Patent Publication Number: US-2022231241-A1

Title: Display device having flexible support member having openings

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/819,366, filed on Mar. 16, 2020, which claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0075942, filed on Jun. 25, 2019, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Exemplary embodiments relate generally to a display device and, more particularly, to a flexible display device. 
     Discussion of the Background 
     Flat panel display devices are used as display devices and replacing a cathode ray tube display device due to lightweight and thin characteristics thereof. Flat panel display devices may include a liquid crystal display device and an organic light emitting diode display device, for example. 
     Recently, flexible display devices have been developed, in which a lower substrate and an upper substrate of a display panel included the display device may include a flexible material, such that a portion of the display panel may be bent or folded. For example, the lower substrate included in the display panel may be formed of a polyimide substrate, and the upper substrate included in the display panel may have a thin film encapsulation structure. In addition, the flexible display devices may display an image even in a portion where the display panel is folded. In particular, the flexible display device may include a display area, in which an image is displayed, and a portion of the display area may be folded. The flexible display device may further include a support member disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel and including a plurality of openings. The openings of the support member may overlap the portion where the display panel is folded. However, when foreign substances penetrate into the openings while the flexible display device is folded and unfolded, the flexible display device may have defects at the folded portion. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Display devices constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention are capable of preventing defects in a foldable area. 
     Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts. 
     A display device according to an exemplary embodiment includes a display panel having a foldable area, a support member disposed on a bottom surface of the display panel and including a plurality of openings formed in the foldable area, and an elastic member disposed on a bottom surface of the support member and overlapping the openings in the foldable area. 
     The display panel may further include a display area, and a portion of the display area may be defined as the foldable area. 
     The openings of the support member may include first to nth openings arranged in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the display panel, in which n is an integer of 1 or more, and a kth opening may be disposed at a position shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, in which k is an even number between 1 and n. 
     The support member may further include protrusions disposed in a third direction opposite to the second direction with respect to each of (k- 1 )th and (k+l)th openings, among the first to nth openings. 
     A space between two adjacent protrusions may be defined as a trench, and the elastic member may extend to a side surface of the support member to cover the trench. 
     The display device may further include a first step difference compensation member disposed at a first portion on the bottom surface of the support member, and a second step difference compensation member disposed at a second portion on the bottom surface of the support member. 
     A bottom surface of each of the first and second step difference compensation members may be disposed at a same level as a bottom surface of the elastic member. 
     The display device may further include a first adhesive member disposed between the support member and the elastic member. 
     The first adhesive member may contact the support member and the elastic member to cover the openings. 
     The display device may further include a shock absorbing member disposed between the support member and the display panel. 
     The display device may further include a second adhesive member disposed between the shock absorbing member and the support member, and a third adhesive member disposed between the display panel and the shock absorbing member. 
     The second adhesive member may contact the shock absorbing member and the support member to cover the openings. 
     The third adhesive member may contact the display panel and the shock absorbing member. 
     The display device may further include a first metal member disposed at a first portion on a bottom surface of the elastic member, and a second metal member disposed at a second portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member while being spaced apart from the first metal member. 
     Each of the first and second portions may partially overlap the foldable area. 
     The display device may further include a fourth adhesive member disposed between the first metal member and the elastic member, and a fifth adhesive member disposed between the second metal member and the elastic member while being spaced apart from the fourth adhesive member. 
     The display device may further include a first step difference compensation member disposed at the first portion on the bottom surface of the support member, and a second step difference compensation member disposed at the second portion on the bottom surface of the support member. 
     A bottom surface of each of the first and second step difference compensation members may be disposed at a same level as a bottom surface of each of the first and second metal members. 
     The elastic member may be configured to extend to cover the openings of the support member disposed in the foldable area when the display panel is folded. 
     The opening may include an empty space. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concepts. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a folded shape of a display panel included in the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing region A of the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing region B of the display device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view showing a rear side of the display device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing a lateral side of the display device of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” are interchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices or methods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts. 
     Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some ways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts. 
     The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific 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. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements. 
     When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection, with or without intervening elements. Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments 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. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     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 is a part. 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 should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Hereinafter, display devices according to exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a folded shape of a display panel included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing region A of the display device of  FIG. 1 . For example,  FIGS. 1 and 3  show a state in which a display device  100  is unfolded. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , the display device  100  may include a display panel  200 , a shock absorbing member  410 , a support member  500 , an elastic member  430 , a step difference compensation member  460 , and the like. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the display device  100  may include a display area  10  and a foldable area  20 . The display area  10  is an area where an image is displayed from the display panel  200 , and the foldable area  20  is an area where the display device  100  is folded or unfolded. A portion of the display area  10  may be defined in the foldable area  20 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the step difference compensation member  460  may include a first step difference compensation member  461  and a second step difference compensation member  462 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a plurality of openings  535 , a plurality of protrusions  530 , and a plurality of trenches  520  may be formed in the support member  500 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the display panel  200  may be provided. The display panel  200  may include a plurality of sub-pixels, and may display an image through the sub-pixels. For example, the display panel  200  may have a first surface S 1  on which an image is displayed, and a second surface S 2  facing the first surface S 1 . In addition, the display panel  200  may have a first side surface SS 1  and a second side surface SS 2  facing the first side surface SS 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the display panel  200  located in the foldable area  20  is folded, the first side surface SS 1  and the second side surface SS 2  may become adjacent to each other. In addition, the display panel  200  located in the foldable area  20  may have a curved shape. In this case, the first surface S 1  may be located on an inner side, and the second surface S 2  may be located on an outer side. Alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, the display panel  200  may be folded, such that the first surface S 1  is located on the outer side and the second surface S 2  is located on the inner side. 
     The shock absorbing member  410  may be disposed on the second surface S 2  of the display panel  200 . In particular, the shock absorbing member  410  may be disposed between the support member  500  and the display panel  200 . The shock absorbing member  410  may protect the display panel  200  from an external impact. In addition, the shock absorbing member  410  may include a flexible material so that the display panel  200  may be easily folded. For example, the shock absorbing member  410  may include a material in the form of a foam, such as a polyurethane foam, a polystyrene foam, or the like. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support member  500  may be disposed on a bottom surface of the shock absorbing member  410 . In particular, the support member  500  may be disposed on the second surface S 2  of the display panel  200 , and may include a plurality of openings  535  formed in the foldable area  20 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the openings  535  may include openings  531  arranged in a first direction D 1  parallel to a top surface of the display device  100 , and openings  532  shifted in a second direction D 2  orthogonal to the first direction D 1  and arranged in the first direction Dl. In addition, the support member  500  may further include a plurality of protrusions  530  protruding in a third direction D 3  opposite to the second direction D 2 . Furthermore, a space between two adjacent protrusions among the protrusions  530  may define a trench  520 . 
     For example, the openings  535  may include first to n th  openings (where n is an integer of 1 or more) arranged in the first direction D 1 , and a k th  opening (where k is an even number between 1 and n) among the first to n th  openings may be located at a position shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In addition, the support member  500  may further include protrusions  530  located in the third direction D 3  with respect to each of (k−1) th  and (k+1) th  openings among the first to n th  openings, and the trench  520  may be defined by the protrusions  530 . 
     The support member  500  may support the display panel  200 , and may also assist the display panel  200  to be folded. For example, the support member  500  may be disposed over the second surface S 2  of the display panel  200  to support the display panel  200 , and the openings  535  formed in the foldable area  20  may assist the display panel  200  to be folded. The openings  535  may be configured as an empty space. In addition, when the display device  100  is folded, a shape of each of the openings  535  may be deformed. For example, when each of the openings  535  has a geometric shape as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the support member  500  located in the foldable area  20  may be deformed in a longitudinal direction (e.g., first direction D 1 ) without being deformed in a depth direction (e.g., a direction from the support member  500  toward the display panel  200 ). 
