Patent ID: 12256628

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving the Advantages and features will become apparent with reference to embodiments described later in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. Thus, these embodiments are set forth only to make the present disclosure complete, and to completely inform the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims.

A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, a number, etc. disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements herein. Further, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a 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, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 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. In interpretation of numerical values, an error or tolerance therein may occur even when there is no explicit description thereof.

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 on, 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 descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as “after,” “subsequent to,” “before,” etc., another event may occur therebetween unless “directly after,” “directly subsequent” or “directly before” is not indicated.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or entirely combined with each other, and may be technically associated with each other or operate with each other. The embodiments may be implemented independently of each other and may be implemented together in an association relationship.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure and an electronic product having the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure and an electronic product having the same will be described.

FIG.1is a diagram showing an example of an electronic product having a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

An electronic product DD shown inFIG.1is embodied as a vehicle display apparatus placed on a front face of a dashboard inside the vehicle. Recently, as a shape of a display panel easily varies, an application range of the display panel is widened. Thus, the vehicle display apparatus DD disposed behind a steering wheel H may be mounted inside the vehicle. In one example, the vehicle display apparatus DD may display a cluster instead of a dashboard, a navigation interface that provides directions using GPS, and an entertainment interface.

As shown inFIG.1, the vehicle display apparatus DD according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure has a display face having a shape corresponding to a front face shape of a dashboard so that aesthetic feeling of an interior of the vehicle is prevented from deteriorating.

That is, the vehicle display apparatus DD may be deformed into curved surfaces based on a shape of the front face of the dashboard so that the apparatus DD may be disposed in a conformal manner to the front face of the dashboard having curved surfaces that are curved in various directions.

In this way, the display apparatus provided in various electronic products DDs may be deformed into a shape that is different from a flat plate shape and includes various curved surfaces, depending on an installation location of the electronic product DD and the shape of the electronic product DD.

The display apparatus including the curved surface includes a curved display panel to realize a curved surface shape. A range of action of a bending stress may vary based the curved surface shapes. Thus, influence of the bending stress on the display panel may increase as various curved surface shapes are included therein.

Accordingly, an embodiment according to the present disclosure provides a display apparatus capable of reducing the influence of the bending stress due to various bending directions when the apparatus is deformed into shapes which are different from the flat plate shape and include areas bent in different directions.

FIG.2is a diagram showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit corresponding to a sub-pixel area ofFIG.2.FIG.4is a diagram showing an example of a cross section corresponding to a portion of a display area ofFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.2, a display apparatus10includes a display panel100including a display area AA where light is output to display an image, and a panel driver TC, GDR, and DDR that supplies driving signals to signal lines GL and DL of the display panel100.

The display panel100includes a plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs arranged in the display area AA; and signal lines GL and DL connected to the plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs. The signal lines GL and DL of the display panel100transmit the driving signal supplied from the panel driver TC, GDR, and DDR to each sub-pixel area SPA.

When the display panel100displays a color image, each of the plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs emits light in a wavelength area corresponding to one color of a plurality of different colors. In this connection, the plurality of colors may include red, green, and blue. Alternatively, the plurality of colors may further include white. To this end, the display panel100may include a color filter (not shown).

The signal lines GL and DL of the display panel100may include a gate line GL that transmits a scan signal SCAN of a gate driver GDR, and a data line DL that transmits a data signal VDATA of a data driver DDR.

When the display panel100includes a light-emissive element (not shown) corresponding to each sub-pixel area SPA, the display panel100may further include first and second driving power lines for respectively supplying first and second driving powers VDD and VSS for driving the light-emissive element.

The panel driver TC, GDR, and DDR may include the gate driver GDR connected to the gate line GL of the display panel100, the data driver DDR connected to the data line DL of the display panel100, and a timing controller TC for controlling an operation timing of each of the gate driver GDR and the data driver DDR.

The timing controller TC rearranges digital video data RGB input from an outside to match a resolution of the display panel100, and supplies the rearranged digital video data RGB′ to the data driver DDR.

The timing controller TC supplies a data control signal DDC to control an operation timing of the data driver DDR and a gate control signal GDC to control an operation timing of the gate driver GDR, based on timing signals such as a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a dot clock signal DCLK and a data enable signal DE.

The gate driver GDR sequentially supplies a scan signal SCAN to a plurality of gate line GLs for one frame period for displaying an image based on the gate control signal GDC. That is, the gate driver GDR supplies the scan signal SCAN to each gate line GL for each horizontal period corresponding to each gate line GL for one frame period. In this connection, the gate line GL may correspond to sub-pixel area SPAs arranged in a horizontal direction among the plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs.

