.g., control signal, driving signal, power signal, etc.) to the pixels P arranged outside of and around the first area A 1 , may pass through the third area A 3 . Such signal lines which are connected to the pixel P, may bypass the first area A 1  to be excluded from the first area A 1 . 
     In the embodiment, the third area A 3  may include a dam portion DP ( FIG.  5 A ). As described below, the dam portion DP may restrict or control a flow of an organic encapsulation layer material forming an organic encapsulation layer covering the second area A 2  during manufacturing of a display apparatus  1 , so as to reduce or effectively prevent penetration of such material into the first area A 1 . At this time, the dam portion DP may be arranged to surround the first area A 1  in a top plan view. In particular, the dam portion DP may be arranged adjacent to the first area A 1  in a direction along the substrate  100 . That is, the dam portion DP may be adjacent to a boundary line BL that separates the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  3   , a first scan driver  1100  (e.g., a first driver) and a second scan driver  1200  (e.g., a second driver) which each provide scan signals to the pixels P, a data driver  1300  (e.g., a third driver) which provides data signals to the pixels P, main voltage lines (not illustrated) which provide the first power supply voltage ELVDD and the second power supply voltage ELVSS, and the like may be arranged in the fourth area A 4 . The first scan driver  1100  and the second scan driver  1200  may be arranged in the fourth area A 4  and may be respectively arranged on opposing sides of the second area A 2  with the second area A 2  therebetween. That is, the first scan driver  1100  and the second scan driver  1200  may face each other with the second area A 2  therebetween. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates that the data driver  1300  is arranged adjacent to one side or outer edge of the substrate  100 , but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the data driver  1300  may be arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) which is a separate element from the display panel  10  and electrically connected to a pad of the display panel  10 . The pad may be arranged adjacent to one side or outer edge of the display panel  10 , such as corresponding to an area of the data driver  1300 . 
       FIG.  5 A  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   .  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C  are enlarged cross-sectional views of regions A and B of  FIG.  5 A . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , the display apparatus  1  may include a display panel  10  and a touch input layer  40 . The display panel  10  may include a substrate  100 , a buffer layer  101 , an inorganic insulating layer IL, a first planarization layer  109 , a second planarization layer  111 , a pixel defining layer  113 , and a thin-film encapsulation layer  300 , which are sequentially stacked. In this case, the inorganic insulating layer IL may include a first gate insulating layer  103 , a second gate insulating layer  105  and an interlayer insulating layer  107 . In addition, a pixel circuit PC may be arranged on the substrate  100 , and an OLED may be arranged on the pixel circuit PC. The OLED may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC and may include a pixel electrode  210 , an intermediate layer  220  and an opposite electrode  230 . 
     In the embodiment, the substrate  100  may include an opening area OA. The opening area OA may be arranged to correspond to a first area A 1 . In particular, the first area A 1  and the opening area OA may be aligned with each other. The opening area OA may be surrounded by a second area A 2  that is a display area. A third area A 3  that is a first non-display area, may be arranged between the opening area OA and the second area A 2  in a direction along the substrate  100 . In this case, a dam portion DP that is adjacent to a boundary line BL that separates the first area A 1  from a third area A 3 , may be arranged in the third area A 3 . 
     The substrate  100  may include glass or may include a polymer resin, such as polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate or cellulose acetate propionate. 
     The buffer layer  101  may be arranged on the substrate  100 . The buffer layer  101  may reduce or block penetration of foreign matter, moisture or external air from outside a bottom surface of the substrate  100  and may provide a flat surface relative to the substrate  100 . The buffer layer  101  may include an inorganic material such as oxide or nitride, an organic material or an organic/inorganic material combination, and may have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure including an inorganic material and an organic material. A barrier layer (not illustrated) which blocks penetration of external air may be further included between the substrate  100  and the buffer layer  101 . In one or more embodiments, the buffer layer  101  may include silicon oxide (SiO 2 ) or silicon nitride (SiN x ). 
     A TFT may be disposed on the buffer layer  101 . In this case, the TFT may be a driving TFT. The TFT may include a semiconductor layer A, a gate electrode G, a source electrode S and a drain electrode D. 
     The semiconductor layer A may be arranged on the buffer layer  101  and may include polysilicon. In an embodiment, the semiconductor layer A may include amorphous silicon. In an embodiment, the semiconductor layer A may include an oxide of at least one selected from indium (In), gallium (Ga), stannum (Sn), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), hafnium (Hf), cadmium (Cd), germanium (Ge), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti) and zinc (Zn). The semiconductor layer A may include a channel region, and a source region and a drain region each doped with impurities. 
     The first gate insulating layer  103  may be provided to cover the semiconductor layer A. The first gate insulating layer  103  may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) or zinc oxide (ZnO 2 ). The first gate insulating layer  103  may be a single layer or a multi-layer including the above-described inorganic insulating material. 
     The gate electrode G may be arranged on the first gate insulating layer  103  so as to overlap the semiconductor layer A. The gate electrode G may include molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti) or the like and may be a single layer or a multi-layer. In an embodiment, for example, the gate electrode G may be a single layer of Mo. 
