Patent Description:
Display apparatuses include a variety of forms, such as televisions, monitors, smart phones, tablet PCs, laptops, and wearable devices.

In general, a display apparatus includes a display area for displaying a screen and a non-display area formed along an outer edge of the display area.

In the display apparatus, the non-display area is also referred to as a bezel area. When the bezel area is thick, the user's gaze is dispersed. When the bezel area is thin, the user's gaze may be fixed on the screen of the display area. Thus, the user's immersion experience may be improved.

In other words, when the bezel area becomes thinner, an overall size of the display apparatus may be reduced while enhancing the user's immersion experience. Thus, demand from consumers for a display apparatus having the reduced bezel area as much as possible is increasing.

<CIT> describes a method for manufacturing an electrode for a battery by filling an active material into a three-dimensional porous metal substrate sheet and cutting said sheet to a certain size, comprising the steps of: pressing the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet; coating the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet with a resin; and/or impregnating the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet with a liquid containing a resin component, in addition to the steps of: filling an active material into the substrate sheet; and cutting the substrate sheet at the portion to be cut. This method prevents the occurrence of burrs and cuttings while the sheet is being cut and the coming off of the active material, thereby suppressing internal short circuit of the battery. As a result, a battery hardly suffering from a deterioration in preservation performance and charge-discharge cycle life can be obtained. <CIT> also constitutes prior art useful for understanding the invention.

As users' demand for a portable display apparatus increases, the demand for development of a slimmer display apparatus with strong stiffness is also increasing.

There are several ways to test the stiffness of the display apparatus.

As an example, the push stiffness may be an important factor when a continuous pressure is applied to the display apparatus upon touch or under a gripping force. A typical test for push stiffness may include measuring the continuous pressure, such as a force that presses the display apparatus persistently.

The impact stiffness is an important factor when the display apparatus is dropped from a high place or an instantaneous impact is applied thereto. Instantaneous impact stiffness may be measured through a ball-drop test in which an iron ball is freely dropped from a predetermined height onto the display apparatus.

Further, the impact is often concentrated on a side edge portion surrounding an inner region of the display apparatus. Thus, the stiffness of the inner region of the display apparatus is important. Further, the stiffness of the side edge portion surrounding the inner region may be important.

Accordingly, the inventors of the present disclosure have invented a cushion plate with improved stiffness not only in the inner region but also in the side edge portion thereof while having a reduced thickness, a method for manufacturing the cushion plate, and a display apparatus including the cushion plate.

An object according to one example of the present disclosure is to provide a cushion plate having improved impact stiffness, and a display apparatus including the cushion plate.

An object according to one example of the present disclosure is to provide a cushion plate with improved push stiffness in the inner region as well as the side edge portion thereof while having a reduced thickness, and a display apparatus including the cushion plate.

An object according to one example of the present disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing a cushion plate having improved impact stiffness and push stiffness, and having a reduced thickness.

Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned obj ects. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood based on following descriptions, and may be more clearly understood based on examples of the present disclosure. Further, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized using means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with objects of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a display apparatus includes a display panel to display an image, and a cushion plate disposed under the display panel, the cushion plate having an adhesive member, and a porous member including a body portion area and a side portion area disposed along a side face of the body portion area, where a thickness of the side portion area is smaller than a thickness of the body portion area, and where a porosity of the side portion area is lower than a porosity of the body portion area.

According to the claimed invention, a display apparatus comprises a display panel to display an image and a cushion plate disposed under the display panel, wherein the cushion plate includes an adhesive member, and a porous member disposed on the adhesive member, the porous member including a conductive metal and a plurality of pores disposed inside the conductive metal, and having a body portion area and a side portion area disposed along a side face of the body portion area, where a thickness of the side portion area is smaller than a thickness of the body portion area, and where a porosity of the side portion area is lower than a porosity of the body portion area.

The claimed invention also comprises a method for manufacturing a cushion plate, the method including forming a porous member including a conductive metal, and a plurality of pores disposed inside the conductive metal, and first compressing the porous member to form a first compressed porous member including compressing the porous member using a compressing unit. The compressing unit includes a first pressing portion corresponding to the body portion area and a second pressing portion corresponding to the side portion area. The second pressing portion protrudes vertically and downwardly beyond the first pressing portion. The method further includes second compressing the first compressed porous member while laminating the first compressed porous member to an adhesive member; and forming a conductive member covering the adhesive member and the side portion area.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the porous member included in the cushion plate may include the conductive metal and the plurality of pores disposed inside the conductive metal, such that the impact stiffness of each of the cushion plate and the display apparatus including the cushion plate may be improved.

According to the claimed invention, the thickness of the side portion area of the porous member included in the cushion plate is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area, and the porosity of the side portion area is lower than the porosity of the body portion area. Thus, the cushion plate may have a reduced thickness, and at the same time, improved push stiffness in not only the inner region but also the side edge portion thereof.