The data driver DDR converts the rearranged digital video data RGB′ into an analog data voltage based on the data control signal DDC. The data driver DDR supplies, to the data line DL, each data signal VDATA corresponding to each of the sub-pixel area SPAs corresponding to each gate line GL for each horizontal period, based on the rearranged digital video data RGB′.

As shown inFIG.3, each sub-pixel area SPA includes a light-emissive element OLED and a pixel driving circuit PDC for supplying a driving signal to the light-emissive element OLED.

In one example, the pixel driving circuit PDC may include a driving transistor DT, a switching transistor ST, and a storage capacitor Cst.

In addition, although not shown inFIG.3, each sub-pixel area SPA may further include a compensation circuit (not shown) for compensating at least one of the driving transistor DT or the light-emissive element OLED. The compensation circuit may include at least one transistor (not shown) to detect the deterioration or to supply a reference power (not shown).

The driving transistor DT is connected in series to the light-emissive element OLED and is disposed between a first driving power line VDDL supplying a first driving power VDD and a second driving power line VSSL supplying a second driving power VSS having a lower potential than that of the first driving power VDD.

That is, one end of the driving transistor DT is connected to the first driving power line VDDL, and the other end of the driving transistor DT is connected to one end of the light-emissive element OLED. Further, the other end of the light-emissive element OLED is connected to the second driving power line VSSL.

The switching transistor ST is placed between a first node ND1and the data line DL supplying the data signal VDATA of each sub-pixel area SPA. The first node ND1is a contact point between a gate electrode of the driving transistor DT and the switching transistor ST. Further, a gate electrode of the switching transistor ST is connected to the gate line GL.

The storage capacitor Cst is disposed between the first node ND1and a second node ND2. The second node ND2is a contact point between the driving transistor DT and the light-emissive element OLED.

An operation of the pixel driving circuit PDC is as follows.

The switching transistor ST is turned on based on the scan signal SCAN of the gate line GL. At this time, the data signal VDATA of the data line DL is supplied to the gate electrode of the driving transistor DT and the storage capacitor Cst via the turned-on switching transistor ST and the first node ND1.

The storage capacitor Cst is charged with the data signal VDATA.

Further, the driving transistor DT is turned on based on the data signal VDATA and a charged voltage of the storage capacitor Cst to generate a drive current corresponding to the data signal VDATA. Accordingly, the drive current resulting from the turned-on driving transistor DT may be supplied to the light-emissive element OLED.

As shown inFIG.4, the display apparatus10includes the display panel100, a porous-metal substrate200disposed below the display panel100and including porous metal material200, and a cover substrate300disposed above the display panel100to transmit the light from the display panel100therethrough.

The cover substrate300may be formed of materials such as plastic, glass, and tempered glass. In one example, the cover substrate11may include a plastic material of any one of PET (polyethyleneterephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PES (polyethersulfone), PEN (polyethylenapthanate), and PNB (polynorbornene). The cover substrate300may be a transparent cover substrate.

The display panel100and the cover substrate300may be coupled or connected to each other via a transparent adhesive member disposed between the display panel100and the cover substrate300. In one example, the transparent adhesive member may include PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive), OCA (optical clear adhesive), and OCR (optical clear resin).

The porous-metal substrate200may be fixed to a bottom face of the display panel100via an adhesive layer210disposed between the display panel100and the porous-metal substrate200.

In one example of the present disclosure, the adhesive layer210may include PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive), OCA (optical clear adhesive), and OCR (optical clear resin).

The porous-metal substrate200is formed of porous metal material200′ to protect the display panel100from thermal damage and physical shock. For example, the porous-metal substrate200may be a metal substrate including a porous material, heat dissipation substrate, electric conductive substrate, and shock absorbing substrate, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The porous metal material200′ may include a sponge-like metal material201and pores202distributed in the metal material201.

The metal material201which constitutes the porous metal material200′ may be one of any material with relatively high thermal conductivity. In one example, the metal material201may be copper (Cu).

As the porous metal material200′ includes a metal material with relatively high thermal conductivity, the metal200′ may dissipate heat quickly. Accordingly, the porous-metal substrate200including the porous metal material200′ may dissipate the heat generated from the display panel100. The porous-metal substrate200may prevent the concentration of the heat, such that damage to the display panel100or characteristics modification thereof due to the concentration of the heat may be prevented.

