Patent ID: 12262615

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and the drawings. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth herein are described, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

While the disclosure is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Effects and characteristics of the disclosure, and realizing methods thereof will become apparent by referring to the drawings and embodiments described in detail below. However, the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter and may be realized in various forms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings. In descriptions with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals may be given to components that are the same or substantially the same and to the extent that a description of an element is not provided, it may be assumed that the element is at least similar to a corresponding element described elsewhere within the instant specification.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not necessarily be limited by these terms. These components are used to distinguish one component from another.

As used herein, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being formed “on” another layer, area, or element, it can be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, or element. For example, intervening layers, regions, or elements may be present.

The expression “at least one of A and B” may indicate a case in which A is included, a case in which B is included, or a case in which A and B are included.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. For example, sizes and thicknesses of the elements in the drawings may be provided for convenience of explanation, and thus, the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the illustrations of the drawings.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order.

In the embodiments hereinafter, it will be understood that when an element, an area, or a layer is referred to as being connected to another element, area, or layer, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, area, or layer. For example, it will be understood in this specification that when an element, an area, or a layer is referred to as being in contact with or being electrically connected to another element, area, or layer, it can be directly or indirectly in contact with or electrically connected to the other element, area, or layer.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The electronic apparatus1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be an apparatus for displaying a video or a static image. The electronic apparatus1may be used as a display screen of various devices, such as a television, a notebook computer, a monitor, a broadcasting panel, and an Internet of things (IOT) device, as well as portable electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile communication terminal, an electronic notebook, an electronic book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and an ultra mode PC (UMPC). Also, the electronic apparatus1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be used in wearable devices, such as a smart watch, a watch phone, a glasses-type display, and a head-mounted display (HMD). Also, the electronic apparatus1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be used as: a gauge of a vehicle, a center fascia of a vehicle, or a center information display on a dashboard; a room mirror display substituting a side-view mirror of a vehicle; or a display disposed on a rear surface of a front seat, as an entertainment device for a backseat of a vehicle.FIG.1illustrates the electronic apparatus1, which is used as a smartphone, for convenience of explanation.

Referring toFIG.1, the electronic apparatus1may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA that is disposed beyond the display area DA. The electronic apparatus1may provide an image through a plurality of pixel arrays that are two-dimensionally arranged in the display area DA.

The non-display area NDA is an area not displaying an image (e.g., not including display pixels) and may completely, or partially, surround the display area DA. In the non-display area NDA, a driver, etc. for providing an electrical signal or power to display elements arranged in the display area DA may be arranged. In the non-display area NDA, a pad, to which an electronic element, a printed circuit board, etc. may be electrically connected, may be arranged.

The display area DA may include a first display area DA1, a second display area D2, and a third display area DA3. The second display area DA2and the third display area DA3may be areas in which components for adding various functions to the electronic apparatus1may be arranged, and the second display area DA2may correspond to a component area. The first display area DA1might be free of such components.

FIGS.2and3are perspective views of a foldable electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, whereinFIG.2shows a folded state of the foldable electronic apparatus andFIG.3shows an unfolded state of the foldable electronic apparatus.

The electronic apparatus1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be a foldable electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus1may be folded about a folding axis FAX. The display area DA may be located at an outer portion and/or an inner portion of the electronic apparatus1. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIGS.2and3respectively illustrate that the display area DA is located at the outer portion and the inner portion of the electronic apparatus1.

Referring toFIG.2, the display area DA may be disposed at the outer portion of the electronic apparatus1. An outer surface of the electronic apparatus1, which is foldable, may include the display area DA, and the display area DA may include: the first display area DA1occupying a greatest area of the display area DA; and the second and third display areas D2and D3having less areas than the first display area DA1.

Referring toFIG.3, the display area DA may be disposed at the inner portion of the electronic apparatus1. An inner surface of the electronic apparatus1, which is foldable, may include the display area DA, and the display area DA may include: the first display area DA1occupying a greatest area of the display area DA; and the second and third display areas D2and D3having less areas than the first display area DA1.

FIG.3illustrates that the first display area DA1may include a left display area DA1L and a right display area DA1R that are respectively located at opposite sides of the folding axis FAX, and the second and third display areas D2and D3may be located in the left display area DA1L. However, the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may be disposed in the right display area DA1R. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may be disposed in the left display area DA1L, and the other may be disposed in the right display area DA1R.

As illustrated inFIGS.1,2, and3, an area of each of the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may be less than an area of the first display area DA1. The second display area DA2and the third display area DA3may have different sizes (e.g., areas) from each other. With respect to this aspect,FIGS.1and2illustrate that the size (e.g., the area) of the second display area DA2is less than the size (e.g., the area) of the third display area DA3.

FIGS.1through3illustrate that each of the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may be completely surrounded by the first display area DA1. However, the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.FIG.4is a schematic plan view of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.4, each of the second and third display areas DA2and DA3may be partially surrounded by the first display area DA1.

FIGS.5A and5Bare cross-sectional views of a portion of the electronic apparatus1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.5A and5B, the electronic apparatus1may include a display panel10and a component disposed below the display panel10overlapping the display panel10. The a component may correspond to the second display area DA2. As illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, a first component41may be disposed in the second display area DA2, and a second component42may be disposed in the third display area DA3.

The display panel10may include a substrate100, a thin-film transistor TFT disposed on the substrate100, a display element (for example, a light-emitting diode LED) electrically connected to the thin-film transistor TFT, an encapsulation layer300covering the display element, an input sensing layer400, a reflection prevention layer600, and a window700.

The substrate100may include glass or polymer resins. The substrate100including polymer resins may be flexible, foldable, rollable, or bendable. The substrate100may have a multi-layered structure including a layer including the polymer resins described above and an inorganic layer.

A lower protection film PB may be disposed on a lower surface of the substrate100. The lower protection film PB may be coupled to the lower surface of the substrate100. An adhesive layer may be arranged between the lower protection film PB and the substrate100. Alternatively, the lower protection film PB may be directly formed on the lower surface of the substrate100, and in this case, the adhesive layer might not be arranged between the lower protection film PB and the substrate100.

The lower protection film PB may support and protect the substrate100. The lower protection film PB may include openings PB-OP1and PB-OP2corresponding to the second display area DA2and the third display area DA3, respectively. The lower protection film PB may include an organic insulating material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide (PI).

