Patent Publication Number: US-2023152856-A1

Title: Display device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0156403, filed on Nov. 15, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to display devices and more particularly to improvements in the structural integrity of flexible display devices. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     With recent technological advances, small, lightweight display devices are commercially available with performance improvements in functionality and reduced power consumption. To this end, various types of display devices on the market today include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting displays (LEDs) such as organic LEDs (OLEDs) and active-matrix OLEDs, and quantum dot displays. 
     Consumer demand has also risen for flexible display devices including a foldable display device and a slidable display device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein provide a display device with improved reliability. 
     A display device according to illustrative embodiments may include a display panel, a support member supporting the display panel and including a perforated portion in which a plurality of openings are formed, and an adhesive layer disposed between the display panel and the support member, and at least partially filling the plurality of the openings. 
     In an embodiment, the display device may further include a buffer member disposed between the display panel and the adhesive layer, and including a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the adhesive layer. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions may overlay respective ones of the plurality of openings. 
     In an embodiment, a shape of each of the plurality of protrusions may be the same as a shape of each of the plurality of openings in a plan view. 
     In an embodiment, a width of each of the plurality of protrusions may be the same as a width of each of the plurality of openings. 
     In an embodiment, the adhesive layer may contact the support member and the buffer member. 
     In an embodiment, the display panel may include a flat area and a flexible area adjacent to the flat area. The perforated portion may overlap the flexible area. 
     In an embodiment, the support member may further include a main support portion underlaying the flat area. No hole may be formed in the main support portion. 
     In an embodiment, the adhesive layer may underlay the flat area and the flexible area. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions may underlay the flat area and the flexible area. 
     In an embodiment, in the flat area, a bottom surface of the buffer member may be flat. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of openings may penetrate the support member. 
     In an embodiment, the support member may include a surface facing the display panel, and the adhesive layer may cover the surface of the support member. 
     A display device according to embodiments may include a display panel including a flat area and a flexible area adjacent to the flat area, a buffer member disposed under the display panel and including a plurality of protrusions protruding downward, a support member disposed under the buffer member and including a perforated portion in which a plurality of openings underlaying the plurality of protrusions in the flexible area are formed, and an adhesive layer disposed between the buffer member and the support member, and at least partially filling the plurality of openings. 
     In an embodiment, a shape of each of the plurality of protrusions may be the same as a shape of each of the plurality of openings in a plan view. 
     In an embodiment, a width of each of the plurality of protrusions may be the same as a width of each of the plurality of openings. 
     In an embodiment, the adhesive layer may contact the support member and the buffer member. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of openings may penetrate the support member. 
     In an embodiment, the support member may include a surface facing the display panel, and the adhesive layer may cover the surface of the support member. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions may overlap the flat area and the flexible area. 
     A display device according to embodiments may include a support member including a perforated portion in which a plurality of openings are formed, an adhesive layer disposed on the support member, and a buffer member disposed on the adhesive layer. In embodiments where the buffer member includes a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the adhesive layer, adhesive material of the adhesive layer may at least partially fill the plurality of openings. Accordingly, adhesion reliability between the support member and the buffer member may be improved. Accordingly, the adhesive layer may not peel off from the support member, and reliability of the display device may be improved. 
     In another aspect, a display device includes a display panel, a support member and an adhesive layer. The support member underlays and supports the display panel and includes a flexible portion having a plurality of openings. The flexible portion forms, together with an overlaying portion of the display panel, a flexible area of the display device. The adhesive layer is disposed between the support member and the display panel and includes a first portion between an upper surface of the support member and the display panel, and a second portion that fills an upper portion of the plurality of openings. A lower portion of the plurality of openings is adhesive-free. The support member may further include a rigid portion adjacent to the flexible portion and underlaying a flat area of the display panel such that the flat area of the display panel corresponds to a rigid part of the display device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view illustrating a first state of a display device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view illustrating a second state of the display device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side view illustrating the display device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a side view illustrating the display device of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating a support member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view illustrating an example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an example of area ‘A’ of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom view illustrating another example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another example of area ‘A’ of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  11    is a plan view illustrating a support member included in a display device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a bottom view illustrating an example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a bottom view illustrating another example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  11   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of the same components will be omitted. 
