Patent Description:
Organic light emitting diode ("OLED") display devices are a type of self-luminous display device that displays an image using OLEDs that emit light and have already been described in <CIT> and <CIT>. OLED display devices have characteristics such as low power consumption, high luminance, and high respond speed. OLED display devices generally have a multilayer structure including an OLED. Due to the multilayer structure, as an OLED display device emits light from the OLEDs, a viewing angle-dependent color shift may occur. Particularly, when a lower portion of a pixel electrode is not symmetric or uniform, the recognized color may change according to the viewing direction.

A first embodiment of the invention relates to an organic light emitting diode display device according to claim <NUM>.

A second embodiment of the invention relates to an organic light emitting diode display device according to claim <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting diode display device includes forming a photosensitive material layer on a substrate by applying a photosensitive material onto the substrate. A first protective layer is formed on the substrate by patterning the photosensitive material layer. The first protective layer has a recess and a contact hole therein. A conductive line is formed within the recess of the first protective layer. A second protective layer is formed on the conductive line. A first electrode is formed on the second protective layer. A light emitting layer is formed on the first electrode. A second electrode is formed on the light emitting layer. The first electrode overlaps the recess of the first protective layer.

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the invention can be modified in various manners and have several exemplary embodiments, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be mainly described in the specification. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and is only limited by the scope of the claims.

In the drawings, thicknesses of a plurality of layers and areas may be illustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of description thereof. When a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being "on" another layer, area, or plate, it may be directly on the other layer, area, or plate, or intervening layers, areas, or plates may be present therebetween. Further when a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being "below" another layer, area, or plate, it may be directly below the other layer, area, or plate, or intervening layers, areas, or plates may be present therebetween.

The spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "less", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relations between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, in the case where a device illustrated in the drawing is turned over, the device positioned "below" or "beneath" another device may be placed "above" another device. Accordingly, the illustrative term "below" may include both the lower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented in the other direction, and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreted differently depending on the orientations.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, the element is "directly connected" to the other element, or "electrically connected" to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, "a first element" discussed below could be termed "a second element" or "a third element," and "a second element" and "a third element" can be termed likewise without departing from the teachings herein.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a pixel of an organic light emitting diode ("OLED") display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a circuit diagram illustrating one pixel PX illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of <FIG>.

The OLED display device <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, includes a plurality of pixels. The term "pixel" refers to a smallest unit for displaying an image. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the pixel PX includes a switching thin film transistor TFT1, a driving thin film transistor TFT2, an OLED <NUM> and a capacitor Cst.

The pixel PX may generate light having a predetermined color, for example, one of red, green or blue. However, the color of the light generated in the pixel PX is not limited thereto, and light having a color such as cyan, magenta or yellow may be generated in the pixel PX.

The pixel PX is connected to a gate line GL, a data line DL and a driving voltage line DVL. The gate line GL extends in one direction. The data line DL extends in another direction intersecting the gate line GL. Referring to <FIG>, the driving voltage line DVL extends in a substantially same direction as a direction in which the data line DL extends. The gate line GL transmits a scan signal, the data line DL transmits a data signal, and the driving voltage line DVL provides a driving voltage.

The thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2 may include a driving thin film transistor TFT2 for controlling the OLED <NUM> and a switching thin film transistor TFT1 for switching the driving thin film transistor TFT2. Although each pixel PX is described as including two thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2, the invention may have fewer or more thin film transistors in each pixel. For example, each pixel PX may include one thin film transistor and a capacitor, or may include three or more thin film transistors and two or more capacitors.

A portion at which the thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2, the gate line GL, the data line DL, the driving voltage line DVL and the capacitor Cst are disposed is referred to as a wiring unit and each of the gate line GL, the data line DL, the driving voltage line DVL and the capacitor Cst is referred to as a wiring. The thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2 may also be one of the wirings or a part of the wiring. In addition, since the gate line GL, the data line DL and the driving voltage line DVL are electrically conductive, they may also be referred to as "a conductive line.