     The second gate insulating layer  105  may be provided to cover the gate electrode G. The second gate insulating layer  105  may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) or zinc oxide (ZnO 2 ). The second gate insulating layer  105  may be a single layer or a multi-layer including the above-described inorganic insulating material. 
     An upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst may be arranged on the second gate insulating layer  105 . 
     The upper electrode CE2 may overlap the gate electrode G arranged therebelow. The gate electrode G and the upper electrode CE2 overlapping each other with the second gate insulating layer  105  therebetween, may form the storage capacitor Cst. The gate electrode G may be a lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst. 
     The upper electrode CE2 may include aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W) and/or copper (Cu), and may be a single layer or a multi-layer including the above-described material. 
     The interlayer insulating layer  107  may be provided or formed to cover the upper electrode CE2. The interlayer insulating layer  107  may include silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) or zinc oxide (ZnO 2 ). 
     The source electrode S and the drain electrode D may be arranged on the interlayer insulating layer  107 . The source electrode S and the drain electrode D may each include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti) and the like, and may each be a single layer or a multi-layer including the above-described material. In an embodiment, for example, the source electrode S and the drain electrode D may each have a multi-layered structure of Ti/AI/Ti. 
     A first planarization layer  109  may be arranged to cover the source electrode S and the drain electrode D. The first planarization layer  109  may have a flat upper surface. 
     The first planarization layer  109  may be a single layer or a multi-layer including an organic material or an inorganic material. The first planarization layer  109  may include a polymer (for example, benzocyclobutene (“BCB”), polyimide, hexamethyldisiloxane (“HMDSO”), polymethylmethacrylate, or polystyrene), a polymer derivative having a phenol-based group, an acryl-based polymer, an imide-based polymer, an arylether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-based polymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinylalcohol-based polymer and a combination thereof. The first planarization layer  109  may include silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) or zinc oxide (ZnO 2 ). In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , after providing or forming the first planarization layer  109 , chemical mechanical polishing may be performed thereon so as to provide a flat upper surface. 
     A connection metal CM may be arranged on the first planarization layer  109 . The connection metal CM may be electrically connected to the TFT by contacting the source electrode S or the drain electrode D of the TFT, through a contact hole provided or formed in the first planarization layer  109 . 
     A line (not illustrated), such as a signal line or conductive line, which is spaced apart from the connection metal CM (e.g., connector or connection plug) in a direction along the substrate  100  and includes a same material as that of the connection metal CM, may be further arranged on the first planarization layer  109 . That is, the line and the connection metal CM may be in a same layer among layers arranged on the substrate  100 . As used herein, being in a same layer may refer to patterns or elements being respective portions of a same single material layer among material layers arranged on the substrate  100 . 
     A second planarization layer  111  may be arranged on the connection metal CM. The second planarization layer  111  may have a flat upper surface such that a pixel electrode  210  arranged thereon is provided or formed to be flat. 
     The second planarization layer  111  may be a single layer or a multi-layer including an organic material or an inorganic material. The second planarization layer  111  may include a polymer (for example, benzocyclobutene (“BCB”), polyimide, hexamethyldisiloxane (“HMDSO”), polymethylmethacrylate, or polystyrene), a polymer derivative having a phenol-based group, an acryl-based polymer, an imide-based polymer, an arylether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-based polymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinylalcohol-based polymer and a combination thereof. The second planarization layer  111  may include silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ), hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) or zinc oxide (ZnO 2 ). In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , after providing or forming the second planarization layer  111 , chemical mechanical polishing may be performed thereon so as to provide a flat upper surface. 
     The second planarization layer  111  may include or define an opening or contact hole exposing the connection metal CM. The pixel electrode  210  may be in contact with the connection metal CM at or through the opening, to be electrically connected to the TFT. 
     The pixel electrode  210  may include conductive oxide, such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), zinc oxide (“ZnO”), indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ), indium gallium oxide (“IGO”) or aluminum zinc oxide (“AZO”). In an embodiment, the pixel electrode  210  may include a reflective layer including silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr) or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the pixel electrode  210  may further include a layer including ITO, IZO, ZnO or In 2 O 3  above and/or below the reflective layer. In one or more embodiments, the pixel electrode  210  may have a stacked structure of ITO/Ag/ITO. 
     A pixel defining layer  113  may be arranged on the pixel electrode  210 . The pixel defining layer  113  may include or define an opening exposing the upper surface of the pixel electrode  210 , but may cover the outer edge of the pixel electrode  210 . The pixel defining layer  113  may include an organic insulating material. Alternatively, the pixel defining layer  113  may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride or silicon oxide. Alternatively, the pixel defining layer  113  may include an organic insulating material and an inorganic insulating material. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a case in which the pixel defining layer  113  includes an organic insulating material will be described. 