       FIG.  1    is a plan view illustrating a flexible display device  1000  according to an embodiment in a first folded state according to an embodiment.  FIG.  2    is a plan view illustrating the display device  1000  in a second folded state.  FIG.  3    is a side view illustrating the display device  1000  in the folded state of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  4    is a side view illustrating the display device  1000  in the folded state of  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the display device  1000  may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA may include a flat area DA 1  and a flexible area DA 2 . The display device  1000  may have a first edge E 1  and an opposite, second edge E 2 . The flexible area DA 2  may be manually flexed between a plurality of different folding states such as the first and second folding states in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . In some embodiments, the flexible area DA 2  can be manually flexed to a flat state in a plane coplanar with the plane of the flat area DA 1 . 
     Light emitting pixels may be disposed in the display area DA. For example, each pixel may include a first pixel emitting red light, a second pixel emitting green light, and a third pixel emitting blue light. As the red light, the green light, and the blue light are combined, the display device  1000  may display an image in the display area DA. The flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2  may each display a respective portion of an image frame generated by all the pixels of display device  1000 . 
     The flat area DA 1  may be rigid and unbendable during normal use of the display device  1000 . This case is mainly discussed hereafter. In other embodiments, both the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2  are flexible. 
     In the example of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the non-display area NDA is disposed adjacent the edge E 2 . In other embodiments, the non-display area NDA is disposed around the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surround at least a portion of the display area DA. For example, the non-display area NDA may be adjacent to the flexible area DA 2 . A driver may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The driver may provide a signal and/or a voltage to the pixel. For example, the driver may include a gate driver, a data driver, and the like. The non-display area NDA may not display an image. The driver may be bent toward a bottom surface of the display device  1000  so as to be hidden in a plan view of the display device  1000 , even when the flexible area DA 2  is fully flexed to a flat state. 
     In the example first folded state of  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the flexible area DA 2  may be maximally flexed downward. In the example second folded state of  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the flexible area DA 2  may be partially flexed downward. In this case, a surface portion  402  of flexible area DA 2  may display a portion of an image projected in a direction N normal to the top surface of the flat area DA 1 . Display device  1000  may be configured to be flexed to any suitable number of folded states. When flexed to an unfolded state, the entire upper surface of flexible area DA 2  may be coplanar with the top surface of flat area DA 1 . 
     The flat area DA 1  may be disposed parallel to the same plane in both the first state and the second state. The flat area DA 1  may be designed to be rigid and therefore unbendable under normal operations. The flat area DA 1  may be larger than the flexible area. By configuring a relatively large, flat and unbendable area, the flat area DA 1  may always remain flat within a tight tolerance range of flatness, without the need for manual user adjustment. In other embodiments, the area DA 1  can be flexible through suitable design of a support member. When the area DA 1  is also flexible, enhanced portability options such as a rolling up the entire display device  1000 , may be available to users. 
     The flexible area DA 2  may be adjacent to the flat area DA 1 . As mentioned, the flexible area DA 2  may be bent toward the bottom surface of the flat area DA 1  in the first state. Accordingly, most of the flexible area DA 2  may not be viewable in the front plan view of the display device  1000  in the first state. 
     The surface portion  402  of the flexible area DA 2  may be viewed in the plan view of the display device  1000  in the second state. Accordingly, the display device  1000  may display a relatively large image in the second state. 
       FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the display device  1000  may include a support member  100 , an adhesive layer  200 , a buffer member  300 , and a display panel  400 . 
     The support member  100  may support the display panel  400 . The support member  100  may be disposed under the display panel  400 . The support member  100  may include an upper surface  100 U facing the display panel  400 . 
     The support member  100  may include a metal. Some examples of the metal may include invar, which is an alloy of nickel and iron, stainless steel (SUS), titanium, copper, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the support member  100  is composed of non-metallic materials, e.g., man-made materials such as a rubber-plastic composite. 
     The support member  100  may include a main support portion  110  and a perforated portion  130 , where the perforated portion  130  includes a plurality of openings. The material of the perforated portion  130  may include elements arranged in a lattice structure, such as that illustrated in  FIG.  6   . As such, the second portion  130  may sometimes be interchangeably referred to as a “lattice portion”. The perforated portion  130  may be flexible and therefore may sometimes be referred to as a flexible portion of the support member  100 . 