The switching thin film transistor TFT1 includes a first gate electrode GE1, a first source electrode SE1, a first drain electrode DE1 and a first semiconductor layer SM1. The first gate electrode GE1 is connected to the gate line GL and the first source electrode SE1 is connected to the data line DL.

The first drain electrode DE1 is connected to a first capacitor plate CS1 through a fifth contact hole CH5 and a sixth contact hole CH6. The switching thin film transistor TFT1 transmits a data signal applied to the data line DL to the driving thin film transistor TFT2 according to a scan signal applied to the gate line GL.

The driving thin film transistor TFT2 includes a second gate electrode GE2, a second source electrode SE2, a second drain electrode DE2 and a second semiconductor layer SM2. The second gate electrode GE2 is connected to the first capacitor plate CS1. The second source electrode SE2 is connected to the driving voltage line DVL through a tenth contact hole CH10. The second drain electrode DE2 is connected to a connection electrode CN through a third contact hole CH3 and the connection electrode CN is connected to a first electrode <NUM> through a seventh contact hole CH7.

An organic light emitting layer <NUM> is disposed on the first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> is disposed on the organic light emitting layer <NUM>. A common voltage is applied to the second electrode <NUM>, and the organic light emitting layer <NUM> generates light according to an output signal of the driving thin film transistor TFT2.

The capacitor Cst is connected between the second gate electrode GE2 and the second source electrode SE2 of the driving thin film transistor TFT2. The capacitor Cst charges and maintains a signal input to the second gate electrode GE2 of the driving thin film transistor TFT2. The capacitor Cst includes the first capacitor plate CS1 that is connected to the first drain electrode DE1 through the sixth contact hole CH6. The capacitor Cst further includes a second capacitor plate CS2 that is connected to the driving voltage line DVL through an eighth contact hole CH8 and a ninth contact hole CH9.

Referring to <FIG>, thin film transistors TFT1 and TFT2 and the OLED <NUM> are disposed on a substrate <NUM>.

The type of the substrate <NUM> is not particularly limited. For example, the substrate <NUM> may include an insulating material such as glass, plastic, quartz, or the like. The material for the substrate <NUM> may have excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability, transparency, surface smoothness, ease of handling and water resistance.

A buffer layer may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The buffer layer may substantially prevent diffusion of impurities into the switching thin film transistor TFT1 and the driving thin film transistor TFT2.

The first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2 are each disposed on a substrate <NUM>. The first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2 each include a semiconductor material and act as active layers of the switching thin film transistor TFT1 and the driving thin film transistor TFT2, respectively. Each of the first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2 includes a source area SA, a drain area DA and a channel area CA that is disposed between the source area SA and the drain area DA.

The first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2 may each include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or the like, or may include an oxide semiconductor. For example, each of the first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2 may include an inorganic semiconductor material or an organic semiconductor material. The source area SA and the drain area DA may be doped with an n-type impurity or a p-type impurity.

A gate insulating layer <NUM> is disposed on both the first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2. The gate insulating layer <NUM> protects the first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2. The gate insulating layer <NUM> may include an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.

The first gate electrode GE1 and the second gate electrode GE2 are disposed on the gate insulating layer <NUM>. The first gate electrode GE1 and the second gate electrode GE2 are disposed so as to overlap the channel areas CA of the first semiconductor layer SM1 and the second semiconductor layer SM2, respectively. In addition, the first capacitor plate CS1 is disposed on the gate insulating layer <NUM>. The second gate electrode GE2 may be formed integrally with the first capacitor plate CS1.

An insulating interlayer <NUM> is disposed on the first gate electrode GE1, the second gate electrode GE2 and the first capacitor plate CS1. The insulating interlayer <NUM> may include an organic insulating material or an inorganic insulating material.