Further, according to the claimed invention, after the porous member is first compressed, the porosity of the first compressed porous member is reduced by a second compression while laminating the first compressed porous member to the adhesive member. Thus, the cushion plate having improved impact stiffness and push stiffness and at the same time, having a slimmer thickness may be manufactured.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from following descriptions.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are merely by way of example and are intended to provide further explanation of the inventive concepts as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain principles of the disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to some of the examples and embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving the advantages and features will become apparent with reference to the example embodiments described herein in detail together with the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments as disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. Thus, these example embodiments are set forth only to make the present disclosure sufficiently complete, and to assist those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the present disclosure.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like, which are illustrated in the drawings to describe various example embodiments of the present disclosure, are merely given by way of example. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings. The same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the specification unless otherwise specified. Further, where the detailed description of the relevant known steps and elements may unnecessarily obscure an important point of the present disclosure, a detailed description of such known steps and elements may be omitted. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a sufficiently thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure examples of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is to describe particular examples and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the terms "a" and "an" used to describe an element in the singular form is intended to include a plurality of elements. An element described in the singular form is intended to include a plurality of elements, and vice versa, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present specification, where the terms "comprise," "have," "include," and the like are used, one or more other elements may be added unless the term, such as "only," is used. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes a single associated listed item and any and all of the combinations of two or more of the associated listed items. An expression such as "at least one of" when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list. The term "at least one" should be understood as including any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the meaning of "at least one of a first element, a second element, and a third element" encompasses the combination of all three listed elements, combinations of any two of the three elements, as well as each individual element, the first element, the second element, and the third element.

In construing an element or numerical value, the element or the numerical value is to be construed as including an error or tolerance range even where no explicit description of such an error or tolerance range is provided.

In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present "on" a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. In the description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, where positional relationships are described, for example, where the positional relationship between two parts is described using "on," "over," "under," "above," "below," "beside," "next," or the like, one or more other parts may be located between the two parts unless a more limiting term, such as "immediate(ly)," "direct(ly)," or "close(ly)" is used.

Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like may be disposed "on" or "on a top" of another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former may directly contact the latter or another layer, film, region, plate, or the like may be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is directly disposed "on" or "on a top" of another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and another layer, film, region, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter. Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like may be disposed "below" or "under" another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former may directly contact the latter or another layer, film, region, plate, or the like may be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is directly disposed "below" or "under" another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and another layer, film, region, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter.

In descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as "after", "subsequent to", "before", "next," etc., another event may occur therebetween unless a more limiting term, "just," "immediate(ly)," or "direct(ly)" ("directly after", "directly subsequent", "directly before") is indicated.

The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or overall combined with each other, and may be variously inter-operated with each other and driven technically as those skilled in the art can sufficiently understand. The embodiments may be implemented independently of each other and may be implemented together in a co-dependent relationship.

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each of the drawings, although the same elements are illustrated in other drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements. Also, for convenience of description, a scale in which each of elements is illustrated in the accompanying drawings may differ from an actual scale. Thus, the illustrated elements are not limited to the specific scale in which they are illustrated in the drawings.

The display apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to an organic light-emitting display apparatus. The disclosure is not limited thereto. The display apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to various display apparatuses such as a micro LED display apparatus or a quantum dot display apparatus.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate front and back faces, respectively, of a display apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a back face of the display apparatus in which a casing is removed.

As used herein, each of frontward and upward directions may be defined by a Z-axis direction, and each of backward and downward directions may be defined by a -Z-axis direction.

An example embodiment of a display apparatus <NUM> may include a cover member <NUM> and a display panel <NUM> attached to a bottom of the cover member <NUM>. A direction from the top to the bottom of the cover member <NUM> may be defined by the downward direction (-Z axis direction).

The cover member <NUM> may be disposed to cover the entire surface of the display apparatus <NUM> to protect the display apparatus <NUM> from external impact.

An edge portion of the cover member <NUM> may have a curved portion or a bent portion that is curved or bent toward the back face of the display apparatus <NUM>.

Since the cover member <NUM> may be disposed to cover a side face of the display panel <NUM> of the display apparatus <NUM>, the cover member <NUM> may protect the display panel <NUM> from external impact not only on the front face of the display apparatus <NUM> but also on a side face thereof.

The cover member <NUM> may overlap the display area AA of the display panel that displays an image. For example, the cover member <NUM> may be made of a transparent plastic material that may transmit an image therethrough. Alternatively, the cover member <NUM> may be made of a cover glass of a transparent glass material. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A casing <NUM> for supporting the cover member <NUM> may be disposed on the back face of the display apparatus <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> may serve as a housing that protects the rear face of the display apparatus <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may function as a casing constituting the outermost shell of the display apparatus <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> may be made of various materials such as plastic, metal, or glass.

A middle frame <NUM> may be additionally disposed between the cover member <NUM> and the casing <NUM>.

The middle frame <NUM> may accommodate therein the display panel <NUM>. One side of the middle frame <NUM> may contact the cover member <NUM> such that the middle frame supports the cover member <NUM>.

The middle frame <NUM> may serve as a housing that protects the rear face of the display panel <NUM>. Additional details relating to the middle frame <NUM> will be provided below with reference to <FIG>.

A front portion FP of the display panel <NUM> may be disposed on a bottom face of the cover member <NUM>.