The thin-film transistor TFT and the light-emitting diode LED, which is a display element electrically connected to the thin-film transistor TFT, may be disposed on an upper surface of the substrate100. The light-emitting diode LED may be an organic light-emitting diode including an organic material. The organic light-emitting diode may emit red, green, and/or blue light.

The light-emitting diode LED may be an inorganic light-emitting diode including an inorganic material. The inorganic light-emitting diode may include a PN junction diode including inorganic semiconductor-based materials. When a voltage is applied to the PN junction diode in a normal direction, holes and electrons may be injected into the PN junction diode, and energy generated by recombination of holes and the electrons may be converted into light energy to emit a certain color of light. The inorganic light-emitting diode described above may have a width that is several to hundreds of micrometers or several to hundreds of nanometers (or may be between several nanometers and several hundreds of micrometers). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the light-emitting diode LED may include a quantum dot light-emitting diode. An emission layer of the light-emitting diode LED may include an organic material, an inorganic material, quantum dots, an organic material and quantum dots, or an inorganic material and quantum dots.

The light-emitting diode LED may be electrically connected to the thin-film transistor TFT disposed therebelow. The thin-film transistor TFT and the light-emitting diode LED may be disposed in each of the first through third display areas DA1through DA3.

A transmission area may be located in the second display area DA2and the third display area DA3. As illustrated inFIG.5A, a transmission area TA1(hereinafter, referred to as a first transmission area) between adjacent light-emitting diodes LEDs may be disposed in the second display area DA2, and a transmission area TA2(hereinafter, referred to as a second transmission area) between adjacent light-emitting diodes LEDs may be disposed in the third display area DA3.

The first and second transmission areas TA1and TA2may be areas through which light emitted from and/or progressing toward the first and second components41and42may be transmitted, respectively. In the display panel10, a transmission rate of the transmission area TA may be about equal to or greater than about 30%, equal to or greater than about 40%, equal to or greater than about 50%, equal to or greater than about 60%, equal to or greater than about 70%, equal to or greater than about 75%, equal to or greater than about 80%, equal to or greater than about 85%, or equal to or greater than about 90%.

Each of the first and second components41and42may include: a sensor, such as a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, an iris sensor, or a face recognition sensor; and a camera (or an image sensor). Each of the first and second components41and42may generate and/or sense light. For example, the first and second components41and42may emit and/or receive light of bands of infrared light, ultraviolet light, and visible light. A proximity sensor using infrared light may detect an object arranged near to an upper surface of the electronic apparatus1, and an illumination sensor may detect a brightness of light incident into the upper surface of the electronic apparatus1. Also, an iris sensor may capture an image of an iris of a human above the upper surface of the electronic apparatus1, and a camera may receive light with respect to an object arranged on the upper surface of the electronic apparatus1.

The first and second components41and42may be different from each other. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first component41may include a sensor, such as a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, an iris sensor, and a face recognition sensor, and the second component42may include a camera (or an image sensor).

In order to prevent the degradation of the function of the thin-film transistor TFT disposed in the second display area DA2and/or the third display area DA3due to light transmitted through the first transmission area TA1and/or the second transmission area TA2, a light blocking metal layer BML may be disposed between the substrate100and the thin-film transistor TFT. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.5Billustrates that the light blocking metal layer BML may be located in the third display area DA3. The light blocking metal layer BML may include an opening BML-OP corresponding to (e.g., overlapping/exactly overlapping) the second transmission area TA2. The light blocking metal layer BML might not be located in the first display area DA1and the second display area DA2. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light blocking metal layer including an opening corresponding to the first transmission area TA1may be arranged in the second display area DA2.

The encapsulation layer300may cover the light-emitting diodes LEDs. The encapsulation layer300may include at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer.

The input sensing layer400may be formed on the encapsulation layer300. The input sensing layer400may obtain coordinate information according to an external input, for example, a touch event of a finger or an object such as a stylus pen. The input sensing layer400may include a touch electrode and trace lines connected to the touch electrode. The input sensing layer400may sense the external input by using a mutual cap method or a self-cap method.

The reflection prevention layer600may reduce a reflectivity of light (e.g., external light) that is incident toward the display panel10from the outside. The reflection prevention layer600may include a light blocking layer610, color filters620, and an overcoat layer630. The light blocking layer610may include openings610OP overlapping the light-emitting diodes LED in the first through third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3, and the color filters620may be arranged in the openings610OP, respectively.

The light blocking layer610may include an opening portion (hereinafter, referred to as a transmissive opening portion) corresponding to the transmission area, for example, the first and second transmission areas TA1and TA2. The light blocking layer610may include, as illustrated inFIG.5A, a first transmissive opening portion610A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1provided in the second display area DA2, and may include, as illustrated inFIG.5B, a second transmissive opening portion610B corresponding to the second transmission area TA2provided in the third display area DA3.

The overcoat layer630may include a colorless transmissive material, and a portion of the overcoat layer630may at least partially fill the first and second transmissive opening portions610A and610B.

The window700may be disposed on the reflection prevention layer600. The window700may be coupled to the reflection prevention layer600via an adhesive layer, such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA). The window700may include a glass material or a plastic material. The glass material may include ultra-thin glass. The plastic material may include polyether sulfone, polyacrylate, polyether imide, polyethylene naphthalate, PET, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, PI, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate propionate, or the like.

FIG.6is a plan view of an input sensing layer of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the input sensing layer, taken along line VII-VII′ ofFIG.6,FIG.8Ais an enlarged plan view of region VIIIa ofFIG.6, andFIG.8Bis an enlarged plan view of region VIIIb ofFIG.6.

The input sensing layer400may include a plurality of touch electrodes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.6illustrates that the touch electrodes may include first touch electrodes410and second touch electrodes420. The first touch electrodes410and the second touch electrodes420may be arranged in the display area and may cross each other.

The first touch electrodes410may be arranged in a y direction, and the second touch electrodes420may be arranged in an x direction crossing the y direction. The first touch electrodes410arranged in the y direction may be connected to each other via a first connection electrode411between an adjacent pair of the first touch electrodes410. The second touch electrodes420arranged in the x direction may be connected to each other via a second connection electrode421between an adjacent pair of the second touch electrodes420.

The first touch electrodes410and the second touch electrodes420may have a conductive mesh pattern as illustrated inFIGS.6,8A, and8B. For example, the conductive mesh pattern of the first touch electrode410may include conductive lines ML1(hereinafter, referred to as first conductive lines), and the conductive mesh pattern of the second touch electrode420may include conductive lines ML2(hereinafter, referred to as second conductive lines) insulated from the first conductive lines ML1. The first conductive lines ML1and the second conductive lines ML2may include Mo, Mb, Ag, Ti, Cu, Al, and/or an alloy thereof.

