KR102601137B1 - Flexible display panel and flexible display apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible display panel in which at least one transistor whose resistance characteristics change when bent is provided in a non-display area, and a flexible display device using the same.

Description

Flexible display panel and flexible display device using the same {FLEXIBLE DISPLAY PANEL AND FLEXIBLE DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a flexible display panel and a flexible display device using the same.

Flat panel display devices (FPD) are used in various types of electronic products, including mobile phones, tablet PCs, and laptops. Flat panel displays (hereinafter simply referred to as display devices) include liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), organic light-emitting diode display devices (OLEDs), and more recently, electrophoretic displays. Electrophoretic Display Device (EPD) is also widely used.

In conventional display devices, a glass substrate is used to withstand the high heat generated during the manufacturing process of the display device. Therefore, there are limits to making conventional display devices lighter, thinner, or more flexible.

Recently, flexible display devices that can maintain display performance even when bent in various directions like paper, folded in half, or rolled like a roller have been manufactured by using flexible materials such as plastic films that can be folded and unfolded. there is.

By determining whether the flexible display device is bent, folded, or rolling as described above, various interfaces can be implemented in the flexible display device.

To this end, a sensor may be installed in the non-display area of the flexible display device to determine the degree of bending, folding information, or degree of rolling of the flexible display device.

Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a conventional flexible display device equipped with a sensor.

Publication Patent No. 10-2014-0132569 describes a flexible display device 10 as shown in FIG. 1. In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 represents a display area, reference numeral 2 represents a non-display area, and reference numeral 3 represents a sensor. As shown in FIG. 1, in a conventional flexible display device, a plurality of sensors 3 are arranged in the non-display area 2, and the sensors 3 are used to determine the bending degree, folding degree, or degree of bending of the flexible display device. The degree of rolling can be determined.

However, in a conventional flexible display device, since the sensors 3 are formed in the form of a resistor, the size of the sensors 3 is very large compared to the size of the pixels provided in the display area. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the width of the non-display area.

Additionally, since the sensors 3 are formed through a different process from the pixels constituting the flexible display device, the manufacturing process of the flexible display device becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase.

The purpose of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems is to provide a flexible display panel in which at least one transistor whose resistance characteristics change when bent is provided in a non-display area, and a flexible display device using the same.

A flexible display panel according to the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes a display portion on which an image is displayed and a non-display portion surrounding the display portion, and at least one of the panel provided with gate lines and data lines and the non-display portion. It is provided in the bending area of and includes a sensor unit equipped with a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first gate provided on a substrate constituting the panel, a first active spaced apart from the first gate with a gate insulating film in between, and a first main connected to one side of the first active. terminal and a first auxiliary terminal connected to the other side of the first active terminal. The first main terminal and the first auxiliary terminal are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending area of the panel.

A flexible display device according to the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes the flexible display panel, a gate driver driving gate lines provided in the flexible display panel, and a data driver driving data lines provided in the flexible display panel. , a bending detection unit that detects whether the sensor unit is bent using detection signals received from the sensor unit, and a control unit that controls the functions of the gate driver, the data driver, and the bending detection unit.

According to the present invention, a sensor that detects bending can be formed through the same process as the transistors provided in the display area. Accordingly, the manufacturing process of flexible display panels and flexible display devices can be simplified.

According to the present invention, since the size of the sensor that detects bending is small, the width of the non-display area can be reduced.

According to the present invention, since the difference in the sensing capabilities of the sensors depending on temperature is not large, the sensor unit is not affected by temperature, and therefore, bending can be accurately detected.

Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a conventional flexible display device equipped with a sensor.
Figure 2 is an example diagram showing a foldable display panel proposed by the applicant of the present invention in the process of developing the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an exemplary diagram showing the structure of a pixel applied to a flexible display device according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a cross section of a first transistor constituting a sensor unit applied to a flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is an equivalent circuit of resistances of transistors constituting a sensor unit applied to a flexible display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a sensor unit applied to a flexible display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete, and those skilled in the art It is provided to fully inform the person of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

In this specification, it should be noted that when adding reference numbers to components in each drawing, the same components are given the same number as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the matters shown. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Additionally, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. When 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, the plural is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

When interpreting a component, it is interpreted to include the margin of error even if there is no separate explicit description.

