JP6805308B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

One aspect of the present invention relates to a product, a method, or a manufacturing method. Alternatively, one aspect of the invention relates to a process, machine, manufacture, or composition (composition of matter). In particular, one aspect of the present invention relates to, for example, a semiconductor device, a display device, a light emitting device, a power storage device, a method for driving them, or a method for manufacturing them. In particular, one aspect of the present invention relates to a display device.

The social infrastructure related to information transmission means is substantial. As a result, diverse and abundant information can be acquired or transmitted not only at work or at home but also on the go.

A display device having a large screen capable of displaying a large amount of information in a list is suitable for an information terminal device.

In addition, portable information terminal devices that can acquire information even when away from home are being actively developed. It is important that it is easy to carry for use on the go. It is very convenient to be able to change the size of the information terminal device and the size of the display area accordingly depending on the application.

Portable information terminal devices are often used outdoors, and unexpected force may be applied to the portable information terminal devices due to being dropped or the like.

As an example of a display device that can withstand a force applied from the outside and is not easily broken, a configuration that enhances the adhesion between the structure that separates the light emitting layer and the second electrode layer is known (Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-19794

One aspect of the present invention has been made under such a technical background. Therefore, one of the challenges is to provide a new display device that is foldable and has excellent portability. Alternatively, one of the challenges is to provide a new display device capable of displaying on a large seamless screen. Another challenge is to provide a new display device that is highly resistant to physical forces from the outside when it is folded or unfolded to use a large screen.

The description of these issues does not prevent the existence of other issues. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention does not need to solve all of these problems. Issues other than these are naturally clarified from the description of the description, drawings, claims, etc., and it is possible to extract issues other than these from the description of the description, drawings, claims, etc. Is.

One aspect of the present invention is a display device having a first housing, a display panel, and a first layer, in which the first housing houses the display panel, and the display panel is flexible. However, the first layer is flexible and transparent to visible light, and at least a part of the first layer is used in both the unfolded state and the folded state of the display device. The display surface of the display device in a folded state, which is located on the display surface of the display panel, has a display area and an area for transmitting visible light.
It is a display device.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a display device having a first housing, a display panel, and a first layer. The first housing houses the display panel, and the display panel is flexible. The first layer is flexible and transparent to visible light, and when the display device is deployed, the first layer is located on the display surface of the display panel. However, it is a display device capable of independently folding the first housing and the first layer. In particular, it is preferable that the first housing can be folded before the first layer at the time of folding, and then the first layer can be folded so as to cover the first housing.

It is preferable that the display device having each of the above configurations can be folded so that a part of the display surface of the display panel can be seen from the outside.

The display device having each of the above configurations preferably has a second housing, and the second housing preferably houses the first layer.

It is preferable that the radius of curvature when folding the display device having each of the above configurations is larger in the first layer than in the display panel.

Since the display device having each of the above configurations has the first layer and the second housing, the display panel does not directly receive physical force from the outside when it is unfolded or folded. ..

The display device having each of the above configurations preferably has a touch sensor in the first layer.

It is preferable that the display device having each of the above configurations has an antireflection layer on at least one of the surfaces where the first layer and the display panel face each other.

By providing the antireflection function, interference unevenness does not occur even if the distance between the first layer and the display panel is distributed.

In the display device having each of the above configurations, it is preferable that the first housing and the first layer can be removed respectively. Alternatively, the first housing and the second layer may be removable respectively. As a result, if either one is broken, only the broken one can be replaced, and the cost of repair and the like can be suppressed.

There is a high possibility that the first layer and the second housing that receive physical force from the outside cannot be used, but since the first layer and the second housing can be made cheaper than the display panel, It is possible to repair cheaply by having a replacement function.

The first layer preferably has a film thickness larger than that of the display panel. The thicker the first layer, the more
The resistance of the display device to the physical force can be increased. In one aspect of the present invention, since the radius of curvature of the first layer can be set larger than that of the display panel, there is an advantage that the thickness of the first layer is not as limited as that of the display panel.

In the present specification, the display device refers to an image display device. Further, a module in which a connector, for example, an FPC (Flexible printed circuit board) or a TCP (Tape Carrier Package), is attached to the display device.
The display device also includes all modules in which a printed wiring board is provided at the end of TCP, or a module in which an IC (integrated circuit) is directly mounted on a substrate on which a light emitting element is formed by a COG (Chip On Glass) method.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a novel display device that is foldable and has excellent portability. Alternatively, a new display device capable of displaying on a large seamless screen can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a new display device having high resistance to physical force from the outside when it is folded or unfolded to use a large screen.