Each of the first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420may have the conductive mesh pattern, and thus, may include holes (hereinafter, referred to as mesh holes MH) as illustrated inFIGS.8A and8B. Each of the mesh holes MH may be defined by being completely surrounded by the conductive lines corresponding thereto, and the mesh holes MH may be spaced apart from each other.

Like the first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420, the first connection electrode411and the second connection electrode412may include conductive mesh patterns including conductive lines. The conductive lines of the first and second connection electrodes411and412may also include mesh holes as illustrated inFIGS.8A and8B.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the input sensing layer400may include a first touch insulating layer401, a first conductive layer CML1, a second touch insulating layer403, a second conductive layer CML2, and a third touch insulating layer405. The first conductive layer CML1may include the first connection electrode411, and the second conductive layer CML2may include the first touch electrode410, the second touch electrode420, and the second connection electrode421. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, any one of the first and second touch electrodes410and420may be provided in the first conductive layer CML1and the other may be provided in the second conductive layer CML2. The first through third touch insulating layers401,403, and405may include an insulating material. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first through third touch insulating layers401,403, and405may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first through third touch insulating layers401,403, and405may include an organic insulating material.

FIG.9is a plan view of a first display area DA1taken from a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.10is a plan view of a second display area DA2taken from the display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.9, first emission areas EA1, second emission areas EA2, and third emission areas EA3may be disposed in the first display area DA1. The first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may emit different color light from one another by using various light-emitting diodes. One of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may correspond to a red emission area, another may correspond to a green emission area, and the other may correspond to a blue emission area.

Sizes of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may respectively be defined by a plurality of openings included in a bank layer. For example, the first emission area EA1may be defined by a first opening123OP1of the bank layer, the second emission area EA2may be defined by a second opening123OP2of the bank layer, and the third emission area EA3may be defined by a third opening123OP3of the bank layer.

The first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be disposed as a Pentile™ type, for example, a diamond Pentile™ type. Here, Pentile™ is an arrangement of five sub-pixels used in some display devices marketed by Samsung. The third emission areas EA3and the first emission areas EA1may be alternately disposed in a first row1N in an x direction, the second emission areas EA2may be spaced apart from each other in a second row2N adjacent to the first row1N, the first emission areas EA1and the third emission areas EA3may be alternately disposed in a third row3N adjacent to the second row2N, and the second emission areas EA2may be spaced apart from each other in a fourth row4N adjacent to the third row3N. These arrangements of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be repeated to an Nthrow. Here, the size (or the width) of the third emission area EA3and the first emission area EA1may be greater than the size (or the width) of the second emission area EA2.

The third emission areas EA3and the first emission areas EA1disposed in the first row1N may be misaligned with the second emissions area EA2disposed in the second row2N. Thus, the third emission areas EA3and the first emission areas EA1may be alternately disposed in a first column1M, the second emission areas EA2may be spaced apart from each other in a second column2M adjacent to the first column1M, the first emission areas EA1and the third emission areas EA3may be alternately disposed in a third column3M adjacent to the second column2M, and the second emission areas EA2may be spaced apart from each other in a fourth column4M adjacent to the third column3M, wherein these arrangements of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be repeated to an Mthcolumn.

To express these arrangements of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3in a different way, the first emission areas EA1may be disposed at a first vertex and a third vertex that diagonally face each other of a virtual square VS, a center point of which corresponds to a center point of the second emission area EA2, and the third emission areas EA3may be disposed at a second vertex and a fourth vertex that are the other vertexes of the virtual square VS. Here, the virtual square VS may be variously modified to include a rectangular shape, a diamond shape, a square shape, etc.

These arrangements of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be referred to as a Pentile™ matrix structure or a Pentile™ structure. By implementing rendering that represents a color by sharing adjacent emission areas, high resolution may be realized with a small number of emission areas.

Referring toFIG.10, first emission areas EA1, second emission areas EA2, and third emission areas EA3emitting different color light from one another may be disposed in the second display area DA2. Sizes of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be respectively defined by the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3of the bank layer, as described above.

The first display area DA1and the second display area DA2may have the same resolution. For example, based on a same area of the first and second display areas DA1and DA2, an arrangement, an aperture ratio, and/or the number of first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3in the second display area DA2, may be the same as an arrangement, an aperture ratio, and/or the number of first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3in the first display area DA1. The emission areas, for example, the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3, may each include a light-emitting diode, and thus, that the arrangement and/or the number of emission areas are (is) the same may indicate that an arrangement and/or the number of light-emitting diodes are (is) the same. For example, based on a same area between the first and second display areas DA1and DA2, the arrangement and/or the number of light-emitting diodes arranged in the first display area DA1may be the same as the arrangement and/or the number of light-emitting diodes arranged in the second display area DA2.

The second display area DA2may include a first transmission area TA1, unlike the first display area DA1. The first transmission area TA1may be disposed between adjacent emission areas. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first transmission area TA1may be disposed in any one of two adjacent rows in a row direction (the x direction) and disposed in any one of two adjacent columns in a column direction (a y direction). For example, as illustrated inFIG.10, the first transmission area TA1may be disposed in a second row2N and a fourth row4N and a first column1M and a third column3M. The bank layer may include the light blocking material as described above. Thus, the bank layer may include an opening portion123A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1as illustrated inFIG.10.

Referring toFIGS.9and10, each of the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be surrounded by a conductive line of a touch electrode. As illustrated inFIGS.9and10, the touch electrode, for example, the first touch electrode410, may include a conductive mesh pattern including first conductive lines ML1. The first conductive lines ML1may include first sub-conductive lines ML1aextending in a first diagonal direction ob1(a direction forming an acute angle with the x direction and the y direction) and second sub-conductive lines ML1bextending in a second diagonal direction ob2(a direction crossing the first diagonal direction). A plurality of mesh holes MH may be formed by crossing structures of the first sub-conductive lines ML1aand the second sub-conductive lines ML1bthat are integrally formed with each other. Each of the mesh holes MH may have a boundary line of a closed-loop shape, and the mesh holes MH may be spaced apart from each other in a plan view and spatially separated from each other.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIG.10, the second touch electrode420may be arranged in the second display area DA2. The second touch electrode420may include a conductive mesh pattern including second conductive lines ML2. For example, the second conductive lines ML2may include first sub-conductive lines ML2aextending in a first diagonal direction ob1and second sub-conductive lines ML2bextending in a second diagonal direction ob2. A plurality of mesh holes MH may be formed by crossing structures of the first sub-conductive lines ML2aand the second sub-conductive lines ML2bof the second conductive lines ML2, which are integrally formed with each other. Each of the mesh holes MH of the second touch electrode420may have a boundary line of a closed-loop shape, and the mesh holes MH may be spaced apart from each other in a plan view and spatially separated from each other.

