KR102423860B1 - Flexible Display Device and Method for Manufacturing the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible display device in which a glass substrate is removed for flexibility, and to a flexible display device that prevents defects in the display device due to stress when the glass substrate is removed, and a method for manufacturing the same. After the glass substrate is removed, the supporting films are applied to the edge portions of both sides of the substrate in a direction crossing the folding line, and then the supporting films are attached to cover the edges of the upper substrate, the sides of the substrates, and the edges of the lower substrate in turn to remove the glass substrate This is to solve the stress caused by the residual stress remaining in the substrate.

Description

Flexible Display Device and Method for Manufacturing the Same

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a flexible display device in which a glass substrate is removed for flexibility, and to a flexible display device that prevents defects in the display device due to stress when the glass substrate is removed, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Specific examples of the flat panel display include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), an organic light emitting display device (organic emitting display device), a plasma display panel device (PDP), and a quantum dot display device (Quantum Dot Display Device). ), a field emission display device (FED), an electrophoretic display device (EPD), etc., which in common use a flat panel display panel that implements an image as an essential component, A flat panel display panel has a structure in which a pair of transparent insulating substrates are bonded to each other with a unique light emitting or polarized light or other optical material layer interposed therebetween.

Recently, as the size of the display device increases, there is an increasing demand for a flat display device that occupies a small space. This demand has been increased, and there is a demand for using the flat panel display device in a flexible form.

A flexible display device is being developed into a form that can be folded as the thickness is gradually reduced. However, in the flexible display device up to now, as the folding operation is repeated and the number of times of the folding operation is increased, damage occurs in the folding part, which is presented as various problems.

In particular, in the case of a flexible display device, a flexible substrate is used as a substrate to perform an operation such as bending or folding, but after the process of scribing the effective area of the device compared to the glass substrate due to its weak physical properties There is a problem of severe cracks in the edge portion. In addition, cracks generated in the edge portion do not stop at a portion when bending or folding operations are repeated, but may grow and enter the active area of the flexible display device. As a result, a lighting failure on the line or an operation abnormality in a specific portion may occur. can

Hereinafter, a conventional flexible display device will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display device formed by a conventional manufacturing method.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the conventional method of manufacturing a flexible display device, the lower array 30 and the upper array 40 respectively fabricated on a glass substrate are bonded to each other to face each other on an adhesive layer 50 , and then, for flexibility This is achieved by removing the glass substrate.

However, in the removal of the glass substrate, an external force is applied to remove the glass substrate upward or downward after laser irradiation. At this time, residual stress is applied to the remaining upper and lower arrays 40 and 30 , and the external force is applied. A phenomenon in which the arrays 40 and 30 bonded in a shape are twisted or a phenomenon in which the bonded arrays 40 and 30 are curled occurs.

This is because, after the glass substrate is removed, the remaining upper and lower arrays 40 and 30 are thin and have flexibility like a film and have little rigidity.

In particular, if the above-described stress remains in the flexible display device, cracks may occur from the edge portion with severe shape deformation, and the cracks may affect the active region, which may cause a significant abnormality in image quality. Efforts are being made to

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and in a flexible display device in which a glass substrate is removed for flexibility, a flexible display device that prevents defects in the display device due to stress when the glass substrate is removed, and a method of manufacturing the same To do that, there is a purpose.

In a flexible display device of the present invention for achieving the above object, after the upper glass substrate is removed, the support films are applied to both edge portions of the substrate in a direction crossing the folding line, and then the edges of the upper substrate and the substrates are sequentially formed. By attaching a support film to surround the sides and edges of the lower substrate, the stress caused by the residual stress remaining in the substrate after the removal of the glass substrate is solved.

For this purpose, in the flexible display device of the present invention, an active region is defined in the center, a non-display region is defined outside the active region, a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate are opposed to each other, and an active region on the first flexible substrate a display element array provided in a touch sensing array provided in an active region on the second flexible substrate and facing the display element array; an adhesive layer between the display element array and the touch sensing array; and the first flexible substrate; and a support film surrounding the back and side surfaces of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the non-display area of the second flexible substrate at both sides of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate.

