KR101862874B1 - Optical member, display device having the same and method of fabricating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical member according to an embodiment includes: a first substrate; A photo-conversion barrier disposed on the first substrate; And a light conversion portion disposed in the light conversion barrier.
A display device according to an embodiment includes: a light source; A light conversion member on which light from the light source is incident; And a display panel on which light from the light conversion member is incident, wherein the light conversion member includes a plurality of light receiving portions; A plurality of light converters disposed in the accommodating portions, respectively; And a first substrate and a second substrate sandwiching the photo-conversion barriers and the light-converting portions with respect to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an optical member, a display device including the optical member, and a method of manufacturing the optical member.

An embodiment relates to an optical member, a display device including the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Among display devices, there is a device that requires a backlight unit capable of generating light in order to display an image. The backlight unit is a device for supplying light to a display panel including a liquid crystal or the like and includes a light emitting device and means for effectively transmitting the light output from the light emitting device to the liquid crystal side.

As a light source of such a display device, an LED (Light Emitted Diode) or the like can be applied. Further, in order that the light output from the light source is effectively transmitted to the display panel side, a light guide plate and an optical sheet may be laminated and used.

At this time, an optical member that changes the wavelength of light generated from the light source and causes white light to enter the light guide plate or the display panel can be applied to such a display device. Particularly, in order to change the wavelength of light, a quantum dot or the like can be used.

The quantum dot has a particle size of 10 nm or less and has unique electrical and optical characteristics depending on its size. For example, when the approximate size is 55 to 65 Å, it can emit red, 40 to 50 Å to green, and 20 to 35 Å to blue. Yellow has medium size of red and green quantum dots. As the spectrum of light changes from red to blue, the size of the quantum dots varies from 65 Å to 20 Å, which may be slightly different.

In order to form the optical member including the quantum dots, the quantum dots emitting RGB or RYGB, which are three primary colors of light, can be formed by spin coating or printing on a transparent substrate such as glass. Here, when a quantum dot emitting yellow (Y) is further included, white light closer to natural light can be obtained. The matrix (medium) in which the quantum dots are dispersed can apply an inorganic substance or a polymer having excellent transmittance with respect to light in the visible light region and the ultraviolet region (including Far UV) or in the visible light region. For example, it may be inorganic silica, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), poly lactic acid (PLA), silicon polymer or YAG. In particular, such quantum dots and media can be denatured or damaged by heat.

A display device to which such a quantum dot is applied is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2011-0012246.

Embodiments provide an optical member having improved durability and reliability, a display including the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.

An optical member according to an embodiment includes: a first substrate; A photo-conversion barrier disposed on the first substrate; And a light conversion portion disposed in the light conversion barrier.

A display device according to an embodiment includes: a light source; A light conversion member on which light from the light source is incident; And a display panel on which light from the light conversion member is incident, wherein the light conversion member includes a plurality of light receiving portions; A plurality of light converters disposed in the accommodating portions, respectively; And a first substrate and a second substrate sandwiching the photo-conversion barriers and the light-converting portions with respect to each other.

A method of manufacturing an optical member according to an embodiment is a method of manufacturing an optical member, comprising: coating a first substrate with a resin composition comprising a photo-curing resin and a plurality of photo- conversion particles to form a resin composition layer; And selectively irradiating the resin composition layer with light to form a plurality of light converting portions separated by the light converting partition wall and the light converting partition wall.

An optical member according to an embodiment includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a wavelength conversion layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a light conversion barrier and a light conversion portion.

That is, since the plurality of photo-conversion partitions are formed in the wavelength conversion layer, and the photo-conversion part including the photo-conversion particles is disposed between the photo-conversion partitions, contact with the outside can be blocked by the photo- It is possible to prevent damage due to an external impact.

Accordingly, the optical member according to the embodiment can effectively block oxygen or moisture from the outside by the light conversion barrier, and can absorb damage caused by the outside, thereby preventing the optical member from being damaged.

In addition, since the light conversion particles are also included in the light conversion barrier, the wavelength of the light source passing through the light conversion barrier can be changed, thereby improving the color reproducibility and color uniformity of the liquid crystal display.