The first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420may be electrically insulated from each other. With respect to this aspect,FIG.10illustrates that the first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420may be physically apart from each other. Each of the emission areas, for example, the first and second emission areas EA1and EA2illustrated inFIG.10, disposed in a space between the first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420, may be located in a hole (hereinafter, referred to as a space hole MH′) formed between a portion of the second conductive line ML2and a portion of the first conductive line ML1, the portions being adjacent to each other. The space hole MH′ may be defined by a portion of the first conductive line ML1and a portion of the second conductive line ML2, and the space holes MH′ adjacent to each other may be spatially connected to each other in a plan view.

In the second display area DA2, the first transmission area TA1may be located in the same mesh hole MH as any one emission area. With respect to this configuration,FIG.10illustrates that the first emission area EA1and the first transmission area TA1may be located in the same mesh hole MH, and the third emission area EA3and the first transmission area TA1may be located in the same mesh hole MH. The first emission area EA1and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH may be, in a plan view, completely surrounded by a portion of the conductive line, for example, the first conductive line ML1, of the touch electrode. Likewise, the third emission area EA3and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH may be, in a plan view, completely surrounded by a portion of the conductive line, for example, the first conductive line ML1, of the touch electrode.

By disposing the first transmission area TA1while maintaining resolutions (for example, the number and/or an area of the emission areas for a same area) of the first display area DA1and the second display area DA2to be the same as each other, a size and a planar shape of the mesh hole MH located in the second display area DA2may be different from a size and a planar shape of the mesh hole MH located in the first display area DA1. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second emission area EA2illustrated inFIG.10may be located in the mesh hole MH corresponding to the second emission area EA2and not including the first transmission area TA1, and a size (or a width) of the mesh hole MH corresponding to the second emission area EA2of the second display area DA2may be less than a size (or a width) of the mesh hole MH corresponding to the second emission area EA2of the first display area DA1illustrated inFIG.9.

The light blocking layer610may be disposed on the touch electrodes ofFIGS.9and10. The light blocking layer610may cover the conductive lines of the touch electrodes (for example, the first and second touch electrodes410and420) and may include openings or opening portions corresponding to the first through third emission areas and the first transmission area T1. With respect to this configuration,FIGS.9and10illustrate that the light blocking layer610may include first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3and a first transmissive opening portion610A, wherein the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3may respectively correspond to the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3located in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2, and the first transmissive opening portion610A may correspond to the first transmission area TA1.

In a plan view, the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3of the light blocking layer610may be spaced apart from one another, and the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3may overlap the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3of the bank layer, respectively, the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3defining the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3, respectively. Sizes (or widths) of the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3of the light blocking layer610may be greater than sizes (or widths) of the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3of the bank layer, the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3respectively defining the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3.

In a plan view, the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may overlap the opening portion123A of the bank layer. A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be less than a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer corresponding to the first transmission area TA1.

FIG.11is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the display panel, taken along line XI-XI′ ofFIGS.9and10.FIG.11illustrates a cross-sectional structure of adjacent emission areas in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2. InFIG.11, the second emission area EA2and the third emission area EA3are illustrated.FIG.11illustrates a case in which the second emission area EA2of the display panel may emit light by using a second organic light-emitting diode OLED2, and the third emission area EA3may emit light by using a third organic light-emitting diode OLED3.

Referring toFIG.11, the second organic light-emitting diode OLED2and the third organic light-emitting diode OLED3may be formed on the substrate100. The substrate100may include a glass material or polymer resins. When the substrate100includes polymer resins, the substrate100may include a stack structure including a base layer including the polymer resins and a barrier layer including an inorganic insulating material.

A buffer layer111may be disposed on the substrate100. The buffer layer111may reduce or prevent the penetration of impurities, moisture, or external substances from below the substrate100. The buffer layer111may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride, and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the inorganic insulating materials described above.

Each of the second organic light-emitting diode OLED2and the third organic light-emitting diode OLED3may be electrically connected to a pixel circuit PC. The second organic light-emitting diode OLED2may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC between the substrate100and the second organic light-emitting diode OLED2, and the third organic light-emitting diode OLED3may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC between the substrate100and the third organic light-emitting diode OLED3.

Each pixel circuit PC may include a thin-film transistor TFT and a storage capacitor Cst. The thin-film transistor TFT may include a semiconductor layer ACT, a gate electrode GE overlapping a channel area of the semiconductor layer ACT, and a source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE connected to a source area and a drain area of the semiconductor layer ACT, respectively. A gate insulating layer113may be disposed between the semiconductor layer ACT and the gate electrode GE, and a first interlayer insulating layer115and a second interlayer insulating layer117may be disposed between the gate electrode GE and the source electrode SE or between the gate electrode GE and the drain electrode DE.

The storage capacitor Cst may overlap the thin-film transistor TFT. The storage capacitor Cst may include a lower electrode CE1and an upper electrode CE2overlapping each other. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gate electrode GE of the thin-film transistor TFT may include the lower electrode CE1of the storage capacitor Cst. The first interlayer insulating layer115may be disposed between the lower electrode CE1and the upper electrode CE2.

The semiconductor layer ACT may include polysilicon. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor layer ACT may include amorphous silicon. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor layer ACT may include an oxide semiconductor of at least one material selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Sn, Zr, V, Hf, Cd, Ge, Cr, Ti, and Zn. The semiconductor layer Act may include: a channel area; and a source area and a drain area doped with impurities.

The gate insulating layer113may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride, and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the inorganic insulating materials described above.

The gate electrode GE or the lower electrode CE1may include a low-resistance conductive material, such as Mo, Al, Cu, and/or Ti and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the materials described above.

The first interlayer insulating layer115may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride, and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the materials described above.

The upper electrode CE2may include Al, Pt, Pd, Ag, Mg, Au, Ni, Nd, Jr, Cr, Ca, Mo, Ti, W, and/or Cu and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the materials described above.

The second interlayer insulating layer117may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride, and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the materials described above.