In addition, the support film may be connected from the rear surface of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate to the rear surface of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate without being spaced apart, and may be integrally formed.

In addition, the support film may be formed of an adhesive film, and may have an adhesive material on surfaces opposite to the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate.

Meanwhile, the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate may have a common folding line in the first direction, and the support film may be positioned in a direction crossing the first direction.

Here, a plurality of inorganic layers may be included between the second flexible substrate and the touch sensing array.

In addition, a touch routing wire passing in a direction crossing the folding line may be included in the non-display area of the second flexible substrate, and the wire may overlap the support film.

In addition, a display element array pad part on one side of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate, a link wire connected to the element array pad part and positioned in the non-display region, and a non-display region of the second flexible substrate It is provided, and it is located on the same side as the first flexible substrate or the opposite side, and may further include a touch pad unit connected to the touch routing wiring.

In addition, the touch pad part and the display element array pad part may not overlap the support film.

In addition, the method of manufacturing a flexible organic light emitting display device of the present invention for achieving the same object includes forming a first flexible substrate having an active region in the center and a non-display region defined outside the active region on a first glass substrate. forming a display element array in an active region on the first flexible substrate; forming a second flexible substrate on a second glass substrate; and in the active region on the second flexible substrate, the display element Forming a touch sensing array facing the array, bonding the display element array and the touch sensing array with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween, removing the second glass substrate, and a laminate of a release paper and a support film After preparing the second flexible substrate, a portion of the laminate is made to correspond to both sides of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate, and the release paper is removed only for the corresponding portion, and the support film of the exposed portion is applied to the second flexible substrate. After attaching to the rear surface of the non-display area, removing the first glass substrate, and peeling off the remaining release paper of the laminate, the exposed support film is applied to the side surface of the second flexible substrate and the first flexible substrate. It may include the step of attaching the support film so as to wrap around the back side of the first flexible substrate through the side.

The flexible display device and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention have the following effects.

First, after the upper glass substrate is removed, a support film having an adhesive material is attached to the edge side of the upper flexible substrate bent by an external force, and then, after the lower glass substrate is removed, the residual remaining on the flexible substrate by external force when the glass is removed By attaching the support film to the side surfaces of both flexible substrates and the back surface of the lower flexible substrate, the support film gives a force in the opposite direction to the stress that the flexible substrate is receiving, thereby preventing this phenomenon can do.

Second, by providing at least a support film in a direction crossing the folding line while surrounding the upper and lower flexible substrates of the edge portion, stress mainly applied to the folding line can be prevented.

Third, the support film surrounds the edge part, which is particularly vulnerable to wiring cracks, and maintains the flatness of the upper and lower flexible substrates to which the support films are bonded, thereby preventing wiring cracks.

Fourth, when attaching the support film to the upper flexible substrate to prevent the phenomenon of foreign matter remaining on the flexible substrate when using an adhesive material, the lower surface of the remaining support film that does not correspond to the upper flexible substrate is maintained with the release paper, It can be prevented from remaining on the flexible substrate.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display device formed by a conventional manufacturing method;
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display device according to the present invention;
3 is a plan view of FIG. 2
4A to 4C are plan views illustrating various embodiments of a flexible display device according to the present invention;
5A to 5G are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to the present invention;
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure when the flexible display device of the present invention is folded.
7 is a cross-sectional view of an active region and a support film formation portion of the flexible display device of the present invention;
8A and 8B are plan views illustrating examples of link wiring or touch routing wiring in the flexible display device of the present invention;
9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which a bezel is applied to the flexible display device of the present invention;

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to substantially identical elements throughout. In the following description, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the component names used in the following description are selected in consideration of the ease of writing the specification, and may be different from the part names of the actual product.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 .

2 and 3 , in the flexible display device of the present invention, an active area AA is defined at the center and a non-display area is defined outside the active area, and the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible display device face each other. The flexible substrate 210, the display element array 1000 provided in the active area AA on the first flexible substrate 110, and the active area AA on the second flexible substrate 210 are provided, The touch sensing array 230 facing the display element array 1000, the adhesive layer 160 between the display element array 1000 and the touch sensing array 230, and the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate At both sides of the non-display area of 210 , a support film 300 is included to surround the back and side surfaces of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 .

