Patent ID: 12250865

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary aspects will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, when a first component (or area, layer, part, etc.) is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled with” a second component, it means that the first component can be directly connected to/coupled with the second component, or a third component can be disposed between the first and second components.

The same reference numerals refer to the same components. In addition, in the drawings, the thickness, proportion, and dimensions of the components are exaggerated for effective description of the technical content. “And/or” includes all combinations of one or more of which the associated configurations may be defined.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, the first component may be referred to as a second component without departing from the scope of the present exemplary aspects, and similarly, the second component may be referred to as a first component. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “below”, “on a lower side”, “above”, “on an upper side”, etc. are used to describe the association of the components shown in the drawings. The terms are relative concepts and are explained based on the directions indicated in the drawings.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “include”, “have”, etc. specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations of them but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof.

FIG.1is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display device according to an exemplary aspect.

Referring toFIG.1, the display device1includes a timing controller10, a gate driver20, a data driver30, a power supply unit40, and a display panel50.

The timing controller10may receive an image signal RGB and a control signal CS from the outside. The image signal RGB may include a plurality of gray scale data. The control signal CS may include, for example, a horizontal synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal, and a main clock signal.

The timing controller10processes the image signal RGB and the control signal CS to be suitable for operating conditions of the display panel50, thereby generating and outputting image data, a gate drive control signal CONT1, a data drive control signal CONT2, and a power supply unit control signal CONT3.

The gate driver20may be connected to pixels PX of the display panel50through a plurality of gate lines GL1to GLn, where n is a natural number greater than 1. The gate driver20may generate gate signals on the basis of the gate drive control signal CONT1output from the timing controller10. The gate driver20may provide the generated gate signals to the pixels PX through the plurality of gate lines GL1to GLn.

The data driver30may be connected to the pixels PX of the display panel50through a plurality of data lines DL1to DLm, where m is a natural number greater than 1. The data driver30may generate data signals on the basis of the image data and the data drive control signal CONT2output from the timing controller10. The data driver30may provide the generated data signals to the pixels PX through the plurality of data lines DL1to DLm.

In various exemplary aspects, the data driver30may be further connected to the pixels PX of the display panel50through a plurality of sensing lines (or reference lines) (not shown). The data driver30may provide a reference voltage (or a sensing voltage, an initialization voltage) to the pixels PX through the plurality of sensing lines, or may sense states of the pixels PX on the basis of the electrical signal fed back from the pixels PX.

The power supply unit40may be connected to the pixels PX of the display panel50through a plurality of power lines PL1and PL2. The power supply unit40may generate a driving voltage to be provided to the display panel50on the basis of the power supply unit control signal CONT3. The driving voltage may include, for example, a high potential driving voltage ELVDD and a low potential driving voltage ELVSS. The power supply unit40may provide the generated driving voltages ELVDD and ELVSS to the pixels PX through the corresponding power lines PL1and PL2.

A plurality of pixels PX (or referred to as sub-pixels) is disposed on the display panel50. The pixels PX may be disposed in a matrix form on the display panel50, for example.

Each pixel PX may be electrically connected to a corresponding gate line and data line. These pixels PX may emit light with luminance corresponding to the gate signal and the data signal, which are respectively supplied through the gate lines GL1to GLn and the data lines DL1to DLm.

Each pixel PX may display any one of the first to third colors. In an exemplary aspect, each pixel PX may display any one of red, green, and blue colors. In another exemplary aspect, each pixel PX may display any one of cyan, magenta, and yellow colors. In various exemplary aspects, the pixels PXs may be configured to display any one of four or more colors. For example, each pixel PX may also display any one of red, green, blue, and white colors.

The timing controller10, the gate driver20, the data driver30, and the power supply unit40may be each composed of a separate integrated circuit (IC) or by an integrated circuit in which at least a part thereof is combined. For example, at least one of the data driver30and the power supply unit40may be composed of an integrated circuit combined with the timing controller10.

In addition, although the gate driver20and the data driver30are shown as separate components from the display panel50inFIG.1, at least one of the gate driver20and the data driver30may be constituted in the in panel method formed integrally with the display panel50. For example, the gate driver20may be integrally formed with the display panel50according to the gate in panel (GIP) method.