The figure explaining the deployed state of the display device which concerns on embodiment. The figure explaining the state which folds only the display panel of the display device which concerns on embodiment. The figure explaining the folded state of the display device which concerns on the display device in Embodiment. The figure explaining the structure of the display panel which concerns on the display device in Embodiment.

<Example of a problem that one aspect of the present invention can be solved>
A flexible display panel in which a display element or the like is provided on a flexible substrate is known.

In order to make the flexible display panel bendable with a small radius of curvature, the film thickness and hardness of the display panel are limited, and the physical strength of the display panel may be weakened.

If a physical force is directly applied to the highly flexible display panel, there arises a problem that the functional film and functional elements of the display panel cannot be protected. On the other hand, if a functional film having high hardness is provided on the display panel, there arises a problem that the bendable radius of curvature becomes large.

<One aspect of the present invention>
In the embodiment described below, the housing having the cover film suppresses the display panel from directly receiving physical force from the outside even when the display panel is unfolded and displayed on a large screen or when the display panel is folded. This includes one aspect of the present invention created by focusing on the above-mentioned configuration.

The display device of one aspect of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing, a display panel, and a cover film. The first housing houses the display panel. The second housing houses the cover film. The display panel is flexible. The cover film is flexible and transparent to visible light.

In one aspect of the present invention, in both the unfolded state and the folded state of the display device, at least a part of the cover film is located on the display surface of the display panel, and the display surface of the display device in the folded state is It is preferable to have a display region and a region that transmits visible light.

Alternatively, in one aspect of the present invention, the cover film is located on the display surface of the display panel in the unfolded state of the display device, and when folded, the first housing is folded before the second housing. It is possible, and then it is preferable that the second housing can be folded so as to cover the first housing.

It is preferable that the display device having each of the above configurations can be folded so that a part of the display surface of the display panel can be seen from the outside.

The display device having each of the above configurations preferably has a second housing, and the second housing preferably houses the first layer.

It is preferable that the radius of curvature when folding the display device having each of the above configurations is larger in the first layer than in the display panel. Further, it is preferable that the film thickness of the first layer is larger than that of the display panel.

In the above configuration, by having the cover film and the second housing, the display panel does not directly receive physical force from the outside when the display device is unfolded or folded.

As a result, it is possible to provide a new display device that is foldable and has excellent portability. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a new display device capable of displaying information or the like on a large seamless screen. Further, it is possible to provide a new display device having high resistance to physical force from the outside when it is folded or unfolded to use a large screen.

The embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description, and it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the form and details thereof can be variously changed without departing from the gist of the present invention and its scope. Therefore, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments shown below. In the configuration of the invention described below, the same reference numerals are commonly used between different drawings for the same parts or parts having similar functions.
The repeated description will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the display device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

1 (A) to 3 (A) are top views of the display device of one aspect of the present invention, and FIGS. 1 (B) to 3 (B) are the corresponding FIGS. It is a side view of A).

1 (A) and 1 (B) are views for explaining a state in which the display device according to one aspect of the present invention is deployed. The display device of one aspect of the present invention can be unfolded to display on a large seamless screen.

As shown in the enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1B, compared with the display panel 501,
The cover film 503 is preferably thick. In the present embodiment, the first housing 5
Although an example in which the thickness of 02 and the thickness of the second housing 504 are equal is shown, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to this.

2 (A) and 2 (B) are views for explaining a state in which only the display panel of the display device according to one aspect of the present invention is folded.

3 (A) and 3 (B) are views for explaining a folded state of the display device according to one aspect of the present invention. The display device of one aspect of the present invention can be folded to improve portability.

The display device 500 described in this embodiment includes a folding mechanism 550 and a display panel 501.
It has a first housing 502, a cover film 503, and a second housing 504. The first housing 502 houses the display panel 501. The display panel 501 includes a display area 505 capable of displaying information and the like. The second housing 504 is a cover film 503.
To store. By folding the display panel 501, the display device 500 may be provided with a region 506 for transmitting visible light, which is composed of only the cover film 503.

When the display device is deployed, the display panel 501 has a structure in which a cover film 503 is provided on the display surface side, and the display panel 501 can reduce damage caused by an external physical force ( See Figure 1).