Further, since the porous metal material200′ has a porous structure, the porous metal material may retain elasticity and shock absorption at a given extent. Accordingly, the porous-metal substrate200including the porous metal material200′ may absorb the external physical shock to be directed to the display panel100. Therefore, the display panel100may be protected from the external physical shock due to the presence of the porous-metal substrate200.

For example, the external physical impact may include a drop type impact applying a momentary blow and a drag type impact applying a continuously moving pressure.

A related art display apparatus is equipped with an embossed shock-absorbing member to mitigate the drop-type physical impact, a porous shock-absorbing member to mitigate the drag-type physical impact, and a heat-dissipation member for heat-dissipation. That is, in the related art display apparatus, a plurality of members are stacked below the display panel.

To the contrary, according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the porous-metal substrate200disposed below the display panel100is formed of a single layer of the porous metal material200′. The porous metal material200′ not only has predefined shock absorbing power and predefined elasticity according to the porous shape, but also has predefined rigidity and predefined thermal conductivity due to the metal material. Therefore, the heat-dissipation and shock-absorbing member200may replace a plurality of shock-absorbing members and heat-dissipation members provided in the related art electronic product10.

As a result, the physical shock to the display panel100may be reduced and the heat-dissipation therefrom may occur, and further, the plurality of shock-absorbing members and heat-dissipation members may be removed, thereby slimming the display apparatus10.

Further, since the heat-dissipation and shock-absorbing member200is composed of a single layer, a thickness of each of areas thereof may be easily controlled.

Considering the shock absorbing power, elasticity, thermal conductivity and rigidity of the heat-dissipation and shock-absorbing member200, a porosity of the porous metal material200′ constituting the heat-dissipation and shock-absorbing member200may be in a range of 50% to 76%. In this connection, the porosity corresponds to a ratio of pores202to an entire volume thereof.

The display panel100includes a flexible support substrate110, a transistor array120disposed above the support substrate110, a light-emissive array130disposed above the transistor array120, and a sealing film140disposed above the light-emissive array130.

The support substrate110may include a flexible insulating material. In one example, the support substrate110may include any one of PI (polyimide), PC (polycarbonate), PET (polyethyleneterephthalate), PMP (polymethylpentene), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PNB (polynorbornene), PEN (polyethylenapthanate), PES (polyethersulfone), and COS (cycloolefin copolymer).

The transistor array120includes the pixel driving circuit (PDC ofFIG.3) corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs. As shown inFIG.3, the pixel driving circuit PDC may include the switching transistor ST which is turned on and off based on the driving transistor DT connected to the light-emissive element OLED and the scan signal of the gate line GL to transmit the data signal VDATA of the data line DL to the gate electrode of the driving transistor DT, and the storage capacitor Cst that is connected to the gate electrode of the driving transistor DT. The transistor array120further includes the signal lines GL and DL connected to the pixel driving circuit PDC of each sub-pixel area SPA.

The transistor array120may further include a planarization film121disposed above the support substrate110to cover the pixel driving circuit PDC in a flat manner.

The light-emissive array130may be disposed above the planarization film121of the transistor array120.

The light-emissive array130includes a light-emissive element ED (OLED ofFIG.3) corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-pixel area SPAs.

Each light-emissive element ED may include a first electrode131and a second electrode132facing away each other, and a light-emissive structure133disposed therebetween.

In one example, the light-emissive array130may include the first electrode131disposed above the planarization film121and corresponding to each sub-pixel area SPA, a bank134disposed above the planarization film121, and corresponding to an outer edge of each sub-pixel area SPA and covering an edge of the first electrode131, the light-emissive structure133disposed on the first electrode131, and the second electrode132disposed on the bank134and the light-emissive structure133.

The sealing film140is placed on the light-emissive array130and seals the light-emissive array130. For example, a sealing film140may be a sealing layer, an encapsulation film, and an encapsulation layer, but embodiments of the present disclosure re not limited thereto.

The sealing film140may have a structure in which a plurality of protective films141,142, and143including different insulating materials or having different thicknesses are sequentially stacked.

In one example, a plurality of protective films141,142, and143may include a first protective film141covering the second electrode132of the light-emissive array130, a second protective film142disposed above the first protective film141and having a thickness greater than that of the first protective film141, and a third protective film143disposed above the second protective film142and having a thickness smaller than that of the second protective film142.

In this connection, each of the first and third protective films141and143may include an inorganic insulating material.