The source electrode SE and/or the drain electrode DE may include Al, Pt, Pd, Ag, Mg, Au, Ni, Nd, Jr, Cr, Ca, Mo, Ti, W, and/or Cu and may include only a single layer or multiple layers including the materials described above. For example, the source electrode SE and/or the drain electrode DE may have a triple-layered structure including a Ti layer/an Al layer/a Ti layer.

A first organic insulating layer119may be located on the thin-film transistor TFT, and the thin-film transistor TFT may be electrically connected to a first electrode210of an organic light-emitting diode corresponding to the thin-film transistor TFT through a connection electrode CM disposed on the first organic insulating layer119. The connection electrode CM may be connected to the thin-film transistor TFT through a contact hole of the first organic insulating layer119, and the first electrode210may be connected to the connection electrode CM through a contact hole of the second organic insulating layer121.

The first organic insulating layer119and/or the second organic insulating layer121may include an organic insulating material, such as acryl, benzocyclobutene (BCB), PI, or hexamethyldisiloxame (HMDSO). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection electrode CM and the second organic insulating layer121may be omitted. In this case, the first electrode210may be directly connected to the thin-film transistor TFT through the contact hole of the first organic insulating layer119.

The second organic light-emitting diode OLED2may include an overlapping structure of the first electrode210, an emission layer222b(hereinafter, referred to as a second emission layer), and a second electrode230. The third organic light-emitting diode OLED3may include an overlapping structure of the first electrode210, an emission layer222c(hereinafter, referred to as a third emission layer), and the second electrode230. A first functional layer221and/or a second functional layer223may be included between the first electrode210and the second electrode230.

The first electrode210may be located on the second organic insulating layer121. The first electrode210may include a reflective layer including Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, or a compound thereof. The first electrode210may include a reflective layer including the materials described above and a transparent conductive layer arranged above or/and below the reflective layer. The transparent conductive layer may include indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), indium gallium oxide (IGO), or aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first electrode210may have a tri-layered structure of ITO/Ag/ITO layers.

A bank layer123may include a light blocking material. The bank layer123may have, for example, a black color. For example, the bank layer123may include a PI-based binder and a pigment in which red, green, and blue colors are combined. Alternatively, the bank layer123may include a cardo-based binder resin and a mixture of a lactam-based black pigment and a blue pigment. Alternatively, the bank layer123may include carbon black. The bank layer123may prevent the penetration of external light along with the reflection prevention layer600to be described below and may increase a contrast of the display panel.

A spacer127may be disposed on the bank layer123. The spacer127may include a material different from that of the bank layer123. For example, while the bank layer123may include a negative photosensitive material, the spacer127may include a positive photosensitive material. Also, the bank layer123and the spacer127may be formed by separate mask processes.

The second emission layer222band the third emission layer222cmay be located to correspond to the second opening123OP2and the third opening123OP3of the bank layer123, respectively, and may overlap the first electrode210. Each of the second emission layer222band the third emission layer222cmay include a high-molecular weight organic material or a low-molecular weight organic material emitting predetermined color light, and the second emission layer222band the third emission layer222cmay emit light of different colors from each other. The first functional layer221and the second functional layer223may be respectively formed below and above the second emission layer222band the third emission layer222c.

The first functional layer221may include a hole transport layer (HTL) and/or a hole injection layer (HIL). The second functional layer223may include an electron transport layer (ETL) and/or an electron injection layer (EIL). The first functional layer221and/or the second functional layer223may be formed throughout the substrate100unlike the emission layer222. In other words, the first functional layer221and/or the second functional layer223may cover the first display area DA1and the second display area DA2.

The second electrode230may include a material having a relatively high work function. For example, the second electrode230may include a transmissive thin-film including Ag and Mg or another material with a work function that is similar to or greater than that of either Ag or Mg.

The encapsulation layer300may cover the emission areas, for example, the second and third organic light-emitting diodes OLED2and OLED3. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the encapsulation layer300may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer310, a second inorganic encapsulation layer330, and an organic encapsulation layer320therebetween.

Each of the first and second inorganic encapsulation layers310and330may include one or more inorganic insulating materials. The inorganic insulating material may include aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride.

The organic encapsulation layer320may include a polymer-based material. The polymer-based material may include an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, PI, polyethylene, etc. For example, the organic encapsulation layer320may include an acryl-based resin, for example, polymethacrylate, polyacrylic acid, etc. The organic encapsulation layer320may be formed by curing a monomer or coating a polymer.

The input sensing layer400may include a first touch insulating layer401on the encapsulation layer300, a second touch insulating layer403on the first touch insulating layer401, and a third touch insulating layer405on the second touch insulating layer403. The input sensing layer400may include a touch electrode, wherein the touch electrode may include a conductive line disposed above the second touch insulating layer403and below the third touch insulating layer405. With respect to this configuration,FIG.11illustrates the first conductive line ML1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The conductive line, for example, the first conductive line ML1ofFIG.11, may include Mo, Mb, Ag, Ti, Cu, Al, and an alloy thereof. The first conductive line ML1may be covered by the light blocking layer610having a greater width than the first conductive line ML1.

The light blocking layer610may include the second opening610OP2and the third opening610OP3respectively overlapping the second and third emission areas EA2and EA3. The second and third openings610OP2and610OP3of the light blocking layer610may have greater sizes (or widths) than the second and third openings123OP2and123OP3of the bank layer123, respectively.

A second color filter622and a third color filter623may be disposed in the second and third openings610OP2and610OP3of the light blocking layer610, respectively. The second and third color filters622and623may have colors corresponding to light emitted from the second and third emission areas EA2and EA3, respectively. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second emission area EA2emits green light, the second color filter622may be a green color filter, and when the third emission area EA3emits blue light, the third color filter623may be a blue color filter.

The overcoat layer630may be disposed on the light blocking layer610and the color filters. The overcoat layer630may be a colorless transmissive layer not having a color of a band of visible light and may planarize an upper surface of the light blocking layer610and an upper surface of the color filters620. The overcoat layer630may include a colorless transmissive organic material, such as an acryl-based resin, and may be covered by the window700.

FIG.12is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line XII-XII′ ofFIG.10.

Referring toFIG.12, in the second display area DA2, the first transmission area TA1may be disposed between two emission areas in a row direction (an x direction). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIGS.10and12, the first transmission area TA1may be disposed between the second emission areas EA2emitting the same color light.