The support film 300 is connected from the rear surface of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate 110 to the rear surface of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate 210 without a gap, and is provided integrally. This is to effectively prevent distortion of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 .

In addition, the support film 300 is made of an adhesive film, and has an adhesive material on the side opposite to the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210, and the first and second flexible substrates ( The first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 to which an external force is applied when the glass substrate is removed having a supporting force on the sides of the 110 and 210 are flatly held.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3 , the support film 300 is preferably positioned symmetrically on both sides when the flexible organic light emitting diode display is viewed in a plan view. It is possible to hold the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 with equal force from both sides. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the glass substrate from being curled in a direction to which an external force is applied when removing the glass substrate, and also to prevent delamination of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 .

In addition, during manufacture, the support film 300 is prepared in a solid form from the beginning with the release paper 310 provided at the bottom, and then protrudes as an edge to the rear side of the second flexible substrate 210 from which the glass substrate is removed. After the second flexible substrate 210 and the portion in contact with the release paper is removed and attached first, then the glass substrate located below the first flexible substrate 110 is removed, and then all the release paper is removed, The protruding support film 300 is brought into contact with the side of the second flexible substrate 210 , the side of the first flexible substrate 110 , and the lower side of the rear surface.

This support film 300 maintains the film shape from the laminate state with the release paper 310, and has already adhesive properties on the opposite side to the release paper 310, unlike a general paste-type adhesive, and the release paper is removed and exposed. The adhesive material is formed to adhere to the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 . In particular, the support film 300 is a separate heat or photocuring process, unlike the paste-type thermosetting adhesive or photocurable adhesive, which is known to have adhesiveness from the time of corresponding to the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 . does not require

On the other hand, the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 have a common folding line in the first direction, and the support film 300 is positioned in a direction crossing the first direction. , it is possible to prevent or reduce the stress applied to the wiring located on the folding line.

In addition, in the non-display area, on the first flexible substrate 110 , a display element array pad unit is provided at one side of the non-display area, and a link wire 135 connected to the element array pad unit and positioned in the non-display area. may be provided, is provided in the non-display area of the second flexible substrate 210 , and is located on the same side as the first flexible substrate 110 or on an opposite side thereof, and includes a touch pad unit and the touch and a touch routing wire 235 connected to the touch pad unit from the sensing array.

3 shows a state in which the display element array pad unit and the touch pad unit are provided in the same position as the pad unit, and these pad units are connected to the flexible printed circuit board 400 to receive data images and timing signals from the outside. The pad part is defined as a planar area in the drawing, and the display element array pad part and the touch pad part are defined on the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 having the same side but different from each other. In addition, the display element array pad unit includes pad electrodes for supplying signals to the thin film transistor array 130 and the organic light emitting diode array 140 , and the touch pad unit supplies driving signals to the touch electrodes of the touch sensing array 230 . Pad electrodes are provided. In addition, the touch pad electrode and the touch routing wire 235 are formed in the same process as the touch sensing array 230 , and the pad electrode and the link wire 135 of the display array pad part are formed in the same process as the thin film transistor array 130 . is formed

Here, the link wiring or the touch routing wiring crosses the folding line, and the support film 300 of the present invention overlaps with the link wiring or the touch routing wiring 235 of at least the folding line portion, so that of this portion The stress applied to the wiring may be relieved, and thus, cracks derived from the edge of the flexible organic light emitting diode display may be prevented.

3 shows a state in which a folding line is provided in a direction in which the overlapping first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 are vertically divided, but the folding line may be determined as necessary and spaced apart from each other in the same direction. to be provided in plurality, and may be selectively provided only at the edge portion, not the central portion, as shown. In any case, it will be effective to prevent distortion of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 after the glass substrate is removed if the support film 300 overlaps and crosses the folding line.

Meanwhile, specifically looking at the configuration on the first flexible substrate 110 , the first plurality of inorganic layers 120 , the thin film transistor array 130 , the organic light emitting diode array 140 , and the protective layer 150 are sequentially formed. .