FIG.2is a circuit diagram showing an exemplary aspect of the pixel shown inFIG.1.FIG.2shows an example of a pixel PXij connected to the i-th gate line GLi and j-th data line DLj, where i is a natural number equal or greater than 1 and equal or smaller than n, and j is a natural number equal or greater than 1 and equal or smaller than m.

Referring toFIG.2, the pixel PXij includes a switching transistor ST, a driving transistor DT, a storage capacitor Cst, and a light emitting element LD.

The first electrode (e.g., source electrode) of the switching transistor ST is electrically connected to the j-th data line DLj, and the second electrode (e.g., drain electrode) is electrically connected to the first node N1. The gate electrode of the switching transistor ST is electrically connected to the i-th gate line GLi. The switching transistor ST is turned on when a gate-on level gate signal is applied to the i-th gate line GLi, and transmits a data signal applied to the j-th data line DLj to the first node N1.

The first electrode of the storage capacitor Cst is electrically connected to the first node N1, and the second electrode may be configured to receive a high potential driving voltage ELVDD. The storage capacitor Cst may charge a voltage corresponding to a difference between the voltage applied to the first node N1and the high potential driving voltage ELVDD.

The first electrode (e.g., source electrode) of the driving transistor DT is provided with a high potential driving voltage ELVDD, and the second electrode (e.g., drain electrode) is electrically connected to a first electrode (e.g., anode electrode) of the light emitting element LD. The gate electrode of the driving transistor DT is electrically connected to the first node N1. The driving transistor DT is turned on when the voltage of the gate-on level is applied through the first node N1, and may control the amount of driving current flowing through the light emitting element LD in response to the voltage provided to the gate electrode.

The light emitting element LD outputs light corresponding to the driving current. The light emitting element LD may output light corresponding to any one of red, green, blue, and white colors. The light emitting element LD may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or an ultra-small inorganic light emitting diode having a size ranging from micro to nanoscale, but the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the technical idea of the present exemplary aspect will be described with reference to the exemplary aspect in which the light emitting element LD is formed of an organic light emitting diode. A second electrode (e.g., cathode electrode) of the light emitting element LD is provided with a low potential driving voltage ELVSS.

In the present exemplary aspect, the structure of the pixels PXij is not limited to that shown inFIG.2. According to the exemplary aspect, the pixels PXij compensate for a threshold voltage of the driving transistor DT, or may further include at least one element for initializing the voltage of the gate electrode of the driving transistor DT and/or the voltage of the anode electrode of the light emitting element LD.

FIG.2shows an example in which the switching transistor ST and the driving transistor DT are NMOS transistors, but the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto. For example, at least some or all of the transistors constituting each pixel PXij may be composed of PMOS transistors. In various exemplary aspects, each of the switching transistor ST and the driving transistor DT may be implemented by a low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) thin film transistor, an oxide thin film transistor, or a low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin film transistor.

FIG.3is a schematic perspective view of the display panel shown inFIG.1. Referring toFIG.3, in association withFIGS.1and2, components of the display device1will be described in more detail.

The display device1may be implemented in various forms. For example, the display device1may be implemented in a rectangular plate shape. However, the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto, and the display device1may have various shapes such as a square shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape, and a part of the corner may be formed as a curved surface or may have a shape in which thickness is changed in at least one area. In addition, all or part of the display device1may have flexibility.

The display panel50includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA is an area in which the pixels PX are disposed, and may be referred to as an active area. The non-display area NDA may be disposed around the display area DA. For example, the non-display area NDA may be disposed along the border of the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may comprehensively refer to areas other than the display area DA on the display panel50, and may be referred to as a non-active area.

As a driver for driving the pixels PX, for example, a gate driver20may be provided in the non-display area NDA. The gate driver20may be disposed adjacent to one side or both sides of the display area DA, in the non-display area NDA. As shown inFIG.3, the gate driver20may be provided in a non-display area NDA of the display panel50in the gate in panel method. However, in another exemplary aspect, the gate driver20is made of a driving chip and mounted on a flexible film and the like, and may be attached to the non-display area NDA by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method.

A plurality of pads (not shown) may be provided in the non-display area NDA. The pads are not covered by an insulating layer, and are exposed outside the display panel50to be electrically connected to a data driver30, a circuit board70, etc., which will be described later.