     An intermediate layer  220  may include an emission layer  220   b . The emission layer  220   b  may include, for example, an organic material. The emission layer  220   b  may include a relatively high-molecular-weight organic material or a relatively low-molecular-weight organic material that emits color light. The intermediate layer  220  may include a first functional layer  220   a  arranged below the emission layer  220   b  and/or a second functional layer  220   c  arranged above the emission layer  220   b . 
     The first functional layer  220   a  may be a single layer or a multi-layer. In an embodiment, for example, when the first functional layer  220   a  includes a relatively high-molecular-weight material, the first functional layer  220   a  may be a hole transport layer (“HTL”) having a single-layered structure and may include poly-(3,4)-ethylene-dihydroxy thiophene (“PEDOT”) or polyaniline (“PANI”). When the first functional layer  220   a  includes a relatively low-molecular-weight material, the first functional layer  220   a  may include a hole injection layer (“HIL”) and an HTL. 
     The second functional layer  220   c  may be optional. In an embodiment, for example, when the first functional layer  220   a  and the emission layer  220   b  each include a relatively high-molecular-weight material, the second functional layer  220   c  may not be provided or formed. The second functional layer  220   c  may be a single layer or a multi-layer. The second functional layer  220   c  may include an electron transport layer (“ETL”) and/or an electron injection layer (“EIL”). 
     The emission layer  220   b  of the intermediate layer  220  may be arranged for each pixel P in the second area A 2 . The emission layer  220   b  may be arranged to overlap the opening in the pixel defining layer  113  and/or overlap the pixel electrode  210 . The first and second functional layers  220   a  and  220   c  of the intermediate layer  220  may each be a single body which extends from the second area A 2  to the third area A 3  so as to be also provided or formed on the dam portion DP. 
     The opposite electrode  230  may include a conductive material having a relatively low work function. In an embodiment, for example, the opposite electrode  230  may include a (semi)transparent layer including silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca) or any alloy thereof. Alternatively, the opposite electrode  230  may further include a layer such as ITO, IZO, ZnO or In 2 O 3  on the (semi)transparent layer including the above-described material. The opposite electrode  230  is a single body and may be provided or formed to cover more than one of the pixel electrode  210  in the second area A 2 . In addition, the opposite electrode  230  may extend from the second area A 2  to the third area A 3 , so as to be also arranged on the dam portion DP. In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230  may be provided or formed by thermal evaporation. 
     A spacer  115  may be provided or formed on the pixel defining layer  113 . The spacer  115  may include an organic insulating material such as polyimide. Alternatively, the spacer  115  may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide, or may include an organic insulating material and an inorganic insulating material. 
     In an embodiment, the spacer  115  may include a material that is different from that of the pixel defining layer  113 . Alternatively, in an embodiment, the spacer  115  may include the same material as that of the pixel defining layer  113 . In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the pixel defining layer  113  and the spacer  115  may be provided or formed together in a mask process using a halftone mask or the like. That is, the pixel defining layer  113  and the spacer  115  may be in a same layer as each other. The pixel defining layer  113  and the spacer  115  may each include polyimide. 
     A thin-film encapsulation layer  300  (e.g., encapsulation layer) may cover the OLED. In an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may include at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer. In this regard, a first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , a second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , and an organic encapsulation layer  320  therebetween, are illustrated in  FIG.  5 A . 
     The thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may extend from the second area A 2 , to the third area A 3 . Specifically, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may extend from the second area A 2 , to the third area A 3 . In this case, the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be shielded by the dam portion DP. In other words, the organic encapsulation layer  320  may not be arranged in the first area A 1  owing to the dam portion DP and may be arranged in the second area A 2  and a portion of the third area A 3  owing to the dam portion DP. Therefore, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may meet each other to be in contact with each other within the third area A 3  at the dam portion DP. 
     The first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and/or the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may be arranged according to the shape of the upper surface of the layer arranged therebelow. That is, a cross-sectional profile of the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may follow a cross-sectional profile of an underlying layer. Referring to  FIG.  5 A , for example, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  may be arranged according to the shape of the upper surface of the opposite electrode  230 . The second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may be arranged according to the shape of the upper surface of the organic encapsulation layer  320 . 
     The first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may each include one or more inorganic insulating materials. The one or more inorganic insulating materials may include aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and/or silicon oxynitride. In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may each be provided or formed through chemical vapor deposition. 
     The upper surface of the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be provided or formed to be flat. Since a lower layer of the organic encapsulation layer  320  is not flat, the lower surface of the organic encapsulation layer  320  may not be flat, but the upper surface of the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be flat as described above. 
     The organic encapsulation layer  320  may include a polymer-based material. The polymer-based material may include an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, polyimide, polyethylene and the like. In an embodiment, for example, the organic encapsulation layer  320  may include an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid or the like. In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be provided or formed by curing a monomer or applying a polymer. 
     A touch input layer  40  may be arranged on the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  and may include at least one insulating layer and a sensing electrode. In this case, the touch input layer  40  may extend from the second area A 2 , to the third area A 3 . In addition, the touch input layer  40  may be arranged on the dam portion DP in the third area A 3 . 