     The support member  500  may include metal or plastic having a relatively large elastic force or a relatively large restoring force. According to an exemplary embodiment, the support member  500  may include steel use stainless (SUS). In some exemplary embodiments, however, the support member  500  may include alloys (e.g., superelastic metals), such as nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti), nickel-aluminum (Ni—Al), copper-zinc-nickel (Cu—Zn—Ni), copper-aluminum-nickel (Cu—Al—Ni), copper-aluminum-manganese (Cu—Al—Mn), titanium-nickel-copper-molybdenum (Ti—Ni—Cu—Mo), cobalt-nickel-gallium:iron (Co—Ni—Ga:Fe), silver-nickel (Ag—Ni), gold-cadmium (Au—Cd), iron-platinum (Fe—Pt), iron-nickel (Fe—Ni), and indium-cadmium (In—Cd). 
     Although each of the openings  535  has been described as having a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view, the inventive concepts are not limited to a particular shape of each of the openings  535 . For example, each of the openings  535  may have substantially a triangular shape, a rhombic shape, a polygonal shape, a circular shape, a track shape, or an elliptical shape, when viewed from a plan view. 
     The elastic member  430  may be disposed at a portion of a bottom surface of the support member  500 . In particular, the elastic member  430  may overlap the openings  535  in the foldable area  20  on the bottom surface of the support member  500 . As such, the elastic member  430  may prevent the openings  535  from being exposed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the elastic member  430  may not be disposed inside each of the openings  535 , such that the openings  535  may be configured as empty spaces. While the display device  100  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the elastic member  430  may prevent foreign substances from penetrating into the openings  535  and the trench  520 . In addition, while the display device  100  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the elastic member  430  may be extended and contracted to prevent the openings  535  from being exposed. The elastic member  430  may include an elastomer having a relatively large elastic force or a relatively large restoring force. For example, the elastic member  430  may include an elastic material, such as silicone, urethane, or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 
     For example, when a conventional display device is repeatedly folded and unfolded, foreign substances may penetrate into the openings  535 . The penetrated foreign substances may not escape out of the openings  535 . In this case, due to the foreign substances, the support member  500  located in the foldable area  20  may be damaged, or the shapes of the openings  535  may be deformed, which may cause defects in the foldable area  20  of the conventional display device. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the elastic member  430  is disposed on the openings  535  to prevent the openings  535  from being exposed to prevent the foreign substances from being located in the openings  535 . 
     The step difference compensation member  460  may be disposed on the bottom surface of the support member  500  while being spaced apart from the elastic member  430 . For example, the first step difference compensation member  461  may be disposed at a first portion on the bottom surface of the support member  500 , and the second step difference compensation member  462  may be disposed at a second portion on the bottom surface of the support member  500 . According to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom surface of the step difference compensation member  460  may be located at the same level as a bottom surface of the elastic member  430 . The step difference compensation member  460  may prevent the display panel  200  from sagging at a portion where the elastic member  430  is not disposed. The step difference compensation member  460  may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalene (PEN), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSul), polyethylene (PE), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyether sulfone (PES), polyarylate (PAR), polycarbonate oxide (PCO), modified polyphenylene oxide (MPPO), etc. 
     The display device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment includes the elastic member  430  disposed on the openings  535  to prevent the openings  535  from being exposed, such that the foreign substances may not be located in the openings  535 . In this manner, defects may not occur in the foldable area  20  of the display device. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing region B of the display device of  FIG. 3 . 
     The display panel  200  may include a substrate  110 , a semiconductor element  250 , a planarization layer  270 , a lower electrode  290 , a pixel defining layer  310 , a light emitting layer  330 , an upper electrode  340 , a first thin film encapsulation layer  451 , a second thin film encapsulation layer  452 , a third thin film encapsulation layer  453 , and the like. The semiconductor element  250  may include an active layer  130 , a gate insulating layer  150 , a gate electrode  170 , an interlayer insulating layer  190 , a source electrode  210 , and a drain electrode  230 . 