The second organic light-emitting diodes OLED2corresponding to the second emission areas EA2may be arranged on the substrate100adjacent to each other. Each second organic light-emitting diode OLED2may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC described above with reference toFIG.11, and a detailed structure of the display panel may be the same as the structure described above with reference toFIG.11. Thus, hereinafter, descriptions are given mainly based on differences.

The bank layer123may include the second openings123OP2defining the second emission areas EA2and may include the opening portion123A located between the two second openings123OP2and corresponding to the first transmission area TA1.

The input sensing layer400may be disposed on the encapsulation layer300, and a portion of the conductive line included in the touch electrode of the input sensing layer400may surround each emission area, as described above with reference toFIG.10. With respect to this configuration,FIG.12illustrates that the first conductive line ML1overlaps a material portion of the bank layer123and does not overlap the second opening123OP2of the bank layer123. The first conductive line ML1may overlap the material portion of the bank layer123and may also overlap the light blocking layer610.

The light blocking layer610may include the second opening610OP2overlapping each second emission area EA2and may include the first transmissive opening portion610A located between the two adjacent second openings610OP2and corresponding to the first transmission area TA1. The first transmissive opening portion610A may be at least partially filled with a portion of the overcoat layer630.

A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be different from a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123. For example, as illustrated inFIG.12, the size (or the width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be less than the size (or the width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123, and in this case, a size (or a width) of the first transmission area TA1may be defined by the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610, which is relatively smaller than the opening portion123A of the bank layer123.

Referring toFIG.11, a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion covering the conductive line (for example, the first conductive line ML1) located between the adjacent emission areas, may overlap two color filters having different colors. However, referring toFIG.12, a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion covering the conductive line (for example, the first conductive line ML1) located at opposite sides with the first transmission area TA1therebetween, may be covered by only one color filter. As illustrated inFIG.12, only the second color filter622may be located on portions of the light blocking layer610, the portions being located at opposite sides with the first transmission area TA1therebetween.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, two selected from the first through third color filters621,622, and623may overlap each other on the light blocking layer610, or one color filter may be located on a portion of the light blocking layer610, such as a partition portion610P (seeFIG.13, around the first transmission area TA1).

According to a comparative embodiment, when all of the first through third color filters621,622, and623overlap one another on the light blocking layer610, for example, when three color filters overlap one another, the overlapping portion may have an increased thickness, and thus, a portion of an upper surface of the overcoat layer630, the portion corresponding to the overlapping portion of the three color filters, may have increased concavo-convex portions. To reduce the concavo-convex portions of the overcoat layer630, the overcoat layer630may have an increased thickness. Thus, a general thickness of a display apparatus may be increased. However, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, two color filters selected from the three color filters may overlap each other or only one color filter may be located, on the light blocking layer610, and thus, the problem described above may be prevented or minimized.

FIG.13is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line XIII-XIII′ ofFIG.10.

Referring toFIG.13, the first organic light-emitting diode OLED1corresponding to the first emission area EA1may be disposed on the substrate100, and the first organic light-emitting diode OLED1may include an emission layer222a(hereinafter, referred to as a first emission layer) capable of emitting different color light from the second and third emission layers222band222cdescribed above. Structures above and below the first emission layer222a, the first organic light-emitting diodes OLED1each electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC, etc. are the same as described above with reference toFIG.11. Thus, hereinafter, different aspects are mainly described.

The bank layer123may include the first opening123OP1defining the first emission area EA1and the opening portion123A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1.

The input sensing layer400may be disposed on the encapsulation layer300, and the conductive line included in the touch electrode of the input sensing layer400may surround any one emission area and the first transmission area TA1, as described above with reference toFIG.10. With respect to this aspect,FIG.13illustrates that the first emission area EA1and the first transmission area TA1may be disposed in one mesh hole MH surrounded by the first conductive line ML1.

The light blocking layer610may cover the conductive line, and a portion of the light blocking layer610may extend between the emission area and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH. With respect to this aspect,FIGS.10and13illustrate that the light blocking layer610may include a portion (hereinafter, referred to as the partition portion610P) between the first emission area EA1and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH. The first opening610OP1and the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be located at opposite sides, respectively, with the partition portion610P therebetween.

A size (or a width) of the first opening610OP1of the light blocking layer610may be greater than a size (or a width) of the first opening123OP1of the bank layer123. A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be less than a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123.

A color filter corresponding to the light emitted from the first emission area EA1, for example, the first color filter621, may be arranged in the first opening610OP1of the light blocking layer610. Unlike other portions of the light blocking layer610, the conductive line corresponding to the touch electrode might not be arranged below the partition portion610P of the light blocking layer610, and the partition portion610P may overlap only one arbitrary color filter. For example, as illustrated inFIG.13, any one selected from the first through third color filters, for example, only the first color filter621adjacent to the partition portion610P, may be located on the partition portion610P.

FIG.14is a plan view of a first display area DA1taken from a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.15is a plan view of a second display area DA2taken from the display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be disposed in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2. The first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3may be disposed as a Pentile™ type, for example, a diamond Pentile™ type. A resolution of the second display area DA2illustrated inFIG.15may be the same as a resolution of the first display area DA1illustrated inFIG.14. For example, based on a same area of the first and second display areas DA1and DA2, an arrangement, an aperture ratio, and/or the number of first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3in the second display area DA2may be the same as an arrangement, an aperture ratio, and/or the number of first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3in the first display area DA1.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, a touch electrode, for example, the first touch electrode410having a conductive mesh pattern, may be located in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2. The first conductive lines ML1of the first touch electrode410may include the first sub-conductive lines ML1aextending in the first diagonal direction ob1and the second sub-conductive lines ML1bextending in the second diagonal direction ob2. The mesh holes MH may be formed by crossing structures of the first sub-conductive lines ML1aand the second sub-conductive lines ML1b, and one emission area may be located in each mesh hole HM.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIG.15, the second touch electrodes420, spaced apart from the first touch electrodes410and having a conductive mesh pattern, may be located in the second display area DA2. The second touch electrode420may include the first and second sub-conductive lines ML2aand ML2b, and one emission area may be located in each of mesh holes MH formed by crossing structures of the first and second sub-conductive lines ML2aand ML2b. Also, the space hole MH′ may be formed in an area between the first touch electrode410and the second touch electrode420, and one emission area may be located in the space hole MH′, as described above with reference toFIG.10.

The light blocking layer610may cover the conductive lines of the touch electrodes and may include the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3respectively corresponding to the first through third emission areas EA1, EA2, and EA3, and the first transmissive opening portion610A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1, as described above with reference toFIGS.9and10.