The first housing 502 and the second housing 504 each have a folding mechanism 550, and it is possible to fold only the first housing 502. At that time, the display panel 501
A part of the display surface is folded inside the first housing 502, and a part of the display surface is inside. The inner location makes it possible to reduce physical damage from the outside (see Fig. 2).

By folding the first housing 502 and then folding the second housing 504 so as to cover the first housing 502, the display panel 501 is physically formed by the first housing 502 or the cover film 503. Target damage can be reduced (see Fig. 3). It is not necessary for the second housing 504 to cover all of the first housing 502.

As a result, it is possible to provide a new display device 500 that is foldable and has excellent portability. Alternatively, a new display device 500 capable of displaying on a large seamless screen can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a new display device having high resistance to physical force from the outside when it is folded or unfolded to use a large screen.

When folding the display device, the first housing and the second housing are folded separately. At that time, the second housing is folded with a larger radius of curvature than the first housing. Therefore, the cover film installed in the second housing does not require as much bending resistance as the display panel installed in the first housing.

In the present embodiment, the case where the display panel is folded in three is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the display area can be seen from the outside when folded, it is a uniform state of the present invention no matter how it is folded.

Hereinafter, individual elements constituting the display device of one aspect of the present invention will be described.

《Cover film》
The cover film 503 needs to reduce external damage to the display panel 501. Therefore, it is necessary that the hardness is high enough that distortion or the like does not occur when a force is applied from the outside. When the hardness is high, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of scratches and the like that deteriorate the display quality. In addition, since it is necessary to emit the light from the display panel to the outside, it is necessary to have transparency to visible light.

When the hardness is increased, the bending characteristics are lowered, but as shown in FIG. 3, since the cover film 503 is folded with a radius of curvature larger than that of the display panel 501, sufficient hardness and bending characteristics are provided in one aspect of the present invention. Obtainable.

The cover film 503 may be provided with a touch sensor function. Cover film 503
Since the display panel 501 has a different housing, a sufficient distance can be obtained and the display panel 501 is not affected by the parasitic capacitance of the display panel, so that the sensitivity can be increased even in a capacitance type touch sensor.

Since the first housing 502 and the second housing 504 can be folded separately, the distance between the cover film 503 and the display panel 501 can be easily distributed in the plane. If interference fringes are generated due to the distribution, the display quality is deteriorated. Therefore, it is advisable to perform a non-reflective treatment on the display panel side of the cover film 503. As the non-reflection treatment, a moth-eye structure having low wavelength dependence is preferable.

The non-reflective processing may be performed on the display surface side of the display panel 501. Also, cover film 503,
You may go to both display panels 501. By performing the non-reflection treatment, it is possible to suppress interference fringes and improve the light extraction efficiency.

As the material of the cover film 503, various plastics having transparency to visible light can be used. For example, polyimide (PI), aramid, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether sulfone (PES), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyetheretherketone (P).
EEK), polysulfone (PSF), polyetherimide (PEI), polyarylate (
Plastics such as PAR), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and silicone resin can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use inexpensive PET or PEN. And since it does not require high bending characteristics, it can be made sufficiently thicker than the display panel 501. Generally, the thickness of the flexible display panel is 100 μm or less, but the cover film 50
The thickness of 3 can be 100 μm or more and less than 1000 μm, preferably 200 μm or more and 400 μm or less.

An inorganic film may be formed on the plastic film in order to increase the surface hardness. As the inorganic film, a film having high translucency to visible light can be used. For example, silicon oxide film,
A silicon nitride film, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, an aluminum oxide film, or the like can be used. The inorganic film can be used in either a single layer or a laminated layer.

Although the cover film 503 needs to reduce physical damage to the display panel 501, it does not contribute to suppressing the infiltration of water into the display panel, so even if there are microcracks that cannot be seen visually. No problem. By using this microcrack, a cover film 503 having high surface hardness and high bendability can be produced.

The surface of the cover film 503 may be treated to have water repellency and oil repellency.

<< 1st housing, 2nd housing >>
As the first housing and the second housing, materials capable of maintaining mechanical strength to some extent can be used. Specifically, plastic, metal, wood and the like can be used.

The second housing 504 is provided with a window in order to emit light from the display panel to the outside. A cover film is provided on the window.

The first housing 502 and the second housing 504 can be removed individually. If either one breaks, it can be replaced with a new housing.