Further, the second protective film142may include an organic insulating material. This second protective film142may be disposed above the first protective film141in a flat manner. Due to this sealing film140, the invasion of moisture or oxygen to the light-emissive array130may be delayed, such that the influence of foreign substances may be reduced.

However, as the sealing film140has a structure in which the plurality of insulating films141,142, and143including different materials or having different thicknesses are stacked, the invasion path of moisture or oxygen becomes complicated, thereby effectively blocking moisture or oxygen, whereas the film140is vulnerable to the bending stress. For example, in the second protective film142relatively thick and including an organic insulating material, cracks easily occur due to a tensile stress.

Accordingly, when the display apparatus10has a shape including a plurality of curved surfaces, a structure capable of excluding the second protective film142in an application range of the tensile stress in order to delay the damage or deterioration of the display apparatus10is required.

In addition, the display panel100may further include a touch electrode array150disposed above the sealing film140, a polarizing plate160disposed above the touch electrode array150, and a reinforcing substrate170disposed below the support substrate110.

The touch electrode array150is configured for a touch sensing function and detects a location of a touch operation in the display area AA upon sensing an element whose property has varied via touch.

In one example, the touch electrode array150may include first and second touch electrodes crossing each other. In this case, the array150may detect the location of the change in capacitance among intersection points between the first and second touch electrodes, and detect the location where the touch operation occurred as the detected location.

The polarizing plate160may be provided to reduce reflection of external light in the display area AA.

The reinforcing substrate170is intended to increase the rigidity of the display panel100and may be omitted depending on the material of the support substrate110.

The porous-metal substrate200may be fixed to a bottom face of the reinforcing substrate170via the adhesive layer210.

FIG.5is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a display apparatus included in the electronic product ofFIG.1.

As shown inFIG.5, the display apparatus10may have a shape including a plurality of curved surfaces so as to be in close contact with the front face of the dashboard inside the vehicle.

In one example, in order to provide a screen with a wide viewing angle to a user20at each of two front seats, a partial area of a display face of the display apparatus10facing toward each of the two front seats of the vehicle may be formed to have a curved surface convex in a front direction and surrounding the user20. Further, the other partial area facing toward a space between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat has a curved surface convex toward the user20such that the user20at each of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat20may easily touch the curved surface.

In other words, the display apparatus10provided as a vehicle display apparatus is not composed of only a curved surface having a single curvature, but is composed of a combination of curved surface areas having different curvatures, a flat area, and an inclined area inclined relative to the flat area.

In this case, the display area of display apparatus10may include a first bent display area IDA (inner bent display area) in a shape of a curved surface convexly curved in a direction in which light is emitted (arrows inFIG.5); and a second bent display area ODA (outer bent display area) in a shape of a curved surface convexly curved in a direction opposite to the direction in which light is emitted.

In one example, the first bent display area IDA has a shape protruding in an inward direction as the direction toward the user20. That is, a center of curvature of the first bent display area IDA may be disposed at an outside relatively far apart from the user20.

Further, the second bent display area ODA has a shape protruding in an outward direction as a direction toward the outside of the vehicle. That is, a center of curvature of the second bent display area ODA may be disposed at an inside relatively adjacent to the user20.

Thus, as the display apparatus10includes the first and second bent display areas IDA and ODA, bending stress corresponding to each of the first and second bent display areas IDA and ODA may occur inside the display apparatus10.

FIG.6is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a portion of a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.6, the display apparatus10according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure includes the display panel100including the display area AA that outputs light for displaying an image, the porous-metal substrate200which is disposed below the display panel100and including the porous metal material (200′ inFIG.4), and the cover substrate300that is disposed above the display panel100and transmits the light from the display panel100therethrough.

As mentioned above, the display apparatus10may be formed in a form including a plurality of curved surfaces so as to correspond to an electronic product having the same or an installation position thereof.

Therefore, the cover substrate300of the display apparatus10may be formed in a shape including a plurality of curved surfaces, and may control an entire shape of the display apparatus10.

For example, the cover substrate300has a flat cover portion310, a first curved cover portion320that is convexly curved in a first direction in which light from the display panel is emitted (an upward direction inFIG.6), and a second curved cover portion330that is convexly curved in a second direction opposite the first direction (a downward direction inFIG.6).

The flat cover portion310may be formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the first direction.

Since the first curved cover portion320is convexly curved in the first direction, the center of curvature of the first curved cover portion320may be a point spaced from the first curved cover portion320in the second direction.

Since the second curved cover portion330is convexly curved in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the center of curvature of the second curved cover portion330may be a point spaced from the second curved cover portion330in the first direction.