The first source electrode SE1, the first drain electrode DE1, the second source electrode SE2 and the second drain electrode DE2 are each disposed on the insulating interlayer <NUM>. The second drain electrode DE2 contacts the drain area DA of the second semiconductor layer SM2 through a first contact hole CH1 defined in the gate insulating layer <NUM> and the insulating interlayer <NUM>. The second source electrode SE2 contacts the source area SA of the second semiconductor layer SM2 through a second contact hole CH2 defined in the gate insulating layer <NUM> and the insulating interlayer <NUM>. The first source electrode SE1 contacts the first semiconductor layer SM1 through a fourth contact hole CH4 defined in the gate insulating layer <NUM> and the insulating interlayer <NUM>, and the first drain electrode DE1 contacts the first semiconductor layer SM1 through the fifth contact hole CH5 defined in the gate insulating layer <NUM> and the insulating interlayer <NUM>.

In addition, the data line DL and the second capacitor plate CS2 are disposed on the insulating interlayer <NUM>.

A first protective layer <NUM> is disposed on the first source electrode SE1, the first drain electrode DE1, the second source electrode SE2, the second drain electrode DE2, the data line DL, and the second capacitor plate CS2. The first protective layer <NUM> serves to protect the switching thin film transistor TFT1 and the driving thin film transistor TFT2 and also serves to planarize upper surfaces thereof.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first protective layer <NUM> may include a photosensitive material. For example, the first protective layer <NUM> may include a photosensitive polymer resin.

The driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN are disposed on the first protective layer <NUM>.

The driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN may be formed in a same process using a same material.

For example, the driving voltage line DVL includes a conductive material. For example, the driving voltage line DVL may include or be formed of aluminum (Al) or alloys thereof, silver (Ag) or alloys thereof, copper (Cu) or alloys thereof, molybdenum (Mo) or alloys thereof, chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta) and/or titanium (Ti). In addition, the driving voltage line DVL may have a multilayer structure including a refractory metal layer and a low resistance conductive layer. As such, the driving voltage line DVL is a conductive line including a conductive material.

The driving voltage line DVL is connected to the second capacitor plate CS2 through the eighth contact hole CH8 and the ninth contact hole CH9 defined in the first protective layer <NUM>. In addition, the driving voltage line DVL is connected to the second source electrode SE2 through the tenth contact hole CH10 defined in the first protective layer <NUM>.

The connection electrode CN is connected to the second drain electrode DE2 through the third contact hole CH3 defined in the first protective layer <NUM>.

A second protective layer <NUM> is disposed on the driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second protective layer <NUM> may include a photosensitive material. For example, the second protective layer <NUM> may include a photosensitive polymer resin.

The second protective layer <NUM> serves to protect the driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN and also serves to planarize upper surfaces thereof. However, in the case where the driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN are relatively thick as compared to the second protective layer <NUM>, the upper portion of the driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN might not be completely planarized by the second protective layer <NUM>. Due to the high level of integration of the wiring, a large amount of current or data may need to be transmitted within a wiring of a relatively small area. Accordingly, the wiring may be relatively thick. In the case where thick wiring is used, although the second protective layer <NUM> is disposed above these wirings, for example, the driving voltage line DVL and the connection electrode CN, the upper portion thereof is not completely planarized. Referring to <FIG>, the second protective layer <NUM> includes slopes SL1 and SL2 above the driving voltage line DVL.

The first electrode <NUM> is disposed on the second protective layer <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> is also disposed on the slopes SL1 and SL2 formed at the second protective layer <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> may be, for example, an anode. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first electrode <NUM> is a pixel electrode.

The first electrode <NUM> is connected to the connection electrode CN through the seventh contact hole CH7 defined in the second protective layer <NUM>. As the connection electrode CN is connected to the second drain electrode DE2 through the third contact hole CH3 defined in the first protective layer <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second drain electrode DE2 of the driving thin film transistor TFT2.

Referring to <FIG>, the driving voltage line DVL is disposed below the first electrode <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> overlaps the driving voltage line DVL.

The driving voltage line DVL is one of the conductive lines, and the first electrode <NUM> is symmetric with respect to the driving voltage line DVL which is one of the conductive lines. For example, the first electrodes <NUM> is arranged symmetrically on a plane respectively in a plan view onto the substrate <NUM> with respect to the driving voltage line DVL respectively with respect to a center or center line of the driving voltage line DVL.