Therefore, the optical member according to the embodiment and the display device including the optical member can have improved durability and reliability, and not only the light conversion part but also the partition wall is the light conversion partition wall including the light conversion particles, Reproducibility and color uniformity can be improved.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment.
2 is a perspective view showing an optical member according to an embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing one end surface of the wavelength conversion layer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a section cut along AA 'in FIG.
5 to 7 are views showing a process of manufacturing an optical member.

In the description of the embodiments, it is described that each substrate, frame, sheet, layer or pattern is formed "on" or "under" each substrate, frame, sheet, In this case, "on" and "under " all include being formed either directly or indirectly through another element. In addition, the upper or lower reference of each component is described with reference to the drawings. The size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of explanation and does not mean the size actually applied.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical member according to an embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one end surface of the wavelength conversion layer. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a section cut along the line A-A in Fig. 5 to 8 are views showing a process of manufacturing the wavelength converting member.

1 to 4, a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment includes a backlight unit 10 and a liquid crystal panel 20.

The backlight unit 10 emits light to the liquid crystal panel 20. The backlight unit 10 is a surface light source and can uniformly irradiate the bottom surface of the liquid crystal panel 20 with light.

The backlight unit 10 is disposed under the liquid crystal panel 20. The backlight unit 10 includes a bottom cover 100, a light guide plate 200, a reflective sheet 201, a light source such as a plurality of light emitting diodes 300, a printed circuit board 301, And a plurality of optical sheets 500.

The bottom cover 100 has a top opened shape. The bottom cover 100 accommodates the light guide plate 200, the light emitting diodes 300, the printed circuit board 301, the reflective sheet 201, and the optical sheets 500.

The light guide plate 200 is disposed in the bottom cover 100. The light guide plate 200 is disposed on the reflective sheet 201. The light guide plate 200 emits light upward from the light emitting diodes 300 through total reflection, refraction, and scattering.

The reflective sheet 201 is disposed under the light guide plate 200. More specifically, the reflective sheet 201 is disposed between the light guide plate 200 and the bottom surface of the bottom cover 100. The reflective sheet 201 reflects light emitted from the lower surface of the light guide plate 200 upward.

The light emitting diodes 300 are light sources for generating light. The light emitting diodes 300 are disposed on one side of the light guide plate 200. The light emitting diodes 300 generate light to be incident on the light guide plate 200 through the side surface of the light guide plate 200.

The light emitting diodes 300 may be a blue light emitting diode for generating blue light or a UV light emitting diode for generating ultraviolet light. That is, the light emitting diodes 300 may generate blue light having a wavelength range of about 430 nm to about 470 nm or ultraviolet light having a wavelength range of about 300 nm to about 400 nm.

The light emitting diodes 300 are mounted on the printed circuit board 301. The light emitting diodes 300 are disposed under the printed circuit board 301. The light emitting diodes 300 are driven by receiving a drive signal through the printed circuit board 301.

The printed circuit board (301) is electrically connected to the light emitting diodes (300). The printed circuit board 301 may mount the light emitting diodes 300. The printed circuit board (301) is disposed inside the bottom cover (100).

The optical member 400 may be disposed on the light path between the light source and the liquid crystal panel 20. [ More specifically, the optical member 400 is interposed between the light emitting diodes 300 and the light guide plate 200. More specifically, the optical member 400 is bonded to the light guide plate 200. More specifically, the optical member 400 is bonded to the incident surface of the light guide plate 200.

The optical member 400 may have a shape elongated in one direction. More specifically, the optical member 400 may have a shape extending along the incident surface of the light guide plate 200.

The optical member 400 may convert light emitted from the light emitting diodes 300 and output the light to the light guide plate 200.

For example, when the light emitting diodes 300 are a blue light emitting diode, the optical member 400 may convert blue light emitted upward from the light guide plate 200 into green light and red light. That is, the optical member 400 converts a part of the blue light into green light having a wavelength range of about 520 nm to about 560 nm, and transmits another part of the blue light to a red light having a wavelength range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm .

When the light emitting diodes 300 are UV light emitting diodes, the optical member 400 may convert ultraviolet rays emitted from the upper surface of the light guide plate 200 into blue light, green light, and red light. That is, the optical member 400 converts a part of the ultraviolet ray into blue light having a wavelength range of about 430 nm to about 470 nm, and converts the other part of the ultraviolet light into a green light having a wavelength range of about 520 nm to about 560 nm And convert another portion of the ultraviolet light into red light having a wavelength band between about 630 nm and about 660 nm.