Further, the cover substrate300may further include an inclined cover portion340which is connected to one side of the first curved cover portion320or one side of the second curved cover portion330, and that is oblique to the flat cover portion320.

FIG.6illustrates that in the cover substrate300, the flat cover portion310is disposed between both opposing first curved cover portions320, and the inclined cover portion320is disposed between the first and second curved cover portions320and330. However, the cover substrate300according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure is not limited to the example ofFIG.6, but may have any modification as long as the cover substrate300includes a plurality of curved cover portions320and330including the first and second curved cover portions320and330.

The display panel100is provided in a form of a flexible flat plate. This display panel100may be in close contact on a bottom face of the cover substrate300, and may be deformed into the same bent shape as that of the cover substrate300.

Accordingly, the display area AA of the display panel100includes a flat display area FDA corresponding to the flat cover portion310of the cover substrate300, a first bent display area ODA (outer bent display area) corresponding to the first curved cover portion310of the cover substrate300, and a second bent display area IDA (inner bent display area) corresponding to the second curved cover portion320of the cover substrate300.

Further, the display area AA of the display panel100may further include an inclined display area SDA (Slope Display Area) corresponding to the inclined cover portion340of the cover substrate300.

In this connection, the first bent display area ODA has the outer bent shape that protrudes in the first direction in which the light of the display panel100is emitted. The second bent display area IDA has an inner bent shape protruding in the second direction opposite to the first direction in which the light of the display panel100is emitted.

Since the porous-metal substrate200includes a single layer of the porous metal material, the substrate200may be easily patterned into a shape including a plurality of thicknesses.

In other words, in the multi-layer structure, a thickness of each of the areas may be adjusted only by removing one layer from each area or adding a separate layer thereto. Further, even when the patterning is performed for adjusting a thickness of each area in at least one layer, a layer in a flat plate is disposed on one area of the patterned layer, such that a difference of the thicknesses of the areas may be reduced.

In other words, as mentioned above, the related art display apparatus includes a plurality of shock-absorbing members and heat-dissipation members disposed below the display panel100. Thus, it is quite difficult to control a thickness of each of the areas using the plurality of shock-absorbing members and heat-dissipation members.

To the contrary, the display apparatus10according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure includes the porous-metal substrate200composed of a single layer of the porous metal material, such that the thickness of each of the areas may be adjusted using the porous-metal substrate200.

Accordingly, the porous-metal substrate200according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure may include a flat substrate portion210corresponding to the flat cover portion310of the over substrate300and the flat display area FDA of the display area AA, a first bent substrate portion220corresponding to the first curved cover portion320of the cover substrate300and the first bent display area ODA of the display area AA, and a second bent substrate portion230corresponding to the second curved cover portion330of the cover substrate300and the second bent display area IDA of the display area AA.

In this connection, thicknesses of the first and second bent substrate portions220and230are different from each other.

Further, each of the thicknesses of the first and second bent substrate portions220and230may be different from a thickness of the flat cover portion210.

In this way, the porous-metal substrate200may be composed of a single layer of the porous metal material200′, and thus may be patterned to include the first and second bent substrate portions220and230corresponding to the first and second bent display areas ODA and IDA and having the different thicknesses. Since the total thickness of the display apparatus10may be easily varied due to the porous-metal substrate200, a neutral plane NL of the display apparatus10may be easily corrected.

FIG.7is a diagram showing a tensile stress range corresponding to the first bent display area ofFIG.5in a display apparatus of a first comparative example.FIG.8is a diagram showing a tensile stress range corresponding to the first bent display area ofFIG.5in a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

As shown on a left ofFIG.7, the first bent display area ODA has a shape having convexly protruding in the first direction (an upward direction ofFIG.7) in which light is emitted. In this first bent display area ODA, a compressive force and a tensile force TF due to the bent shape works. In this connection, the neutral plane R_NL refers to a point at which the compressive force and the tensile force due to the bent shape are equal to each other.

That is, the compressive force due to the bent shape acts on components placed above the neutral plane NL in the first bent display area ODA, whereas the tensile force TF due to the bent shape acts on the components placed below the neutral plane NL in the first bent display area ODA.

In one example, the display panel100includes the sealing film140composed of a stacked structure of the plurality of insulating films141,142, and143. The sealing film140breaks more easily due to the tensile force rather than the compressive force. Further, when a crack occurs in the sealing film140, a lifespan of at least a portion of the light-emissive array130may be rapidly reduced due to invasion of oxygen or moisture.