Referring to <FIG>, the driving voltage line DVL may be relatively straight, and the first electrode <NUM> is bilaterally symmetric with respect to the driving voltage line DVL or a center line thereof. This may refer to a symmetry in a horizontal direction, for example the extending direction of the gate lines GL or in general with respect to a first direction. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The driving voltage line DVL may have a curved shape or a broken line shape, and/or the first electrode <NUM> may be arranged vertically symmetrically with respect to the driving voltage line DVL or a center line thereof. When used herein, the reference to a vertical symmetry especially refers to a bilaterally symmetric extension of the first electrode <NUM> in a vertical direction, for example the extending direction of the data lines DL or in general in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction.

A pixel defining layer <NUM> partitioning a light emission area is disposed on the second protective layer <NUM>.

The pixel defining layer <NUM> may include a polymer organic material. The pixel defining layer <NUM> may include a polyimide (PI) resin, a polyacrylic resin, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and/or a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) resin. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the pixel defining layer <NUM> includes a PI resin.

The pixel defining layer <NUM> defines an opening <NUM> and the first electrode <NUM> is exposed from the pixel defining layer <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. In addition, the light emission area of the OLED <NUM> is defined by the opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first electrode <NUM> overlaps at least a portion of the pixel defining layer <NUM> and does not overlap the pixel defining layer <NUM> at the opening <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening <NUM> is symmetric on a plane respectively a plan view onto the substrate <NUM> with respect to the center of the drive voltage line DVL, which is one of the conductive lines.

The first electrode <NUM> is electrically conductive, and may be a transmissive electrode, a transflective electrode or a reflective electrode. In the case where the first electrode <NUM> is a transmissive electrode, the first electrode <NUM> includes a transparent conductive oxide. For example, the transparent conductive oxide may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and/or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO). In the case where the first electrode <NUM> is a transflective electrode or a reflective electrode, the first electrode <NUM> may include Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, and/or Cu.

The organic light emitting layer <NUM> is disposed on the first electrode <NUM>. For example, the organic light emitting layer <NUM> is disposed at the opening <NUM> on the first electrode <NUM>. The organic light emitting layer <NUM> may be disposed on a sidewall of the opening <NUM> defined by the pixel defining layer <NUM> and on the pixel defining layer <NUM>.

The organic light emitting layer <NUM> includes a light emitting material. In addition, the organic light emitting layer <NUM> may include a host and a light emitting dopant. The organic light emitting layer <NUM> may be manufactured in accordance with a known method using a known material. For example, the organic light emitting layer <NUM> may be formed using various methods such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a cast method, a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method, an inkjet printing method, a laser printing method, a laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) method, and the like.

A hole injection layer (HIL) and/or a hole transport layer (HTL) may be disposed between the first electrode <NUM> and the organic light emitting layer <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> is disposed on the organic light emitting layer <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> may be a common electrode and may be a cathode. The second electrode <NUM> may be a transmissive electrode, a transflective electrode or a reflective electrode.

In the case where the second electrode <NUM> is a transmissive electrode, the second electrode <NUM> may include Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Mg, BaF, Ba, Ag and/or Cu. For example, the second electrode <NUM> may include a mixture of Ag and Mg.

In the case where the second electrode <NUM> is a transflective electrode or a reflective electrode, the second electrode <NUM> may include Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Mo, Ti and/or Cu. In addition, the second electrode <NUM> may further include a transparent conductive layer including indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium-zinc-tin oxide (IZTO), and the like, in addition to the ransflective electrode or the reflective electrode.

At least one of an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL) may be disposed between the organic light emitting layer <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

In the case where the OLED <NUM> is a top emission type, the first electrode <NUM> may be a reflective electrode and the second electrode <NUM> may be a transmissive electrode or a transflective electrode. When the OLED <NUM> is a bottom emission type, the first electrode <NUM> may be a transmissive electrode or a transflective electrode, and the second electrode <NUM> may be a reflective electrode.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the OLED <NUM> is a top emission type, the first electrode <NUM> is a reflective electrode, and the second electrode <NUM> is a transflective electrode.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating white angular dependency (WAD).

