Abstract:
A display device includes a substrate having a first region in which an image is displayed, a second region in which an image is not displayed, and a bending region connecting the first region and the second region. The bending region is configured to bend along a bending axis which extends in a first direction. A plurality of pad terminals is disposed within the second region. A first width of the bending region, measured along the first direction, is narrower than a second width of the second region, measured along the first direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0076879 filed, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, on Jun. 20, 2016, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a non-quadrangular display device having a bending region. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a field effect display (FED), an electrophoretic display device, and the like. 
         [0004]    Particularly, the OLED display includes two electrodes and an organic emission layer positioned therebetween. Electrons are injected from one electrode and holes are injected from the other electrode. The injected electrons and holes are joined with each other in the organic emission layer to generate excitons, and the excitons emit energy in the form of light. 
         [0005]    The OLED display is self-luminating and therefore does not require a separate light source. Accordingly, OLED displays may be thinner and lighter than LCDs, which require separate light sources. Also, the OLED display has relatively low power consumption, high luminance, and a high response speed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A display device includes a substrate having a first region in which an image is displayed, a second region in which an image is not displayed, and a bending region connecting the first region and the second region. The bending region is configured to bend along a bending axis which extends in a first direction. A plurality of pad terminals is disposed within the second region. A first width of the bending region, measured along the first direction, is narrower than a second width of the second region, measured along the first direction. 
         [0007]    A display device includes a first region of a display substrate in which an image is displayed and a second region of the display substrate in which a plurality of pad terminals is disposed. A bending region connects the first region and the second region. The display substrate is configured for bending within the bending region such that the second region is folded in towards the first region. The first region is substantially rounded in shape such as a circular shape or an oval shape, and an average width of the bending region is less than an average width of the second region. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an unfolded state of a substrate of a display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3  (A) and (B) are side views of a display device of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , respectively; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of a pad terminal and a connection wire disposed in a bending region and a pad region according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a region A of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a view of a variation of a connection wire of  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the display area of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a size of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  to  FIG. 15  are views illustrating variations of a bending region of  FIG. 2  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a view illustrating a variation of a pad region of  FIG. 1  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may designate like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0023]    In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, lines, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. 
         [0024]    Now, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an unfolded state of a substrate of a display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3  (A) and (B) are side views of a display device of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , respectively.  FIG. 4  is a view of a pad terminal and a connection wire disposed in a bending region and a pad region.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a region A of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  is a view of a variation of a connection wire of  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 , a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a substrate SUB, a plurality of pad terminals PAD, and a flexible circuit board  400 . A bending region P 2  connecting a first region (hereinafter, a display region P 1 ) and a second region (hereinafter, a pad region P 3 ), positioned on the substrate SUB, is bent along an axis extending in a first direction (an X-axis direction in the drawings) such that the pad region P 3  may overlap the display region P 1 . Also, a first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be smaller than a second width W 2  of the pad region P 3 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the display region P 1 , the bending region P 2 , and the pad region P 3 . The display region P 1 , the bending region P 2 , and the pad region P 3  may be positioned on the substrate SUB. 
         [0028]    The display region P 1  may be a region displaying an image. The display region P 1  may be divided into a display area DA and a periphery area PA. A display panel  100  (referring to  FIG. 9 ), which emits light, may be positioned within the display area DA. Also, a plurality of connection wires CL (referring to  FIG. 4 ), which may drive the display panel  100 , may be positioned within the periphery area PA. Hereafter, some of the components formed on the substrate SUB will be described. It is to be understood, however, that additional components, not described herein, may also be formed on the substrate SUB. 
         [0029]    First, the display panel  100  formed in the display area DA of the substrate SUB will be described with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the display area of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0031]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display panel  100  includes first gate wires GW 1 , second gate wires GW 2 , data wires DW, a display part  140 , and a pixel  150 . 
         [0032]    A gate driver  210  receives a control signal from an external control circuit. such as a timing controller. The gate driver  210  sequentially supplies a scan signal to a first scan line SC 2 -SC 2   n  or a second scan line SC 1 -SC 2   n −1 included in the first gate wires GW 1  or the second gate wires GW 2 . Here, n is a positive integer. 