Therefore, when a substantial portion of the sealing film140falls in a range TFR (Tensile Force Range; hereinafter referred to as “tensile stress range”) in which the tensile force TF due to the bent shape works, cracks in the sealing film140may more easily occur, such that the durability and lifespan of the display apparatus10may be rapidly deteriorated.

In one example, as in the first comparative example REF1shown on a right ofFIG.7, when the neutral plane R1_NL in the first bent display area ODA is located in the first protective film141disposed below the second protective film142of the sealing film140, the tensile force is applied to a substantial portion of the sealing film140.

In other words, in the first comparative example REF1, the second protective film142and the third protective film143of the sealing film140are components disposed above the neutral plane R1_NL and fall into the tensile stress range R1_TFR. Thus, the crack in the sealing film140may occur in a relatively easy manner. As a result, the durability and lifespan of the display panel100due to the bent shape may be drastically reduced.

As shown inFIG.7, in the first comparative example REF1, the member structure R200disposed below the display panel100has a stack of a plurality of shock-absorbing members and a plurality of heat-dissipation substrates, wherein an adhesive layer is interposed between the shock-absorbing member and the heat-dissipation substrate adjacent to each other. Therefore, it is actually impossible for the member structure R200to have areas having different thicknesses.

However, the display apparatus10according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure includes the porous-metal substrate200having a single layer structure that may be patterned such that a thickness of each of the areas thereof is easily controlled. Accordingly, varying the total thickness of the display apparatus10under control of the thickness of the porous-metal substrate200may allow the neutral plane NL to be easily corrected.

That is, as shown inFIG.8, in the display apparatus10according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the neutral plane NL1corresponding to the first bent display area ODA may be corrected in the third protective film143disposed above the second protective film142of the sealing film140using the first bent substrate portion220of the porous-metal substrate200having a second thickness TH2.

As a result, only a portion of the third protective film143of the sealing film140as disposed above the neutral plane NL1falls into the tensile stress range TFR1of the first bent display area ODA. Thus, a substantial portion of the sealing film140in the first bent display area ODA is not affected by the tensile force. Therefore, the occurrence of cracks in the sealing film140may be delayed, and thus a rapid decrease in the durability and lifespan of the display panel100due to the bent shape may be prevented.

AlthoughFIG.8illustrates a case where the sealing film140includes the first, second and third protective films141,142, and143, an embodiment according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

That is, although not shown separately, according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the sealing film140may be composed of four or more protective films. In this case, the neutral plane NL1corresponding to the first bent display area ODA is located in one protective film of the plurality of protective films included in the sealing film140which is relatively far away from the light-emissive array130and is relatively adjacent to the touch electrode array150disposed above the sealing film140.

FIG.9is a diagram showing a tensile stress range corresponding to the second bent display area ofFIG.5in a display apparatus of a second comparative example.FIG.10is a diagram showing a tensile stress range corresponding to the second bent display area ofFIG.5in a display apparatus according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

As shown on a left ofFIG.9, the second bent display area IDA convexly protrudes in the second direction (downward direction inFIG.9) opposite to the first direction in which light is emitted.

The tensile force TF due to the bent shape acts on the components as placed above the neutral plane NL in the second bent display area IDA, while the compressive force due to the bent shape acts on the components placed below the neutral plane NL in the second bent display area IDA.

However, as shown in the second comparative example REF2shown on a right ofFIG.9, when the neutral plane R2_NL in the second bent display area IDA is located in the third protective film143of the sealing film140as disposed above the second protective film142, the tensile force is applied to a substantial portion of the sealing film140.

In other words, in the second Comparative Example REF2, the second protective film142and the first protective film141of the sealing film140are components disposed under the neutral plane R2_NL and thus fall into the tensile stress range R2_TFR. Thus, cracks in the sealing film140may relatively easily occur. Accordingly, the durability and lifespan of the display panel100due to the bent shape may be drastically reduced.

To the contrary, as shown inFIG.10, in the display apparatus10according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the neutral plane NL2corresponding to the second bent display area IDA may be corrected to be located in the first protective film141of the sealing film140disposed below the second protective film142due to the second bent substrate portion230of the porous-metal substrate200having a third thickness TH3.

As a result, only a portion of the first protective film141of the sealing film140as placed below the neutral plane NL2falls into the tensile stress range TFR2of the second bent display area IDA. Thus, a substantial portion of the sealing film140in the second bent display area IDA may not be affected by the tensile force. Therefore, the occurrence of cracks in the sealing film140may be delayed, and thus a rapid decrease in the durability and lifespan of the display panel100due to bent shape may be prevented.