Accordingly, light passing through the optical member 400 without being converted and light converted by the optical member 400 can form white light. That is, the blue light, the green light, and the red light may be combined, and the white light may be incident on the liquid crystal panel 20.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, The optical member 400 includes a first substrate 410, a wavelength conversion layer 430 disposed on the first substrate 410, a light conversion barrier 440 formed on the wavelength conversion layer 430, And a second substrate 420 disposed on the photo-conversion barrier 440. The photo-conversion part 450 includes a photo-conversion part 450 disposed in the photo-conversion partitions 440 and a second substrate 420 disposed on the photo-

Examples of materials used as the first substrate include transparent polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the like. In addition, the first substrate 410 may be in direct contact with the lower surface of the photo-conversion barrier rib 440.

The second substrate is transparent and flexible. In addition, the second substrate may be in direct contact with the upper surface of the photo-conversion barrier 440.

Examples of materials used for the second substrate 420 include transparent polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate.

The photo-conversion barrier 440 may be formed on the wavelength conversion layer 430. The photo-conversion barrier 440 may include a photo-curable resin and first photo-conversion particles 431a for converting the wavelength of the incident light. For example, the photocurable resin may include an epoxy resin. In addition, the photo-conversion barrier 440 may comprise a transparent polymer, and the photo-conversion particles may be disposed within the transparent polymer.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the photo-conversion barrier 440 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG.

First, a resin composition containing a photo-curable resin and a plurality of photo-conversion particles is coated on the first substrate to form a resin composition layer on the first substrate.

Subsequently, the second substrate is laminated on the resin composition layer.

Next, a mask including a transmissive region corresponding to a region where the photo-conversion barrier ribs 440 are formed is disposed on the second substrate, and the resin composition layer is selectively irradiated with light through the mask. Preferably, the resin composition layer can be irradiated with UV light for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Thereafter, the resin composition layer to which the light is irradiated may be cured to form the photo-conversion barrier ribs 440. Accordingly, a plurality of light converting portions 450 separated by the light converting partition wall 440 and the light converting partition wall 440 may be formed on the resin composition layer.

That is, the optical conversion barriers 440 are formed in the wavelength conversion layer 430, and a receiving portion in which the host 432 and the second optical conversion particles 431b are accommodated is formed between the optical conversion barriers 440 . That is, the receiving portion may receive the light converting portion 450 including the host 432 and the second light converting particles 431b. The receiving portion may arrange the host 432 on the inner side of the receiving portion and the plurality of second light converting particles 431b may be disposed in the host 432. [

The photo-conversion barrier 440 may include a plurality of first photo-conversion particles 431a. Preferably, the photoconversion barriers 440 are disposed between the first substrate 410 and the second substrate 420, and include an isolation portion that surrounds the light conversion portions 450, respectively, And a plurality of first light-converting particles 431a.

The first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b convert the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting diodes 300. [ The first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b receive light emitted from the light emitting diodes 300 and convert wavelengths. For example, the first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b may convert blue light emitted from the light emitting diodes 300 into green light and red light. That is, some of the first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b convert the blue light into green light having a wavelength range of about 520 nm to about 560 nm, The conversion particles 431a and the other part of the second light conversion particles 431b may convert the blue light into red light having a wavelength band between about 630 nm and about 660 nm.

Alternatively, the first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b may convert ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting diodes 300 into blue light, green light, and red light. That is, some of the first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b convert the ultraviolet light into blue light having a wavelength range of about 430 nm to about 470 nm, The conversion particles 431a and the other part of the second light conversion particles 431b may convert the ultraviolet light into green light having a wavelength band of about 520 nm to about 560 nm. Further, another part of the first light conversion particles 431a and the second light conversion particles 431b may convert the ultraviolet light into red light having a wavelength range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm.

That is, in the case where the light emitting diodes 300 are blue light emitting diodes that generate blue light, photo conversion particles that convert blue light into green light and red light, respectively, can be used. Alternatively, when the light emitting diodes 300 are UV light emitting diodes that generate ultraviolet rays, photo-conversion particles that convert ultraviolet light into blue light, green light, and red light, respectively, may be used.