     The substrate  110  may include a transparent or opaque material. In some exemplary embodiments, the substrate  110  may be disposed on a lower protective film. The substrate  110  may be formed of a transparent resin substrate, such as a polyimide substrate. In this case, the polyimide substrate may include a first polyimide layer, a barrier film layer, a second polyimide layer, and the like. In other exemplary embodiments, the substrate  110  may include a quartz substrate, a synthetic quartz substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a fluorine-doped quartz substrate (F-doped quartz substrate), a soda lime glass substrate, a non-alkali glass substrate, etc. 
     A buffer layer may be disposed on the substrate  110 . The buffer layer may prevent metal atoms or impurities from diffusing from the substrate  110  to the semiconductor element  250 , and may control a heat transfer rate during a crystallization process for forming the active layer  130  to obtain a substantially uniform active layer  130 . In addition, when a surface of the substrate  110  is not uniform, the buffer layer may improve flatness of the surface of the substrate  110 . Depending on a type of the substrate  110 , at least two buffer layers may be provided on the substrate  110 , or the buffer layer may be omitted. For example, the buffer layer may include an organic material or an inorganic material. 
     The active layer  130  may be disposed on the substrate  110 . The active layer  130  may include a metal oxide semiconductor, an inorganic semiconductor (e.g., amorphous silicon or poly silicon semiconductor), an organic semiconductor, etc. The active layer  130  may have source and drain regions. 
     The gate insulating layer  150  may be disposed on the active layer  130 . For example, the gate insulating layer  150  may sufficiently cover the active layer  130  on the substrate  110 , and may have a substantially flat top surface without creating a step around the active layer  130 . In some exemplary embodiments, the gate insulating layer  150  may be disposed along a profile of the active layer  130  with a substantially uniform thickness to cover the active layer  130  on the substrate  110 . The gate insulating layer  150  may include a silicon compound, metal oxide, etc. For example, the gate insulating layer  150  may include silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon nitride (SiN x ), silicon oxynitride (SiO x N y ), silicon oxycarbide (SiO x C y ), silicon carbonitride (SiC x N y ), aluminum oxide (AlO x ), aluminum nitride (AlN x ), tantalum oxide (TaO x ), hafnium oxide (HfO x ), zirconium oxide (ZrO x ), titanium oxide (TiO x ), etc. In other exemplary embodiments, the gate insulating layer  150  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     The gate electrode  170  may be disposed on the gate insulating layer  150 . The gate electrode  170  may be disposed at a portion of the gate insulating layer  150 , under which the active layer  130  is located. The gate electrode  170  may include metal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. For example, the gate electrode  170  may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), palladium (Pd), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), scandium (Sc), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), an aluminum-containing alloy, aluminum nitride (AlN x ), a silver-containing alloy, tungsten nitride (WN x ), a copper-containing alloy, a molybdenum-containing alloy, titanium nitride (TiN x ), chromium nitride (CrN x ), tantalum nitride (TaN x ), strontium ruthenium oxide (SrRu x O y ), zinc oxide (ZnO x ), indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO x ), indium oxide (InO x ), gallium oxide (GaO x ), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the gate electrode  170  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     The interlayer insulating layer  190  may be disposed on the gate electrode  170 . The interlayer insulating layer  190  may sufficiently cover the gate electrode  170  on the gate insulating layer  150 , and may have a substantially flat top surface without creating a step around the gate electrode  170 . In some exemplary embodiments, the interlayer insulating layer  190  may be disposed along a profile of the gate electrode  170  with a substantially uniform thickness to cover the gate electrode  170  on the gate insulating layer  150 . The interlayer insulating layer  190  may include a silicon compound, metal oxide, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, the interlayer insulating layer  190  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of insulating layers. For example, the insulating layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     The source electrode  210  and the drain electrode  230  may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer  190 . The source electrode  210  may be connected to the source region of the active layer  130  through a contact hole formed by removing first parts of the gate insulating layer  150  and the interlayer insulating layer  190 , and the drain electrode  230  may be connected to the drain region of the active layer  130  through a contact hole formed by removing second parts of the gate insulating layer  150  and the interlayer insulating layer  190 . Each of the source electrode  210  and the drain electrode  230  may include metal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, each of the source electrode  210  and the drain electrode  230  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     Accordingly, the semiconductor element  250  including the active layer  130 , the gate insulating layer  150 , the gate electrode  170 , the interlayer insulating layer  190 , the source electrode  210 , and the drain electrode  230  may be provided. 