         [0033]    Thus, the pixel  150  is selected by the scan signal and is sequentially supplied with a data signal. Here, the gate driver  210  may be disposed in a first driving chip  410  on the flexible circuit board  400 . 
         [0034]    The first gate wires GW 1  are positioned on the substrate SUB with the first insulating layer GI 1  interposed therebetween. and the first gate wires GW 1  extend in the first direction (e.g. X-axis direction). The first gate wires GW 1  include a second scan line SC 2   n −1 and an emission control line En. 
         [0035]    The second scan line SC 2   n −1 is connected to the gate driver  210  and is supplied with the scan signal from the gate driver  210 . The emission control line En is connected to an emission control driver  220  and is supplied with the emission control signal from the emission control driver  220 . Here, the emission control driver  220 , like the gate driver  210 , may be disposed in the first driving chip  410  on the flexible circuit board  400 . 
         [0036]    The second gate wires GW 2  are disposed on the first gate wires GW 1  with the second insulating layer GI 2  interposed therebetween. The second gate wires GW 2  extend in the first direction. The second gate wires GW 2  include the first scan line SC 2   n  and an initialization power line Vinit. 
         [0037]    The first gate wires GW 1  and the second gate wires GW 2  do not overlap each other. 
         [0038]    The first scan line SC 2   n  is connected to the gate driver  210  and is supplied with the scan signal from the gate driver  210 . The initialization power line Vinit is connected to the gate driver  210  and is applied with initialization power from the gate driver  210 . 
         [0039]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the initialization power line Vinit receives initialization power from the gate driver  210 . The initialization power line Vinit may additional be connected to another component and the initialization power may be applied to the initialization power line Vinit from this other component. 
         [0040]    The emission control driver  220  sequentially supplies the emission control signal to the emission control line En in response to the control signal, which is provided from an external source such as the timing controller. Thus, the emission of the pixel  150  is controlled by the emission control signal. 
         [0041]    For example, the emission control signal controls an emission time of the pixel  150 . However, the emission control driver  220  may be omitted according to some pixel  150  structures. 
         [0042]    A data driver  230  supplies the data signal to the data line Dam, among the data wires DW, in response to the control signal supplied from an external source, such as the timing controller. The data signal supplied to the data line Dam is supplied to the pixel  150 , selected by the scan signal, whenever the scan signal is supplied to the first scan line SC 2   n  or the second scan line SC 2   n −1. Thus, the pixel  150  is charged to the voltage corresponding to the data signal and light is emitted from the pixel with a luminance corresponding to the data signal voltage. Here, the data driver  230  may be disposed in the first driving chip  410  on the flexible circuit board  400 , as is the gate driver  210 . 
         [0043]    The data wires DW are disposed on the second gate wires GW 2  via the third insulating layer ILD interposed therebetween and extend in the second direction crossing the first direction. The data wires DW include a data line DA 1 -DAm and a driving power line ELVDDL. The data line Dam is connected to the data driver  230  and is supplied with the data signal from the data driver  230 . The driving power line ELVDDL is connected to an external first power source ELVDD, and the driving power line ELVDDL is supplied with the driving power from the first power source ELVDD. 
         [0044]    In this case, the driving power line ELVDDL and the data line Dam may be formed as part of the same layer on the third insulating layer ILD. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the driving power line ELVDDL and the data line Dam may be formed as part of different layers. 
         [0045]    For example, the driving power line ELVDDL may be formed as part of the same layer as the first gate wire GW 1 , and the data line Dam may be formed as part of the same layer as the second gate wire GW 2 . In contrast, the driving power line ELVDDL may be formed as part of the same layer as the second gate wire GW 2  and the data line DAm may be formed as part of the same layer as the first gate wire GW 1 . 
         [0046]    The display part  140  includes a plurality of pixels  150  positioned where the first gate wires GW 1 , the second gate wires GW 2 , and the data wires DW cross. Here, each pixel  150  includes an organic light emitting element that emits light with a luminance corresponding to a driving current of the data signal. A pixel circuit controls the driving current flowing to the organic light emitting element. 