The photo-conversion particles may be a quantum dot (QD). The quantum dot may include core nanocrystals and shell nanocrystals surrounding the core nanocrystals. In addition, the quantum dot may include an organic ligand bound to the shell nanocrystal. In addition, the quantum dot may include an organic coating layer surrounding the shell nanocrystals.

The shell nanocrystals may be formed of two or more layers. The shell nanocrystals are formed on the surface of the core nanocrystals. The quantum dot may convert the wavelength of the light incident on the core core crystal into a long wavelength through the shell nanocrystals forming the shell layer and increase the light efficiency.

The quantum dot may include at least one of a group II compound semiconductor, a group III compound semiconductor, a group V compound semiconductor, and a group VI compound semiconductor. More specifically, the core nanocrystals may include Cdse, InGaP, CdTe, CdS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnS, HgTe or HgS. The shell nanocrystals may include CuZnS, CdSe, CdTe, CdS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnS, HgTe or HgS. The diameter of the quantum dot may be 1 nm to 10 nm.

The wavelength of the light emitted from the quantum dot can be adjusted according to the size of the quantum dot. The organic ligand may include pyridine, mercapto alcohol, thiol, phosphine, phosphine oxide, and the like. The organic ligands serve to stabilize unstable quantum dots after synthesis. After synthesis, a dangling bond is formed on the outer periphery, and the quantum dots may become unstable due to the dangling bonds. However, one end of the organic ligand is in an unbonded state, and one end of the unbound organic ligand bonds with the dangling bond, thereby stabilizing the quantum dot.

Particularly, when the quantum dot has a size smaller than the Bohr radius of an exciton formed by electrons and holes excited by light, electricity or the like, a quantum confinement effect is generated to have a staggering energy level and an energy gap The size of the image is changed. Further, the charge is confined within the quantum dots, so that it has a high luminous efficiency.

Unlike general fluorescent dyes, the quantum dots vary in fluorescence wavelength depending on the particle size. That is, as the size of the particle becomes smaller, it emits light having a shorter wavelength, and the particle size can be adjusted to produce fluorescence in a visible light region of a desired wavelength. In addition, since the extinction coefficient is 100 to 1000 times higher than that of a general dye, and the quantum yield is also high, it produces very high fluorescence.

The quantum dot can be synthesized by a chemical wet process. Here, the chemical wet method is a method of growing particles by adding a precursor material to an organic solvent, and the quantum dots can be synthesized by a chemical wet method.

The host 432 surrounds the first light conversion particles 431a or the second light conversion particles 431b. That is, the host 432 uniformly disperses the first light conversion particles 431a or the second light conversion particles 431b therein. The host layer may be comprised of a polymer. The host layer is transparent. That is, the host layer may be formed of a transparent polymer.

An optical member according to an embodiment includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a wavelength conversion layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a light conversion barrier and a light conversion portion.

That is, since the plurality of photo-conversion partitions are formed in the wavelength conversion layer, and the photo-conversion part including the photo-conversion particles is disposed between the photo-conversion partitions, contact with the outside can be blocked by the photo- It is possible to prevent damage due to an external impact.

Accordingly, the optical member according to the embodiment can effectively block oxygen or moisture from the outside by the light conversion barrier, and can absorb damage caused by the outside, thereby preventing the optical member from being damaged.

In addition, since the light conversion particles are also included in the light conversion barrier, the wavelength of the light source passing through the light conversion barrier can be changed, thereby improving the color reproducibility and color uniformity of the liquid crystal display.

The optical sheets 500 are disposed on the light guide plate 200. The optical sheets 500 change or enhance the characteristics of light emitted from the upper surface of the light guide plate 200 and supply the light to the liquid crystal panel 20. [

The optical sheets 500 may be a diffusion sheet 502, a first prism sheet 503, and a second prism sheet 504.

The diffusion sheet 502 is disposed on the wavelength conversion member 400. The diffusion sheet 502 improves the uniformity of light passing therethrough. The diffusion sheet 502 may include a plurality of beads.

The first prism sheet 503 is disposed on the diffusion sheet 502. The second prism sheet 504 is disposed on the first prism sheet 503. The first prism sheet 503 and the second prism sheet 504 increase the straightness of light passing therethrough.