Here, the first plurality of inorganic layers 120 may be an oxide film, a nitride film, or an oxynitride film. In some cases, it is also made in the form of a metal oxide film including a metal. The first plurality of inorganic layers 120 compensate for the moisture permeability resistance of the first flexible substrate 110 which is weak.

For the same reason, the second plurality of inorganic layers 220 may be formed of the same material on the second flexible substrate 210 .

In addition, the thin film transistor array 130 and the organic light emitting diode array 140 include two or more thin film transistors for each pixel and an organic light emitting diode connected thereto.

On the other hand, the support film 300 is non-overlapping on the pad part including the touch pad part and the display element array pad part to prevent the pad part from affecting the connection of the flexible printed circuit board.

And, the support film 300 shown in FIG. 3 is in a state before being wrapped around the back side of the first flexible substrate 110 at the lower side after being attached to the second flexible substrate 210, and FIGS. 4A to 4B are the first The support film 300 is shown in a state in which it is wrapped around the back surface of the flexible substrate 110 and does not protrude from the side.

4A to 4C are plan views illustrating various embodiments of a flexible display device according to the present invention.

The support films 300a, 300b, and 300c may be changed into various shapes if they are symmetrically positioned on both sides of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 on a plane. In some cases, the support film may be diagonally symmetrical to both sides of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 in a plan view.

4A shows that the support film 300a is positioned on both sides of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 over the entire length of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 in a plan view, FIG. 4B . shows a shape in which the support film 300b is provided as a single unit corresponding to the central portions of both sides of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 in plan view. FIG. 4C shows a shape in which a plurality of support films 300c are spaced apart and provided on both sides of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 . In either case, the supporting film 300c is provided so as to overlap the folding line.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the flexible display device of the present invention will be described.

5A to 5G are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a flexible display device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A , a first flexible substrate 110 having an active area AA in the center and a non-display area outside the active area is formed on the first glass substrate 100 .

Next, a plurality of first inorganic layers 120 are formed on the first flexible substrate 110 , and a thin film transistor array 130 and an organic light emitting diode array 140 are sequentially formed in the active region, and then the organic light emitting diode array 140 is formed. A protective layer 150 for sealing the upper and side surfaces of the light emitting diode array 140 is formed. Here, the thin film transistor array 130 , the organic light emitting diode array 140 , and the protective layer 150 are referred to as a display element array 1000 . In the same process of forming the wiring of the thin film transistor array 130 , as illustrated, the link wiring 135 and the pad electrodes of the display element array 1000 are formed together, and the upper portion of the link wiring 135 is a thin film. It may be covered with the transistor array 130 , the organic light emitting diode array 140 , or the passivation layer 150 .

Next, the adhesive layer 160 is applied on the display element array 1000 .

As shown in FIG. 5B , the second flexible substrate 210 is formed on the second glass substrate 200 .

Next, a plurality of first inorganic layers 120 are formed on the second flexible substrate 210 , and in an active region on the second flexible substrate 210 , a touch sensing array facing the display element array 1000 . (230) is formed.

As shown, the touch routing wiring 235 and the pad electrodes of the touch sensing array 230 are formed together, and the upper portion of the touch routing wiring 235 may be covered with an insulating film material included in the touch sensing array 230 . .

The process on the first flexible substrate 110 of FIG. 5A and the process on the second flexible substrate 210 of FIG. 5B may be performed in reverse order. In addition, the adhesive layer 160 applied to the uppermost side of FIG. 5A may be located on the uppermost side of the second flexible substrate 210 of FIG. 5B .

In addition, the components of the first flexible substrate 110 and the second flexible substrate 210 are polyester or a copolymer containing polyester, a copolymer containing polyimide or polyimide, An olefin-based copolymer, a copolymer containing polyacrylic acid or polyacrylic acid, a copolymer containing polystyrene or polyesterin, a copolymer containing polysulfate or polysulfate, a polycarbonate ( polycarbonate) or a copolymer containing polycarbonate, a copolymer containing polyamic acid or polyamic acid, a copolymer containing polyamine and polyamic acid, polyvinylalcohol, polyallylamine ( polyallyamine) may include one or more polymer compounds selected from the group consisting of, and the thickness thereof may be 5 μm to 100 μm.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5C , they are bonded to each other through the adhesive layer 160 between the display element array 1000 and the touch sensing array 230 . The adhesive layer 160 may be positioned on either the display element array 1000 or the touch sensing array 230 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 5D , the second glass substrate 200 is removed from the rear surface of the second flexible substrate 210 by irradiating a laser to the side of the second glass substrate 200 .