     Although the semiconductor element  250  has been described as having a top gate structure, the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the semiconductor element  250  may have a bottom gate structure, a double gate structure, etc. 
     In addition, although the display device  100  has been described as including one semiconductor element, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. For example, the display device  100  may include at least one semiconductor element and at least one storage capacitor. 
     The planarization layer  270  may be disposed on the interlayer insulating layer  190 , the source electrode  210 , and the drain electrode  230 . For example, the planarization layer  270  may have a relatively thick thickness. In this case, the planarization layer  270  may have a substantially flat top surface. In order to implement such a flat top surface of the planarization layer  270 , a planarization process may be additionally performed on the planarization layer  270 . In some exemplary embodiments, the planarization layer  270  may be disposed along a profile of the source electrode  210  and the drain electrode  230  with a substantially uniform thickness on the interlayer insulating layer  190 . The planarization layer  270  may be formed of an organic material or an inorganic material. In an exemplary embodiment, the planarization layer  270  may include an organic material. For example, the planarization layer  270  may include a photoresist, a polyacryl-based resin, a polyimide-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, a siloxane-based resin, an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, etc. 
     The lower electrode  290  may be disposed on the planarization layer  270 . The lower electrode  290  may be connected to the drain electrode  230  through a contact hole formed by removing a portion of the planarization layer  270 , such that the lower electrode  290  may be electrically connected to the semiconductor element  250 . The lower electrode  290  may include metal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode  290  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     The pixel defining layer  310  may be disposed on the planarization layer  270 . For example, the pixel defining layer  310  may expose a portion of a top surface of the lower electrode  290  while covering both sides of the lower electrode  290 . The pixel defining layer  310  may be formed of an organic material or an inorganic material. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the pixel defining layer  310  may include an organic material. 
     The light emitting layer  330  may be disposed on the pixel defining layer  310  and the lower electrode  290 . The light emitting layer  330  may be formed by using at least one of light emitting materials for emitting different colors of light (e.g., red light, green light, blue light, etc.) according to sub-pixels. Alternatively, the light emitting layer  330  may be formed by laminating a plurality of light emitting materials for emitting different colors of light, such as red light, green light, and blue light to emit white light as a whole. In this case, a color filter may be disposed on the light emitting layer  330  that is disposed on the lower electrode  290 . The color filter may include at least one of a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter. In some exemplary embodiments, the color filter may include a yellow color filter, a cyan color filter, and a magenta color filter, for example. The color filter may include a photosensitive resin or a color photoresist. 
     The upper electrode  340  may be disposed on the light emitting layer  330  and the pixel defining layer  310 . The upper electrode  340  may include metal, an alloy, metal nitride, conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, the upper electrode  340  may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of metal layers. For example, the metal layers may have different thicknesses and/or may include different materials. 
     The first thin film encapsulation layer  451  may be disposed on the upper electrode  340 . The first thin film encapsulation layer  451  may be disposed along a profile of the upper electrode  340  with a substantially uniform thickness to cover the upper electrode  340 . The first thin film encapsulation layer  451  may prevent the light emitting layer  330  from being deteriorated due to penetration of moisture, oxygen, or the like. In addition, the first thin film encapsulation layer  451  may also protect the display panel  200  from an external impact. The first thin film encapsulation layer  451  may include inorganic materials having flexibility. 
     The second thin film encapsulation layer  452  may be disposed on the first thin film encapsulation layer  451 . The second thin film encapsulation layer  452  may improve flatness of the display panel  200  and protect the display panel  200 . The second thin film encapsulation layer  452  may include organic materials having flexibility. 