The liquid crystal panel 20 is disposed on the optical sheets 500. Further, the liquid crystal panel 20 is disposed on the panel guide 23. The liquid crystal panel 20 may be guided by the panel guide 23.

The liquid crystal panel 20 displays an image by adjusting the intensity of light passing through the liquid crystal panel 20. That is, the liquid crystal panel 20 is a display panel for displaying an image using light emitted from the backlight unit 10. [ The liquid crystal panel 20 includes a TFT substrate 21, a color filter substrate 22, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates. In addition, the liquid crystal panel 20 includes polarizing filters.

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the TFT substrate 21 and the color filter substrate 22 will be described in detail. The TFT substrate 21 defines pixels by intersecting a plurality of gate lines and data lines, A thin film transistor (TFT) is provided for each region and is connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the pixel electrodes mounted on the respective pixels. The color filter substrate 22 includes color filters of R, G and B colors corresponding to the respective pixels, a black matrix for covering the gate lines, the data lines, the thin film transistors, etc., .

And a driving PCB 25 for supplying a driving signal to the gate line and the data line is provided at an edge of the liquid crystal display panel 210.

The drive PCB 25 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel 20 by a chip on film (COF) 24. Here, the COF 24 may be changed to a TCP (Tape Carrier Package).

As described above, the optical member according to the embodiment includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a wavelength conversion layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a photo-conversion barrier and a light conversion portion.

That is, since the plurality of light conversion barriers are formed in the wavelength conversion layer, and the light conversion part including the light conversion particles is disposed between the light conversion barriers, contact with the outside can be blocked by the light conversion barrier, It is possible to prevent damage due to an external impact.

Accordingly, the optical member according to the embodiment can effectively block oxygen or moisture from the outside by the light conversion barrier, and can absorb damage caused by the outside, thereby preventing the optical member from being damaged.

In addition, since the light conversion particles are also included in the light conversion barrier, the wavelength of the light source passing through the light conversion barrier can be changed, thereby improving the color reproducibility and color uniformity of the liquid crystal display.

Therefore, the optical member according to the embodiment and the display device including the optical member can have improved durability and reliability, and not only the light conversion part but also the partition wall is the light conversion partition wall including the light conversion particles, Reproducibility and color uniformity can be improved.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined and modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (13)

A first substrate;
A photo-conversion barrier disposed on the first substrate; And
And a light conversion portion disposed in the light conversion barrier,
Wherein the photo-conversion barrier comprises photo-conversion particles that convert the wavelength of the incident light. The optical member according to claim 1, further comprising a second substrate disposed on the photo-conversion barrier. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first substrate is in direct contact with the lower surface of the light conversion barrier,
And the second substrate is in direct contact with the upper surface of the light conversion barrier. The optical member according to claim 1, wherein the photo-conversion barrier comprises a photo-curable resin. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the photo-conversion barrier comprises a transparent polymer,
Wherein the light conversion particles are disposed in the polymer. Light source;
A light conversion member on which light from the light source is incident; And
And a display panel on which light from the photo-conversion member is incident,
The light conversion member
A photo-conversion barrier including a plurality of receptacles;
A plurality of light converters disposed in the accommodating portions, respectively; And
And a first substrate and a second substrate sandwiching the photo-conversion partitions and the light-converting parts together,
The photo-
An isolation portion interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the isolation portion surrounding the light conversion portions; And
And a plurality of first light conversion particles disposed in the isolation portion. delete 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the light converting portions are in direct contact with the inner surfaces of the accommodating portions. 10. The light-emitting device according to claim 9, wherein the light-
A host disposed on an inner surface of the accommodating portion; And
And a plurality of second light conversion particles disposed in the host. A resin composition comprising a photo-curable resin and a plurality of photo-conversion particles is coated on a first substrate to form a resin composition layer,
A second substrate is laminated on the resin composition layer,
And selectively irradiating the resin composition layer with light to form a plurality of light converting portions separated by the light converting partition wall and the light converting partition wall. 12. The light-emitting device according to claim 11, wherein a mask including a transmissive region corresponding to a region where the light conversion barrier is formed is disposed on the second substrate,
And the light is irradiated to the resin composition layer through the mask. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the light conversion barriers have a mesh shape.

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