The front portion FP may include a pixel array including a plurality of pixels having a plurality of light-emitting elements, and driving transistors, and signal lines transmitting a drive signal to the pixels, so that an image may be displayed from the front portion FP.

The front portion FP may include a display area AA (active area) where the image is displayed and a non-display area NA (non-active area) other than the display area AA. The non-display area NA may be formed as an edge area surrounding the display area AA.

The display area AA and the non-display area NA may also be applicable to the cover member <NUM>.

An area of the cover member <NUM> through which the image transmits may be the display area AA of the cover member <NUM>.

An area of the cover member <NUM>, which surrounds the display area AA, and through which the image does not transmit may be a non-display area NA of the cover member <NUM>.

The non-display area NA may be defined as a bezel area.

The display panel <NUM> disposed under the cover member <NUM> may include a bent portion BND, as described further below in relation to <FIG>. The bent portion BND extends from one side of the front portion FP and is bent downwardly.

The bent portion BND may be located at the outermost part of the display panel <NUM>. Thus, the bent portion BND may be exposed to external impact. The bent portion BND may be easily deformed or broken in the event that the impact is applied thereto. Accordingly, a support member or a reinforcing member for protecting the bent portion may be added to absorb the impact.

Hereinafter, a structure of the display apparatus <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a I-I' direction, as shown in <FIG>, of the display apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display apparatus <NUM> may include the cover member <NUM> as the topmost portion and the display panel <NUM> disposed under the cover member <NUM>.

The display apparatus <NUM> may include the display panel <NUM> having the front portion FP, a bent portion BND, and a pad portion PAD bending and extending from the bent portion BND so as to be positioned on a back face of the front portion FP, a cushion plate <NUM> disposed between the front portion FP and the pad portion PAD, and disposed below the front portion FP, and a second connection member <NUM> as a connection member disposed between the cushion plate <NUM> and the pad portion PAD to fix the cushion plate <NUM> and the pad portion PAD to each other.

A first plate <NUM> may be disposed between the front portion FP and the cushion plate <NUM>. A second plate <NUM> may be disposed between the second connection member <NUM> and the pad portion PAD.

Thus, the first plate <NUM>, the cushion plate <NUM>, the second connection member <NUM>, the second plate <NUM>, and the pad portion PAD may be sequentially disposed under the front portion FP of the display panel <NUM>.

A first connection member <NUM> may be disposed between the cover member <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>.

The first connection member <NUM> may connect or couple the cover member <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> to each other.

For example, the first connection member <NUM> may act as a fixing member. The present disclosure is not limited to the terminology used herein.

Since the first connection member <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the display area AA along a thickness direction of the display apparatus, the first connection member <NUM> may be made of a material through which the image of the display panel <NUM> may be transmitted.

For example, the first connection member <NUM> may be made of or may include a material such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA), an optical clear resin (OCR), or a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The display panel <NUM> disposed under the cover member <NUM> may include the front portion FP, the bent portion BND, and the pad portion PAD, all of which may include a display substrate <NUM>.

The front portion FP of the display panel <NUM> may be disposed under the first connection member <NUM>. For example, the front portion FP may be a portion where the image is displayed. The front portion FP may include the display substrate <NUM>, the pixel array <NUM>, the encapsulation portion <NUM>, and a polarizing plate <NUM> on a top face of the encapsulation portion <NUM>.

The bent portion BND of the display panel <NUM> may extend from one side of the front portion FP and be bent downwardly (in the -Z-axis direction) and then horizontally (in a Y-axis direction). The bent portion BND may include the display substrate <NUM> and the signal line.

The pad portion PAD of the display panel <NUM> may extend from the bent portion BND and be disposed under the front portion FP.

The pad portion PAD may include the display substrate <NUM>, the signal line, and a pad electrode connected to the signal line. A driver circuit <NUM> or a flexible circuit board <NUM> for driving a pixel may be mounted on the pad electrode.

The display panel <NUM> may include the polarizing plate <NUM>, which may constitute a top portion of the front portion FP. In addition, a functional layer to improve display performance of the display apparatus may be further disposed between the first connection member <NUM> and the polarizing plate <NUM>.

The polarizing plate <NUM> may prevent or reduce reflection of external light. The polarizing plate <NUM> may improve the outdoor visibility and contrast ratio of the image displayed on the display panel <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may include the display substrate <NUM>, the pixel array <NUM> disposed on the display substrate <NUM>, and the encapsulation portion <NUM> disposed to cover the pixel array <NUM>.

A portion of the display substrate <NUM> may constitute a bottom of the display panel <NUM>.

The display substrate <NUM> may constitute a portion of each of the front portion FP, the bent portion BND, and the pad portion PAD.

The display substrate <NUM> may be made of a flexible plastic material. The display substrate <NUM> may have flexibility.

The display substrate <NUM> may include polyimide. Alternatively, the display substrate <NUM> may be made of a thin glass material having flexibility.

The pixel array <NUM> may be disposed on the display substrate <NUM>. The pixel array <NUM> may display an image. An area where the pixel array <NUM> may be disposed may be the display area AA.