     The main support portion  110  may underlay the flat area DA 1 , and may support the display panel  400  in the flat area DA 1 . The main support portion  110  may not include any openings and may therefore be more rigid than the perforated portion  130 . Due to the rigidity of the main support portion  110  underlaying the flat area DA 1 , the flat area DA 1  may also be rigid and unbendable during normal use of the display device  1000 . 
     The perforated portion  130  may underlay the flexible area DA 2 . The perforated portion  130  may support the display panel  400  in the flexible area DA 2 . A plurality of openings  150  may be formed in the perforated portion  130 . The plurality of openings  150  may penetrate the support member  100  in a thickness direction of the support member  100  (vertical direction in  FIG.  5   , which is also the direction of the normal N in  FIG.  1   ). Accordingly, the display device  1000  may be smoothly transitioned from the first state to the second state. 
     The adhesive layer  200  may be disposed on the support member  100 . The adhesive layer  200  may be disposed between the support member  100  and the display panel  400 . The adhesive layer  200  may cover the upper surface  100 U of the support member  100 . For example, the adhesive layer  200  may underlay both the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . The adhesive layer  200  may continuously extend across the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . Thus, the adhesive layer  200  may extend from the edge E 1  to a point proximate the edge E 2  (see  FIGS.  1 - 4   ) of the display device  1000 . The adhesive layer  200  may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The adhesive layer  200  may be defined as having three portions, described later in connection with  FIG.  8   . A first portion of adhesive layer  200  may occupy a volume with a vertical thickness d 1 . A second portion of adhesive layer  200  may occupy an upper portion of the openings  150 . A third portion of adhesive layer  200  may occupy spaces between protrusions of the buffer member  300 . 
     The buffer member  300  may be disposed on the adhesive layer  200 . The buffer member  300  may be disposed under the display panel  400 . Thus, the adhesive layer  200  may be disposed between the support member  100  and the buffer member  300 . For example, the buffer member  300  may include a bottom surface  300 L facing the adhesive layer  200 . The adhesive layer  200  may contact the support member  100  and the buffer member  300 . The adhesive layer  200  may attach the support member  100  to the buffer member  300 . 
     The buffer member  300  may underlay the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . The buffer member  300  may continuously extend across the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . The buffer member  300  may include a buffer material. Some examples of the buffer material may include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and combinations thereof. However, the buffer material is not limited thereto. For example, the buffer material may include a foam such as polyurethane foam. The buffer member  300  may cushion an external impact that may be applied to the display panel  400  and may protect the display panel  400 . 
     The display panel  400  may be disposed on the buffer member  300 . The display panel  400  may include a driving element, a light emitting element, and an encapsulation layer. The driving element may provide a signal and/or a voltage for the light emitting element to emit light. The light emitting element may emit light according to the signal and/or the voltage of the driving element. The encapsulation layer may protect the light emitting element by preventing penetration of moisture and oxygen from the exterior. 
     Although not shown, the window may be disposed on the display panel  400 . The window may constitute a front surface of the display device  1000  and may protect the display panel  400 . For example, the window may include ultra-thin glass (UTG), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and the like. 
       FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating a support member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   . For example,  FIG.  6    is a plan view illustrating the upper surface  100 U of the support member  100  included in the display device  1000  of  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the support member  100  may include the main support portion  110 , and the perforated portion  130  in which the plurality of openings  150  are formed. The support member  100  may continuously extend from the main support portion  110  underlaying the flat area DA 1  to the perforated portion  130  underlaying the flexible area DA 2 . The main support portion  110  and the perforated portion  130  may be integrally formed. 
     The plurality of openings  150  may include a first opening  151 , a second opening  152 , a third opening  153 , and a fourth opening  154 . The number of openings  150  is not limited. The openings  150  may underlay the flexible area DA 2 . In the plan view, the shape and arrangement of each of the openings  150  are not limited. For example, each of the openings  150  may have a rectangular or other oblong shape in the plan view. 