The cover film 503 and the second housing 504, which receive physical force from the outside, are more likely to be damaged and become unusable before the display panel 501 and the first housing 502, but they are independent of each other. Since the first housing 502 and the second housing 504 can be removed, only the part to be replaced can be replaced, and repair can be carried out at low cost. Further, since the cover film 503 can be made cheaper than the display panel 501, it is possible to repair it cheaply by having a replacement function.

《Folding mechanism》
The folding mechanism 550 can be bent at the folding points of the first housing 502 and the second housing 504. For example, a hinge, a flexible member, or the like can be applied to the folding mechanism 550.

A ratchet mechanism, a non-slip, or the like may be provided in the folding mechanism 550 so that the bending angle can be adjusted as appropriate.

《Display panel》
The display panel 501 is flexible.

The configuration of the display panel 501, which can be applied to the display device 500, includes a display element capable of displaying information contained in the supplied signal. The display element includes, for example, a light emitting element, an electronic ink, a liquid crystal element, or the like. As an example of the display panel 501, a configuration in which a light emitting element is used as the display element will be described in detail in the second embodiment.

It should be noted that this embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments shown in the present specification.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the display panel applicable to the display device of one aspect of the present invention is described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4A is a top view illustrating the structure of a display panel applicable to the display device of one aspect of the present invention.

4 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting lines AB and CD of FIG. 4 (A).

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line EF of FIG. 4A.

<Explanation of top view>
The display panel 200 illustrated in this embodiment has one end 200L and the other end 200R (see FIG. 4A). In one aspect of the present invention, the display panel 200 may not have one or both of one end 200L and the other end 200R.

In addition, the display panel 200 illustrated in this embodiment has a display area 201.

A plurality of pixels 202 are provided in the display area 201, and a plurality of sub-pixels (for example, sub-pixel 202R) are provided in the pixel 202. Further, the sub-pixel is provided with a light emitting element and a pixel circuit capable of supplying electric power for driving the light emitting element.

The pixel circuit is electrically connected to a wiring capable of supplying a selection signal and a wiring capable of supplying a data signal.

Further, the display panel 200 includes a scanning line drive circuit 203g capable of supplying a selection signal, and
A data line drive circuit 203s capable of supplying a data signal is provided.

<Explanation of cross section>
The display panel 200 has a substrate 210 and a counter substrate 270 facing the substrate 210 (see FIG. 4B).

The substrate 210 is a flexible substrate 210b and a barrier film 210a that prevents diffusion into a light emitting element.
It is a laminated body of the adhesive layer 210c that adheres the substrate 210b and the barrier film 210a.

The facing substrate 270 is a flexible substrate 270b and a barrier film 27 that prevents diffusion into a light emitting element.
It is a laminated body of an adhesive layer 270c in which 0a and a substrate 270b and a barrier film 270a are bonded together.

Further, as the sealing material 260, the opposing substrate 270 and the substrate 210 are bonded together. Further, the pixel circuit and the light emitting element (for example, the first light emitting element 250R) are located between the substrate 210 and the opposing substrate 270.

《Pixel composition》
The pixel 202 has a sub-pixel 202R, a sub-pixel 202G, and a sub-pixel 202B (FIG. 4 (C).
)reference). Further, the sub-pixel 202R includes a light emitting module 280R, the sub pixel 202G includes a light emitting module 280G, and the sub pixel 202B includes a light emitting module 280B.

For example, the sub-pixel 202R includes a pixel circuit including a transistor 202t capable of supplying power to the first light emitting element 250R and the first light emitting element 250R (see FIG. 4B).
.. Further, the sub-pixel 202R includes a light emitting module 280R, and the light emitting module 280R includes a first light emitting element 250R and an optical element (for example, a first colored layer 267R).

The first light emitting device 250R has a layer 253 containing a luminescent organic compound between the first lower electrode 251R, the upper electrode 252, the first lower electrode 251R and the upper electrode 252.

The layer 253 containing the luminescent organic compound includes a light emitting unit 253a, a light emitting unit 253b, and an intermediate layer 254 between the light emitting unit 253a and the light emitting unit 253b.

The light emitting module 280R has a first colored layer 267R on the facing substrate 270. The colored layer may be any one that transmits light having a specific wavelength, and for example, one that selectively transmits light exhibiting red, green, blue, or the like can be used. A region may be provided to transmit the light emitted by the light emitting element as it is.