The OLED display device <NUM> has a multilayer stack structure (see <FIG>), and light emitted from the organic light emitting layer <NUM> is emitted outwardly, passing through the multilayer structure. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the light generated in the organic light emitting layer <NUM> passes through the second electrode <NUM> to be emitted outwardly.

When optical resonance occurs in the course of light repeating being reflected between two reflective surfaces, energy of the light increases and the light having the increased energy may pass through the multilayer stacked structure to be emitted outwardly. Such a structure to allow light to resonate between two reflective layers is called a resonance structure, and a distance between the two reflective layers at which resonance occurs is called a resonance distance. The resonance distance depends on the wavelength of the light.

Since the first electrode <NUM> is a reflective electrode and the second electrode <NUM> is a transflective electrode in the OLED display device <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, light may be reflected between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> and light resonance may occur. When a wavelength of the light emitted from the organic light emitting layer <NUM> is denoted as λ1 and a distance between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is t1, light resonance may occur when the following Formula <NUM> is satisfied: <MAT>.

In Formula <NUM>, n1 denotes an average refractive index between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, and m1 is an integer. In addition, the distance t1 between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is a distance between an upper surface of the first electrode <NUM> and a lower surface of the second electrode <NUM>, which opposes the first electrode <NUM>. As used herein, λ1 denotes a wavelength of light L1 emitted toward the front side.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, although a same color is displayed in the OLED display device <NUM>, different colors may be visually recognized depending on the viewing angle of the observer. For example, when a display surface of the display device that emits white light is viewed from the front, white is recognized, but when viewed from the side, a bluish or yellowish color may be recognized. This phenomenon is called the white angular dependency (WAD), and the WAD is known to be caused by a path difference of light depending on the viewing angle.

Referring to <FIG>, the light L1 viewed from the front may resonate according to Formula <NUM>.

Light L2 emitted toward the lateral side is incident to an interface Sb at an angle θi in a medium having a thickness t1 and a refractive index n1 and is emitted at an angle θo. In such an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when a wavelength of the light L2 emitted toward the lateral side is denoted as λ2, the relation of the following Formula <NUM> is satisfied in order for the light to resonate.

In such an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the incident angle θi at the interface Sb increases, a value of cos(θi) becomes smaller, and accordingly, the resonance condition may change and the resonance wavelength may change. As a result, the wavelength λ2 of the light L2 emitted toward the lateral side differs from the wavelength of the light L1 emitted toward the front side.

For example, when the incident angle θi increases, the value of cos(θi) becomes small, and accordingly, the wavelength λ2 that satisfies the resonance condition becomes small. Accordingly, the light L2 having a shorter wavelength than a wavelength of the light L1 emitted toward the front side is emitted toward the lateral side, and thus the WAD occurs.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating resonance at a slope, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a spherical coordinate system for determining coordinates by a distance r, a tilt angle θ and an azimuth angle ϕ, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

As described above, light is reflected between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> of the OLED display device <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and light resonance occurs.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, due to a thickness of the driving voltage line DVL, slopes SL1 and SL2 are formed at the second protective layer <NUM> above the driving voltage line DVL. In addition, resonance also occurs between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> disposed on the slopes SL1 and SL2. Light L21 and light L22 resonate in the direction perpendicular to surfaces of the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> at the slopes SL1 and SL2. Even though light L21 and light L22 have a substantially same or similar wavelength, they are to be emitted in different directions.

For example, referring to <FIG>, light L21 and light L22 resonating between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> at different points R1 and R2 of the slopes SL1 and SL2 are also emitted in the lateral direction.

In such an example, when a left slope SL1 and a right slope SL2 illustrated in <FIG> are symmetric to each other, the light L21 and light L22 respectively viewed from the left and right sides will have a substantially identical wavelength. However, when the left slope SL1 and the right slope SL2 are not symmetric to each other, the resonance conditions in the left slope SL1 and the right slope SL2 become different, and accordingly the wavelength of the observed light will be different depending on the viewing angle of the user.