The first opening123OP1of the bank layer and the first opening610OP1of the light blocking layer610defining the first emission area EA1may be located in the same mesh hole MH, the second opening123OP2of the bank layer and the second opening610OP2of the light blocking layer610defining the second emission area EA2may be located in the same mesh hole MH, and the third opening123OP3of the bank layer and the third opening610OP3of the light blocking layer610defining the third emission area EA3may be located in the same mesh hole MH.

In a plan view, the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3of the light blocking layer610may overlap the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3of the bank layer, respectively. Sizes (or widths) of the first through third openings610OP1,610OP2, and610OP3of the light blocking layer610may be greater than sizes (or widths) of the first through third openings123OP1,123OP2, and123OP3of the bank layer, respectively.

In a plan view, the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may overlap the opening123A of the bank layer. A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be greater than a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer corresponding to the first transmission area TA1.

FIG.16is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line XVI-XVI′ ofFIGS.14and15.FIG.16illustrates a cross-sectional structure of adjacent emission areas in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2and illustrates the second emission area EA2and the third emission area EA3. A structure of the display panel illustrated inFIG.16may be substantially the same as the structure of the display panel described above with reference toFIG.11, and thus, hereinafter, different aspects are mainly described.

Referring toFIG.16, three color filters having different colors from one another may overlap one another on the light blocking layer610located between adjacent light emission areas emitting different color light from each other, in the first and second display areas DA1and DA2. As illustrated inFIG.16, the second and third color filters622and623may be located on a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion covering the first conductive line ML1between the second emission area EA2and the third emission area EA3, and may be spaced apart from each other. The second and third color filters622and623located on the portion of the light blocking layer610may overlap the first color filter621having a different color therefrom. Each of the second and third color filters622and623may overlap the first color filter621. According to a comparative embodiment, when all of the first through third color filters621,622, and623overlap one another, for example, when three color filters overlap one another, the overlapping portion may have an increased thickness, and thus, a portion of an upper surface of the overcoat layer630, the portion corresponding to the overlapping portion of the three color filters, may have increased concavo-convex portions. To reduce the concavo-convex portions of the overcoat layer630, the overcoat layer630may have an increased thickness. Thus, a general thickness of a display apparatus may be increased. However, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, two color filters selected from the three color filters may overlap each other or only one color filter may be located on the light blocking layer610and thus, the problem described above may be prevented or minimized.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an area of the light blocking layer601, on which two color filters overlap each other, for example, an overlapping area of the first color filter621and the second color filter622, might not overlap the first conductive line ML1, to effectively control the concavo-convex portions and the thickness of the overcoat layer630. Likewise, an overlapping area of the light blocking layer601, on which the first color filter621and the third color filter623overlap each other, might not overlap the first conductive line ML1, to effectively control the concavo-convex portions and the thickness of the overcoat layer630.

FIG.17is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line XVII-XVII′ ofFIG.15.

In the second display area DA2, the first transmission area TA1may be disposed between two emission areas in a row direction (an x direction). With respect to this aspect,FIG.17illustrates that the first transmission area TA1may be disposed between the first emission area EA1and the third emission area EA3.

The first and third organic light-emitting diodes OLED1and OLED3corresponding to the first and third emission areas EA1and EA3, respectively, may be arranged on the substrate100adjacent to each other. Each of the first and third organic light-emitting diodes OLED1and OLED3may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC as described above with reference toFIG.11, and a detailed structure of the display panel is the same as described above with reference toFIG.11. Thus, hereinafter, descriptions are given mainly based on different aspects.

The bank layer123may include the first and third openings123OP1and123OP3defining the first and third emission areas EA1and EA3, respectively, and the opening portion123A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1may be disposed between the first and third openings123OP1and123OP3.

The input sensing layer400may be disposed on the encapsulation layer300, and the conductive lines included in the touch electrodes of the input sensing layer400may surround each emission area, as illustrated inFIG.15. With respect to this aspect,FIG.17illustrates that the first conductive line ML1may overlap a material portion of the bank layer123. The first conductive line ML1may overlap the material portion of the bank layer123and may also overlap the light blocking layer610.

The light blocking layer610may include the first and third openings610OP1and610OP3overlapping the first and third openings123OP1and123OP3of the bank layer123, respectively, and may include the first transmissive opening portion610A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1and located between the first and third openings610OP1and610OP3adjacent to each other. The first transmissive opening portion610A may be at least partially filled with a portion of the overcoat layer630.

A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be different from a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123. For example, as illustrated inFIG.17, the size (or the width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be greater than the size (or the width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123, and in this case, a size (or a width) of the first transmission area TA1may be defined by the opening portion123A of the bank layer123, which is relatively smaller than the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610.

As illustrated inFIG.16, a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion covering the conductive line (for example, the first conductive line ML1) located between the adjacent emission areas, may overlap the plurality of color filters. However, referring toFIG.17, a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion covering the conductive line (for example, the first conductive line ML1) located at opposite sides of the first transmission area TA1, may be covered by only one color filter. As illustrated inFIG.17, a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion being located at a side of the first transmission area TA1, may be covered by only the third color filter623, and a portion of the light blocking layer610, the portion being located at the other side, may be covered by only the first color filter621.

FIG.18is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line XVIII-XVIII′ ofFIG.15.

Referring toFIG.18, the second organic light-emitting diode OLED2corresponding to the second emission area EA2may be disposed on the substrate100, and the second organic light-emitting diode OLED2may be electrically connected to the pixel circuit PC.

The bank layer123may include the second opening123OP2defining the second emission area EA2and the opening portion123A corresponding to the first transmission area TA1.

The input sensing layer400may be disposed on the encapsulation layer300, and the conductive line included in the touch electrode of the input sensing layer400may surround any one emission area and the first transmission area TA1as described above with reference toFIG.15. With respect to this aspect,FIG.18illustrates that the second emission area EA2and the first transmission area TA1may be disposed in one mesh hole MH surrounded by the first conductive line ML1.

The light blocking layer610may cover the conductive line (for example, the first conductive line ML1), and a portion of the light blocking layer610may extend between an emission area and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH. With respect to this aspect,FIGS.15and18illustrate a portion of the light blocking layer610(hereinafter, referred to as the partition portion610P), the portion being located between the second emission area EA2and the first transmission area TA1located in the same mesh hole MH. The second opening610OP2and the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be located at opposite sides with the partition portion610P therebetween.