         [0047]    The pixel circuit is connected to the first gate wires GW 1 , the second gate wires GW 2 , and the data wires DW. The organic light emitting element is connected to the pixel circuit. The pixel  150  is described as an organic light emitting element, however the pixel  150  of the display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pixel  150  may be a liquid crystal display element or an electrophoretic display element. 
         [0048]    The organic light emitting element of the display part  140  is connected to the external first power source ELVDD with the pixel circuit interposed therebetween. and the organic light emitting element is also connected to a second power source ELVSS. The first power source ELVDD and the second power source ELVSS respectively supply the driving power and the common power to the pixel  150  of the display part  140 . The pixel  150  emits light with a luminance corresponding to the driving current from the first power source ELVDD, through the organic light emitting element, in response to the data signal which depends on the driving power and the common power supplied to the pixel  150 . 
         [0049]    As described above, in the display device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first gate wires GW 1  and the second gate wires GW 2  are disposed transverse to the pixel  150  in the first direction. The first and second gate wires GW 1  and GW 2  do not overlap each other and are not formed within the same layer, but rather, the first gate wires GW 1  and the second gate wires GW 2  are respectively disposed within different layers. The second insulating layer GI 2  may be disposed between the first and second gate wires GW 1  and GW 2 . Accordingly, a distance W between the gate wires adjacent to each other may be decreased, thereby forming more pixels  150  within the same area. For example, the high resolution display device may be formed. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the substrate SUB may have a plane shape in which at least part of an edge thereof is rounded in the display region P 1 . For example, the edge of the display region P 1 , which is adjacent to the bending region P 2 , may be made with the rounded shape. 
         [0051]    For example, in  FIG. 2 , the edges S 1  and S 2  of the display region P 1  may be made with the rounded shape. In this case, when the substrate SUB has the circular or oval plane shape, the edges S 1  and S 2  of the display region P 1  may correspond to the rounded shape. 
         [0052]    Where the substrate SUB has a circular plane shape in the display region P 1 , the display area DA and the periphery area PA may have the circular plane shape. Here, the edge of the display area DA may be formed with the circular shape, and the edge of the periphery area PA enclosing the display area DA may also be formed with the circular shape. 
         [0053]    In the display area DA, a plurality of pixels  150  are disposed in the display panel  100 , and some of the plurality of pixels  150  may be disposed along the edge of the display area DA. As described above, the plurality of signal lines such as the data line Dam and the scan line SCn in the display panel  100  may be disposed in the display area DA. For example, the plurality of signal lines may transmit the scan signal or the data signal. 
         [0054]    Alternatively, a plurality of connection wires CL (referring to  FIG. 4 ) connected to the plurality of signal lines may be disposed in the periphery area PA. The plurality of connection wires CL may be connected to a plurality of pad terminals PAD of the pad region P 3  through the bending region P 2 . 
         [0055]    The bending region P 2  is disposed between the display region P 1  and the pad region P 3  and connects the display region P 1  and the pad region P 3  to each other. The substrate SUB is bent in the bending region P 2 , and the pad region P 3  may be disposed at the rear surface of the display region P 1 . For example, the pad region P 3  may overlap the display region P 1 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the state that the substrate SUB is unfolded, the display region P 1 , the bending region P 2 , and the pad region P 3  are arranged in the stated order in the second direction (e.g. the Y-axis direction). If the bending region P 2  is bent along the axis extending in the first direction (e.g. the X-axis), as shown in  FIG. 1 , the pad region P 3  may be disposed at the rear surface of the display region P 1 . Accordingly, the pad region P 3  and the display region P 1  may be disposed to be separated from each other in the third direction (e.g. the Z-axis direction). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pad region P 3  may be in contact with the display region P 1 . 
         [0057]    In this case, if the bending region P 2  is bent, the substrate SUB of the bending region P 2  may be folded in on itself. For example, in the bending region P 2 , an angle formed between the regions P 1  and P 3  may be between 0 and 90 degrees. 
         [0058]    In the bending region P 2 , if the angle formed between the regions P 1  and P 3  is about 0 degrees, as described above, the display region P 1  and the pad region P 3  may be extended substantially parallel to each other and overlapped with each other. 