Accordingly, an area of the cover member <NUM> corresponding to the pixel array <NUM> may be a display area AA of the cover member <NUM> An area of the cover member <NUM> other than the display area AA may be a non-display area NA of the cover member <NUM>.

The pixel array <NUM> may include light-emitting elements, thin-film transistors for driving the light-emitting elements, and the signal lines such as a gate line, a data line, and a pixel driving power line on the display substrate <NUM>.

The pixel array <NUM> may include pixels that display images based on signals supplied to the signal lines. Each pixel may include a light-emitting element and a thin-film transistor.

The light-emitting element may include an anode electrically connected to the thin-film transistor, a light-emitting layer formed on the anode, and a cathode for supplying a common voltage.

The thin-film transistor may include a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The semiconductor layer of the thin-film transistor may include silicon such as a-Si, poly-Si, or low-temperature poly-Si. Alternatively, the semiconductor layer of the thin-film transistor may include an oxide such as Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide (IGZO). The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The anode may be disposed in each pixel. The anode may be disposed in a corresponding manner to an opening area defined according to a pattern shape of the pixel. The anode may be electrically connected to the thin-film transistor.

The light-emitting element may include a light-emitting layer formed between the anode and the cathode. The light-emitting element may be configured to emit light of the same color such as white light for each pixel. Alternatively, the light-emitting element may be configured to emit light of a different color such as red, green, or blue for each pixel.

The encapsulation portion <NUM> may be disposed on the display substrate <NUM> so as to cover the pixel array <NUM>.

The encapsulation portion <NUM> may prevent or reduce penetration of oxygen, moisture, or foreign material into the light-emitting layer of the pixel array <NUM>. For example, the encapsulation portion <NUM> may be formed in a multi-layer structure in which an organic material layer and an inorganic material layer are alternately stacked. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The front portion FP of the display panel <NUM> may include the display substrate <NUM>, the pixel array <NUM>, and the encapsulation portion <NUM>. The front portion FP may be formed in a flat manner except for an edge portion thereof.

The first plate <NUM> may be connected or coupled to the back face of the front portion FP so as to maintain the flat state of the front portion FP.

The bent portion BND of the display panel <NUM> may be free of the pixel array <NUM>, the encapsulation portion <NUM>, and the first plate <NUM>. The bent portion BND may include the display substrate <NUM>. The bent portion BND may be a portion that may be easily bent in a direction desired by the user.

The pad portion PAD of the display panel <NUM> may be free of the pixel array <NUM> and the encapsulation portion <NUM>.

The second plate <NUM> may be connected or coupled to a back face of the pad portion PAD so that the pad portion PAD may be maintained in the flat state.

Therefore, the front portion FP of the display panel <NUM> may be disposed in the area in which the screen is displayed. The pad portion PAD may bend and extend from the bent portion BND horizontally and inwardly. The pad portion PAD may be disposed below the front portion FP, that is, on the back face of the front portion FP.

The first plate <NUM> disposed under the front portion FP of the display panel <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> disposed above the pad portion PAD may be disposed under the display substrate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may maintain the front portion FP in the flat state while complementing the stiffness of the display substrate <NUM>.

Each of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be formed to have a certain strength and thickness to complement the stiffness of the display substrate <NUM>. Each of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may not be formed in a bent portion area where the bent portion BND is located.

Based on a shape of the display panel <NUM> before the display panel <NUM> is bent, the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be disposed under the display substrate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other.

Based on a shape of the display panel <NUM> after the display panel <NUM> is bent, the first plate <NUM> may be disposed under the front portion FP. The second plate <NUM> may be disposed on the top face of the pad portion PAD.

Each of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may act a back plate disposed on the rear face of the display substrate <NUM>.

Each of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be composed of a plastic thin film having stiffness.

For example, each of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be made of the same material. The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may have the same thickness. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Based on the shape after the display panel <NUM> is bent, the cushion plate <NUM> may be disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The cushion plate <NUM> may be disposed under the first plate <NUM>.

The cushion plate <NUM> includes a first adhesive member <NUM> and a porous member <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the porous member <NUM> may be a metal foam.

Since the porous member <NUM> may function as a cushion layer of the cushion plate <NUM>, such that the impact to various parts that may come into contact with the cushion plate <NUM> may be reduced.

The porous member <NUM> with an impact reducing function may reinforce the stiffness of the cushion plate <NUM>. The porous member <NUM> will be described below in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The second connection member <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be disposed under the cushion plate <NUM>.

The second connection member <NUM> may be disposed between the cushion plate <NUM> and the pad portion PAD.

In some embodiments in which the pad portion PAD of the display panel <NUM> bends from the bent portion BND so as to be disposed under the front portion FP of the display panel <NUM>, a restoring force to restore the display panel <NUM> to a state before bending may be strong.

In an embodiment in which a strong restoring force is applied, a lifting phenomenon in which the pad portion PAD of the bent display panel <NUM> is not fixed and is detached may occur.

The second connection member <NUM> may function as a fixing member that fixes the bent display panel <NUM> so that the display panel may maintain its bent shape.

The second connection member <NUM> may be formed to have a constant thickness in a thickness direction so as to maintain a constant curvature of the bent portion BND.