<FIG> shows a spherical coordinate system for determining coordinates by a distance r, a tilt angle θ and an azimuth angle ϕ. In the case where the left slope SL1 and the right slope SL2 are asymmetric to each other, light of a different wavelength will be visually recognized according to the azimuth angle ϕ of the spherical coordinate system. For example, a WAD deviation occurs according to the azimuth angle ϕ. Such a WAD deviation degrades the display characteristics of the OLED display device <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to substantially prevent degradation of the display characteristics of the OLED display device <NUM>, the slopes SL1 and SL2 are formed symmetrically below the first electrode <NUM>. To this end, the first electrode <NUM> is disposed symmetrically with respect to the driving voltage line DVL. Accordingly, the display characteristics of the OLED display device <NUM> may be increased.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a pixel of an OLED display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving voltage line DVL, on a first protective layer <NUM>, which is a conductive line, is formed in a radial direction on a plane with respect to a center C of a first electrode <NUM>. In other words, the driving voltage line DVL extends in at least three directions, for example extends in four directions in a plan view onto the substrate <NUM> from the center C of the first electrode <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the driving voltage line DVL is disposed in a cruciform (+) shape with respect to the center C of the first electrode <NUM>. Accordingly, the first electrode <NUM> is horizontally symmetric and vertically symmetric with respect to the driving voltage line DVL.

Referring to <FIG>, the driving voltage line DVL includes a horizontal line HL and a vertical line VL. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving voltage line DVL has a mesh shape in which a plurality of horizontal lines HL and a plurality of vertical lines VL are arranged in an intersecting manner.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an OLED display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. This exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined with one, several or all of the other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a first protective layer <NUM> includes a recess <NUM>, and a driving voltage line DVL, which is a conductive line, is disposed at the recess <NUM>. In such an exemplary embodiment, the recess <NUM> overlaps the first electrode <NUM>. For example, the driving voltage line DVL is disposed at the recess <NUM> below the first electrode <NUM>.

A depth d1 of the recess <NUM> is substantially equal to a thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL which is a conductive line. For example, the depth d1 of the recess <NUM> and the thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL may have a size difference of about <NUM>. The thickness h1 and the depth d1 may refer to a direction perpendicular on the main surface of the substrate <NUM>.

In the case where the depth d1 of the recess <NUM> and the thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL are substantially equal to each other, a second protective layer <NUM> is flat above the driving voltage line DVL, and the first electrode <NUM> may be formed on a planar surface. Accordingly, the azimuth angle-dependent WAD deviation may be substantially prevented.

However, in an embodiment not forming part of the claimed invention, the depth d1 of the recess <NUM> may be different from the thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL. For example, the depth d1 of the recess <NUM> may be greater than or less than the thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL. In the case where the second protective layer <NUM> includes an organic material, when a difference between the depth d1 of the recess <NUM> and the thickness h1 of the driving voltage line DVL is not relatively large, the second protective layer <NUM> may have a planar surface above the driving voltage line DVL by virtue of a planarizing effect of an organic material.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an OLED display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The OLED display device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> on a second electrode <NUM> to protect an OLED <NUM>. The thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> substantially prevents moisture or oxygen from permeating into the OLED <NUM>.

The thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> includes at least one inorganic layer <NUM> and <NUM> and at least one organic layer <NUM> that are alternately disposed. The thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes two inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> and one organic layer <NUM>. However, the structure of the thin film encapsulating layer <NUM> is not limited to the structure illustrated in <FIG>.

The inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> may include metal oxide, metal oxynitride, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride. The inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed through various methods known to those skilled in the art.

The organic layer <NUM> may include, for example, a polymer material. The organic layer <NUM> may be formed through a thermal deposition process. The thermal deposition process for forming the organic layer <NUM> is performed within a temperature range that does not damage the OLED <NUM>. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the organic layer <NUM> may be formed through various other methods known to those skilled in the art.

The inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM>, which have a high density of thin film, mainly suppress the permeation of moisture or oxygen. Most of moisture and oxygen are blocked by the inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> from penetrating into the OLED <NUM>.

The moisture and oxygen that have passed through the inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> are blocked again by the organic layer <NUM>. The organic layer <NUM> also functions as a buffer layer to reduce the stress between the inorganic layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the organic layer <NUM> in addition to the moisture permeation restraint. In addition, since the organic layer <NUM> has planarizing characteristics, an uppermost surface of the thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> may be planarized by the organic layer <NUM>.

Since the thin film encapsulation layer <NUM> may be relatively thin, the organic light emitting display <NUM> may be thin as well. Such an OLED display device <NUM> may have excellent flexible characteristics.

The OLED display device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a sealing member <NUM> disposed on a second electrode <NUM> to protect an OLED <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> may include a light transmissive insulating material such as glass, quartz, ceramic and plastic. The sealing member <NUM> has a plate shape and is attached to the substrate <NUM> to protect the OLED <NUM>.

A filler <NUM> may be disposed between the OLED <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM>. The filler <NUM> may include an organic material, for example, a polymer. In addition, a protective layer including a metal or an inorganic material may be disposed on the OLED <NUM> to protect the OLED <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the OLED display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> are views illustrating a process of manufacturing the OLED display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a driving thin film transistor TFT2, a capacitor Cst, and a data line DL are formed on a substrate <NUM>. Wirings such as a switching thin film transistor TFT1 and a gate line GL may also be formed on the substrate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a photosensitive material is applied over an entire surface of the substrate <NUM> including the driving thin film transistor TFT2 such that a photosensitive material layer <NUM> is formed. The photosensitive material may use, for example, a photodegradable polymer resin. The photodegradable polymer resin may include polyimide (PI).

In addition, a pattern mask <NUM> is disposed above the photosensitive material layer <NUM>, spaced apart from the photosensitive material layer <NUM>. The pattern mask <NUM> includes a mask substrate <NUM> and a light blocking pattern <NUM> disposed on the mask substrate <NUM>. The light blocking pattern <NUM> includes at least three areas, each having different light transmittances. Such a pattern mask <NUM> may also be referred to as a half tone mask.

The mask substrate <NUM> may use a transparent glass or plastic substrate. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the mask substrate <NUM> may include another material having light transmittance and mechanical strength.

The light blocking pattern <NUM> may be formed by selectively applying a light blocking material to the mask substrate <NUM>. The blocking pattern <NUM> includes a transmissive portion <NUM>, a light blocking portion <NUM>, and a semi-light transmissive portion <NUM>.

The transmissive portion <NUM> is an area through which light is transmitted, and is located above an area to be defined with a third contact hole CH3 and above an area where an eighth contact hole CH8 is to be formed.

The light blocking portion <NUM> is a portion at which light transmission is blocked, and the light blocking portion <NUM> may be formed by applying a light blocking material to the mask substrate <NUM>.

The semi-transmissive portion <NUM> is a portion through which a part of an incident light is transmitted, and it is located above an area to be defined with a recess <NUM>. The semi-light transmissive portion <NUM> may have a structure in which a light transmissive area 323a and a light blocking slit 323b are alternately disposed. In such an exemplary embodiment, the light transmittance of the semi-light transmissive portion <NUM> may be adjusted by adjusting an interval between the light transmissive area 323a and the light blocking slit 323b. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the light transmittance of the semi-light transmissive portion <NUM> may be adjusted by adjusting a concentration of the light blocking material.

Referring to <FIG>, the photosensitive material layer <NUM> is patterned through exposure and development using the pattern mask <NUM>, such that a first protective layer <NUM> including the recess <NUM>, the third contact hole CH3 and the eighth contact hole CH8 is formed. For example, the photosensitive material layer <NUM> is exposed, developed, and then heat cured such that the first protective layer <NUM> may be formed.

Referring to <FIG>, a connection electrode CN and a driving voltage line DVL are formed on the first protective layer <NUM>.