In the case of a description of a positional relationship, for example, if the positional relationship of two parts is described as 'on top', 'on the top', 'on the bottom', 'next to', etc., 'immediately' Alternatively, there may be one or more other parts placed between the two parts, unless 'directly' is used.

In the case of a description of a temporal relationship, for example, if a temporal relationship is described as 'after', 'successfully after', 'after', 'before', etc., 'immediately' or 'directly' Unless used, non-consecutive cases may also be included.

The term ‘at least one’ should be understood to include all possible combinations from one or more related items. For example, 'at least one of the first item, the second item and the third item' means each of the first item, the second item or the third item, as well as two of the first item, the second item and the third item. It means a combination of all items that can be presented from more than one.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or fully combined or combined with each other, various technical interconnections and operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other or together in a related relationship. It may be possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a foldable display panel proposed by the applicant of the present invention in the process of developing the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the foldable display panel 50 includes a bending area (E) that is flexible and therefore folded, and a flat area (F) that is not flexible and therefore cannot be folded.

Four bending sensors for detecting whether the foldable display panel 50 is bent, that is, the first to fourth bending sensors 11, 22, 23, and 24, are used to determine whether the foldable display panel 50 is bent. It is placed in the non-display area 40 provided on the outside of .

Among the bending sensors, two bending sensors 21 and 24 are disposed in the non-display area 40 of the bending area EX, and the remaining two bending sensors 22 and 23 are located in the flat area EX. It is placed in the non-display area 40 of the area F.

As described above, the bending region (E) is supported by a flexible substrate, and the flat region (F) is supported by an inflexible substrate.

Because the bending sensors are large in size in the foldable display panel 50, there is a limit to reducing the width of the non-display area 40.

In addition, because the sizes of the bending sensors are large, as described above, two bending sensors 21 and 24 are disposed in the non-display area 40 of the bending area E, and the remaining two bending sensors 21 and 24 are disposed in the non-display area 40 of the bending area E. Sensors 22 and 23 are disposed in the non-display area 40 of the flat area F.

In this case, when the surrounding temperature of the foldable display panel changes, due to the difference in materials of the substrates constituting the bending area (E) and the flat area (F), the bending sensors in the bending area (E) ( A resistance deviation may occur between 21 and 24) and the bending sensors 22 and 23 in the flat area (F). Due to this resistance variation, it may not be accurately determined whether the foldable display panel is folded.

In addition, because the output of the signal due to the strain of the bending sensors is low, the sensitivity of the detection signal received from the bending sensors is low, and accordingly, it may not be accurately determined whether the foldable display panel is folded. You can.

The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and below, the present invention is described in detail.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing the structure of a pixel applied to the flexible display device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible display device according to the present invention includes a flexible display panel 100 according to the present invention, and a gate that drives gate lines (GL1 to GLg) provided in the flexible display panel 100. Driver 200, data driver 300 driving the data lines DL1 to DLd provided in the flexible display panel 100, and sensor unit 600 provided in the flexible display panel 100. A bending detection unit 700 that detects whether the sensor unit 600 is bent using detection signals and controls the functions of the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, and the bending detection unit 700. Includes a control unit 400.

The gate driver 200 sequentially generates gate pulses according to the gate control signal (GCS) supplied from the control unit 400 and sequentially supplies them to the gate lines (GL1 to GLg).

The gate driver 200 may be formed directly on the flexible display panel 100 during the thin film transistor formation process of each pixel 111, or may be formed in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) and mounted on the flexible display panel. It may be possible. The type in which the gate driver 200 is formed directly on the flexible display panel 100 is called a gate in panel (GIP: Gate In Panel) type.

The data driver 300 is connected to the data lines DL1 to DLd, converts digital image data (Data) transmitted from the control unit 400 into analog data voltages, and transmits the gate to the gate line. During each pulse supply period, data voltages equivalent to one horizontal line are supplied to the data lines (DL1 to DLd).

The data driver 300 converts the image data (Data) into the data voltage using gamma voltages supplied from a gamma voltage generator, and then converts the data voltage to the data line or the dummy data line. supply.

The data driver 300 may be formed as one integrated circuit (IC) together with the control unit 400.

The control unit 400 controls the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, and the bending detection unit 700.