In an embodiment, the second connection member <NUM> may be a double-sided tape having adhesive strength such that the second connection member <NUM> may fix the second plate <NUM> and the porous member <NUM> to each other. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an alternate embodiment, the second connection member <NUM> may be a foam tape or a foam pad having an adhesive force so as to further exhibit an effect of mitigating the impact.

The second plate <NUM> may be disposed under the second connection member <NUM>.

In placing the second plate <NUM>, the second plate <NUM> may be first attached to the back face of the pad portion PAD, the bent portion BND may be bent, and the second plate <NUM> may be attached and fixed to a bottom of the second connection member <NUM>.

In a state in which the second plate <NUM> is fixed to the second connection member <NUM>, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed on the pad portion PAD.

For example, the second connection member <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> may be disposed between the porous member <NUM> of the cushion plate <NUM> and the pad portion PAD.

In a state in which the second plate <NUM> is fixed to the second connection member <NUM>, an outer face as a top face of the bent portion BND may be exposed to the outside. In some embodiments, the outer face of the bent portion BND may face the reinforcing member <NUM>. A bottom face as an inner face of the bent portion BND may face the cushion plate <NUM> and the second connection member <NUM>.

The reinforcing member <NUM> may be disposed on the outer face of the bent portion BND of the display panel <NUM>.

The reinforcing member <NUM> may cover the bent portion BND. The reinforcing member <NUM> may extend to cover at least a portion of each of the front portion FP and the pad portion PAD.

The reinforcing member <NUM> may include a resin. For example, the reinforcing member <NUM> may include an UV-curable acrylic resin. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Since the reinforcing member <NUM> may cover various signal lines disposed between the encapsulation portion <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> and the pad portion PAD, the member <NUM> may prevent or reduce the penetration of moisture into the signal lines while protecting the signal line from the external impact.

In order to increase the flexibility of the display panel <NUM>, the bent portion BND may be free of other components except for the display substrate <NUM> and the signal lines. Thus, the reinforcing member <NUM> may supplement the stiffness of the bent portion BND in which the other components are absent.

In one example, the driver circuit <NUM> may be disposed on the face opposing a face of the pad portion PAD of the display panel <NUM> on which the second plate <NUM> may be disposed.

The driver circuit <NUM> may be disposed in a form of a chip on plastic (COP) mounted on the display substrate <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The driver circuit <NUM> may generate a data signal and a gate control signal based on image data and a timing synchronization signal supplied from an external host driving system.

The driver circuit <NUM> may supply a data signal to the data line of each pixel via a display pad. The driver circuit <NUM> may supply a gate control signal to a gate driver circuit via the display pad.

The driver circuit <NUM> may be mounted in a chip mounting area defined in the display substrate <NUM>. The driver circuit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the display pad. The driver circuit <NUM> may be connected to the signal lines of the gate driver circuit and the pixel array <NUM> disposed on the display substrate <NUM>.

The display pad may be disposed at a distal end of the display substrate <NUM> on which the driver circuit <NUM> is mounted.

The display pad may be disposed on one face of the display substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the flexible circuit board <NUM> on which a circuit board is mounted.

The flexible circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the display pad disposed on the distal end of the display substrate <NUM> via a film attachment process using a conductive adhesive layer. The flexible circuit board <NUM> may be positioned on the back face of the display panel <NUM>.

One example of a material of the conductive adhesive layer may include an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

The circuit board may provide the image data and the timing synchronization signal supplied from the host driving system to the driver circuit <NUM>. The circuit board may provide a voltage to drive each of the pixel array <NUM>, the gate driver circuit, and the driver circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a porous member according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the porous member <NUM> is a porous metal structure including a conductive metal <NUM> and a plurality of pores <NUM> positioned inside the conductive metal <NUM>.

Since the conductive metal <NUM> of the porous member <NUM> is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, the porous member <NUM> itself may provide an excellent heat-dissipation function. Because the porous member <NUM> has a metal structure with the plurality of pores <NUM> formed therein, the porous member <NUM> may provide an excellent cushion function.

Further, since the porous member <NUM> may include the plurality of pores <NUM> inside the conductive metal <NUM>, and the overall surface area of the porous member <NUM> may be increased, such that the porous member <NUM> itself may provide an excellent heat-dissipation function.

The porous member <NUM> may be formed using the following manufacturing method by way of example. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The porous member <NUM> may be formed by sintering a metal foam precursor containing a metal powder.

The metal foam precursor refers to a structure that exists before the process, such as the sintering, to form the porous member <NUM> is performed.

For example, the metal foam precursor may be formed using a slurry containing a metal powder, a dispersant, and a binder.

The metal powder may be a metal powder including one or more metal powders among a copper powder, a nickel powder, an iron powder, a stainless use steel (SUS) powder, a molybdenum powder, a silver powder, a platinum powder, a gold powder, an aluminum powder, a chromium powder, an indium powder, a tin powder, a magnesium powder, a phosphorus powder, a zinc powder, and a manganese powder. Alternatively, the metal powder may be or may include a powder of an alloy of one or more metals. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The dispersant may be, for example, alcohol, but may not be limited thereto.