     In the touch input layer  40 , insulating layers and conductive layers may be alternately stacked. In an embodiment, the touch input layer  40  may include a first insulating layer  410 , a first conductive layer  420 , a second insulating layer  430 , a second conductive layer  440  and a third insulating layer  450 . The first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440  may be connected to each other at a contact hole (not illustrated) within the touch input layer  40 . The sensing electrode may be included in at least one of the first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440 . 
     The first conductive layer  420  or the second conductive layer  440  may include a metal material layer or a transparent conductive material layer. The metal material layer may include molybdenum (Mo), mendelevium (Md), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al) or any alloy thereof. The transparent conductive material layer may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), zinc oxide (“ZnO”) or indium tin zinc oxide (“ITZO”). In addition, the transparent conductive material layer may include a conductive polymer such as PEDOT, metal nanowires, graphene or the like. 
     The first conductive layer  420  or the second conductive layer  440  may be a single layer or a multi-layer. The single-layered structure of the first conductive layer  420  or the single-layered structure of the second conductive layer  440  may include a metal layer or a transparent conductive layer. Materials of the metal layer and the transparent conductive layer are the same as described above. One of the first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440  may include a single metal layer. One of the first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440  may include a multi-layered metal layer. The multi-layered metal layer may include, for example, three layers of titanium layer/aluminum layer/titanium layer, or two layers of molybdenum layer/mendelevium layer. Alternatively, the multi-layered metal layer may include a metal layer and a transparent conductive layer. 
     The first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440  may have different stacked structures from each other or may have the same stacked structure as each other. In an embodiment, for example, the first conductive layer  420   may include a metal layer and the second conductive layer  440  may include a transparent conductive layer. Alternatively, the first conductive layer  420  and the second conductive layer  440  may include a same metal layer as each other. 
     The materials of the first conductive layer  420  and the arrangement of the sensing electrodes provided by portions of the first conductive layer  420  and portions of the second conductive layer  440 , may be determined considering sensing sensitivity. Resistive-capacitive (“RC”) delay may affect sensing sensitivity. Since the sensing electrodes including the metal layer have a smaller electrical resistance than an electrical resistance of the transparent conductive layer, an RC value may be reduced. Therefore, a charging time of a sensing capacitor defined between sensing electrodes may be reduced. The sensing electrodes including the transparent conductive layer are not visible from outside the touch input layer  40 , as compared with the metal layer, and an input area to which an external input may be applied, may be increased to increase capacitance and/or sensing sensitivity. 
     The first insulating layer  410 , the second insulating layer  430  and the third insulating layer  450  may each include an inorganic insulating material and/or an organic insulating material. The inorganic insulating material may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride, and the organic insulating material may include a relatively high-molecular-weight organic material. In one or more embodiments, the first insulating layer  410  may be omitted or excluded. Hereinafter, a case in which the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  include the inorganic insulating material, and the third insulating layer  450  includes an organic insulating material will be described. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  5 A , the dam portion DP may be arranged in the third area A 3 . In particular, the dam portion DP may be arranged adjacent to the first area A 1 . That is, the dam portion DP may be closer to the first area A 1  than the second area A 2 . In this case, the dam portion DP may be arranged to surround the first area A 1  in a top plan view. In an embodiment, for example, the dam portion DP may be arranged adjacent to a boundary line BL that separates the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . In particular, the dam portion DP may be arranged such that one side thereof includes the boundary line BL. That is, a boundary of the dam portion DP may coincide or be aligned with the boundary line BL. 
     The dam portion DP may control the flow of an organic encapsulation layer material forming the organic encapsulation layer  320  during manufacturing of a display apparatus  1 , so as to reduce or effectively prevent the material of the organic encapsulation layer  320  from penetrating into the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . In addition, the dam portion DP may reduce or effectively prevent external impurities introduced through the first area A 1  from penetrating into the second area A 2 , through the organic encapsulation layer  320 . 
     The dam portion DP may include a first base layer ILa, a second base layer  109   a , a third base layer  111   a , a first layer  113   a , a groove Gv provided in plurality (e.g., a plurality of grooves Gv) and a first auxiliary dam  115 D. The groove Gv is open in a direction away from the substrate  100 . In an embodiment, an end or side surface of the second base layer  109   a , an end or side surface of the third base layer  111   a  and an end or side surface of the first layer  113   a , which respectively face the first area A 1 , may include or be aligned with the boundary line BL. 
     The first base layer ILa, the second base layer  109   a  and the third base layer  111   a  may be sequentially stacked in the third area A 3 , in a direction away from the substrate  100  (e.g., along a thickness direction or z direction). In one or more embodiments, the first base layer ILa may be omitted. In this case, the first base layer IIa in the third area A 3  may include a same material and be in a same layer as the inorganic insulating layer IL in the second area A 2 , the second base layer  109   a  in the third area A 3  may include a same material and be in a same layer as the first planarization layer  109  in the second area A 2 , and the third base layer  111   a  in the third area A 3  may include a same material and be in a same layer as the second planarization layer  111  in the second area A 2 . In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the first base layer ILa, the second base layer  109   a  and the third base layer  111   a  in the third area A 3  may be simultaneously provided or formed when the inorganic insulating layer IL, the first planarization layer  109  and the second planarization layer  111  in the second area A 2  are provided or formed. 