       FIG.  7    is a bottom view illustrating an example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   . For example,  FIG.  7    is a bottom view illustrating the bottom surface  300 L of the buffer member  300  included in the display device  1000  of  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the buffer member  300  may continuously extend across a region beneath the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . In an embodiment, the buffer member  300  may include a plurality of protrusions  310 . The protrusions  310  may protrude downward. Thus, the plurality of protrusions  310  may protrude toward the adhesive layer  200  (refer to  FIG.  5   ). (More precisely, the protrusions  310  may protrude toward the first portion of the adhesive layer  200 , described later.) The protrusions  310  may include a first protrusion  311 , a second protrusion  312 , a third protrusion  313 , a fourth protrusion  314 , a fifth protrusion  315 , and a sixth protrusion  316 , and so on. The number of the plurality of protrusions  310  is not limited. The first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  may underlay the flexible area DA 2 , and the fifth and sixth protrusions  315  and  316  may underlay the flat area DA 1 . In  FIG.  7   , the cross-hatched areas represent lower surfaces of the protrusions  310  and the white areas represent areas of a main surface of the buffer member  300 , recessed from the lower surfaces of the protrusions  310 . 
     The protrusions  310  may be formed by a gravure printing process, a laser patterning process, or the like. However, other suitable processes may be substituted. 
       FIG.  8    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an example of area ‘A’ of  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  8   , the adhesive layer  200  may at least partially fill the plurality of openings  150 . Because the adhesive material of the adhesive layer  200  at least partially fills the plurality of openings  150 , adhesion reliability between the support member  100  and the buffer member  300  may be improved. For example, even when the display device  1000  has repeatedly transitioned between the first state and the second state many times, the adhesive layer  200  may not peel off from the support member  100 . In other words, the probability of the adhesive layer  200  peeling off from the support member  100  is reduced. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8   , the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  may correspond to the first, second, third, and fourth openings  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154 . 
     In an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  may overlay (and be aligned with) the first, second, third, and fourth openings  151 ,  152 ,  153  and  154 , respectively. A shape of each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  may be substantially the same as a shape of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154 , respectively. A width w 2  of each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  (in the horizontal direction as illustrated) may be substantially equal to a width w 1  of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154 , respectively. By designing the buffer member  300  including the plurality of protrusions  310  respectively overlaying the plurality of openings  150 , having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of openings  150 , and having substantially the same width as the width w 1  of each of the plurality of openings  150 , the adhesive layer  200  may further fill the plurality of openings  150 . Accordingly, adhesion reliability between the support member  100  and the buffer member  300  may be further improved. Thus, the adhesive layer  200  may not peel off from the support member  100 , and reliability of the display device  1000  may be improved. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions  310  may underlay the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 . Thus, the plurality of protrusions  310  may include the fifth and fourth protrusions  315  and  316  underlaying the flat area DA 1  as well as the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  underlaying the flexible area DA 2 . When the protrusions  310  are formed by the gravure printing process, because the protrusions  310  overlap both the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 , fabrication of the protrusions  310  may be facilitated. 
     The adhesive layer  200  may include a first portion  271 , a second portion  281  and a third portion  291 . The first portion  271  may occupy a volume with a vertical thickness d 1  between a lower surface  300 L of the buffer member  300  and an upper surface  100 U of the support member  100 . The second portion  281  may fill only an upper portion of the openings  150  (thereby only partially filling the openings  150 ). The second portion  281  may extend downward a distance d 2  from the upper surface  100 U of support member  100 , e.g., about halfway down the openings  150 . Thus, a lower portion  181  of each opening  150  may be adhesive-free. The lower portions  181  of the openings  150  may be unfilled with any material (thereby, the lower portions  181  may be occupied by air). Alternatively, the lower portions  181  of the openings  150  are filled with a flexible material. By leaving the lower portions  181  adhesive-free, the flexibility of flexible portion  130  may be maintained. 
       FIG.  9    is a bottom view illustrating another example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  10    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another example of area ‘A’ of  FIG.  5   , when a buffer member  300 ′ is substituted for the buffer member  300 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , in the flat area DA 1 , a bottom surface  300 ′L of a buffer member  300 ′ may be substantially flat. A plurality of protrusions  310 ′ of the buffer member  300 ′ may underlay only the flexible area DA 2  and may not underlay the flat area DA 1 . For example, the plurality of protrusions  310 ′ may include a first protrusion  311 ′, a second protrusion  312 ′, a third protrusion  313 ′, and a fourth protrusion  314 ′ overlaying the flexible area DA 2 . 
     When the protrusions  310 ′ are formed by the laser patterning process, because the protrusions  310 ′ underlay only the flexible area DA 2 , their fabrication may be facilitated. 