In this case, the alcohol may be a monohydric alcohol having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, pentanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, pentanol, <NUM>-methoxyethanol, <NUM>-ethoxyethanol, <NUM>-butoxyethanol, glycerol, texanol, or terpineol. The alcohol may be a dihydric alcohol having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexanediol, octanediol, or pentanediol The alcohol may be a polyhydric alcohol. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A type of binder may not be particularly limited, and may be selected based on a type of the metal powder or the dispersant used in preparing the slurry.

For example, the binder may be a alkyl cellulose having an alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose, polyalkylene carbonate having an alkylene unit having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as polypropylene carbonate or polyethylene carbonate, or a polyvinyl alcohol-based binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate, but may not be limited thereto.

After forming the slurry that contains the metal powder, the dispersant, and the binder as described above, the slurry may be injected into a mold having a predetermined shape or coated on a substrate to form the metal foam precursor.

The metal foam precursor thus formed may be formed into the porous member <NUM> through the sintering process.

In this case, conditions of the sintering process are not particularly limited as long as the sintering process is performed at a temperature and for a duration at which the solvent present in the slurry may be removed to a desired level. For example, the sintering may be performed in a temperature in a range of from about <NUM> to <NUM> for a predetermined time, but may not be limited thereto.

The cushion plate <NUM> may be formed by forming the porous member <NUM> and then attaching the first adhesive member <NUM> to one face of the porous member <NUM>.

Alternatively, a metal foam precursor may be formed on the first adhesive member <NUM> and may be sintered to form the cushion plate <NUM> including the porous member <NUM>.

The first adhesive member <NUM> may be formed on one face of the porous member <NUM> so as to have a certain thickness.

The first adhesive member <NUM> may include an adhesive component such that the porous member <NUM> may be fixed to the first plate <NUM> via the first adhesive member <NUM>.

The first adhesive member <NUM> may be made of or may include a material such as an optical clear adhesive (OCA), an optical clear resin (OCR), or a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).

Hereinafter, with reference to <FIG>, various examples of the cushion plate according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a cushion plate according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a cushion plate according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a cushion plate according to yet another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cushion plate <NUM> includes the first adhesive member <NUM>, and the porous member <NUM> including a conductive metal <NUM>, and a plurality of pores <NUM> positioned inside the conductive metal <NUM>.

The porous member <NUM> includes a body portion area 320a and a side portion area 320b disposed along a side face of the body portion area 320a. The body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b are not physically separated from each other. The body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b may be positionally separated from each other.

A thickness of the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM> is smaller than a thickness of the body portion area 320a.

For example, the side portion area 320b may have an inclined face such that the thickness thereof decreases as the side portion area 320b extends from one side of the side portion area 320b closer to the body portion area 320a toward the other side of the side portion area 320b.

Therefore, the thickness of the side portion area 320b may be gradually reduced from a second thickness W<NUM>, which corresponds to the thickness of the body portion area 320a, to a third thickness W<NUM>, which corresponds to a thickness of an end of the side portion area 320b furthest from the body portion area 320a.

Further, a porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than a porosity of the body portion area 320a.

In the porous member <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the side portion area 320b is compressed at a greater pressure than a pressure at which the body portion area 320a is compressed. Thus, the thickness of the side portion area 320b is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

In order to decrease the porosity of the porous member <NUM>, a predetermined pressure may be applied to the porous member <NUM> to reduce the porosity.

In an examples of the present disclosure, the porosity may be lowered by applying pressure to not only the body portion area 320a of the porous member <NUM> but also the side portion area 320b, while a higher pressure may be applied to the side portion area 320b such that the thickness of the side portion area 320b is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

The cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure as described above may have an improved impact stiffness because the cushion plate may include the porous member <NUM> having the plurality of pores <NUM> formed therein.

Further, in the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the pores <NUM> may be compressed in the side portion area 320b as well as the body portion area 320a of the porous member <NUM>. Thus, the cushion plate may have improved hardness and push stiffness.

Further, the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may have further improved hardness and push stiffness in the side portion area 320b because the porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

In addition, the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is compressed so that the side portion area 320b with improved push stiffness has an inclined face. Thus, the cushion plate <NUM> may reduce bending stress in a curved display apparatus having a curvature. The cushion plate <NUM> may reduce lift-off phenomenon to improve reliability.

At least a portion of the first adhesive member <NUM> may penetrate the pores <NUM> of the porous member <NUM>. Accordingly, the pores <NUM> of the porous member <NUM> adj acent to the first adhesive member <NUM> may become the filled pores <NUM> filled with the adhesive material.

In order to bond the first adhesive member <NUM> and the porous member <NUM> to each other, a predetermined pressure is applied thereto such that the adhesive material of the first adhesive member <NUM> may fill the pores <NUM> of the porous member <NUM>.

In this way, the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may include the filled pores <NUM> filled with the adhesive material of the first adhesive member <NUM>. Thus, the thickness of the cushion plate <NUM> may be reduced by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive member <NUM>. Further, as the porosity is reduced, further improved push stiffness may be obtained.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cushion plate <NUM> includes the first adhesive member <NUM> and the porous member <NUM> including the conductive metal <NUM> and the plurality of pores <NUM> positioned inside the conductive metal <NUM>.