For example, the light emitting module 280R has a sealing material 260 in contact with the first light emitting element 250R and the first colored layer 267R.

The first colored layer 267R is located at a position overlapping the first light emitting element 250R. As a result, the first
A part of the light emitted by the light emitting element 250R passes through the sealing material 260 and the first colored layer 267R, and is emitted to the outside of the light emitting module 280R as shown by an arrow in the drawing.

<< Configuration of display panel >>
The display panel 200 has a light-shielding layer 267BM on the facing substrate 270. The light-shielding layer 267BM is provided so as to surround the colored layer (for example, the first colored layer 267R).

The display panel 200 is provided with an antireflection layer 267p at a position overlapping the display area 201.

The display panel 200 includes an insulating film 221. The insulating film 221 covers the transistor 202t. The insulating film 221 can be used as a layer for flattening the unevenness caused by the pixel circuit. Further, an insulating film in which a layer capable of suppressing diffusion of impurities to the transistor 202t or the like is laminated can be applied to the insulating film 221.

The display panel 200 has a light emitting element (for example, the first light emitting element 250R) on the insulating film 221.

The display panel 200 is a partition wall 22 that overlaps the end portion of the first lower electrode 251R on the insulating film 221.
Has 8 (see FIG. 4 (C)). Further, a spacer 229 that controls the distance between the substrate 210 and the opposing substrate 270 is provided on the partition wall 228.

<< Configuration of data line drive circuit >>
The data line drive circuit 203s includes a transistor 203t and a capacitance 203c. The drive circuit can be formed on the same substrate as the pixel circuit in the same process as the pixel circuit.

《Other configurations》
The display panel 200 includes a wiring 211 capable of supplying a signal, and a terminal 219 is provided in the wiring 211. An FPC (flexible printed circuit) 209 capable of supplying signals such as a data signal and a synchronization signal is electrically connected to the terminal 219.

A printed wiring board (PWB) may be attached to the FPC. The display panel in the present specification includes not only the display panel main body but also a state in which an FPC or PWB is attached to the display panel body.

It should be noted that this embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments shown in the present specification.

200 Display panel 200L End 200R End 201 Display area 202 Pixel 202B Sub-pixel 202G Sub-pixel 202R Sub-pixel 202t Transistor 203c Capacity 203g Scanning line drive circuit 203s Data line drive circuit 203t Transistor 210 Board 210a Barrier film 210b Board 210c Adhesive layer 211 Wiring 219 Terminal 221 Insulation film 228 Partition 229 Spacer 250R Light emitting element 251R Lower electrode 252 Upper electrode 253 Layer 253a Light emitting unit 253b Light emitting unit 254 Intermediate layer 260 Encapsulant 267BM Light shielding layer 267p Anti-reflection layer 267R Colored layer 270 Opposing substrate 270a Barrier film 270b 270c Adhesive layer 280B Light emitting module 280G Light emitting module 280R Light emitting module 500 Display device 501 Display panel 502 First housing 503 Cover film 504 Second housing 505 Display area 506 Area for transmitting visible light 550 Folding mechanism

Claims (5)

A display device having a display panel and a first layer.
The display panel is flexible
The first layer is flexible and transparent to visible light.
The display panel and the first layer can be folded independently of each other.
The display panel has a plurality of folding points.
In the unfolded state of the display device, the first layer is located on the display surface of the display panel.
In the folded state of the display device, the display panel can be folded so that a part of the display surface of the display panel is on the outside.
A display device in which the first layer can be folded so as to cover a part of the display surface of the display panel in a folded state of the display device. A display device having a first housing having a display panel and a second housing having a first layer.
The display panel is flexible
The first layer is flexible and transparent to visible light.
The first housing and the second housing can be folded independently of each other.
The first housing has a plurality of folding points and has a plurality of folding points.
In the unfolded state of the display device, the first layer is located on the display surface of the display panel.
In the folded state of the display device, the display panel can be folded so that a part of the display surface of the display panel is on the outside.
A display device in which the first layer can be folded so as to cover a part of the display surface of the display panel in a folded state of the display device. In claim 1 or 2,
When the display device is folded, the display panel can be folded before the first layer, and then the first layer can be folded so as to cover the display panel. Display device. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
The display device is a display device that can be folded so that a part of the display surface of the display panel can be seen from the outside. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
A display device in which the first layer is thicker than the display panel.

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