The control unit 400 converts input image data transmitted from an external system into image data according to the structure of the flexible display panel 100 and then transmits the digital image data (Data) to the data driver 300.

The control unit 400 generates a gate control signal (GCS) for controlling the gate driver 200 and a data control signal (DCS) for controlling the data driver 300, and generates the gate control signal (GCS) is transmitted to the gate driver 200, and the data control signal (DCS) is transmitted to the data driver 300.

The control unit 400 generates a bending detection control signal (BCS) to control the bending detection unit 700 and transmits the bending detection control signal to the bending detection unit 700.

The control unit 400 may determine the bending area of the flexible display panel 100 by analyzing digital detection signals received from the bending detection unit 700.

In order to perform the functions described above, the control unit 400 may include a determination unit, a control signal generation unit, and a data sorting unit.

The determination unit receives the digital detection signals transmitted from the bending detection unit 700, a timing synchronization signal transmitted from an external system, and input image data transmitted from the external system. The determination unit analyzes the digital detection signals and determines whether the flexible display panel 100 is bent. The determination unit may transmit information on whether or not the bending occurs to the external system.

The control signal generator uses the timing synchronization signal to generate the gate control signal (GCS), the data control signal (DCS), and the bending detection control signal (BCS).

The data sorting unit rearranges the input image data according to the structure of the pixels 111 to generate image data. The data alignment unit transmits the image data (Data) to the data driver 300.

In the above, a flexible display device in which the control unit 400 determines whether the flexible display panel 100 is bent using the digital detection signals has been described. However, determination of whether the flexible display panel 100 is bent may be performed by the bending detection unit 700. In this case, the bending detection unit 700 may transmit the determination result of whether it is bending to the external system through the control unit 400, or may directly transmit the determination result to the external system.

The bending detection unit 700 may convert analog detection signals received from the sensor unit 600 into digital detection signals and then transmit the digital detection signals to the control unit 400.

Additionally, the bending detection unit 700 may directly determine whether the flexible display panel 100 is bent using the digital detection signals. In this case, the bending detection unit 700 may transmit the determination result of whether or not it is bending to the external system through the control unit 400, or may directly transmit the determination result to the external system.

Additionally, the bending detection unit 700 is another component that can determine whether the flexible display panel 100 is bent using the digital detection signals, and can transmit the digital detection signals.

Hereinafter, a flexible display device in which the bending detection unit 700 directly determines whether the bending area B is bent using the digital detection signals will be described as an example of the present invention.

The bending detection unit 700 may be provided independently, may be integrated with the control unit 400, or may be integrated with the data driver 300.

The bending detection unit 700 is driven according to the bending detection control signal (BCS) transmitted from the control unit 400. In this case, the bending detection control signal (BCS) may be transmitted directly from the control unit 400 or may be transmitted through the data driver.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible display panel 100 includes a panel 110 and a sensor unit 600.

The panel 110 includes a display unit 120 on which an image is displayed and a non-display unit 130 surrounding the display unit. The panel 110 is provided with the gate lines (GL1 to GLg) and the data lines (DL1 to DLd).

The sensor unit 600 is provided in at least one bending area B of the non-display unit 130. Figure 3 shows the flexible display panel 100 provided with one bending area (B).

The sensor unit 600 is provided with a first transistor 610.

The first transistor 610 may be provided in the non-display portion 130 along with various transistors provided in the pixel 111 of the display portion 120.

The flexible display panel 100 is composed of a substrate that can be bent, folded, or rolled. Here, bending the flexible display panel 100 means that the flexible display panel 100 is bent roundly in the bending area (B), and folding the flexible display panel 100 means that the flexible display panel 100 is bent. This means that (100) is overlapped based on the bending area (B), and that the flexible display panel (100) is wound means that all surfaces of the flexible display panel (100) are wound round.

The flexible display panel 100 can be modified into various forms as described above. Hereinafter, except in cases where one of the three structures must be specifically limited, bending, folding, or winding of the flexible display panel 100 is collectively referred to as bending. They say it works.

The flexible display panel 100 may be provided with at least one bending area B.

Among the non-display areas of the flexible display panel 100, the sensor unit 600 is provided in an area corresponding to the bending area B.