     The first layer  113   a  may be arranged on the third base layer  111   a . In this case, the first layer  113   a  may include a same material and be in a same layer as the pixel defining layer  113 . In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the first layer  113   a  may be simultaneously provided or formed in the third area A 3  when the pixel defining layer  113  is provided or formed in the second area A 2 . 
     The first auxiliary dam  115 D may be arranged on the first layer  113   a . The first auxiliary dam  115 D may include a first auxiliary layer  115 D a  (e.g., first auxiliary dam portion), and a second auxiliary layer  115 D b  (e.g., second auxiliary dam portion) which is on the first auxiliary layer  115 D a . In an embodiment, the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and the second auxiliary layer  115 D b  may include a same material and be in a same layer as each other. In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and the second auxiliary layer  115 D b  may be provided or formed together in a mask process using a halftone mask or the like. In an embodiment, the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and the second auxiliary layer  115 D b  may include different materials from each other. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a case in which the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and the second auxiliary layer  115 D b  include the same material and are in a same layer, will be described. In an embodiment, the first auxiliary dam  115 D may include the same material as that of the spacer  115 . 
     Similar to the dam portion DP, the first auxiliary dam  115 D may control the flow of an organic encapsulation layer material forming the organic encapsulation layer  320 , so as to reduce or effectively prevent such material of the organic encapsulation layer  320  from penetrating into the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . In addition, the first auxiliary dam  115 D may reduce or effectively prevent external impurities introduced through the first area A 1  from penetrating into the second area A 2 , through the organic encapsulation layer  320 . 
     The opposite electrode  230 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may be arranged in order from the substrate  100 , at the dam portion DP, and may have a profile following the shape of the surface of the first auxiliary dam  115 D within the dam portion DP. In this case, the opposite electrode  230 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may extend along the substrate  100 , in a direction from the second area A 2  to the first area A 1 , so as to be arranged along the shape of the surface of the dam portion DP. Therefore, a stacked structure of the opposite electrode  230 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may reduce or effectively prevent external impurities from penetrating from the second base layer  109   a , the third base layer  111   a , the first layer  113   a  or the first auxiliary dam  115 D, to the second area A 2 , through the organic encapsulation layer  320 . 
     The grooves Gv may be provided or formed in the dam portion DP. Specifically, the grooves Gv may be provided or formed on the first layer  113   a . In addition, the grooves Gv may be provided or formed within the third area A 3 , between the first area A 1  and the first auxiliary dam  115 D. A pattern of at least one material layer of which the first functional layer  220   a , the second functional layer  220   c , the opposite electrode  230 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410 , the second insulating layer  430  and the third insulating layer  450  is a pattern or portion, may be arranged in the grooves Gv. In this case, a material layer from which the first functional layer  220   a , the second functional layer  220   c  and the opposite electrode  230  is provided, may be disconnected in the third area A 3  at a position corresponding to the grooves Gv. This will be described below with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . 
     One or more of a pattern portion  115 P may be arranged between the grooves Gv which are adjacent to each other. Therefore, the grooves Gv may be spaced apart from each other in a direction along the substrate  100 . In an embodiment, a width of the pattern portion  115 P may decrease to a minimum width and then increase from the minimum width, along a thickness direction (e.g., z direction). A maximum thickness of the pattern portion  115 P may be less than a maximum thickness of the first auxiliary dam  115 D. The pattern portion  115 P may include a same material as that of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and/or the spacer  115 . In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the pattern portion  115 P may be provided or formed together in a mask process using a halftone mask or the like, when the first auxiliary dam  115 D is provided or formed. The dam portion DP in the third area A 3  may include all the layers inclusive from the first base layer ILa to the auxiliary dam layer (e.g., pattern portion  115 P plus first auxiliary dam  115 D), without being limited thereto. A spacer layer in the display area and the first non-display area may include a collection of the spacer  115 , the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the pattern portion  115 P. 
     The substrate  100  may further include or define a lower groove LGv corresponding to the third area A 3 . The lower groove LGv may be provided or formed between the dam portion DP and the second area A 2 . Specifically, the lower groove LGv may be spaced apart from the dam portion DP in a direction along the substrate  100 , from the first area A 1  to the second area A 2 . The lower groove LGv may be closer to a boundary between the second area A 2  and the third area A 3  than to a boundary between the first area A 1  and the third area A 3 . 