The display panel50may include wirings for supplying electrical signals to the pixels PX. The wirings may include, for example, gate lines GL1to GLn, data lines DL1to DLm, and power lines PL1and PL2.

The power lines PL1and PL2are electrically connected to the power supply unit40(or the timing controller10) through the connected pads, and may provide the high potential driving power ELVDD and the low potential driving power ELVSS, provided from the power supply unit40(or the timing controller10), to the pixels PX.

The flexible film60may have one end attached to a pad area PA of the display panel50and the other end attached to the circuit board70, thereby electrically connecting the display panel50and the circuit board70to each other. The flexible film60may include a plurality of wirings for electrically connecting the pads provided in the pad area PA and the wirings of the circuit board70to each other. In an exemplary aspect, the flexible film60may be attached on the pads through an anisotropic conducting film (ACF).

When the data driver30is made of a driving chip, the data driver30may be mounted on the flexible film60in the chip on film (COF) or chip on plastic (COP) method. The data driver30may generate a data signal on the basis of the image data and the data drive control signal CONT2, which are received from the timing controller10, and may output the data signal to the data lines DL1to DLm through the connected pads.

A plurality of circuits implemented with driving chips may be mounted on the circuit board70. The circuit board70may be a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board, but the type of the circuit board70is not limited thereto.

The circuit board70may include the timing controller10and the power supply unit40mounted in the form of an integrated circuit. InFIG.3, the timing controller10and the power supply unit40are shown as separate components, but the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto. That is, in various exemplary aspects, the power supply unit40may be integrally provided with the timing controller10or the timing controller10may be configured to perform the function of the power supply unit40.

FIG.4is a schematic plan view of an enlarged part of a display area and a non-display area according to an exemplary aspect.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ inFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.4, in the display area DA, the pixels PXs may be disposed in a matrix form by being arranged by a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel columns. At this time, the same pixels PX are disposed in one pixel column. In one pixel row, R, G, and B pixels may be repeatedly disposed in sequence (i.e., stripe type). However, the present exemplary aspect is not limited to the illustrated one, and in various other exemplary aspects, R, G, B, and G pixels may be repeatedly disposed in one pixel row in sequence (i.e., pentile type).

Dummy patterns DP may be formed in the non-display area NDA. The dummy patterns DP may be disposed in one or both ends of the pixel rows and pixel columns, which are disposed in the display area DA, in alignment with a corresponding pixel row and/or pixel column.

InFIG.4, the dummy patterns DP are shown as having a square shape or a rectangular shape. However, the shape of the dummy patterns DP is not limited thereto. In various exemplary aspects described below, the dummy patterns DP may have a pattern in which a plurality of dummy patterns DP shown inFIG.4are merged.

Hereinafter, a laminated structure of the display panel50will be described.

Referring toFIG.5, a substrate100is a base substrate of the display panel50, and may be a translucent substrate. The substrate100may be a rigid substrate including glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate made of plastic.

In an exemplary aspect, a buffer layer (not shown) may be formed on the substrate100. The buffer layer may prevent ions or impurities from diffusing from the substrate100, and may block moisture penetration.

The substrate100may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. A circuit element layer and a light emitting element layer may be formed on the display area DA on the substrate100.

The circuit element layer may include circuit elements (e.g., a switching transistor ST, a driving transistor DT, a storage capacitor Cst, etc.) and signal lines composing the pixel PXij. When a buffer layer is formed, the circuit element layer may be formed on the buffer layer.

First, an active pattern210may be provided on the substrate100. The active pattern210may be provided of a silicon-based semiconductor material or an oxide-based semiconductor material.

A gate insulating layer220may be formed on the active pattern210, and a gate electrode211may be provided on the gate insulating layer220. An interlayer insulating layer230may be formed on the gate electrode211, and a source electrode212and a drain electrode213may be provided on the interlayer insulating layer230. The source electrode212and the drain electrode213may be connected to the active pattern210through a contact hole passing through the interlayer insulating layer230and the gate insulating layer220.