The flexible display panel 100 is provided with gate lines (GL1 to GLg), data lines (DL1 to DLd), and pixels 111 defined by the gate lines and data lines.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the pixels 111 includes a switching transistor (Tsw1) connected to the data line (DL) and the gate line (GL), a first driving power source (EVDD), and a second driving power source. (EVSS) and a driving transistor (Tdr) whose gate is connected to the switching transistor (Tsw1), and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) connected between the driving transistor (Tdr) and the second driving power supply (EVSS). do. A data voltage (Vdata) is supplied to the data line (DL), and a gate pulse (GP) is supplied to the gate line (GL).

However, the structure of the pixel 111 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the pixel 111 may be configured in various shapes. For example, the pixel 111 shown in FIG. 4 may include components for determining the threshold voltage, mobility, or degree of degradation of the driving transistor (Tdr) or the organic light emitting diode (OLED) provided in the pixel. You can. Additionally, the pixel 111 may include three or more transistors.

The specific configuration and function of the flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

Figure 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a cross section of a first transistor constituting a sensor unit applied to a flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The flexible display panel 100 applied to the flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600, as described above.

The sensor unit 600 is provided in at least one bending area (B) of the non-display unit 130, and the sensor unit 600 includes at least one transistor. The transistor functions as a sensor that detects bending.

In the flexible display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 600 includes only one first transistor 610 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first transistor 610 uses a first gate 613 and a gate insulating film 615 provided on the substrate 119 constituting the flexible display panel 100. A first active 614 spaced apart from the first gate 613 in between, a first main terminal 611 connected to one side of the first active 614, and the first active 614 It includes a first auxiliary terminal 612 connected to the other side. The first gate 613 is surrounded by a protective film 616, and the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 penetrate the protective film 616 to form the first active terminal 614. ) can be connected to.

The first transistor 610 may be a thin film transistor. The thin film transistor may be composed of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS).

The structure of the first transistor 610 may be changed into various forms. However, the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 must be arranged in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B) of the flexible display panel 100. .

For example, in FIG. 3, the bending area B is formed in the horizontal direction of the flexible display panel 100, that is, in the X-axis direction. In this case, the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 are arranged in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, that is, in the Y-axis direction.

The first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 may be the drain and source of the first transistor 610, or may be the source and drain.

The first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 are disposed in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B) of the flexible display panel 100, so that the bending area When (B) is bent, the bending detection unit 700 can detect whether the bending area (B) is bent.

A method by which the bending detection unit 700 determines the bending area of the bending area B using the first transistor 610 is as follows.

For example, when the flexible display panel 100 is bent along the bending area B due to external force or internal factors, the first transistor 610 may also be stretched or contracted.

Because of this, the resistance value of the first transistor 610 changes.

The results described above can be confirmed through various papers (e.g., Electrical characteristics and mechanical limitation of polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor on steel foil under strain, ISDRS 2009, December 9-11, College Park, MD, USA). there is.

The bending detection unit 700 analyzes the amount of change in the resistance value of the first transistor 610 to determine whether the bending area B where the first transistor 610 is tensioned or contracted, that is, the bending region B. It is possible to determine whether the area (B) is bending.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the first transistor 610 includes a first gate 613, a first main terminal 611, and a first auxiliary terminal 612, When the first transistor 610 is stretched in the Y-axis direction or contracted in the Y-axis direction, the channel length (L) of the first active 614 of the first transistor 610 is changed. In this case, the resistance value between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 may be changed.

The bending detection unit 700 analyzes the detection signals transmitted from the first transistor 610, for example, a current value or voltage value flowing through the first transistor 610, and determines the length of the channel. The amount of change in (L) is determined, and according to the determination result, whether or not the bending area (B) where the first transistor 610 is located is bent or the degree of bending can be determined.

A detailed explanation of how to determine whether or not it is bending is as follows.

When the flexible display panel 100 is bent along the bending area B, the length L between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 is the length L of the flexible display panel 100. ) is increased or decreased compared to the length between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 when not bent.

Accordingly, the current value flowing between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 may increase or decrease. Accordingly, the resistance value between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 may increase or decrease.

The bending detection unit 700 may determine whether the bending area B is bent by analyzing the amount of change in the resistance value.

To this end, the bending detection unit 700 supplies a gate signal to the first gate under the control of the control unit 400, and transmits a gate signal between the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612. Voltage can be applied.