     A pattern or portion of one or more of the intermediate layer  220 , the opposite electrode  230 , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be arranged in the lower groove LGv. In this case, the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230  may be disconnected in the third area A 3  corresponding to a position of the lower groove LGv. In an embodiment, the intermediate layer  220  and/or the opposite electrode  230  may include or define a protrusion protruding into the lower groove LGv, in a direction toward the substrate  100 . At the lower groove LGv, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  may extend into the lower groove LGv from outside thereof and be arranged over an entire inner surface of the lower groove LGv. A portion of the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be arranged filling the lower groove LGv. Since the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and the organic encapsulation layer  320  remain connected inside the lower groove LGv, a contact area between the substrate  100  and the thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may be increased. Therefore, an adhesive strength between the substrate  100  and the thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may be enhanced. 
     As described above, the dam portion DP may be arranged adjacent to the boundary line BL between the first area A 1  and the third area A 3 , so as to improve the reliability of the display apparatus  1 . In a comparative display apparatus, when the dam portion DP of the third area A 3  is spaced apart from the first area A 1 , an etching amount of the organic material for providing or forming the first base layer ILa, the second base layer  109   a , the third base layer  111   a  and the first layer  113   a  may be increased. In addition, in order for the touch input layer  40  to be provided or formed on a flat surface, a third planarization layer for planarizing the upper surface between the dam portion DP and the first area A 1  may be further included. In this case, a process of providing or forming the third planarization layer is added in manufacturing the comparative display apparatus. Due to the addition of such process, production efficiency of manufacturing comparative display apparatuses is reduced or to defects in the comparative display apparatuses are caused. 
     In one or more embodiment different from the comparative display apparatus, the dam portion DP which shields flow of a material of the organic encapsulation layer  320  extends up to and including the boundary line BL between the first area A 1  and the third area A 3 , and replaces the role of the third planarization layer discussed above. Therefore, the etching amount of the organic material may be reduced, the process of providing or forming the third planarization layer may be omitted, and the production efficiency of manufacturing the display apparatus  1  may be increased. In addition, since the possibility of defects due to the process of forming the third planarization layer is eliminated, the reliability of the display apparatus  1  which is finally-formed may be improved. 
     Hereinafter, the shapes of the grooves Gv will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are respectively enlarged cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a groove Gv indicated  FIG.  5 A  by a dotted line box. In  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  refer to the same members, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , a pattern portion  115 P and/or a first auxiliary layer  115 D a  may be arranged on a first layer  113   a . A sidewall of the pattern portion  115 P faces a sidewall of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a . The facing sidewalls and an upper surface of the first layer  113   a  may together define the groove Gv. The upper surface of the first layer  113   a  may be defined by a recess in the first layer  113   a  ( FIG.  6 B ) or by a top surface which is furthest from the substrate  100  ( FIG.  6 A ). A pattern or portion of a first functional layer  220   a , a second functional layer  220   c , an opposite electrode  230 , a first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , a second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , a first insulating layer  410 , a second insulating layer  430  and a third insulating layer  450  may be sequentially stacked on the pattern portion  115 P and/or the first auxiliary layer  115 D a . 
     In an embodiment, at a respective sidewall among the facing sidewalls, a thickness of the pattern portion  115 P may be equal to a thickness of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a . In an embodiment, the thickness of the pattern portion  115 P may be different from the thickness of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a , at the groove Gv. In an embodiment, for example, a thickness of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  at a facing sidewall thereof, may be greater than a thickness of the pattern portion  115 P at a facing sidewall thereof. In this case, the groove Gv provided between and defined by the facing sidewalls of the pattern portion  115 P and the first auxiliary layer  115 D a , may be arranged in an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center of the groove Gv. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a case in which the thickness of the pattern portion  115 P is equal to the thickness of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  at the groove Gv, will be described in detail. 
     In an embodiment, a side surface (or sidewall) of the pattern portion  115 P or the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  may be curved. In an embodiment, for example, a width of the pattern portion  115 P or the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  may decrease and then increase along a thickness direction (e.g., z direction). That is, the side surfaces of the auxiliary dam layer which define the groove Gv may be convex in a direction away from a center of the grooves Gv and respectively toward the pattern portion  115 P or the first auxiliary layer  115 D a . 
     A first intermediate layer pattern  221 P and a first opposite electrode pattern  231 P may be arranged in order, on the pattern portion  115 P. The first intermediate layer pattern  221 P may be a portion of the first functional layer  220   a  and/or a portion of the second functional layer  220   c . In this case, within the third area A 3 , more than one of the first intermediate layer pattern  221 P and more than one of the first opposite electrode pattern  231 P may be adjacent to and spaced apart from each other, in a direction along the substrate  100 . In addition, the first intermediate layer pattern  221 P and the first opposite electrode pattern  231 P, as disconnected portions of the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230 , may be arranged to be spaced apart from a remaining portion of the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230 , respectively. 
     More than one of the groove Gv may be arranged between the pattern portion  115 P and the first auxiliary layer  115 D a , or between the pattern portions  115 P which are adjacent to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the width of each of the grooves Gv may increase and then decrease (e.g., both increases and decreases) along a thickness direction (e.g., z direction). In an embodiment, for example, side surfaces of the auxiliary dam layer which define the grooves Gv, may have an arc shape. In one or more embodiments, the width of each of the grooves Gv may one of increase or decrease along the thickness direction (e.g., z direction). In one or more embodiments, the width of each of the grooves Gv may be constant, that is, not increase or decrease. When a same material layer of which the spacer  115  is a portion, is provided or formed on the first layer  113   a  and the grooves Gv are then provided or formed from this same material layer, the width of each of the grooves Gv described above may be provided or formed by controlling an etching rate and/or an etching time of an etching process applied to such same material layer. 