The connection electrode CN is connected to a second drain electrode DE2 through the third contact hole CH3.

The driving voltage line DVL is disposed at the recess <NUM> defined in the first protective layer <NUM>. In addition, the driving voltage line DVL is connected to a second capacitor plate CS2 through the eighth contact hole CH8. Although not illustrated, the first protective layer <NUM> has a ninth contact hole CH9, and the driving voltage line DVL is connected to the second capacitor plate CS2 also through the ninth contact hole CH9. Although not illustrated, the driving voltage line DVL is connected to the second source electrode SE2 through a tenth contact hole CH10.

Referring to <FIG>, a second protective layer <NUM> is formed on the connection electrode CN and the driving voltage line DVL. The second protective layer <NUM> has a seventh contact hole CH7 exposing a part of the connection electrode CN.

The second protective layer <NUM> may be formed by exposure, development and curing of a photosensitive material.

Referring to <FIG>, a first electrode <NUM> is formed on the second protective layer <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> overlaps the recess <NUM> and the driving voltage line DVL. In addition, the first electrode <NUM> is connected to the connection electrode CN through the seventh contact hole CH7. The first electrode <NUM> is connected to the second drain electrode DE2 of the driving thin film transistor TFT2 through the connection electrode CN.

Referring to <FIG>, a pixel defining layer <NUM> is formed above the substrate <NUM> including the first electrode <NUM> and the second protective layer <NUM>.

The pixel defining layer <NUM> may include a photosensitive material, for example, a photodegradable polymer resin. Examples of the photodegradable polymer resin may include a polyimide (PI) resin, a polyacrylic resin, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) resin, and the like.

An opening <NUM> is defined by the pixel defining layer <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> is exposed from the pixel defining layer <NUM> by the opening <NUM>. For example, the pixel defining layer <NUM> exposes an upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>, and protrudes along the periphery of the first electrode <NUM>. The pixel defining layer <NUM> overlaps an end portion of the first electrode <NUM> and the opening <NUM> is located above the first electrode <NUM>. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening <NUM> is symmetric on a plane with respect to the driving voltage line DVL, which is a conductive line. In other words, the opening <NUM> is symmetric in a plan view onto the substrate <NUM> with respect to the driving voltage line DVL or a center line or a center thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, an organic light emitting layer <NUM> is formed on the first electrode <NUM> that is exposed by the opening <NUM> of the pixel defining layer <NUM>. The organic light emitting layer <NUM> may be formed, for example, by deposition.

Referring to <FIG>, a second electrode <NUM> is formed on the organic light emitting layer <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> is also formed on the pixel defining layer <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> may be formed by deposition. In such a manner, the OLED display device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be manufactured.

As set forth hereinabove, in one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, since the first electrode is disposed symmetrically with respect to the conductive line therebelow, the azimuth angle-dependent color deviation of the OLED display device may be reduced. In addition, in one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, since the first electrode is disposed on a planar surface, the azimuth angle-dependent color deviation of the OLED display device may be substantially prevented.

Claim 1:
An organic light emitting diode display device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a substrate (<NUM>);
a first protective layer (<NUM>) disposed on the substrate (<NUM>);
a conductive line disposed on the first protective layer (<NUM>);
a second protective layer (<NUM>) disposed on the conductive line;
a first electrode (<NUM>) disposed on the second protective layer (<NUM>);
an organic light emitting layer (<NUM>) disposed on the first electrode (<NUM>); and
a second electrode (<NUM>) disposed on the organic light emitting layer (<NUM>),
wherein the first electrode (<NUM>) is symmetric in a plan view onto the substrate (<NUM>) with respect to a center (C) or a center line of the conductive line,
characterized in that
a pixel defining layer (<NUM>) disposed on the second protective layer (<NUM>), the pixel defining layer (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) that exposes at least a portion of the first electrode (<NUM>),
wherein the opening (<NUM>) is symmetric, on a plane, with respect to a center (C) of the conductive line (DVL), and slopes (SL1, SL2) are formed at the second protective layer (<NUM>) above the conductive line (DVL).