AlthoughFIG.10illustrates a case in which the sealing film140includes the first, second and third protective films141,142, and143, an embodiment according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, although not shown separately, according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the sealing film140may be composed of four or more protective films. In this case, the neutral plane NL2corresponding to the second bent display area IDA is located in one of the plurality of protective films included in the sealing film140which is relatively adjacent to the light-emissive array130.

Next, examples of the porous-metal substrate according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.11and12.

FIG.11is a view showing a state in which a porous-metal substrate according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure is unfolded.

As shown inFIG.11, a porous-metal substrate200A according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a flat substrate portion210corresponding to the flat cover portion (310inFIG.6) of the cover substrate (300inFIG.6) and the flat display area FDA of the display area (AA inFIG.6), a first bent substrate portion220corresponding to the first curved cover portion320of the cover substrate300and the first bent display area ODA of the display area AA, and a second bent substrate portion230corresponding to the second curved cover portion330of the cover substrate300and the second bent display area IDA of the display area AA.

Further, when the cover substrate300has a structure including the inclined cover portion340, the display area AA includes the inclined display area SDA corresponding to the inclined cover portion340. In this connection, each of the inclined cover portion340and the inclined display area SDA is not in a bent state, and thus does not generate the bending stress. Accordingly, a portion of the porous-metal substrate200A corresponding to the inclined display area SDA has a first thickness TH1as in the flat substrate portion210.

A thickness TH2of the first bent substrate portion320corresponding to the first bent display area ODA is different from a thickness TH3of the second bent substrate portion330corresponding to the second bent display area IDA having a curved surface shape different from that of the first bent display area ODA.

That is, when the flat substrate portion210has the first thickness TH1, the first bent substrate portion220corresponding to the first bent display area ODA may have the second thickness TH2which is smaller than the first thickness TH1of the flat substrate portion210. As such, since a total thickness of the display apparatus10in the first bent display area ODA is smaller than that in the flat display area FDA, the neutral plane (NL1inFIG.8) may be displaced upwards.

Since the first bent display area ODA has an outer bent shape, the tensile stress range (TFR1inFIG.1) corresponding to the first bent display area ODA contains a component disposed above the neutral plane NL1.

Accordingly, the neutral plane NL1in the first bent display area ODA is displaced upwards. Thus, the tensile stress range TFR1corresponding to the first bent display area ODA may be reduced. Therefore, the influence of the bending stress on the display panel100may be reduced.

Further, the second bent substrate portion230corresponding to the second bent display area IDA may have the third thickness TH3larger than the first thickness TH1of the flat substrate portion210. As such, the total thickness of the display apparatus10in the second bent display area IDA is larger than that in the flat display area FDA, the neutral plane (NL2inFIG.10) may be displaced downwards.

Since the second bent display area IDA has an inner bent shape, the tensile stress range (TFR2inFIG.10) corresponding to the second bent display area IDA contains a component placed under the neutral plane NL2.

Accordingly, the neutral plane NL2in the second bent display area IDA is displaced downward. The tensile stress range TFR2corresponding to the second bent display area IDA may be reduced. Therefore, the influence of the bending stress on the display panel100may be reduced.

A shock-absorbance of the porous metal material200′ that constitutes the porous-metal substrate200A depends on an absolute volume of the pores. Thus, the shock-absorbance of the porous-metal substrate200A may depend on the thickness of the porous-metal substrate200A. Accordingly, in consideration of a magnitude of the physical impact applied to the display panel100, a minimum value of the first thickness TH1of the flat substrate portion210may be derived.

Further, as the first thickness TH1of the flat substrate portion210increases, the total thickness of the display apparatus10increases. Thus, a maximum value of the first thickness TH1of the flat substrate portion210may be derived in consideration of slimming of the display apparatus10.

In one example, the first thickness TH1may range from 70 μm to 200 μm.

The second thickness TH2of the first bent substrate portion220corresponding to the first bent display area ODA is selected to be smaller than the first thickness TH1to reduce the tensile stress range TFR1in the outer bent shape. Further, the minimum value of the second thickness TH2may be determined such that the physical shock mitigation function and the heat-dissipation function are not removed.

In one example, the second thickness TH2may range from 50 μm to the first thickness TH1.

The third thickness TH3of the second bent substrate portion230corresponding to the second bent display area IDA is selected to be larger than the first thickness TH1to reduce the tensile stress range TFR2in the inner bent shape. Further, the maximum value of the third thickness TH3may be determined so as not to significantly hinder the slimming of the display apparatus10.