     In an embodiment, a depth H 1  of the groove Gv may be equal to a thickness H 2  of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  or the pattern portion  115 P. Referring to  FIG.  6 A , for example, the depth H 1  of the groove Gv may be equal to the thickness H 2  of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  or the pattern portion  115 P. The grooves Gv may include bottom surfaces closest to the substrate  100 . The first layer  113   a  may include an upper surface furthest from the substrate  100 . In this case, the bottom surfaces of the grooves Gv may be coplanar with the upper surface or top surface of the first layer  113   a . In an embodiment, the depth H 1  of the grooves Gv may be different from the thickness H 2  of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  or the pattern portion  115 P. Referring to  FIG.  6 B , for example, the depth H 1  of the grooves Gv may be greater than the thickness H 2  of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  or the pattern portion  115 P. In this case, the grooves Gv may extend into the auxiliary dam layer at the pattern portion  115 P and into the first layer  113   a . That is, the grooves Gv may be defined by the side surface of the first layer  113   a  together with the side surface of the auxiliary dam layer. 
     In an embodiment, the depth H 1  of the grooves Gv may be less than the thickness H 2  of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  or the pattern portion  115 P. In this case, more than one of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and the pattern portion  115 P which are adjacent to each other along the substrate  100  may be connected to each other. Here, the groove Gv may be solely defined by inner surfaces of the auxiliary dam layer, and a portion of the auxiliary dam layer would separate the groove Gv from the first layer  113   a . When a same material layer of which the spacer  115  is a portion, is provided or formed on the first layer  113   a  and the grooves Gv are then provided or formed from this same material layer, the depth H 1  of the grooves Gv described above may be provided or formed by controlling an etching rate or an etching time of an etching process applied to such same material layer. 
     The second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P may be arranged inside the grooves Gv. In this case, the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P may be a portion of the first functional layer  220   a  and/or a portion of the second functional layer  220   c . Specifically, the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P may be arranged on at bottom surfaces of the grooves Gv. In this case, the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P as disconnected portions of the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230 , may be arranged to be spaced apart from a remaining portion of the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230 , respectively. In addition, the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the intermediate layer  220  may be respective portions of a same material layer, and the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P and the opposite electrode  230  may be respective portions of a same material layer. Therefore, the intermediate layer  220  and the opposite electrode  230  may be disconnected at positions corresponding to the grooves Gv. 
     The second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first intermediate layer pattern  221 P and the first opposite electrode pattern  231 P, respectively. In an embodiment, for example, the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P and the first intermediate layer pattern  221 P, may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the thickness direction (e.g., the z direction). In addition, the second opposite electrode pattern  232 P and the first opposite electrode pattern  231 P may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the thickness direction (e.g., the z direction). 
     The first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may be arranged in the grooves Gv. In this case, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may be continuously arranged without being disconnected at the grooves Gv. Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  which are in the grooves Gv, each extends to outside the grooves Gv to remain connected between the grooves Gv. 
     The first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  which are in the grooves Gv may for a sub-opening open in a direction away from the substrate  100 . The third insulating layer  450  may fill the grooves Gv, that is, may fill the sub-opening and extend to outside the grooves Gv. In this case, a contact area between the touch input layer  40  and the dam portion DP may increase to enhance the adhesive strength therebetween. In addition, the intermediate layer  220 , the first intermediate layer pattern  221 P and the second intermediate layer pattern  222 P may be disconnected from each other to be spaced apart so as to reduce or effectively prevent external impurities from penetrating into the second area A 2  through the intermediate layer  220 . 
       FIG.  7    is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   , the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  refer to the same members, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a display apparatus  1  may include a first area A 1 , a second area A 2  surrounding the first area A 1 , and a third area A 3  arranged between the first area A 1  and the second area A 2 . In this case, a substrate  100  may include an opening area OA corresponding to the first area A 1 . An OLED as a display element may include a pixel electrode  210  and an opposite electrode  230 . A thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may be arranged to cover the OLED, and a first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and a second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may extend to the third area A 3  to come into contact with a dam portion DP including a plurality of grooves Gv. In this case, the dam portion DP may be adjacent to and coincide with a boundary line BL that separates the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . 
     In the embodiment, the dam portion DP may include a first auxiliary dam  115 D, and a second auxiliary dam  117 D may be arranged on the first auxiliary dam  115 D. In an embodiment, the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may include a same material and/or be in a same layer as each other. In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may be provided or formed together in a mask process using a halftone mask or the like. In an embodiment, the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may include different materials from each other and/or be in different layers from each other. That is, the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may be respective portions of different material layers. 