Two or more bending areas B may be provided in the flexible display panel 100, and the first transistor 610 may be provided in the non-display portion 130 corresponding to each of the bending areas B. You can.

Figure 6 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 is omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flexible display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes only the first transistor 610, as in the first embodiment.

Here, the first gate 613 of the first transistor 610 is connected to one of the gate lines GL1 to GLg.

The bending detection unit 700 is a gate line connected to the first gate 613 during a display period in which data voltages are output to the data lines DL1 to DLd and an image is output to the flexible display panel 100. When a gate pulse (GP) is supplied, the current or voltage received through the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 is analyzed to determine the resistance value of the first transistor 610. The amount of change can be analyzed. Accordingly, the bending area of the bending area B may be determined.

However, the bending detection unit 700 analyzes the current or voltage received through the first main terminal 611 and the first auxiliary terminal 612 during a blank period when no image is output between frames. Thus, the amount of change in the resistance value of the first transistor 610 can be analyzed. In this case, the gate driver 200 must be configured to supply the gate pulse GP to the gate line connected to the first gate 613 during the blank period.

In addition, when the flexible display panel 100 is provided with two bending areas B1 and B2, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the bending areas B1 and B2 includes the first transistor. (610) is provided.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an equivalent diagram of resistances of transistors constituting a sensor unit applied to the flexible display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 is omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a second main terminal 621 connected to both sides of the first transistor 610 and the second active 624. and a second transistor 620 in which the second auxiliary terminal 622 is disposed in a direction (X) parallel to the direction (X) of the bending area (B), and a third connected to both sides of the third active (634). On both sides of the third transistor 630 and the fourth active 644, the main terminal 631 and the third auxiliary terminal 632 are disposed in the direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). The fourth main terminal 641 and the fourth auxiliary terminal 642 connected to include a fourth transistor 640 arranged in a direction (X) parallel to the direction (X) of the bending area (B).

Here, the resistances of the first transistor 610, the second transistor 620, the third transistor 630, and the fourth transistor 640 form a Wheatstone bridge as shown in FIG. 8. do.

In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction, and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction. They are arranged to face each other.

Here, when the bending area (B) is bent along the , 632) the distance (L) between them changes. Accordingly, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 perform the function of a variable resistor.

However, when the bending area B is bent along the , 642) does not change. Accordingly, the resistance of the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 does not change. Accordingly, the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 perform the function of a reference resistance.

A driving voltage (Vdd) is supplied to the node between the first transistor 610 and the second transistor 620, and the node between the fourth transistor 640 and the third transistor 630 is ground and connected, the first output voltage (Vout1) is transmitted to the bending detection unit 700 through the node between the first transistor 610 and the fourth transistor 640, and the second transistor 620 and The second output voltage (Vout2) is transmitted to the bending detection unit 700 through the node between the third transistors.

The bending detection unit 700 measures the amount of change in resistance of the sensor unit 600 using the voltages and current received through the transistors, and according to the measurement result, the sensor unit 600 You can determine whether or not it is bending.

For example, the sensor unit 600 may be composed of only the first transistor 610 and the second transistor 620, and may be composed of only the third transistor 630 and the fourth transistor 640. It may be possible.

When the sensor unit 600 is composed of two transistors, if the resistance of one of the two transistors is changed and the resistance of the other is not changed, the bending detection unit 700 detects that the bending area is bent. It can be judged that it has been done.

As the number of transistors provided in the sensor unit 600 increases, the influence of external noise can be eliminated, so the bending sensor unit 600 more accurately detects the bending area of the bending area B. You can judge.

Figure 9 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 is omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is connected to both sides of the first transistor 610 and the second active 624, as in the third embodiment. A second transistor 620 and a third active terminal 634 in which the second main terminal 621 and the second auxiliary terminal 622 are arranged in a direction (X) parallel to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). A third transistor 630 in which the third main terminal 631 and the third auxiliary terminal 632 connected to both sides are arranged in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B), and The fourth main terminal 641 and the fourth auxiliary terminal 642 connected to both sides of the fourth active 644 are arranged in a direction (X) parallel to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). Includes a transistor 640.

The first gate 613 of the first transistor 610, the second gate 623 of the second transistor 620, and the third gate 633 of the third transistor 630 applied to the fourth embodiment. ) and the fourth gate 643 of the fourth transistor 640 is connected to one of the gate lines GL1 to GLg, as shown in FIG. 9.