The porous member <NUM> includes the body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b disposed along a side face of the body portion area 320a. The body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b may not physically separated from each other. The body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b may be conceptually and positionally separated from each other.

The thickness of the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM> is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a.

A third thickness W<NUM>, which is the thickness of the side portion area 320b, may be smaller than a second thickness W<NUM>, which is the thickness of the body portion area 320a.

In this case, the side portion area 320b, which has a thickness smaller than that of the body portion area 320a, may have a constant thickness.

Therefore, the porous member may further include a step area 320c located directly below the side portion area 320b. The step area 320c may have a thickness corresponding to the difference between the thicknesses of the body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b.

Further, the porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

In the porous member <NUM> according to the claimed invention. the side portion area 320b is compressed at a greater pressure than a pressure at which the body portion area 320a is compressed, such that the thickness of the side portion area 320b is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

According to the claimed invention, the porosity is lowered by applying the pressure to not only the body portion area 320a of the porous member <NUM> but also the side portion area 320b, while the higher pressure is applied to the side portion area 320b such that the thickness of the side portion area 320b is smaller than that of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

The cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure as described above may have an improved impact stiffness because the cushion plate includes the porous member <NUM> including the plurality of pores <NUM>.

Further, in the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the pores <NUM> may be compressed in the side portion area 320b as well as the body portion area 320a of the porous member <NUM>. Thus, the cushion plate may have improved overall hardness and push stiffness.

In order to bond the first adhesive member <NUM> and the porous member <NUM> to each other, a predetermined pressure may be applied thereto such that the adhesive material of the first adhesive member <NUM> may fill the pores <NUM> of the porous member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cushion plate <NUM> according to the example embodiment of <FIG> may further include a conductive member <NUM> surrounding the first adhesive member <NUM> and at least a portion of the porous member <NUM>.

In this case, the conductive member <NUM> may be formed to surround the first adhesive member <NUM> and the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM>.

The conductive member <NUM> may include a material with high thermal conductivity. The conductive member may improve the heat-dissipation effect of the cushion plate <NUM>.

For example, the conductive member <NUM> may include a metal having high thermal conductivity such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or graphite, and the like. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Further, the conductive member <NUM> may include stainless use steel (SUS). In an embodiment, the conductive member <NUM> may be a SUS plate.

In an embodiment, the conductive member <NUM> includes SUS and may have higher thermal conductivity and strength while having a smaller thickness compared to an embodiment in which the conductive member is made of a metal other than SUS.

Since the conductive member <NUM> is formed to surround the first adhesive member <NUM> and the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM>, the push stiffness of the cushion plate <NUM> including the side portion area 320b may be further improved.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view in a II-II' direction, as shown in <FIG>, of a display apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display apparatus <NUM> according to the claimed invention includes the display panel <NUM> that displays a screen, and the cushion plate <NUM> disposed under the display panel <NUM>, wherein the cushion plate <NUM> includes the first adhesive member <NUM> and the porous member <NUM>.

The porous member <NUM> includes the body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b disposed along a side face of the body portion area 320a.

The thickness of the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM> is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

The cushion plate <NUM> may further include the conductive member <NUM> covering the first adhesive member <NUM> and at least a portion of the porous member <NUM>.

The cushion plate <NUM> including the conductive member <NUM> may be fixed to one face of the display panel <NUM> via a second adhesive member <NUM>.

The display apparatus <NUM> may further include the cover member <NUM> disposed on the display panel <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> disposed under the cushion plate <NUM>.

The middle frame <NUM> may serve as a housing that protects the rear face of the display panel <NUM>.

The middle frame <NUM> may have a structure to accommodate therein the display panel <NUM> and additional components such as a battery disposed on the back face of the display panel <NUM> to supply power to the display apparatus <NUM>. The structure of the middle frame <NUM> is not particularly limited.

For example, the middle frame <NUM> may have a structure in which the middle frame covers the back face of the display panel <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> may be housed in one portion of the middle frame <NUM>, and an additional component, such as a battery, may be disposed under the middle frame <NUM>.

Further, the middle frame <NUM> may be formed to cover a portion of the back face of the display panel <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be housed in the middle frame <NUM> and additional components, such as batteries, are disposed under the middle frame <NUM> such that the display panel <NUM> and the additional components are in contact with each other.

One end of the middle frame <NUM> and the other end of the middle frame <NUM> may be fixed to the cover member <NUM> and the conductive member <NUM>, respectively, by glue.

In this way, the conductive member <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may serve as a fastening structure for the middle frame <NUM>. Thus, a separate fastening structure for the middle frame <NUM> in the display apparatus <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrate a manufacturing process of a cushion plate according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

A method for manufacturing the cushion plate <NUM> according to the claimed invention includes forming the porous member <NUM> including the conductive metal <NUM> and the plurality of pores <NUM> positioned inside the conductive metal <NUM>, first compressing the porous member <NUM>, and second compressing the porous member <NUM> while laminating the first compressed porous member <NUM> to the first adhesive member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a metal foam precursor including metal powders is sintered on a stage <NUM> to form the porous member <NUM> including the conductive metal <NUM> and the plurality of pores <NUM> positioned inside the conductive metal <NUM>.