     The first auxiliary layer  115 D a , the second auxiliary layer  115 D b  and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may form a stepped structure, where an upper surface of the second auxiliary dam  117 D is furthest from the substrate  100  than upper surfaces of each of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a , the second auxiliary layer  115 D b . Similar to the dam portion DP, the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may control a flow of an organic encapsulation layer material forming an organic encapsulation layer  320  so as to reduce or effectively prevent the organic encapsulation layer  320  from penetrating into the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . In addition, the first auxiliary dam  115 D and the second auxiliary dam  117 D may reduce or effectively prevent external impurities introduced through the first area A 1  from penetrating into the second area A 2 , through the organic encapsulation layer  320 . 
       FIGS.  8  and  9    are enlarged cross-sectional views respectively taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ of  FIG.  3   . In  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  refer to the same members, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a display apparatus  1  may include a first area A 1 , a second area A 2  surrounding the first area A 1 , and a third area A 3  arranged between the first area A 1  and the second area A 2 . In this case, a substrate  100  may include an opening area OA corresponding to the first area A 1 . An OLED as a display element may include a pixel electrode  210  and an opposite electrode  230 . A thin-film encapsulation layer  300  may be arranged to cover the OLED, and a first inorganic encapsulation layer  310  and a second inorganic encapsulation layer  330  may extend to the third area A 3  to come into contact with a dam portion DP including a plurality of grooves Gv. In this case, the dam portion DP may be adjacent to a boundary line BL that separates the first area A 1  from the third area A 3 . 
     In the embodiment, a first auxiliary dam  115 D may include an upper groove UGv. Specifically, the upper groove UGv may be defined by facing sidewalls of a first auxiliary layer  115 D a  and/or a second auxiliary layer  115 D b . 
     In the embodiment, the width of the upper groove UGv may increase and then decrease along a thickness direction (e.g., z direction). In one or more embodiments, the width of the upper groove UGv may one of increase or decrease along the thickness direction (e.g., z direction). In one or more embodiments, the width of the upper groove UGv may be constant. In a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , the upper groove UGv as described above may be simultaneously provided or formed when a plurality of grooves Gv are provided or formed in the auxiliary dam layer. In this case, when the first auxiliary dam  115 D is provided or formed and the upper groove UGv is then formed, the width of the upper groove UGv may be defined by controlling an etching rate or an etching time of an etching process of an auxiliary dam layer material. 
     In an embodiment, a depth H 3  of the upper groove UGv which is defined by the first auxiliary dam  115 D, may be different from a thickness H 4  of the first auxiliary dam  115 D, taken from a reference surface, such as the top surface of the first auxiliary dam  115 D which is furthest from the substrate  100 . Referring to  FIG.  8   , for example, the depth H 3  of the upper groove UGv may be less than the thickness H 4  of the first auxiliary dam  115 D. In this case, the bottom surface of the upper groove UGv may be coplanar with the upper surface of the first auxiliary layer  115 D a  which is furthest from the substrate  100 . In an embodiment, the depth H 3  of the upper groove UGv may be equal to the thickness H 4  of the first auxiliary dam  115 D. Referring to  FIG.  9   , for example, the depth H 3  of the upper groove UGv which is defined by the first auxiliary dam  115 D, may be equal to the thickness H 4  of the first auxiliary dam  115 D. In this case, the bottom surface of the upper groove UGv may be coplanar with the upper surface of the first layer  113   a . 
     In an embodiment, the depth H 3  of the upper groove UGv may be greater than the thickness H 4  of the first auxiliary dam  115 D. In this case, a side surface of the first layer  113   a  may define the upper groove UGv together with side surface of the auxiliary dam layer. In this case, in a method of manufacturing the display apparatus  1 , when the first auxiliary dam  115 D is provided or formed and the upper groove UGv is then provided or formed, the depth of the upper groove UGv may be provided by controlling an etching rate or an etching time of an etching process. 
     Similar to the inside of the grooves Gv, an intermediate layer pattern and an opposite electrode pattern may be arranged inside the upper groove UGv. A first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , a second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , a first insulating layer  410  and a second insulating layer  430  may also be arranged in the upper groove UGv. In this case, the first inorganic encapsulation layer  310 , the second inorganic encapsulation layer  330 , the first insulating layer  410  and the second insulating layer  430  may be continuously arranged without being disconnected, as described above with respect to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . The third insulating layer  450  may fill the upper groove UGv. In this case, the contact area between the touch input layer  40  and the dam portion DP may increase to enhance the adhesive strength therebetween. Furthermore, with the upper groove UGv, penetration of external impurities into the second area A 2  through the intermediate layer  220  may be reduced or effectively prevented and the flow of an organic encapsulation layer material forming the organic encapsulation layer  320  may be controlled. 
     As described above, one or more embodiments may provide the highly reliable display apparatus  1  in which the dam portion DP is adjacent to the boundary line BL that separates the opening area OA in which a component  20  is disposed, from the first non-display area (e.g., third area A 3  around the opening area OA). 
     It should be understood that embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.