The source electrode212, the drain electrode213, the gate electrode211, and the active pattern210corresponding thereto may compose the transistor T. The transistor T may be, for example, a driving transistor DT or a switching transistor ST. InFIG.5, the driving transistor DT in which the drain electrode213is connected to a first electrode261of the light emitting element LD is shown as an example.

A passivation layer240may be formed on the source electrode212and the drain electrode213. The passivation layer240is an insulating layer for protecting the lower elements, and may be formed of an inorganic material or an organic material.

An overcoat layer250may be formed on the passivation layer240. The overcoat layer250may be a planarization film for alleviating a level difference of an underlying structure.

Circuit elements such as various signal lines and capacitors (not shown) may be further provided on the circuit element layer. The signal lines may include, for example, a gate line GL, a data line DL, etc. described with reference toFIGS.1and2.

The light emitting element layer is formed on the overcoat layer250, and includes light emitting elements LD. The light emitting element LD includes a first electrode261, a light emitting layer262, and a second electrode263. The first electrode261may be an anode electrode and the second electrode263may be a cathode electrode.

The first electrode261is provided on the overcoat layer250. The first electrode261is connected to the drain electrode213of the transistor T through a via hole penetrating the overcoat layer250and the passivation layer240.

A bank300is further provided on the overcoat layer250. In the display area DA, the bank300may be provided to cover a part of the edge of the first electrode261.

In various exemplary aspects, the bank300may be composed of a first bank310having hydrophilic properties and a second bank320having hydrophobic properties. The second bank320may be patterned through a photolithography process after applying a solution mixed a hydrophobic material such as fluorine with an organic insulating material having hydrophilicity. A hydrophobic material such as fluorine may move to an upper part of the second bank320by light emitted during the photolithography process, and the upper part of the second bank320may have hydrophobic properties. However, the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto, and the entire part of the second bank320may be provided to have hydrophobic properties.

In an exemplary aspect, the first bank310is provided to have a smaller thickness than that of the second bank320, and may be provided to have a wider width than that of the second bank320. The first bank310may be disposed in a grid form to surround each pixel PX, and the second bank320may be disposed to surround each pixel column. When the light emitting layer262to be described later is formed by a solution process, the solution may be easily spread in the pixel column direction by the first bank310having hydrophilicity, and mixing of the solution in between the pixel columns may be prevented by the second bank320having hydrophobicity.

The light emitting layer262is formed on the first electrode261. The light emitting layer262is not covered by the bank300, and is formed on a part of the exposed first electrode261. That is, the light emitting layer262is surrounded by the bank300.

The light emitting layer262may have a multi-layer thin film structure including a light generating layer. For example, the light emitting layer262may include a hole transport layer (HTL), an organic light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer (ETL). In addition, the light emitting layer262may further include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole blocking layer (HBL), an electron injection layer (EIL), and an electron blocking layer (EBL).

In the present exemplary aspect, the light emitting layer262may be formed by the solution process using an inkjet device, etc. In particular, the light emitting layer262may be formed in a single solution process for pixels PX of the same color, disposed in the same pixel column. In this exemplary aspect, the inkjet device may move on the first electrodes261disposed in the same pixel column, and drop the solutions. When the dropped solutions are dried, a single integrated light emitting layer262is formed for the pixel columns.

When the light emitting layer262is formed by the solution process, a difference in thickness may occur between the center area of the light emitting layer262and the edge area adjacent to the bank300by the tension force between the solution and the bank300. For example, the light emitting layer262may be formed in a concave shape having the thinnest thickness in the center and the thickest thickness in the area in contact with the bank300. However, the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto. That is, in various other exemplary aspects, structures for improving thickness uniformity of the light emitting layer262may be disposed, and the light emitting layer262may have a uniform thickness in the entire area.

The second electrode263is provided on the light emitting layer262and the bank300. That is, the second electrode263may be provided to cover the light emitting layer262and the bank300.

Although not shown, an encapsulation layer may be formed on the second electrode263. The encapsulation layer serves to prevent external moisture from penetrating the light emitting layer262. The encapsulation layer may be formed of an inorganic insulating material, or may be formed of a structure in which inorganic insulating materials and organic insulating materials are alternately stacked, but is not limited thereto.

A circuit element layer, a light emitting layer262, a second electrode263, a bank300, and an encapsulation layer may be provided on the non-display area NDA on the substrate100.