         [0059]    Also, if the angle formed by the substrate SUB, as it is folded to face itself is about 0 degrees, the pad region P 3  might not overlap the display region P 1 , but rather, the pad region P 3  may overlap the part of the bending region P 2 . For example, the pad region P 3  is disposed at the rear surface of the bending region P 2 , thereby the pad region P 3  and the bending region P 2  may be disposed to be parallel to each other. 
         [0060]    Also, when the angle formed by the substrate SUB facing itself is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, the pad region P 3  may be obliquely disposed at the rear surface of the display region P 1 . 
         [0061]    On the other hand, as the bending region P 2  is bent, the angle formed by the display region P 1  and the pad region P 3  may be about 90 degrees. For example, the display region P 1  and the pad region P 3  may be disposed to be perpendicular to each other. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first width W of the bending region P 2  may be formed to be narrower than the second width W 2  of the pad region P 3 . The first width W 1  and the second width W 2  represent a length parallel to the first direction of the bending region P 2  and the pad region P 3 . For example, the width of the pad region P 3  where a plurality of pad terminals PAD is disposed and the width of the bending region P 2  are formed to be different, and the width of the particularly pad region P 3  is formed to be larger than the width of the bending region P 2 . 
         [0063]    As described above, if the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  is formed narrower than the second width W 2  of the pad region P 3 , in the display device, the size of the bezel surrounding the display region P 1  and/or the size of the case enclosing the surroundings of the display region P 1  may be reduced. This will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  is a view comparing a size of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , in the comparative example A, each size R 1 ′ and R 2 ′ of the display area DA′ of the display area P 1 ′ and the periphery area PA′ is semantically the same as each size R 1  and R 2  of the display area DA of the display region P 1  and the periphery area PA in the present exemplary embodiment B (R 1 ′=R 1 , R 2 ′=R 2 ). Also, the width L 1 ′ of the pad region P 3 ′ of the comparative example A and the width L 1  of the pad region P 3  of the present exemplary embodiment B are substantially the same. 
         [0066]    Further, an interval L 4  of the edge of the display area P 1 ′ and the edge of the bent bending region P 2 ′ in the comparative example A and the interval L 4  of the edge of the display region P 1  of the present exemplary embodiment B and the edge of the bent bending region P 2  are substantially the same. For example, in the comparative example A and the present exemplary embodiment B, the bending regions P 2  and P 2 ′ protrude from the edge of the display areas P 1  and P 1 ′ to substantially the same size extent. 
         [0067]    Alternatively, the width L 2  of the bending region P 2 ′ of the comparative example A is formed to be larger than the width L 3  of the bending region P 2  of the present exemplary embodiment B. 
         [0068]    Resultantly, in the comparative example A and the present exemplary embodiment B, the widths L 2  and L 3  of the bending regions P 2  and P 2 ′ are different from each other, and the sizes of the rest of the display areas P 1  and P 1 ′ and the pad regions P 3  and P 3 ′ are all substantially the same. 
         [0069]    In the comparative example A, it is assumed that a circular case C 1  encloses the display device in which the pad region P 3 ′ is disposed at the rear surface of the display area P 1 ′. Here, to enclose all of the bending region P 2 ′ within the case C 1 , an inner side of the circular edge of the case C 1  may be in contact with both edges of the bending region P 2 ′ at a minimum. 
         [0070]    Alternatively, in the present exemplary embodiment B, like the comparative example A, it is assumed that a circular case C 2  encloses the display device in which the pad region P 3  is disposed at the rear surface of the display area P 1 . Likewise, to enclose all of the bending region P 2  within the case C 2 , the inner side of the circular edge of the case C 2  may be in contact with both edges of the bending region P 2  at a minimum. 
         [0071]    In this case, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the minimum size of the circular case C 1  of the comparative example A is formed to be larger than the minimum size of the circular case C 2  of the present exemplary embodiment B. For example, when comparing the embodiment (the comparative example A) in which the width L 2  of the bending region P 2 ′ is the same size as the width L 1 ′ of the pad region P 3 ′ with the embodiment (the present exemplary embodiment B) in which the width L 3  of the bending region P 2  is formed to be smaller than the width L 1  of the pad region P 3 , the case C 1  of the embodiment in which the width L 2  of the bending region P 2 ′ is the same as the width L 1 ′ of the pad region P 3 ′ is formed larger. 