       FIG.  11    is a plan view illustrating a support member included in a display device according to another embodiment. For example,  FIG.  11    is a plan view illustrating an upper surface  101 U of a support member  101  included in a display device according to another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the support member  101  of the display device according to another embodiment may include a perforated portion  131  in which a plurality of openings  170  having a circular shape are formed in a plan view. (In other words, a cross-sectional shape of each opening  170  may be circular, where the cross-section is taken transverse to a longitudinal axis of the opening  170 . The cross-sectional shape may be referred to herein as a “planar shape”.) However, the planar shape of the plurality of openings  170  is not limited to the circular shape, and may alternatively have other suitable shapes. The plurality of openings  170  may include a first opening  171 , a second opening  172 , a third opening  173 , and a fourth opening  174  underlaying the flexible area DA 2 . 
       FIG.  12    is a bottom view illustrating an example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  11   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , a plurality of protrusions  330  may include a first protrusion  331 , a second protrusion  332 , a third protrusion  333 , and a fourth protrusion  334  underlaying the flexible area DA 2 , and a fifth protrusion  335  and a sixth protrusion  336  underlaying the flat area DA 1 . 
     The first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  331 ,  332 ,  333 , and  334  may correspond to the first, second, third, and fourth openings  171 ,  172 ,  173 , and  174 . That is, the positions of the plurality of protrusions  330 , the shapes of the plurality of protrusions  330 , and the sizes of the plurality of protrusions  330  may correspond to the positions of the plurality of openings  170 , the shapes of the plurality of openings  170 , and the sizes of the plurality of openings  170 , respectively. 
     In an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  331 ,  332 ,  333 , and  334  may overlay each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  171 ,  172 ,  173  and  174 . A shape of each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  331 ,  332 ,  333 , and  334  may be substantially the same as a shape of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  171 ,  172 ,  173 , and  174 . That is, as the plurality of openings  170  have a circular shape, the plurality of protrusions  330  may have a circular shape. A width of each of the first, second, third, and fourth protrusions  331 ,  332 ,  333 , and  334  may be substantially the same as a width of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  171 ,  172 ,  173 , and  174 . For example, the size of the circular shape of each of the plurality of openings  170  may be substantially the same as the size of the circular shape of each of the plurality of protrusions  330 . 
     By designing the positions of the protrusions  330 , the shapes of the protrusions  330 , and the sizes of the protrusions  330  corresponding to the positions of the openings  170 , the shapes of the openings  170 , and the sizes of the openings  170  respectively, the adhesive layer  200  may further fill the openings  170  during a typical process of applying the adhesive layer. Accordingly, adhesion reliability between the support member  100  and the buffer member  301  may be further improved. Accordingly, the adhesive layer  200  may not peel off from the support member  100  over time, and reliability of the display device  1000  may be improved. Further, the provision of the protrusions  330  as described above may allow for a facilitated process of applying the adhesive layer  200 , in that the presence of the protrusions  330  may make it easier for an entire space between the upper surface of the support member  100  and a lower surface of the buffer member  300  to be filled with the adhesive material of the adhesive layer  200 . 
     When the protrusions  330  are formed by the gravure printing process, because the protrusions  330  underlay both the flat area DA 1  and the flexible area DA 2 , the manufacturing process to form the protrusions  330  may be facilitated. 
       FIG.  13    is a bottom view illustrating another example of a buffer member included in the display device of  FIG.  11   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  13   , in the flat area DA 1 , a bottom surface  301 ′L of a buffer member  301 ′ may be substantially flat. A plurality of protrusions  330 ′ of the buffer member  301 ′ may underlay only the flexible area DA 2  but not the flat area DA 1 . For example, the protrusions  330 ′ may include a first protrusion  331 ′, a second protrusion  332 ′, a third protrusion  333 ′, and a fourth protrusion  334 ′ underlaying the flexible area DA 2 . 
     When the protrusions  330 ′ are formed by the laser patterning process, because the protrusions  330 ′ underlay only the flexible area DA 2 , the manufacturing process to form the protrusions  330 ′ may be facilitated. 
     The present inventive concept can be applied to a display device and an electronic device including the same. For example, the present inventive concept may be applied to a high-resolution smartphone, a mobile phone, a smart pad, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a vehicle navigation system, a television, a computer monitor, a notebook computer, and the like. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present inventive concept. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventive concept as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.