A size (or a width) of the second opening610OP2of the light blocking layer610may be greater than a size (or a width) of the second opening123OP2of the bank layer123. A size (or a width) of the first transmissive opening portion610A of the light blocking layer610may be greater than a size (or a width) of the opening portion123A of the bank layer123.

A color filter corresponding to the light emitted from the second emission area EA2, for example, the second color filter622, may be arranged in the second opening610OP2of the light blocking layer610. Unlike other portions of the light blocking layer610, the conductive line corresponding to the touch electrode might not be disposed below the partition portion610P of the light blocking layer610, and the partition portion610P may overlap only one arbitrary color filter. For example, as illustrated inFIG.18, any one selected from the first through third color filters, for example, only the second color filter622adjacent to the partition portion610P, may be located on the partition portion610P.

It is described with reference toFIGS.1through18that the reflection prevention layer600may include the light blocking layer610, and the first through third color filters621through623may be arranged in the first through third openings610OP1through610OP3of the light blocking layer610, respectively. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the reflection prevention layer600may include a reflection adjustment layer arranged on the light blocking layer610, rather than the first through third color filters621through623. The reflection adjustment layer may selectively absorb light of a wavelength in a band from light reflected from the inside of a display apparatus or light incident from the outside of the display apparatus.

It is illustrated inFIGS.9through18that the first color filter621may be arranged in the first opening610OP1of the light blocking layer610, the second color filter622may be arranged in the second opening610OP2of the light blocking layer610, and the third color filter623may be arranged in the third opening610OP3of the light blocking layer610. However, according to another embodiment, the reflection adjustment layer may be arranged in each of the first through third openings610OP1through610OP3of the light blocking layer610.

For example, the reflection adjustment layer may absorb a first wavelength region of about 490 nm to about 505 nm and a second wavelength region of about 585 nm to about 600 nm, and thus, a light transmission rate in the first wavelength region and the second wavelength region may be less than or equal to about 40%. The reflection adjustment layer may absorb light of a wavelength deviating from a wavelength range of red, green, and blue light emitted from the light-emitting diodes (for example, the first through third organic light-emitting diodes OLED1through OLED3) arranged in the first through third emission areas EA1through EA3, respectively. As described above, because the reflection adjustment layer may absorb the light of the wavelength not included in the wavelength range of the red, green, or blue light emitted from the light-emitting diodes, brightness reduction of the display apparatus may be prevented or minimized, and at the same time, degradation of emission efficiency of the display apparatus may be prevented or minimized and visibility may be improved.

The reflection adjustment layer may include an organic material layer including a dye, a pigment, or a combination thereof. The reflection adjustment layer may include a tetra aza porphyrin (TAP)-based compound, a porphyrin-based compound, a metal porphyrin-based compound, an oxazine-based compound, a squarylium-based compound, a triarylmethane-based compound, a polymethine-based compound, a anthraquinone-based compound, a phthalocyanine-based compound, an azo-based compound, a perylene-based compound, a xanthene-based compound, a dimonium-based compound, a dipyrromethene-based compound, a cyanine-based compound, and a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, the reflection adjustment layer may have a transmission rate of about 64% to about 72%. The transmission rate of the reflection adjustment layer may be adjusted according to a content of the dye and/or the pigment included in the reflection adjustment layer. The reflection adjustment layer may be arranged in the first through third emission areas EA1through EA3but may not be arranged in the transmission area TA. The light blocking layer610may include the first transmissive opening portion610A in the transmission area TA, and a portion of the overcoat layer630, rather than the reflection adjustment layer, may be arranged in the first transmissive opening portion610A.

According to an embodiment in which the reflection adjustment layer is provided, a capping layer and a low reflection layer may be additionally formed between the second electrode230of the light-emitting diode and the encapsulation layer300.

The capping layer may improve the emission efficiency of the light-emitting diode based on the constructive interference principle. The capping layer may include, for example, a material having a refractivity that is greater than or equal to about 1.6 with respect to light having a wavelength of about 589 nm.

The capping layer may include an organic capping layer including an organic material, an inorganic capping layer including an inorganic material, or a composite capping layer including an organic material and an inorganic material. For example, the capping layer may include a carbocyclic compound, a heterocyclic compound, an amine-group-containing compound, porphine derivatives, phthalocyanine derivatives, naphthalocyanine derivatives, an alkali metal complex, an alkali earth metal complex, or an arbitrary combination thereof. The carbocyclic compound, the heterocyclic compound, and the amine-group-containing compound may be selectively substituted by a substituent including O, N, S, Se, Si, F, Cl, Br, I, or an arbitrary combination thereof.

The low reflection layer may be arranged on the capping layer. The low reflection layer may include an inorganic material having a low reflectivity. According to an embodiment, the low reflection layer may include a metal or a metal oxide. When the low reflection layer includes a metal, the low reflection layer may include, for example, Yb, Bi, Co, Mo, Ti, Zr, Al, Cr, Nb, Pt, W, In, Sn, Fe, Ni, Ta, Mn, Zn, Ge, Ag, Mg, Au, Cu, Ca, or a combination thereof. Also, when the low reflection layer includes a metal oxide, the low reflection layer may include, for example, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, HfO2, Al2O3, ZnO, Y2O3, BeO, MgO, PbO2, WO3, SiNx, LiF, CaF2, MgF2, CdS, or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, an absorption coefficient (k) of the inorganic material included in the low reflection layer may be less than or equal to 4.0 and greater than or equal to 0.5 (0.5≤k≤4.0). Also, the inorganic material included in the low reflection layer may have a refractivity (n) that is greater than or equal to 1 (n≥1.0).

The low reflection layer may derive extinction interference between light incident into the display apparatus and light reflected from the metal arranged in a lower portion of the low reflection layer, thereby reducing the reflectivity of external light. Thus, by reducing the reflectivity of external light of the display apparatus by using the low reflection layer, the display quality and visibility of the display apparatus may be improved.

According to an embodiment, the capping layer may be omitted, and the low reflection layer may contact the second electrode230of the light-emitting diode.

As described above, according to the one or more of the above embodiments of the present disclosure, the second display area, in which components are arranged, might not have the degradation of resolution, while sufficiently securing the transmission area. Also, the concavo-convex portions of the upper surface of the reflection prevention layer including the color filters may be minimized by using the structure of the light blocking layer and the bank layer. Simultaneously, display quality, such as an increased contrast, may be sufficiently obtained. However, these objectives are examples and do not necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

It should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not necessarily as limiting. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.