         [0072]    Resultantly, like the present exemplary embodiment B, if the width L 3  of the bending region P 2  is smaller than the width L 1  of the pad region P 3 , the size of the case C 2  enclosing the display device may be reduced. Also, if the size of the case C 2  is reduced, the size of the bezel of the display device may also be reduced. 
         [0073]    Alternatively, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be formed to be constant. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first width W 1  is shown to be constant from the display region P 1  toward the pad region P 3 . 
         [0074]    However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may have various shapes as shown in  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 15 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be increased from the display region P 1  toward the pad region P 3 . In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be decreased from the display region P 1  toward the pad region P 3 . 
         [0075]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be decreased and then increased from the display region P 1  toward the pad region P 3 . For example, the bending region P 2  may have a shape in which the width of a center part is smaller than that of both ends of the bending region P 2 . However, in  FIG. 14 , one side of the edge of the bending region P 2  may be disposed in a straight line, while in  FIG. 15 , one side of the edge of the bending region P 2  may be disposed in a curve. In contrast, the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  may be increased, and then decreased from the display region P 1  to the pad region P 3 . 
         [0076]    Again referring to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of connection wires CL may be disposed in the bending region P 2 . As described above, a plurality of connection wires CL may be connected to the plurality of signal lines and may extend from the periphery area PA to the pad region P 3  through the bending region P 2 . Also, the plurality of connection wires CL may be connected to the plurality of pad terminals PAD of the pad region P 3 . For example, a clock signal is transmitted through the plurality of pad terminals PAD from an external source, and the transmitted clock signal may be transmitted to the scan circuit that may be disposed in the display region P 1  through the plurality of connection wires CL. 
         [0077]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adjacent connection wires among the plurality of connection wires CL of the bending region P 2  may be disposed at different layers. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  adjacent to each other among the plurality of connection wires CL may be formed within different layers. 
         [0078]    Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , when the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  are formed at the different layers, either the first connection wire G 1  or the second connection wire G 2  may be connected to either the first pad terminal PAD 1  or the second pad terminal PAD 2  through a contact hole CT. 
         [0079]    For example, the first pad terminal PAD 1  and the second pad terminal PAD 2  adjacent to each other among the plurality of pad terminals PAD may be formed as part of the same layer. For example, the first pad terminal PAD 1  and the second pad terminal PAD 2  may be formed of the same metal. Further, the first pad terminal PAD 1  and the second pad terminal PAD 2  may be disposed at the same positions, and for example, may be disposed on the insulating layer and separated from each other. 
         [0080]    In addition, the first connection wire G 1  may be formed from a different layer than the first pad terminal PAD 1 . For example, the second insulating layer GI 2  may be disposed between the first connection wire G 1  and the first pad terminal PAD 1 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connection wire G 1  and the first pad terminal PAD 1 , that are disposed within different layers, may be electrically connected through the contact hole CT formed in the second insulating layer GI 2 . 
         [0081]    Alternatively, the second connection wire G 2  may be formed within the same layer as the second pad terminal PAD 2 . For example, the second connection wire G 2  and the second pad terminal PAD 2  may be formed of the same metal and within the same layer. 
         [0082]    The first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  are sequentially disposed on the substrate SUB. For example, the second insulating layer GI 2  may be interposed between the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2 . The first insulating layer GI 1  may be disposed between the substrate SUB and the first connection wire G 1 . 
         [0083]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD, each disposed on the bending region P 2 , may be organic layers. For example, the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD may each be formed of the organic layer. By forming the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD of the organic layer, that is relatively soft compared with an inorganic layer, on the bending region P 2 , fewer cracks may be generated in the insulating layer of the bending region P 2 . 
         [0084]    However, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD, disposed on the bending region P 2 , are each formed of the organic layer. However, the present invention it is not limited to this particular arrangement, and at least one of the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD, may be formed of the organic layer. For example, only one of the first insulating layer GI 1 , the second insulating layer GI 2 , and the third insulating layer ILD) might be formed of the organic layer, or only two layers thereof may be formed of the organic layer. 