     The third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may be disposed on the second thin film encapsulation layer  452 . The third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may be disposed along a profile of the second thin film encapsulation layer  452  with a substantially uniform thickness to cover the second thin film encapsulation layer  452 . The third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may prevent the light emitting layer  330  from being deteriorated due to the penetration of moisture, oxygen, or the like together with the first thin film encapsulation layer  451 . In addition, the third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may also protect the display panel  200  from an external impact together with the first thin film encapsulation layer  451  and the second thin film encapsulation layer  452 . The third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may include inorganic materials having flexibility. 
     Accordingly, the display panel  200  including the substrate  110 , the semiconductor element  250 , the planarization layer  270 , the lower electrode  290 , the pixel defining layer  310 , the light emitting layer  330 , the upper electrode  340 , the first thin film encapsulation layer  451 , the second thin film encapsulation layer  452 , and the third thin film encapsulation layer  453  may be provided. 
     Although the display device  100  according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment has been described as being an organic light emitting diode display device, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the display device  100  may include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a field emission display device (FED), a plasma display device (PDP), or an electrophoretic image display device (EPD). 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. A display device  700  illustrated in  FIG. 6  may have a configuration substantially identical or similar to the configuration of the display device  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , except for a first adhesive member  425 , a second adhesive member  415 , a third adhesive member  205 , a fourth adhesive member  436 , a fifth adhesive member  437 , and a metal member  705 . As such, repeated descriptions of components substantially identical or similar to the components described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5  will be omitted to avoid redundancy. For example,  FIG. 6  shows a state in which the display device  700  is unfolded. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the display device  700  may include a display panel  200 , a third adhesive member  205 , a shock absorbing member  410 , a second adhesive member  415 , a support member  500 , a first adhesive member  425 , an elastic member  430 , a fourth adhesive member  436 , a fifth adhesive member  437 , a metal member  705 , and a step difference compensation member  460 . The display device  700  may include a display area  10  and a foldable area  20 . The display area  10  is an area where an image is displayed from the display panel  200 , and the foldable area  20  is an area where the display device  700  is folded or unfolded. A portion of the display area  10  may be defined as the foldable area  20 . In addition, the step difference compensation member  460  may include a first step difference compensation member  461  and a second step difference compensation member  462 , and the metal member  705  may include a first metal member  710  and a second metal member  720 . Furthermore, a plurality of openings  535 , a plurality of protrusions  530 , and a plurality of trenches  520  may be formed in the support member  500 . 
     The first adhesive member  425  may be disposed between the support member  500  and the elastic member  430 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a top surface of the first adhesive member  425  may make direct contact with the support member  500 , and a bottom surface of the first adhesive member  425  may make direct contact with the elastic member  430 . In addition, the first adhesive member  425  may cover the openings  535 . The first adhesive member  425  may attach the elastic member  430  onto the bottom surface of the support member  500 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive member  425  may not be disposed inside each of the openings  535 , such that the openings  535  may be configured as empty spaces. While the display device  700  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the first adhesive member  425  may prevent foreign substances from penetrating into the openings  535  and the trench  520  together with the elastic member  430 . In addition, while the display device  700  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the first adhesive member  425  may be extended and contracted to prevent the openings  535  from being exposed. 
     The first adhesive member  425  may include an optical clear adhesive (OCA), a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, etc. For example, the adhesive may include PET, PEN, PP, PC, PS, PSul, PE, PPA, PES, PAR, PCO, MPPO, and the like, and the resin may include an epoxy resin, an amino resin, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyimide resin, and the like. 
     The second adhesive member  415  may be disposed between the shock absorbing member  410  and the support member  500 . In the exemplary embodiments, a top surface of the second adhesive member  415  may make direct contact with the shock absorbing member  410 , and a bottom surface of the second adhesive member  415  may make direct contact with the support member  500 . In addition, the second adhesive member  415  may cover the openings  535 . The second adhesive member  415  may adhere the shock absorbing member  410  onto a top surface of the support member  500 . In the exemplary embodiments, the second adhesive member  415  may not be disposed inside each of the openings  535  such that the openings  535  may be configured as empty spaces. The second adhesive member  415  may include an OCA, a PSA, a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, etc. 