The circuit element layer may have the same structure as the circuit element layer formed in the display area DA, and may be formed through the same single process. However, at least some or all of signal lines and circuit elements may not be provided in the circuit element layer in the non-display area NDA.

The bank300is provided on the overcoat layer250of the circuit element layer. In the non-display area NDA, the bank300may be a definition layer defining the shape of the dummy pattern DP.

The light emitting layer262is further formed on the overcoat layer250. The light emitting layer262is formed on the overcoat layer250exposed without being covered by the bank300. That is, the light emitting layer262is formed in the dummy pattern DP defined by the bank300, and is surrounded by the bank300.

Unlike the display area DA, the circuit element layer in the non-display area NDA is not provided with at least some or all of signal lines and circuit elements. In addition, as shown, the dummy pattern DP does not include the first electrode261. Accordingly, the light emitting layer262composing the dummy pattern DP does not emit light.

The light emitting layer262of the dummy patterns DP may be formed by a single solution process with the light emitting layer262of corresponding pixel columns. The inkjet device moves along one pixel column from the display area DA to the non-display area NDA, and the solutions may be dropped to the pixels PX disposed in the corresponding pixel column and the dummy patterns DP disposed adjacent to the corresponding pixel column. Thereafter, when the dropped solutions are dried, the light emitting layer262may be integrally formed with respect to the pixels PX and the dummy patterns DP.

As described above, the thickness of the light emitting layer262may be different between the center area of the light emitting layer262and the edge area adjacent to the bank300by the tension force between the solution and the bank300.

A second electrode263and an encapsulation layer may be provided on the light emitting layer262. The second electrode263and the encapsulation layer may be provided through a single process with the same structure as the second electrode263and the encapsulation layer provided in the display area DA. That is, the second electrode263and the encapsulation layer may be provided in a structure extending from the display area DA to the non-display area NDA. However, in various exemplary aspects, the second electrode263may not be provided in the non-display area NDA.

In the structure of the display panel50as described above, the dummy pattern DP is provided to solve the light emission imbalance between the center part and the outer part of the pixel column in the display area DA. As described above, the light emitting layer262may be formed through a single solution process, for one pixel column and dummy patterns DP corresponding thereto. When the solution dries, dewetting may occur in which the solution retracts from the outer part thereof. When the degree of dewetting is large, pixel defects may occur, because the light emitting layer262is not correctly formed in predetermined pixels disposed on the outer part of the pixel column (i.e., both ends of the pixel column).

In order to prevent such a problem, the solution may be dropped to the dummy pattern DP over the pixel column area. Then, since the dewetting occurs in the dummy pattern DP, the pixel defects in the display area DA may be prevented.

The following exemplary aspects propose various forms of the dummy pattern DP that may more effectively prevent pixel defects, caused by dewetting, through the dummy pattern DP.

FIG.6is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a first exemplary aspect.FIGS.7and8are views showing aggregation properties of the solution.FIG.9shows an aggregation direction of the solution in the dummy pattern shown inFIG.6. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

Referring toFIG.6, pixels PX in the display area DA are disposed in a matrix form aligned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

In the non-display area NDA, the dummy pattern55includes a first dummy part51extending in the horizontal direction, a second dummy part52extending in the vertical direction, and a third dummy part53connecting the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52to each other and having a part protruding in an outer direction of the substrate.

The first dummy part51may have a bar-shaped extending along the horizontal. The width W1in the vertical direction of the first dummy part51may be the same as or similar to the width in the vertical direction of two pixel rows. The first dummy part51may be extended to a length L1corresponding to a plurality of pixel columns. The first dummy part51may be extended to a length L1corresponding to all of the pixel columns or a part of the pixel columns, which are disposed in the display area DA.

The second dummy part52may have a bar-shaped extending along the vertical to an outer side of the display panel50, that is, the substrate100. The width W2in the horizontal direction of the second dummy part52may be the same as or similar to the width in the horizontal direction of one pixel column. The second dummy part52may be extended to a length corresponding to a plurality of pixel rows. The second dummy part52may extend to a length corresponding to all of the pixel rows or a part of the pixel rows, which are disposed in the display area DA.