In one example, the third thickness TH31may range from the first thickness TH1to 220 μm.

In one example, since the porous-metal substrate200also has the bending stress due to the bent shape, a scheme to reduce the bending stress on the porous-metal substrate200is required. Accordingly, a porous-metal substrate according to another embodiment according to the present disclosure is provided.

FIG.12is a view showing an unfolded state of a porous-metal substrate according to another embodiment according to the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.12, a porous-metal substrate200B according to another embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of protrusions221is the same as the porous-metal substrate200A shown inFIG.11except that first and second bent substrate portions220′ and230′ have a plurality of protrusions231and a plurality of spacers222and232which alternately arranged with each other. Thus, redundant descriptions are omitted below.

The porous-metal substrate200B according to another embodiment according to the present disclosure has a flat substrate portion210corresponding to the flat display area FDA and having the first thickness TH1, and a first bent substrate portion220′ corresponding to the first bent display area ODA, and a second bent substrate portion230′ corresponding to the second bent display area IDA.

In the porous-metal substrate200B according to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bent substrate portion220′ includes a plurality of first protrusions221having the first thickness TH1and a plurality of first spacers222having the second thickness TH2smaller than the first thickness TH1, wherein each first spacer is disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of first protrusions221.

As described above, the first bent substrate portion220′ corresponding to the first bent display area ODA includes the plurality of first spacers222having the relatively smaller second thickness TH2. Accordingly, due to the plurality of first spacers222, the total thickness of the display apparatus10in a portion of the first bent display area ODA is smaller than that in the flat display area FDA, such that the neutral plane NL1may be displaced upwards.

Further, as the first bent substrate portion220′ includes the plurality of first protrusions221having the first thickness TH1, the heat-dissipation function and the physical shock mitigation function in the first bent display area ODA may be prevented from being significantly deteriorated.

Further, since the first bent substrate portion220′ has a structure in which the plurality of first protrusions221and the plurality of first spacers222are alternately arranged with each other, the compressive force occurring in the porous-metal substrate200B due to the bent shape may be reduced. As a result, the bending stress of the porous-metal substrate200B may be reduced.

Likewise, the second bent substrate portion230′ of the porous-metal substrate200B according to another embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of second protrusions231having the third thickness TH3greater than the first thickness TH1, and a plurality of second spacers232having the first thickness TH1, wherein each second spacer is disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of second protrusions231.

As such, the second bent substrate portion230′ corresponding to the second bent display area IDA includes the plurality of second protrusions231having a relatively larger third thickness TH3. Due to the plurality of second protrusions231, the total thickness of the display apparatus10in a portion of the second bent display area IDA is larger than that in the flat display area FDA, so that the neutral plane NL2may be displaced downwards.

Further, since the second bent substrate portion230′ has a structure in which the plurality of second spacers232having the first thickness TH1and the plurality of second protrusions231are alternately arranged with each other, the tensile force occurring in the porous-metal substrate200B due to the bent shape may be reduced. As a result, the bending stress of the porous-metal substrate200B may be reduced.

In addition, one of the protrusions221and231and the spacers222,232provided in each of the first and second bent substrate portions220′ and230′ has the first thickness TH1which is equal to that of the flat substrate portion210. Thus, the porous-metal substrate200B may be prepared relatively easily using a stacking process corresponding to one of the first, second and third thicknesses TH1, TH2, and TH3, and two patterning processes corresponding to the remaining two of the first, second and third thicknesses TH1, TH2, and TH3.

As described above, the display apparatus10according to each of one embodiment and another embodiment according to the present disclosure includes each of the porous-metal substrates200,200A, and200B, each having a single layer of the porous metal material. The display apparatus10is formed in a shape including a plurality of curved surfaces, and the porous-metal substrate200includes the substrate portions210,220, and230, and210,220′, and230′ having thicknesses corresponding to the bent shapes of the curved surfaces. Accordingly, since the total thickness of the display apparatus10may vary under control of each of the thicknesses of the substrate portions included in the porous-metal substrate200, the neutral plane NL may be easily displaced.

Accordingly, the neutral plane NL may be displaced in a direction such that a substantial portion of the sealing film140may deviate from the tensile stress range TFR, and thus the influence of the bending stress on the display panel100may be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. The present disclosure may be implemented in various modified manners within the scope not departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, but to describe the present disclosure. The scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments as described above are illustrative and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.