     The third adhesive member  205  may be disposed between the display panel  200  and the shock absorbing member  410 . In the exemplary embodiments, a top surface of the third adhesive member  205  may make direct contact with the display panel  200 , and a bottom surface of the third adhesive member  205  may make direct contact with the shock absorbing member  410 . In addition, the third adhesive member  205  may adhere the display panel  200  to the shock absorbing member  410 . The third adhesive member  205  may include an OCA, a PSA, a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, etc. 
     The metal member  705  may be disposed on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430 . For example, the first metal member  710  may be disposed at a first portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430 , and the second metal member  720  may be disposed at a second portion of the bottom surface of the elastic member  430 . In this case, each of the first and second portions of the elastic member  430  may partially overlap the foldable area  20 . In the exemplary embodiments, the first metal member  710  and the second metal member  720  may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D 1 . A spaced distance may be determined according to the radius of curvature of the foldable area  20 . In the exemplary embodiments, the metal member  705  may prevent the display panel  200  from sagging in the foldable area  20 , and may serve to block static electricity, electromagnetic waves, electric fields, magnetic fields, and the like which are generated from an outside. The metal member  705  may include SUS. In some embodiments, the metal member may include Au, Ag, Al, W, Cu, Pt, Ni, Ti, Pd, Mg, Ca, Li, Cr, Ta, Mo, Sc, Nd, Ir, an aluminum-containing alloy, AlN x , a silver-containing alloy, WN x , a copper-containing alloy, a molybdenum-containing alloy, TiN x , CrN x , TaN x , SrRu x O y , ZnO x , ITO, SnO x , InO x , GaO x , IZO, etc. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. In other exemplary embodiments, a step difference compensation member and an adhesive member may be additionally disposed on a bottom surface of the metal member  705 . The adhesive member may make contact with a set member surrounding the display device  700 , and the step difference compensation member may prevent the display panel  200  from sagging in the foldable area  20  together with the metal member  705 . 
     The fourth adhesive member  436  may be disposed between the first metal member  710  and the elastic member  430 . In the exemplary embodiments, a top surface of the fourth adhesive member  436  may make direct contact with the elastic member  430 , and a bottom surface of the fourth adhesive member  436  may make direct contact with the first metal member  710 . The fourth adhesive member  436  may adhere the first metal member  710  to the first portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430 . The fifth adhesive member  437  may be disposed between the second metal member  720  and the elastic member  430 . In the exemplary embodiments, a top surface of the fifth adhesive member  437  may make direct contact with the elastic member  430 , and a bottom surface of the fifth adhesive member  437  may make direct contact with the second metal member  720 . In addition, the fourth adhesive member  436  and the fifth adhesive member  437  may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D 1 . The fifth adhesive member  437  may adhere the second metal member  720  to the second portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430 . Each of the fourth adhesive member  436  and the fifth adhesive member  437  may include an OCA, a PSA, a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, etc. 
     In other exemplary embodiments, a first step difference compensation member may be additionally disposed at the first portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430  together with the fourth adhesive member  436 , and a second step difference compensation member may be additionally disposed at the second portion on the bottom surface of the elastic member  430  together with the fifth adhesive member  437 . The first and second step difference compensation members may prevent the display panel  200  from sagging in the foldable area  20 . 
     The step difference compensation member  460  may be spaced apart from the first adhesive member  425 , the elastic member  430 , the fourth adhesive member  436 , and the metal member  705  on the bottom surface of the support member  500 . For example, the first step difference compensation member  461  may be disposed at the first portion on the bottom surface of the support member  500 , and the second step difference compensation member  462  may be disposed at the second portion on the bottom surface of the support member  500 . In the exemplary embodiments, the bottom surface of the step difference compensation member  460  may be located at the same level as the bottom surface of the metal member  705 . The step difference compensation member  460  may prevent the display panel  200  from sagging in a portion where the metal member  705  is not disposed. The step difference compensation member  460  may include PET, PEN, PP, PC, PS, PSul, PE, PPA, PES, PAR, PCO, MPPO, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, an additional adhesive member may be disposed on the bottom surface of the step difference compensation member  460  to make contact with a set member surrounding the display device  700 . 