As shown in FIG. 5E , after preparing the laminate 500 of the release paper 310 and the support film 300 , a portion of the laminate 500 is formed on both sides of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate 210 . In order to correspond, the release paper 310 of only the corresponding portion is removed, and the support film 300 of the exposed portion is attached to the rear surface of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate 210 . Here, the release paper 310 is to protect the surface of the support film 300 having an adhesive material, and to prevent foreign matter due to the adhesive material.

Here, when the second glass substrate 200 is removed, a non-contact energy such as laser irradiation is applied, while an external force to lift the second glass substrate 200 is required for sufficient detachment. The second flexible substrate 210 remaining in this process evenly supports both sides through the attachment of the support film 300 even if there is a slight bendability, and the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 are bonded together. ) is flattened.

And, the support film 300 is an adhesive film having an adhesive function, and the release paper 310 and the bonding surface (opposite side) have a solid adhesive material, and when the release paper 310 is peeled off, the peeled off part is used. to perform the attachment. And, in the above process, the support film 300 is made to correspond only to both sides of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate 210 , and the rest is protruded.

The first flexible substrate 110 may have rigidity compared to the second flexible substrate 210 that is relatively transparent as a colored polymer component, and has heat resistance, so that in a relatively glass substrate removal process, the second flexible substrate 210 . You may experience less stress than

Next, as shown in FIG. 5F , the first glass substrate 100 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 5G , after peeling off the remaining release paper 310 of the laminate 500 , the exposed support film 300 is the side surface of the second flexible substrate 210 and the side surface of the first flexible substrate 110 . The support film 300 is attached to the back side of the first flexible substrate 110 through the .

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure when the flexible display device of the present invention is folded.

When the flexible display device is folded (when folded) based on the folding line of FIG. 3 , a cross-section of the support film 300 is removed from a portion of the rear surface of the first flexible substrate 110 as shown in FIG. 6 . It can be seen that the support film 300 is positioned on both sides of each of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 , which is provided in a form that covers up to a portion of the rear surface of the flexible substrate 210 .

In this case, the second flexible substrate 210 to move in the upward direction and the first flexible substrate 110 to move in the downward direction based on the adhesive layer 160 are wrapped around the side of the support film 300 and pressed from the top and bottom. It is possible to prevent the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 from being detached from or curled up from each array, or from cracks occurring in the bezel region.

Hereinafter, an internal configuration of the flexible display device of the present invention will be described through specific cross-sectional views with reference to the drawings.

7 is a cross-sectional view of an active region and a support film formation portion of the flexible display device of the present invention.

7 , the thin film transistor array in the active region of the first flexible substrate 110 is formed on the first flexible substrate 110 , on the first plurality of inorganic layers 120 , and on the first plurality of inorganic layers 120 . includes two or more thin film transistors provided corresponding to each pixel, covers the thin film transistors, and includes a second interlayer insulating film 137 having a protective function.

Here, the thin film transistor includes an active layer 131 located in a selective region of the plurality of first inorganic layers 120 , a gate insulating layer 122 covering the active layer 131 , and an upper portion of the active layer 131 . The gate electrode 133 positioned in contact with the gate insulating layer 122, the first interlayer insulating layer 134 covering the gate electrode 133, and the first interlayer insulating layer passing through the first interlayer insulating layer to expose both sides of the active layer 131 and a source electrode 135 and a drain electrode 136 respectively connected to both sides of the active layer 131 through a contact hole.

In addition, the second interlayer insulating layer 137 has a contact hole at a connection portion between the source electrode 135 and the drain electrode 136 and the active layer 131 , and covers the remaining portion.