The third dummy part53is provided by extending the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52in a corner area where the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52are connected to each other, and has a pattern protruding in the outer direction of the substrate.

When the light emitting layer262is formed on the pixels PX through the solution process in the display area DA, the solutions are also dropped on the dummy pattern55. For example, when first solutions for forming the red color light emitting layer262in a first pixel column are dropped, the first solutions are dropped from the display area DA to the dummy pattern55along the first pixel column; when second solutions for forming the green color light emitting layer262in a second pixel column are dropped, the second solutions are dropped from the display area DA to the dummy pattern55along the second pixel column; and when third solutions for forming the blue color light emitting layer262in a third pixel column are dropped, the third solutions are dropped from the display area DA to the dummy pattern55along the third pixel column. The first to third solutions dropped on the dummy pattern55are combined to each other by the mutual tension force in the dummy pattern55.

When the solutions are combined with each other, in the case where each amount of the solutions is the same as or similar to each other, the magnitude of the tension force between the solutions is similar. Thus, the solutions combined to each other at an intermediate point as shown inFIG.7. However, when the amount of one solution is larger, the magnitude of tension force between the solutions is different. In this case, as shown inFIG.8, a small amount of a solution moves in the direction of a large amount of a solution to be combined.

In the shown dummy pattern55, the third dummy part53is provided by extending the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52in the corner area where the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52are connected to each other, and has a pattern protruding in the outer direction of the substrate. In the third dummy part53having the pattern protruding in the outer direction of the substrate, a larger amount of solutions is dropped than that amounts of the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52.

Referring toFIG.9, by the mutual tension force described above, the solutions dropped on the first dummy part51and the solutions dropped on the second dummy part52receive tension force in the direction of the third dummy part53. Some of the solutions dropped on the first dummy part51may move in the direction of the third dummy part53to be combined with the solutions dropped on the third dummy part53. In addition, some of the solutions dropped on the second dummy part52may move in the direction of the third dummy part53to be combined with the solutions dropped on the third dummy part53.

More solutions are introduced into area A of the third dummy part53having the protruding pattern in the first dummy part51. Therefore, the solutions receive tension force in the direction of area A in the first dummy part51.

In the second dummy part52as well, more solutions are introduced into area A of the third dummy part53having the protruding pattern, in the same principle. Therefore, the solutions receive tension force in the direction of area A in the second dummy part52.

As described above, by the shape of the dummy pattern55, the solutions receive tension force in the direction of area A, that is, in the direction away from the display area DA. Accordingly, the largest amount of solution per area may be applied to area A of the third dummy part53. When the solution is dried, the drying rate in area A where the amount of the solution is large is relatively slow. As the solution dries relatively slowly in area A adjacent to the outermost part of the display panel50, dewetting in the direction of the display region DA may be prevented.

In an exemplary aspect, the dummy patterns55shown inFIG.6and the dummy patterns55shown inFIG.4may be provided by a combination on one display panel50. However, the present exemplary aspect is not limited thereto.

FIG.10is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a second exemplary aspect. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

In comparison with the exemplary aspect shown inFIG.6, in the second exemplary aspect, the third dummy part53of the dummy pattern includes a pattern for increasing a surface area.

As a pattern for increasing the surface area of the third dummy part53, a plurality of triangular cross-sections, trapezoidal cross-sections, serrated shapes, or embossed patterns having elliptical patterns on one side may be provided. The surface area of the third dummy part53may be increased by the shapes of the dummy pattern55. In the third dummy part53having a pattern protruding in the outer direction of the substrate, a larger amount of solutions than that of the first dummy part51and the second dummy part52is dropped. By the above-described mutual tension force, a part of the solutions dropped on the first dummy part51may move in the direction of the third dummy part53to be combined with the solutions dropped on the third dummy part53. Some of the solutions dropped on the second dummy part52may move in the direction of the third dummy part53to be combined with the solutions dropped on the third dummy part53. In the second exemplary aspect, since the third dummy part53of the dummy pattern includes a pattern for increasing the surface area, aggregation of the dropped solutions may occur more effectively in the third dummy part53.