However, the first gate 613 of the first transistor 610, the second gate 623 of the second transistor 620, and the third gate of the third transistor 630 are applied to the third embodiment. 633 and the fourth gate 643 of the fourth transistor 640 are connected to the bending detection unit 700, as shown in FIG. 7, and the gate transmitted from the bending detection unit 700 Receive signal (GS).

In addition, when the flexible display panel 100 applied to the fourth embodiment is provided with two bending areas B1 and B2, as shown in FIG. 9, the bending areas B1, B2) Each is provided with the sensor unit 600.

Figure 10 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9 is omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the flexible display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a second main terminal 621 connected to both sides of the first transistor 610 and the second active 624. and a second auxiliary terminal 622 connected to both sides of the second transistor 620 and the third active 634 arranged in the direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). 3 The main terminal 631 and the third auxiliary terminal 632 of the third transistor 630 and the fourth active 644 are disposed in the direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). The fourth main terminal 641 and the fourth auxiliary terminal 642 connected to both sides include a fourth transistor 640 arranged in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). do.

A driving voltage (Vdd) is supplied to the first gate 613 and the first main terminal 611 of the first transistor 610 applied to the fifth embodiment, and the second gate of the second transistor 620 is supplied. (623) and the second main terminal 621 are connected to the terminal through which the second output voltage (Vout2) is supplied to the bending detection unit 700, and the third main terminal 631 of the third transistor and the third The gate 633 is connected to the terminal through which the second output voltage (Vout2) is supplied to the bending detection unit 700, and the fourth main terminal 641 of the fourth transistor and the fourth gate 643 are Connected to the ground.

The first auxiliary terminal 612 of the first transistor 610 and the fourth auxiliary terminal 642 of the fourth transistor 640 supply the first output voltage (Vout2) to the bending detection unit 700. terminal, the driving voltage (Vdd) is supplied to the second auxiliary terminal 622 of the second transistor 620, and the third auxiliary terminal 632 of the third transistor is connected to the ground.

In the fourth embodiment, the main terminals 611, 631 and auxiliary terminals 612, 632 of the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are aligned in the direction (X) of the bending area (B). ), and the main terminals 621, 641 and auxiliary terminals 622, 642 of the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are located in the bending area ( It is placed in a direction (X) parallel to the direction (X) of B).

However, in the fifth embodiment, the main terminals 611, 621, 631 of the first transistor 610, the second transistor 620, the third transistor 630, and the fourth transistor 640, 641) and auxiliary terminals 612, 622, 632, and 642 are arranged in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B).

Here, the resistances of the first transistor 610, the second transistor 620, the third transistor 630, and the fourth transistor 640 form a Wheatstone bridge as shown in FIG. 8. .

In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction, and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction. They are arranged to face each other.

In this case, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 can be variable resistors, and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 can be reference resistors.

Additionally, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are first type transistors, and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are second type transistors.

For example, if the first type transistor is an N-type transistor, the second type transistor is a P-type transistor, and if the first type transistor is a P-type transistor, the second type transistor is an N-type transistor.

The change in mobility of the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor is opposite. Therefore, when a tensile force is applied to the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor and the distance (L) between the main terminal and the auxiliary terminal increases, the change in resistance in the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor The change in resistance is opposite.

Accordingly, the bending detection unit 700 can determine whether the bending area B is bent using the change in resistance as described above.

Figure 11 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to the content described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10 is omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a second main terminal 621 connected to both sides of the first transistor 610 and the second active 624. and a second auxiliary terminal 622 connected to both sides of the second transistor 620 and the third active 634 arranged in the direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). 3 The main terminal 631 and the third auxiliary terminal 632 of the third transistor 630 and the fourth active 644 are disposed in the direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). The fourth main terminal 641 and the fourth auxiliary terminal 642 connected to both sides include a third transistor 630 arranged in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of the bending area (B). do.

In this case, the resistances of the first transistor 610, the second transistor 620, the third transistor 630, and the fourth transistor 640 form a Wheatstone bridge as shown in FIG. 8. form

In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction, and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction. They are arranged to face each other.