In this case, the thickness of the porous member <NUM> may be a first thickness W<NUM>. The plurality of pores <NUM> included in the porous member <NUM> may be in a state before being compressed.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the porosity of the porous member <NUM> may be reduced by first compressing the porous member <NUM>.

For example, the porous member <NUM> is compressed using a compressing unit <NUM> such as a press.

In this case, the compressing unit <NUM> for compressing the porous member <NUM> including the body portion area 320a and the side portion area 320b disposed along the side face of the body portion area 320a includes a first pressing portion 800a corresponding to the body portion area 320a of the porous member <NUM> and a second pressing portion 800b corresponding to the side portion area 320b.

Accordingly, the second pressing portion 800b of the compressing unit <NUM> protudes downwardly beyond the first pressing portion 800a.

Since the second pressing portion 800b protrude downwardly beyond the first pressing portion 800a, the pressure applied to the side portion area 320b may be greater than the pressure applied to the body portion area 320a in an embodiment in which the porous member <NUM> is first compressed with the compressing unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the thickness of the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM> is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a.

For example, the thickness of the body portion area 320a may be reduced to the second thickness W<NUM>, which is smaller than the first thickness W<NUM>, which is the thickness of the body portion area 320a before the compression. The thickness of the side portion area 320b may be reduced to the third thickness W<NUM>, which may be significantly smaller than the first thickness W<NUM>, which is the thickness of the body portion area 320a before the compression.

In an example, the first thickness W<NUM> is about <NUM>, the second thickness W<NUM> may be about <NUM>, and the third thickness W<NUM> may be about <NUM>.

Since the thickness of the side portion area 320b is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a, the porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a.

In an experimental example, when the porosity of the porous member <NUM> before the compression was about <NUM>%, the porosity of the body portion area 320a after the first compression may be reduced to about <NUM>%, and the porosity of the side portion area 320b may be reduced to about <NUM>%.

As used herein, the porosity may be defined as a ratio of an area occupied by the pores (e.g., pore <NUM>) to a total area occupied by the pores and the conductive metal <NUM>.

In this way, the thickness of the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM> included in the cushion plate is smaller than the thickness of the body portion area 320a. The porosity of the side portion area 320b is lower than the porosity of the body portion area 320a. Thus, the resulting cushion plate <NUM> may have improved push stiffness not only in the body portion but also in the side edge portion while having a reduced thickness.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first compressed porous member <NUM> is secondarily compressed while laminating the first compressed porous member <NUM> to the first adhesive member <NUM>.

For example, in the second compression of the porous member <NUM>, a predetermined pressure may be applied to the stack of the first adhesive member <NUM> and the porous member <NUM> such that the adhesive material of the first adhesive member <NUM> may fill the pores <NUM> of the porous member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the pore <NUM> of the porous member <NUM> adjacent to the first adhesive member <NUM> may become the filled pore <NUM> filled with the adhesive material.

In this way, in the method for manufacturing the cushion plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the second compression is performed so that the adhesive material of the first adhesive member <NUM> fills some of the plurality of pores <NUM>. Thus, the thickness of the cushion plate <NUM> may be reduced by reducing the thickness of the first adhesive member <NUM>. Further, as the porosity is reduced, further improved push stiffness may be obtained.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the conductive member <NUM> is formed to surround the first adhesive member <NUM> and the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM>.

The conductive member <NUM> may include a material with high thermal conductivity, such that the heat-dissipation effect of the cushion plate <NUM> may be improved.

Further, since the conductive member <NUM> is formed to surround the first adhesive member <NUM> and the side portion area 320b of the porous member <NUM>, the push stiffness of the cushion plate <NUM> including the side portion area 320b may be further improved.

In this way, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, after the porous member <NUM> is first compressed, the porosity of the porous member <NUM> can be further reduced by a second compression while laminating the first compressed porous member <NUM> to the first adhesive member <NUM>. Thus, the cushion plate <NUM> having improved impact stiffness and push stiffness and at the same time, having a slimmer thickness may be manufactured.

<FIG> are micrographs showing a difference between thicknesses of a porous member before and after compressing the porous member.

For example, <FIG> are micrographs of experimental examples before the porous member <NUM> is compressed. <FIG> are micrographs of experimental examples after the porous member <NUM> has been compressed.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>) to display an image; and
a cushion plate (<NUM>) disposed under the display panel, wherein the cushion plate comprises:
an adhesive member (<NUM>); and
a porous member (<NUM>) disposed on the adhesive member (<NUM>), the porous member-
having a body portion area (320a) and a side portion area (320b) disposed along a side face of the body portion area,
wherein a thickness of the side portion area (320b) is smaller than a thickness of the body portion area (320a), and characterized in that the the porous member includes a conductive metal (<NUM>) and a plurality of pores (<NUM>) disposed inside the conductive metal and
wherein a porosity of the side portion area (320b) is lower than a porosity of the body portion area (320a).