In addition, the organic light emitting diode array 140 is provided with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) corresponding to each pixel, and the organic light emitting diode (OLED) includes a first electrode connected to a driving thin film transistor (D-TFT). 141 ), an organic emission layer 143 provided on the first electrode 142 , and a second electrode 144 on the organic emission layer 143 . Here, the organic light emitting layer 143 is formed in the light emitting area by providing a bank 142 at the boundary of each pixel to define a light emitting area.

In addition, in order to protect the organic light emitting array 140 from moisture or external air, the protective layer 150 is provided in the shape of covering the top and side portions of the organic light emitting array 140 and in the shape of a barrier laminate of alternating organic and inorganic layers. can be

Meanwhile, the touch sensing array 230 corresponds to the active area, and may further include a touch routing wire 235 on the same plane as the touch electrode array 230 in the non-display area. In addition, although not shown separately, the touch sensing array 230 may include a first electrode and a second electrode that cross each other, and an interlayer insulating layer may be provided at least at the intersection of the first electrode and the second electrode. .

In addition, the touch sensing array 230 , the thin film transistor array 130 , the organic light emitting diode array 140 , and the display device array 1000 including the protective layer 150 have an adhesive layer 160 interposed therebetween. to be cemented

On the other hand, the support film 300 is located in the non-display area, and sequentially from the top, the rear surface of the second flexible substrate 210, the side surface of the second flexible substrate 210, and a second plurality of inorganic layers thereon ( 220), the touch routing wiring 235, the adhesive layer 160, the protective layer 150, the second interlayer insulating film 137, and the first interlayer insulating film 133, the gate insulating film 132, the link wiring 135 and It is formed over the side surface of the plurality of first inorganic layers 120 , the side surface of the first flexible substrate 110 , and the rear surface thereof. That is, the back and side surfaces of the first and second flexible substrates 110 and 210 as well as the array configuration and the adhesive layer 160 therebetween are covered by the support film 300 .

In the flexible display device of the present invention, the support film 300 is an external force applied to the second flexible substrate 210 and the first flexible substrate 110 when the second and first glass substrates 200 and 100 are removed. The stress applied to the second flexible substrate 210 and the first flexible substrate 110 may be offset, and cracks transmitted from the edge portion to the center may be prevented by enclosing the edge portion.

8A and 8B are plan views illustrating examples of link wiring or touch routing wiring in the flexible display device of the present invention.

8A illustrates a shape in which a link wire or a touch routing wire is provided in a straight line in a non-display area outside an active area.

8B shows that a pattern having a curvature in the non-display area is formed in order to obtain a crack mitigation effect transmitted from the edge.

In any case, in the flexible display device of the present invention, the back and side surfaces of the first and second flexible substrates located on both sides of the edge portion are covered to prevent cracks transmitted from the edge portion, thereby improving the reliability of the device. .

9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which a bezel is applied to the flexible display device of the present invention.

On the other hand, the flexible display device of the present invention has the shape of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 or 7 as a basic structure, and when it is actually used in an application such as a mobile phone, a TV, or a monitor, as shown in FIG. 9A , the support film 300 and a bezel 600 in the form of surrounding the exposed lower surface (rear surface) of the first flexible substrate 110, so that it may have a protective function against an impact from the outside.

In the flexible display device of the present invention, after the upper glass substrate is removed, a support film having an adhesive material is attached to the edge of the upper flexible substrate bent by an external force, and then, after the lower glass substrate is removed, the glass is removed by external force. By attaching the support film to the side surfaces of both flexible substrates and the back surface of the lower flexible substrate to prevent bending, curling, or detachment from the residual stress remaining in the flexible substrate, the support film is subjected to the force in the opposite direction of the stress that the flexible substrate is receiving. Given that, this phenomenon can be prevented.

And, by providing at least a support film in a direction crossing the folding line while surrounding the upper and lower flexible substrates of the edge portion, it is possible to prevent the stress mainly applied to the folding line.

In particular, the support film surrounds the edge portion vulnerable to wiring cracks, and maintains the flatness of the upper and lower flexible substrates to which the support films are bonded, thereby preventing wiring cracks.

When attaching the support film to the upper flexible substrate to prevent the phenomenon of foreign matter remaining on the flexible substrate when using an adhesive material, the lower surface of the remaining support film that does not correspond to the upper flexible substrate is maintained with the release paper, so that the adhesive foreign material is removed from the flexible substrate It can be prevented from remaining on the substrate.