In particular, in the sixth embodiment, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are provided at the center line (C) of the bending area (B), and the second transistor 620 and the third transistor 4 Transistors 640 are provided on the outside of the bending area (B).

To elaborate, since the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are provided at the center line C of the bending area B, when the bending area B is bent, The resistance values of the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 change. Accordingly, the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 perform the function of a variable resistor.

Since the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are disposed outside the bending area B, when the bending area B is bent, the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 The resistance value of the fourth transistor 640 does not change. In addition, even if it changes, the amount of change in the resistance values of the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 is smaller than the amount of change in the resistance values of the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630. . Accordingly, the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 can perform the function of a reference resistor.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a flexible display device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a sensor unit applied to the flexible display device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, content that is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11 will be omitted or simply described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the flexible display device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes the flexible display panel 100, the gate driver 200, the data driver 300, the control unit 400, and Includes the bending detection unit 700.

The flexible display panel 100 includes the panel 110 and the sensor unit 600.

The configuration of the sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the sensor unit 600 applied to the flexible display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

However, the flexible display panel 100 applied to the seventh embodiment is provided with two bending areas B1 and B2, as shown in FIG. 12, and the bending areas B1 and B2 ) Each is provided with the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 is equipped with four transistors 610, 620, 630, and 640, of which the first transistor 610 and the third transistor 630 are as shown in FIG. 13. Likewise, it is provided at the center line (C) of the bending area (B), and the second transistor 620 and the fourth transistor 640 are provided on the outside of the bending area (B).

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

100: Flexible display panel 200: Gate driver
300: data driver 400: control unit
600: sensor unit 700: bending detection unit

Claims (8)

A panel including a display portion on which an image is displayed and a non-display portion surrounding the display portion, and provided with gate lines and data lines; and a sensor unit provided in at least one bending area of the non-display unit and equipped with a first transistor,
The first transistor is,
a first gate provided on a substrate constituting the panel;
a first active spaced apart from the first gate with a gate insulating film therebetween;
a first main terminal connected to one side of the first active; and
It includes a first auxiliary terminal connected to the other side of the first active,
A flexible display panel wherein the first main terminal and the first auxiliary terminal are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of a bending area of the panel. According to claim 1,
A flexible display panel wherein the first gate of the first transistor is connected to one of the gate lines. According to claim 1,
The commercial sensor department,
the first transistor;
a second transistor in which a second main terminal and a second auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the second active are arranged in a direction parallel to the direction of the bending area;
a third transistor in which a third main terminal and a third auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the third active are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending area; and
A flexible display panel including a fourth transistor in which a fourth main terminal and a fourth auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the fourth active are arranged in a direction parallel to the direction of the bending area. According to claim 3,
Resistors of the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor form a Wheatstone bridge,
In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor and the third transistor are arranged to face each other in a diagonal direction, and the second transistor and the fourth transistor are arranged to face each other in a diagonal direction. According to claim 1,
the first transistor;
a second transistor in which a second main terminal and a second auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the second active are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending area;
a third transistor in which a third main terminal and a third auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the third active are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending area; and
A flexible display panel including a fourth transistor in which a fourth main terminal and a fourth auxiliary terminal connected to both sides of the fourth active are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending area. According to claim 5,
Resistors of the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor form a Wheatstone bridge,
In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor and the third transistor are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction, and the second transistor and the fourth transistor are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction,
The first transistor and the third transistor are first type transistors, the second transistor and the fourth transistor are second type transistors,
If the first type transistor is an N-type transistor, the second type transistor is a P-type transistor,
If the first type transistor is a P-type transistor, the second type transistor is an N-type transistor. According to claim 5,
Resistors of the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor form a Wheatstone bridge,
In the Wheatstone bridge, the first transistor and the third transistor are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction, and the second transistor and the fourth transistor are arranged to face each other in the diagonal direction,
The first transistor and the third transistor are provided at the center line of the bending area,
The second transistor and the fourth transistor are provided on the outside of the bending area. The flexible display panel according to claim 1;
a gate driver driving gate lines provided on the flexible display panel;
a data driver driving data lines provided on the flexible display panel;
a bending detection unit that detects whether the sensor unit is bent using detection signals received from the sensor unit; and
A flexible display device including a control unit that controls the functions of the gate driver, the data driver, and the bending detection unit.

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