     The display device  700  according to an exemplary embodiment includes the elastic member  430  disposed on the openings  535  to prevent the openings  535  from being exposed, so that the foreign substances may not be located in the openings  535 . In this manner, defects may not occur in the foldable area  20  of the display device  700 . 
     In addition, the display device  700  includes the metal member  705 , so that the display panel  200  may be prevented from sagging in the foldable area  20 , and static electricity, electromagnetic waves, electric fields, magnetic fields, and the like, which may be generated from the outside, may be blocked. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 8  is a plan view showing a rear side of the display device of  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 9  is a side view showing a lateral side of the display device of  FIG. 7 . A display device  800  illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  may have a configuration substantially identical or similar to the configuration of the display device  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , except for an elastic member  830 . As such, repeated descriptions of components substantially identical or similar to the components described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5  will be omitted to avoid redundancy. For example,  FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  show a state in which the display device  800  is unfolded. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 , the display device  800  may include a display panel  200 , a shock absorbing member  410 , a support member  500 , an elastic member  830 , and a step difference compensation member  460 . In this case, the display device  800  may include a display area  10  and a foldable area  20 . The display area  10  is an area where an image is displayed from the display panel  200 , and the foldable area  20  is an area where the display device  800  is folded or unfolded. A portion of the display area  10  may be defined as the foldable area  20 . In addition, the step difference compensation member  460  may include a first step difference compensation member  461  and a second step difference compensation member  462 . Furthermore, a plurality of openings  535 , a plurality of protrusions  530 , and a plurality of trenches  520  may be formed in the support member  500 . 
     The elastic member  830  may be disposed at a portion of the bottom surface of the support member  500  and a portion of a side surface of the support member  500 . In particular, the elastic member  830  may overlap the trenches  520  in the foldable area  20  on the side surface of the support member  500 , while overlapping the openings  535  in the foldable area  20  on the bottom surface of the support member  500 . In this manner, the elastic member  830  may prevent the openings  535  and the trenches  520  from being exposed. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the elastic member  830  may not be disposed inside each of the openings  535  and the trenches  520 , such that the openings  535  and the trenches  520  may be configured as empty spaces. While the display device  800  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the elastic member  830  may prevent foreign substances from penetrating into the openings  535  and the trenches  520 . In addition, while the display device  800  is repeatedly folded and unfolded, the elastic member  830  may be extended and contracted to prevent the openings  535  and the trenches  520  from being exposed. The elastic member  830  may include an elastomer having a relatively large elastic force or a relatively large restoring force. For example, the elastic member  830  may include an elastic material, such as silicone, urethane, or TPU. 
     The display device  800  according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes the elastic member  830 , so that the openings  535  and the trenches  520  of the support member  500  may be covered to prevent the foreign substances from being located in the openings  535  and the trenches  520 . Accordingly, defects due to the foreign substances may not occur in the display device  800 . 
     The inventive concepts may be applied to various electronic devices including a display device. For example, the inventive concepts may be applied to a vehicle-display device, a ship-display device, an aircraft-display device, portable communication devices, display devices for display or for information transfer, a medical-display device, etc. 
     As the display device according to the exemplary embodiments includes the elastic member disposed on the openings to prevent the openings from being exposed, the foreign substances may not be located in the openings. Accordingly, defects may not occur in the foldable area of the display device. 
     In addition, as the display device includes the metal member, the display panel may be prevented from sagging in the foldable area, and static electricity, electromagnetic waves, electric fields, magnetic fields, and the like, which may be generated from the outside, may be blocked. 
     Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.