On the other hand, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and changes are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art.

100: first glass substrate 110: first flexible substrate
120: first plurality of inorganic layers 130: thin film transistor array
140: organic light emitting diode array 150: protective layer
160: adhesive layer 200: second glass substrate
210: second flexible substrate 220: second plurality of inorganic layers
230: touch sensing array 135: link wiring
235: touch routing wiring 300: support film
400: flexible printed circuit board 600: bezel
1000: display element array

Claims (11)

a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate each having an active region in the center and a non-display region defined outside the active region, facing each other;
a display element array provided in an active region on the first flexible substrate;
a touch sensing array provided in an active region on the second flexible substrate and facing the display element array;
an adhesive layer between the display element array and the touch sensing array; and
a support film surrounding the back and side surfaces of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate on both sides of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate;
The support film is connected from the rear surface of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate to the rear surface of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate without separation, and is integrally formed;
The support film may include a rear surface of the first flexible substrate, a side surface of the first flexible substrate, a side surface of the adhesive layer, a side surface of the second flexible substrate, and a flexible display directly attached to each surface of the rear surface of the second flexible substrate Device.
delete The method of claim 1,
The support film is formed of an adhesive film, and has an adhesive material on a surface opposite to the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. The method of claim 1,
The first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate have a common folding line in the first direction,
The support film is positioned in a direction crossing the first direction. The method of claim 1,
A flexible display device including a plurality of inorganic layers between the second flexible substrate and the touch sensing array. 5. The method of claim 4,
and a touch routing line passing in a direction crossing the folding line in a non-display area of the second flexible substrate, wherein the support film overlaps the touch routing line. 7. The method of claim 6,
a display element array pad part on one side of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate;
a link wire connected to the display element array pad part and positioned in the non-display area; and
The flexible display device further comprising a touch pad unit provided in the non-display area of the second flexible substrate, positioned on the same side as the first flexible substrate or on an opposite side thereof, and connected to the touch routing line. 8. The method of claim 7,
The touch pad part and the display element array pad part do not overlap the support film. forming a first flexible substrate having an active area in the center and a non-display area defined outside the active area on a first glass substrate;
forming a display element array in an active region on the first flexible substrate;
forming a second flexible substrate on a second glass substrate;
forming a touch sensing array facing the display element array in an active region on the second flexible substrate;
bonding the display element array and the touch sensing array with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween;
removing the second glass substrate;
After preparing the laminate of the release paper and the support film, a portion of the laminate is made to correspond to both sides of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate, and only the corresponding portion is removed, the release paper is removed, and the support film of the exposed portion attaching to the rear surface of the non-display area of the second flexible substrate;
removing the first glass substrate; and
After peeling off the remaining release paper of the laminate, the remaining exposed portion of the support film passes through the side surface of the second flexible substrate, the side surface of the adhesive layer, and the side surface of the first flexible substrate, the rear surface of the first flexible substrate A method of manufacturing a flexible display device, the method comprising: attaching the support film so as to directly contact each surface of the flexible display device. a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate each having an active region in the center and a non-display region defined outside the active region, facing each other;
a display element array provided in an active region on the first flexible substrate;
a touch sensing array provided in an active region on the second flexible substrate and facing the display element array;
an adhesive layer between the display element array and the touch sensing array; and
a support film surrounding the back and side surfaces of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate on both sides of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate;
and a touch routing wire in a non-display area of the second flexible substrate, wherein the support film overlaps the touch routing wire. a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate each having an active region in the center and a non-display region defined outside the active region, facing each other;
a display element array provided in an active region on the first flexible substrate;
a touch sensing array provided in an active region on the second flexible substrate and facing the display element array;
an adhesive layer between the display element array and the touch sensing array; and
a support film surrounding the back and side surfaces of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate on both sides of the non-display area of the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate;
The first and second flexible substrates have a common folding line in the first direction,
The support film is disposed in a direction crossing the first direction and not disposed in a direction parallel to the first direction.

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