FIG.11is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a third exemplary aspect. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

In comparison with the exemplary aspect shown inFIG.6, in the dummy pattern in the third exemplary aspect, the width in the vertical direction of the first dummy part51gradually becomes wider toward the corner area. In addition, the width in the horizontal direction of the second dummy part52gradually becomes wider toward the corner area.

In the dummy pattern51in the third exemplary aspect, since the first dummy part51or the second dummy part52gradually becomes wider toward the corner area connected to the third dummy part53, aggregation of the dropped solutions may occur more effectively in the third dummy part53.

FIG.12is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a fourth exemplary aspect.FIG.13is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-IF ofFIG.12. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

In comparison with the exemplary aspect shown inFIG.6, the dummy pattern of the fourth exemplary aspect further includes a bar-shaped partition wall85disposed inside the third dummy part53and extending in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with the horizontal direction. At least one partition wall85in the form of an extended bar may be disposed. When a plurality of extended bar-shaped partition walls85is disposed, the extended bar-shaped partition walls85may be disposed in parallel with a predetermined interval.

In an exemplary aspect, the partition wall85may have hydrophobic properties. When the partition wall85is hydrophobic, the partition wall85makes the tension force, between the partition wall85and the solution, relatively small. The partition wall85may function to reduce the area where the aggregated solution is positioned in the dummy pattern. Therefore, the partition wall85may determine the position where the solution is aggregated. That is, area Adjacent to the partition wall85having hydrophobicity may have less aggregated solution. Therefore, the aggregation of the solution may be more actively performed at a position separated by a predetermined distance away from the partition wall85.

When the extended bar-shaped partition wall85as shown inFIG.12is disposed inside the third dummy part53along an inclined direction at a predetermined angle, the partition wall85may guide the position, where a solution is aggregated, toward the outside of the third dummy part53, which is the outer direction of the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent dewetting in the display area DA direction.

FIG.14is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a fifth exemplary aspect.FIG.15is a cross-sectional view taken along line ofFIG.14. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

In comparison with the exemplary aspect shown inFIG.6, the dummy pattern of the fifth exemplary aspect further includes a cylindrical partition wall87disposed inside the third dummy part53and having a predetermined radius. The cylindrical partition wall87may be disposed at the center of inside the third dummy part53.

The partition wall87may have hydrophobic properties, and make the tension force between the partition wall87and the solution to be relatively small. The partition wall87may function to reduce the area where the aggregated solution is positioned in the dummy pattern. Therefore, the aggregation of the solution may be more actively performed at a position separated by a predetermined distance away from the partition wall87.

As shown inFIG.14, when the cylindrical partition wall87is disposed inside the third dummy part53, the partition wall87may guide the position, where the solution is aggregated, toward the outside of the third dummy part53, which is the outer direction of the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent dewetting in the display area DA direction.

FIG.16is a plan view showing a dummy pattern according to a sixth exemplary aspect.FIG.17is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ inFIG.16. In the drawing, the horizontal direction is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

In comparison with the exemplary aspect shown inFIG.6, the dummy pattern of the sixth exemplary aspect further includes a bar-shaped partition wall89disposed in the first dummy part51and extending along the horizontal direction. At least one partition wall89in the form of an extended bar may be disposed. When a plurality of extended bar-shaped partition walls89is disposed, the extended bar-shaped partition walls89may be disposed in parallel with a predetermined interval.

The partition wall89may have hydrophobic properties, and make the tension force between the partition wall89and the solution to be relatively small. The partition wall89may function to reduce the area where the aggregated solution is positioned in the dummy pattern. Therefore, aggregation of the solution may be more actively performed at a position separated by a predetermined distance away from the partition wall89.

When the partition wall89in the form of a bar extending in the horizontal direction as shown inFIG.16is disposed inside the first dummy part51, the partition wall87may reduce the area, where the aggregated solution is positioned, inside the first dummy part51. The partition wall87may guide the position, where the solution is aggregated, toward the third dummy part53, which is the outer direction of the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent dewetting in the display area DA direction.

The exemplary aspects described above are to be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the claims of the present disclosure.

As described above, the display device according to various examples of the present disclosure may prevent pixel defects in the outer part due to dewetting that occurs in the outer part of the solution when the light emitting layer is formed using the solution process.

Although aspects have been described with reference to a number of illustrative aspects thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and aspects can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.