         [0085]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connection wire G 1  may be formed within the same layer as the first gate wire GW 1  of the display panel  100 . Further, the second connection wire G 2  may be formed of the second gate wire GW 2  of the display panel  100 . 
         [0086]    When the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  are formed within the same layer, if an interval between the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  is decreased, a possibility of the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  being short-circuited is increased. Moreover, the extent to which the interval of the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  can be reduced may be further limited by the limitations of the etching process. 
         [0087]    However, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  are formed within different layers, a second interval T 2  of the first connection wire G 01  and the second connection wire G 2  may be minimized. For example, even if the second interval T 2  of the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  is reduced, the possibility of the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  of the different layers being short-circuited is decreased. Further, if the second interval T 2  between the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  is minimized, the width of the bending region P 2  where the plurality of connection wires CL are disposed may be reduced. Also, the second interval T 2  between the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  may be minimized such that a density of the connection wire may be increased. 
         [0088]    However, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the plurality of connection wires G 3  may each be formed within the same layer. In this case, each line width of the plurality of connection wires G 3  may be formed to be smaller than each line width of the plurality of connection wires G 1  and G 2  of  FIG. 5 . By decreasing the line width of the plurality of connection wires G 3  like the case in which the plurality of connection wires G 1  and G 2  are formed with the different layers, the width of the bending region P 2  may be reduced. 
         [0089]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2  are formed as two distinct layers, however they may alternatively be formed as three, four, or more distinct layers. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of pad terminals PAD may be disposed in the pad region P 3 . In this case, the pad region P 3  may have a plane shape of a quadrangular shape. 
         [0091]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first interval T 1  between the first pad terminal PAD 1  and the second pad terminal PAD 2  adjacent to each other among the plurality of pad terminals PAD may be formed to be larger than the second interval T 2  between the first connection wire G 1  and the second connection wire G 2 . Resultantly, when viewed on a plane, the plurality of connection wires CL may be disposed more densely than the plurality of pad terminals PAD. In this case, the first interval T 1  may be formed to be larger than the second interval T 2  by a factor of about 2 to 4. 
         [0092]    Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 2 , the flexible circuit board  400  may be bonded to the plurality of pad terminals PAD. The flexible circuit board  400  may be mounted with the first driving chip  410  used to drive the display panel  100 . In this case, the flexible circuit board  400  may be a chip-on-film (COF) board. 
         [0093]    The flexible circuit board  400  may be of a type in which a plurality of metal wires are formed on a flexible base film. 
         [0094]    The first driving chip  410  may be mounted to the base film to generate the driving signal. For example, the first driving chip  410  may be the scan driving circuit generating the scan signal or the data driving circuit generating the data signal by receiving the control signal from an external source. For example, the above-described gate driver  210  or data driver  230  may be formed in the first driving chip  410 . 
         [0095]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board  400  of the COF type is bonded to the pad region P 3 , or alternatively, a second driving chip  500  of the COG type or the COP type may be disposed in the pad region P 3 . For example, the second driving chip  500  may be mounted to the pad region P 3 . 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , the second driving chip  500 , like the first driving chip  410 , may be the scan driving circuit generating the scan signal and the data driving circuit generating the data signal by receiving the control signal from an external source. For example, the above-described gate driver  210  or data driver  230  may be formed in the second driving chip  500 . 
         [0097]    In this case, the second driving chip  500  may be disposed in the pad region P 3 , and the second driving chip  500  may be bonded with the plurality of above-described pad terminals PAD. Further, a plurality of lower pad terminals PAD_LD bonded with the flexible circuit board  400  may be disposed on a lower end of the pad region P 3 . For example, the second driving chip  500  may be connected to the plurality of lower pad terminals PAD_LD through separate wiring formed in the pad region P 3 . 
         [0098]    In the display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first width W 1  of the bending region P 2  is formed to be narrower than the second width W 2  of the pad region P 3 , thereby reducing the size of the bezel occupying the periphery of the display region P 1  and/or reducing the size of the case that encloses the periphery of the display region P 1  in the display device. 
         [0099]    While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements.