KR20210083957A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device including a plurality of display panels. Provided is the display device of a large screen by placing a light emitting element layer included in any one display panel of adjacent display panels under a transparent substrate of a different display panel in a boundary region of the display panel and placing it to be continuous with a light emitting element layer of the different display panel, thereby allowing an image displayed on the boundary region of the display panel to be recognized as an image with a sense of unity without interruption.

Description

display device {DISPLAY DEVICE}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device.

As the information society develops, the demand for a display device for displaying an image is increasing, and various types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device and an organic light emitting display device are utilized.

The display device may include a display panel in which a plurality of sub-pixels are disposed, and various driving circuits for driving the display panel. In addition, an image may be displayed while controlling the brightness indicated by a plurality of sub-pixels.

In addition, the display apparatus may include a plurality of display panels to display an image on a large screen, depending on the case. For example, the side portions of the plurality of display panels may be connected to or disposed adjacent to each other, and the adjacent display panels may display a connected image and display the image through a large screen.

In this case, a bezel area in which an image is not displayed on the display panel may be positioned between adjacent display panels.

Accordingly, there is a problem in that the image may be displayed in a state separated from the area between the display panels by the bezel area, and the sense of unity of the image displayed on the large screen may be deteriorated.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for minimizing recognition of a break in an image displayed on a boundary area of a display panel in a display device that displays images connected through a plurality of display panels.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for displaying a seamless large-screen image while facilitating a connection structure or manufacturing process of a plurality of display panels included in a display device.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a display device including a first display panel and a second display panel located on a first side of the first display panel and connected to the first display panel.

Here, the first display panel includes a first transparent substrate including a first supporting substrate, a region disposed on the first supporting substrate and protruding from the outside of the boundary of the first supporting substrate, and a partial region on the first transparent substrate. and a first light emitting device layer in which a boundary is located between the boundary of the first support substrate and the boundary of the first transparent substrate in the first overlapping region located on the first side.

In addition, the second display panel includes a second support substrate, a second transparent substrate disposed on the second support substrate, and located in a partial region on the second transparent substrate and located below the first transparent substrate in the first overlapping region. A second light emitting device layer may be included.

Alternatively, the first display panel may include a first support substrate, a first light emitting element layer positioned on the first support substrate, and a first support substrate disposed on the first light emitting element layer and sealing the first light emitting element layer. a first encapsulation part disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the , wherein the second display panel includes a second support substrate, a second light emitting device layer disposed on the second support substrate, and disposed on the second light emitting device layer and encapsulating the second light emitting device layer, and may include a second encapsulation unit disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the second support substrate, and a first encapsulation unit and a second encapsulation unit between the first light emitting device layer and the second light emitting device layer. A portion of at least one of the encapsulation units may be located.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention, in a display device including a plurality of display panels, each of the plurality of display panels includes a support substrate, a transparent substrate disposed on the support substrate, and a partial region on the transparent substrate. a light emitting device layer disposed thereon, wherein at least one display panel of the plurality of display panels includes an overlapping region under a transparent substrate in which a part of the supporting substrate is removed, and at least one of the light emitting device layers positioned in the overlapping region is formed of two A display device positioned between two transparent substrates is provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, in a display device including a plurality of display panels, a portion of an image displayed by any one display panel is displayed through a transparent bezel area of an adjacent display panel, so that the display panel An image displayed in the boundary region of . may be recognized as an undivided image.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the carrier substrate used in the manufacturing process of the display panel is etched and used as the support substrate, thereby facilitating the configuration and process of the display device and displaying a seamless large-screen image.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit structure of a sub-pixel included in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a display device including a plurality of display panels according to embodiments of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional structure of a boundary area of a plurality of display panels included in the display device shown in FIG. 3 .
5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating examples of a process process of the display device shown in FIG. 3 .
6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating examples of a structure of a transparent substrate of a plurality of display panels included in the display device shown in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a cross-sectional structure of a boundary area of a plurality of display panels included in the display device shown in FIG. 3 .
8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating another example of a structure of a display device including a plurality of display panels and an example of a cross-sectional structure of a boundary region of the plurality of display panels according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, the same components may have the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated in different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted. When "includes", "having", "consisting of", etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When a component is expressed in a singular, it may include a case in which the plural is included unless otherwise explicitly stated.

In addition, in describing the components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, order, or number of the elements are not limited by the terms.

In the description of the positional relationship of the components, when two or more components are described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected", the two or more components are directly "connected", "coupled" or "connected" ", but it will be understood that two or more components and other components may be further "interposed" and "connected," "coupled," or "connected." Here, other components may be included in one or more of two or more components that are “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to each other.

In the description of the temporal relationship or flow relationship of the components, for example, a temporal precedence or flow precedence relationship is defined as "after", "after", "after", "before", etc. When described, it may include cases that are not continuous unless "immediately" or "directly" is used.

On the other hand, when numerical values or corresponding information (eg, level, etc.) for a component are mentioned, even if there is no explicit description, the numerical value or the corresponding information is based on various factors (eg, process factors, internal or external shock, Noise, etc.) may be interpreted as including an error range that may occur.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a display device 100 according to embodiments of the present invention includes a display panel 110 in which a plurality of sub-pixels SP are arranged, and a gate driving circuit for driving the display panel 110 . 120 , a data driving circuit 130 , a controller 140 , and the like.

The display panel 110 includes an active area AA in which a plurality of sub-pixels SP are disposed and displaying an image, and a non-active area NA outside the active area AA and in which signal lines and the like are disposed. ) may be included.

A plurality of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL are disposed in the active area AA of the display panel 110 , and a subpixel ( ) is disposed in an area where the gate line GL and the data line DL intersect. SP) can be placed.

Each of these sub-pixels SP may include a light emitting device ED, and two or more sub-pixels SP may constitute one pixel.

The gate driving circuit 120 is controlled by the controller 140 , and sequentially outputs scan signals to the plurality of gate lines GL disposed on the display panel 110 to drive timing of the plurality of subpixels SP. to control

The gate driving circuit 120 may include one or more gate driver integrated circuits (GDIC), and may be located on only one side or both sides of the display panel 110 depending on the driving method. may be

The data driving circuit 130 receives image data from the controller 140 and converts the image data into an analog data voltage Vdata. In addition, the data voltage Vdata is output to each data line DL according to the timing at which the scan signal is applied through the gate line GL so that each subpixel SP expresses brightness according to the image data. .

The data driving circuit 130 may include one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs).

The controller 140 supplies various control signals to the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 , and controls operations of the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 .

The controller 140 causes the gate driving circuit 120 to output a scan signal according to the timing implemented in each frame, and converts externally received image data to match the data signal format used by the data driving circuit 130 . to output the converted image data to the data driving circuit 130 .

The controller 140 externally transmits various timing signals including a vertical synchronization signal (Vsync), a horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync), an input data enable signal (DE), and a clock signal (CLK) together with the image data. Receive from (eg host system).

The controller 140 may generate various control signals using various timing signals received from the outside and output them to the gate driving circuit 120 and the data driving circuit 130 .

For example, in order to control the gate driving circuit 120 , the controller 140 may include a gate start pulse (GSP), a gate shift clock (GSC), and a gate output enable signal (GOE). Gate Output Enable) and output various gate control signals GCS.

Here, the gate start pulse GSP controls the operation start timing of one or more gate driver integrated circuits GDIC constituting the gate driving circuit 120 . The gate shift clock GSC is a clock signal commonly input to one or more gate driver integrated circuits GDIC, and controls shift timing of the scan signal. The gate output enable signal GOE specifies timing information of one or more gate driver integrated circuits GDIC.

In addition, in order to control the data driving circuit 130 , the controller 140 includes a source start pulse (SSP), a source sampling clock (SSC), and a source output enable signal (SOE: Source). Output Enable) and output various data control signals DCS.

Here, the source start pulse SSP controls the data sampling start timing of one or more source driver integrated circuits SDIC constituting the data driving circuit 130 . The source sampling clock SSC is a clock signal that controls sampling timing of data in each of the source driver integrated circuits SDIC. The source output enable signal SOE controls the output timing of the data driving circuit 130 .

The display device 100 supplies various voltages or currents to the display panel 110 , the gate driving circuit 120 , the data driving circuit 130 , or a power management integrated circuit for controlling various voltages or currents to be supplied. may include more.

In addition to the gate line GL and the data line DL, a voltage line to which various signals or voltages are supplied may be disposed on the display panel 110 . In addition, a circuit element such as a light emitting element ED and a thin film transistor for driving the light emitting element ED may be disposed in each subpixel SP.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit structure of a sub-pixel SP included in the display apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the subpixel SP may include a light emitting device ED and a driving transistor DRT for driving the light emitting device ED. Here, the light emitting device ED may be, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the driving transistor DRT may further include at least one transistor, for example, a first switching transistor electrically connected between the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT and the data line DL. SWT1) and a second switching transistor SWT2 electrically connected between the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT and the reference voltage line RVL.

The example illustrated in FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which the driving transistor DRT, the first switching transistor SWT1, and the second switching transistor SWT2 are N-type, but in some cases, at least one transistor may be a P-type. have.

In addition, a capacitor Cst electrically connected between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT may be included.

The light emitting device ED may include a first electrode (eg, an anode electrode or a cathode electrode), a light emitting layer, and a second electrode (eg, a cathode electrode or an anode electrode).

The first electrode of the light emitting device ED may be electrically connected to the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. A ground voltage EVSS may be applied to the second electrode of the light emitting device ED.

The driving transistor DRT may drive the light emitting element ED by supplying a driving current to the light emitting element ED. The driving transistor DRT may have a first node N1 , a second node N2 , and a third node N3 .

The first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT is a node corresponding to a gate node and may be electrically connected to a source node or a drain node of the first switching transistor SWT1 .

The second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT may be electrically connected to the first electrode of the light emitting device ED, and may be a source node or a drain node.

The third node N3 of the driving transistor DRT is a node to which the driving voltage EVDD is applied, and may be electrically connected to the driving voltage line DVL supplying the driving voltage EVDD, and may be a drain node or a source. It can be a node.

The first switching transistor SWT1 may be turned on or turned off by receiving a scan signal supplied through the gate line GL as a gate node. The first switching transistor SWT1 may be turned on by the scan signal to transfer the data voltage Vdata supplied through the data line DL to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT.

The second switching transistor SWT2 may be turned on or turned off by receiving a scan signal supplied through the gate line GL as a gate node. The second switching transistor SWT2 may be electrically connected to the gate line GL electrically connected to the first switching transistor SWT1 or may be electrically connected to another gate line GL in some cases.

The second switching transistor SWT2 may be turned on during the display driving period or may be turned on during the sensing period for sensing the characteristic value of the driving transistor DRT or the characteristic value of the light emitting device ED.

For example, the second switching transistor SWT2 is turned on at a corresponding driving timing during the display driving period or the sensing period, and applies the reference voltage Vref supplied through the reference voltage line RVL to the driving transistor DRT. may be transmitted to the second node N2 of

In addition, the second switching transistor SWT2 may be turned on at a corresponding driving timing during the sensing period to transfer the voltage of the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT to the reference voltage line RVL. .

That is, the second switching transistor SWT2 controls the voltage state of the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT or converts the voltage of the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT to the reference voltage line RVL. ) can be passed to

Here, the reference voltage line RVL senses the voltage of the reference voltage line RVL, converts it into a digital value, and outputs sensing data including the digital value. can be connected

The analog-to-digital converter ADC may be included in the source driver integrated circuit SDIC implementing the data driving circuit 130 .

The sensing data output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be used to sense a characteristic value (eg, a threshold voltage, mobility, etc.) of the driving transistor (DRT) or a characteristic value of the light emitting device (ED).

The capacitor Cst is electrically connected between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT, and is a data voltage Vdata corresponding to the image signal voltage or a voltage corresponding thereto. You can keep it for frame.

This capacitor Cst is not a parasitic capacitor that is an internal capacitor existing between the first node N1 and the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT, but an external intentionally designed outside of the driving transistor DRT. It may be a capacitor.

The circuit structure of the sub-pixel SP shown in FIG. 2 is an example for explanation, and the sub-pixel SP may be composed of two transistors and one capacitor except for the second switching transistor SWT2, In some cases, it may further include one or more transistors or one or more capacitors.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention may display an image through one display panel 110 , but in some cases, a plurality of display panels 110 may be included to display an image through a large screen. .

In this case, it may be recognized that the image is divided in the area between the display panels 110 by the non-active area NA of the display panel 110 .

In the embodiments of the present invention, in the display apparatus 100 for displaying images connected through a plurality of display panels 110 , images divided in the boundary region of the display panels 110 located adjacent to each other are prevented from being recognized. Provided is a display device 100 capable of

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the display apparatus 100 including a plurality of display panels 110 according to embodiments of the present invention, and shows the structure before the display panel 110 is connected. And, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional structure of a boundary area of a plurality of display panels 110 included in the display apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 .

3 and 4 , the display apparatus 100 may include a plurality of display panels 110 , and may include four display panels 110 as in the example shown in FIG. 3 . , but not limited thereto.

For example, the display apparatus 100 includes a first display panel 111 located at an upper left corner, a second display panel 112 located at an upper right corner, a third display panel 113 located at a lower left side, and a right side. It may include a fourth display panel 114 located at the bottom.

Each display panel 110 may include various driving circuits, and the driving circuit is disposed on a substrate of the display panel 110 in a Chip On Glass (COG) type, or the display panel 110 ) may be disposed on a film connected to a chip on film (COF: Chip On Film) type.

For example, the gate driving circuit 120 may be disposed on a substrate of the display panel 110 in a COG type. In addition, the data driving circuit 130 may be mounted on the flexible printed circuit 150 connected to the display panel 110 to be disposed in a COF type.

In addition, only a transparent substrate or a material having high transmittance may be disposed in the non-active area NA of each display panel 110 . Accordingly, the non-active area NA of the display panel 110 may form a transparent bezel.

Here, a portion of any one display panel 110 among the plurality of display panels 110 may be disposed to overlap the transparent bezel of the adjacent display panel 110 .

That is, a portion of the display panel 110 may be located on the adjacent display panel 110 or located below the display panel 110 . Accordingly, an overlapping area OA in which adjacent display panels 110 overlap each other may exist between the display panels 110 .

As an example, the first overlapping area OA1 may exist along the first direction. In addition, a second overlapping area OA2 may exist along a second direction crossing the first direction. Here, an area where the first overlapping area OA1 and the second overlapping area OA2 overlap may be referred to as a third overlapping area OA3 .

A portion of the first display panel 111 may be positioned on the second display panel 112 in the first overlapping area OA1 . In addition, a portion of the first display panel 111 may be positioned on the third display panel 113 in the second overlapping area OA2 . Also, a portion of the first display panel 111 may be positioned on the fourth display panel 114 in the third overlapping area OA3 .

A portion of the second display panel 112 is positioned on the fourth display panel 114 in the second overlapping area OA2 , and a portion of the third display panel 113 is disposed on the fourth display panel in the first overlapping area OA1 . It may be located on the panel 114 .

Since a portion of the display panel 110 is located under the adjacent display panel 110 , a portion of the non-active area NA of the display panel 110 may be located below the other display panel 110 . .

Also, a portion of the active area AA of the display panel 110 may be located under the adjacent display panel 110 . That is, the lower overlapping area shown in FIG. 3 may be an area located under the adjacent display panel 110 .

Here, since the non-active area NA of the display panel 110 includes a transparent bezel, the display is displayed in an area located below the adjacent display panel 110 among the active areas AA of the display panel 110 . The displayed image may be displayed externally through the transparent bezel.

For example, the image displayed in the lower overlapping area of the second display panel 112 may be displayed externally through the transparent bezel of the first display panel 111 .

In addition, the image displayed in the lower overlapping area of the third display panel 113 may be externally displayed through the transparent bezel of the first display panel 111 .

In addition, the image displayed in the lower overlapping area of the fourth display panel 114 is to be displayed externally through the transparent bezels of the first display panel 111 , the second display panel 112 , and the third display panel 113 . can

In this case, the active areas AA of the display panel 110 located adjacent to each other may be continuously located.

That is, the boundary of the active area AA of the first display panel 111 and the boundary of the active area AA of the second display panel 112 may overlap or be spaced apart from each other by a very small interval.

Accordingly, an image displayed in the boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 may not be recognized as a divided image but may be recognized as a connected image.

In addition, a seamless image may be displayed due to the continuous arrangement of the active area AA due to the overlapping structure of the display panel 110 in the boundary area between the other display panels 110 .

As such, in the embodiments of the present invention, an image displayed on the display panel 110 adjacent to the display panel 110 through the overlapping structure of the display panel 110 in the boundary region of the display panel 110 may be recognized as a seamless image. let it be

In addition, the above-described overlapping structure of the display panel 110 can be easily realized by a structure in which a portion of the support substrate 200 included in the display panel 110 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , each display panel 110 includes a support substrate 200 , a transparent substrate 210 positioned on the support substrate 200 , and light emission positioned in a partial region on the transparent substrate 210 . The device layer 220 and the encapsulation unit 230 positioned on the light emitting device layer 220 and sealing the light emitting device layer 220 may be included.

The support substrate 200 may be, for example, a substrate made of glass, and may be a carrier substrate used in a manufacturing process of the display panel 110 .

The transparent substrate 210 may be, for example, a substrate or a layer made of transparent polyimide.

4 shows mainly the main components necessary for the description of the embodiments of the present invention for convenience of explanation, but may further include other components, for example, a plurality of thin film transistors on the transparent substrate 210 There may be layers to be disposed of. In addition, the light emitting device layer 220 may be positioned on the layer on which the thin film transistor is disposed.

The light emitting device layer 220 may be disposed on a partial region of the transparent substrate 210 . In addition, the driving circuit may be disposed on the transparent substrate 210 in an area where the light emitting device layer 220 is not disposed, or the flexible printed circuit 150 on which the driving circuit is mounted may be bonded.

Here, at least one display panel 110 among the plurality of display panels 110 may have a structure in which a portion of the support substrate 200 included in the display panel 110 is removed.

For example, a portion of the first support substrate 201 included in the first display panel 111 may be etched and removed in an area adjacent to the second display panel 112 . In addition, a portion of the first transparent substrate 211 positioned on the first support substrate 201 may be positioned outside the first support substrate 201 .

Accordingly, in the first overlapping area OA1 where the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 overlap each other, the first support substrate 201 is not located and the first transparent substrate 211 is not located. can

In addition, a portion of the first light emitting device layer 221 may be located in the first overlapping area OA1 , and the boundary of the first light emitting device layer 221 is the boundary of the first support substrate 201 and the first transparent area. It may be located between the boundaries of the substrate 211 .

The first encapsulation part 231 may be disposed on the first light emitting device layer 221 , may be disposed to seal the first light emitting device layer 221 , and be disposed in at least a portion of the first overlapping area OA1 . can be

A portion of the second display panel 112 may be positioned under the first transparent substrate 211 of the first display panel 111 in the first overlapping area OA1 . That is, a portion of the second support substrate 202 , the second transparent substrate 212 , the second light emitting device layer 222 , and the second encapsulation unit 232 may be positioned under the first transparent substrate 211 . .

Here, a portion of the second support substrate 212 and the second transparent substrate 222 may be positioned to overlap the first light emitting device layer 221 in the partial area OA11 of the first overlapping area OA1 . In addition, a driving circuit for driving the second display panel 112 is disposed on the second transparent substrate 222 overlapping the first light emitting element layer 221 , or the flexible printed circuit 150 on which the driving circuit is mounted. can be bonded.

A portion of the second light emitting device layer 222 may be disposed to overlap the first transparent substrate 211 in the partial area OA12 of the first overlapping area OA1 and not to overlap the first light emitting device layer 221 . have.

That is, the second light emitting device layer 222 may be located in an area excluding the area overlapping the first light emitting device layer 221 in the first overlapping area OA1 .

The boundary of the second light emitting device layer 222 may overlap the boundary of the first light emitting device layer 221 . Alternatively, in some cases, a gap may exist between the boundary of the second light emitting device layer 222 and the boundary of the first light emitting device layer 221 .

By positioning the second light emitting device layer 222 of the second display panel 112 under the first transparent substrate 211 in the first overlapping area OA1 and not overlapping the first light emitting device layer 221 , , an image according to the driving of the second light emitting device layer 222 may be externally displayed through the first transparent substrate 211 or the like.

In addition, since the boundary of the first light emitting element layer 221 and the boundary of the second light emitting element layer 222 overlap or are spaced apart by a minimum distance, the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 are located ) may be recognized as a seamlessly connected image displayed in the boundary region.

In addition, in order to prevent a difference in luminance due to the image displayed by the second light emitting element layer 222 passing through the first transparent substrate 211 in the first overlapping area OA1, the second light emitting element layer It is also possible to increase the luminance appearing in some areas of (222).

For example, the data voltage Vdata supplied to the light emitting device ED included in the second light emitting device layer 222 positioned in the first overlapping area OA1 is applied to an area other than the first overlapping area OA1. The light emitting device ED included in the positioned second light emitting device layer 222 may be a voltage exhibiting higher luminance than the data voltage Vdata supplied to the same image data.

By supplying a data voltage Vdata representing a high grayscale corresponding to the same image data to the light emitting device ED included in the second light emitting device layer 222 positioned in the first overlapping area OA1, the second light emitting device A decrease in luminance due to the arrangement of the first transparent substrate 211 on the layer 222 may be compensated.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention form a structure in which a portion of the display panel 110 overlaps in the boundary area of the display panel 110 , thereby reducing the interruption of the image displayed in the boundary area of the display panel 110 . Minimize it and allow it to be recognized as a unified image.

In addition, the overlapping structure of the display panel 110 may be easily implemented by, for example, removing a portion of the carrier substrate during a process.

5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating an example of a process process of the display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 5A , a first transparent substrate 211 is disposed on a first support substrate 201 , and a first light emitting device layer 221 and a first encapsulation unit 231 are disposed on the first transparent substrate 211 . ) and the like to manufacture the first display panel 111 .

In addition, the second transparent substrate 212 is disposed on the second support substrate 202 , and the second light emitting device layer 222 and the second encapsulation unit 232 are disposed on the second transparent substrate 212 . Thus, the second display panel 112 may be manufactured.

Here, the first support substrate 201 and the second support substrate 202 may be carrier substrates used for manufacturing the display panel 110 .

The first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 may include at least one flexible printed circuit 150 on which a driving circuit is mounted. For example, the flexible printed circuit 150 may be bonded on the transparent substrate 210 included in the display panel 110 .

Also, as shown in FIG. 5A , a flexible printed circuit 150 bonded to the second display panel 112 may be positioned in a boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 . .

That is, since a portion of the second display panel 112 among the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 is located below the first display panel 111, the second display panel ( The flexible printed circuit 150 bonded to the 112 may be positioned below the first support substrate 201 and the first transparent substrate 211 of the first display panel 111 .

Accordingly, the flexible printed circuit 150 positioned in the boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 may be disposed without being exposed on the surface on which the image is displayed. Also, the flexible printed circuit 150 included in the additional display panel 110 may be disposed in the same pattern (the flexible printed circuit 150 of the display panel 110 positioned below the boundary area is positioned).

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C , a portion of the first support substrate 201 of the first display panel 111 positioned on the upper portion of the display panel 110 is used, for example, using a laser lift off (LLO) method. can be removed by

In addition, the second display panel 112 is positioned in the region from which the first support substrate 201 is removed, and may be bonded or combined with the first display panel 111 to be connected to the first display panel 111 .

Referring to FIG. 5D , after the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 are connected, the display device 100 may be manufactured by disposing the adhesive layer 300 and the polarizing plate 400 .

As described above, since only a portion of the first support substrate 201 used as the carrier substrate is removed and the second support substrate 202 is not removed, the LLO process can be minimized. In addition, since the display panel 110 is manufactured using the carrier substrate, the mechanical part positioned under the transparent substrate 210 may not be included.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide the display apparatus 100 that simplifies the process process and component configuration, and displays an image that can be recognized as a seamless image in the boundary region of the display panel 110 .

The display apparatus 100 may include only an area where two display panels 110 overlap, but as in the above-described example, when a plurality of display panels 110 are included, three or more display panels 110 . These overlapping regions may exist.

In embodiments of the present invention, some of the adjacent display panels 110 have different shapes in the overlapping area OA, so that the overlapping area OA is different due to the stacking of a plurality of display panels 110 . It is possible to prevent the formation of a large step in the

6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating examples of a structure of a transparent substrate of a plurality of display panels 110 included in the display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 .

6A and 6B , examples of the shape of the transparent substrate 210 in the four display panels 110 included in the display apparatus 100 are illustrated.

As in the above example, a portion of the first display panel 111 may be located on the other display panel 110 . In addition, a portion of the second display panel 112 and the third display panel 113 may be located under the first display panel 111 , and the other portion may be located on the fourth display panel 114 .

That is, the first transparent substrate 211 may be positioned on the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 . In addition, the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 may be positioned on the fourth transparent substrate 214 .

Here, the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 may be located on the same layer in the third overlapping area OA3 where the first overlapping area OA1 and the second overlapping area OA2 overlap. can

Accordingly, at least one of the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 may be removed from the third overlapping area OA3 .

For example, as shown in 601 of FIG. 6A , a portion of the third transparent substrate 213 positioned in the third overlapping area OA3 may be removed.

In this case, in the third overlapping area OA3 , the first transparent substrate 211 is positioned on the uppermost layer, and the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 are located under the first transparent substrate 211 . and may be located on the same floor. In addition, the fourth transparent substrate 214 may be positioned under the second transparent substrate 212 and the third transparent substrate 213 .

Alternatively, as shown in 602 of FIG. 6B , a portion of the second transparent substrate 212 positioned in the third overlapping area OA3 is removed, and as shown in 603 , the third transparent substrate positioned in the third overlapping area OA3 . It may be a structure in which a portion of 213 is removed.

In this way, by having a structure in which at least one portion of the plurality of transparent substrates 210 positioned on the same layer in the third overlapping area OA3 is removed, there is an area where three or more display panels 110 overlap each other. step difference can be minimized.

On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention may provide a structure of the support substrate 200 for easy connection of the display panel 110 at a portion where the adjacent display panels 110 are connected to each other.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a cross-sectional structure of a boundary area of a plurality of display panels 110 included in the display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the first display panel 111 may include a first support substrate 201 , a first transparent substrate 211 , a first light emitting device layer 221 , and a first encapsulation unit 231 . can In addition, the second display panel 112 may include a second support substrate 202 , a second transparent substrate 212 , a second light emitting device layer 222 , and a second encapsulation unit 232 .

A portion of the first display panel 111 may be positioned on the second display panel 112 in the first overlapping area OA1 .

In addition, the first light emitting element layer 221 and the second light emitting element layer 222 are disposed so as not to overlap in the first overlapping area OA1 , and a seamless image may be displayed in the first overlapping area OA1 . have.

Here, the second support substrate 202 of the second display panel 112 positioned under the first display panel 111 includes a first portion 202a having a first thickness t1 and a first thickness t1 . ) may include a second portion 202b having a second thickness t2 smaller than .

A second transparent substrate 212 , a second light emitting device layer 222 , and a second encapsulation unit 232 may be disposed on the first portion 202a of the second support substrate 202 . A second transparent substrate 212 or the like may not be disposed on the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 , and a driving circuit is disposed on the second portion 202b or a driving circuit is mounted thereon. Circuit 150 may be bonded.

In addition, a portion of the first support substrate 201 may be positioned between the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 and the first transparent substrate 211 .

That is, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 7 , a portion of the first support substrate 201 and a portion of the second support substrate 202 may be disposed in an interlocking structure in an area adjacent to the first overlapping area OA1 . .

Accordingly, the connection between the display panel 110 is facilitated by the structure of the first support substrate 211 and the second support substrate 212 at the portion where the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 are connected. can do it

Here, a portion of the first support substrate 201 may have a third thickness t3 , and the remaining portion of the first support substrate 201 may have a fourth thickness t4 greater than the third thickness t3 . . And, as an example, the fourth thickness t4 may be the same as the first thickness t1, and the sum of the third thickness t3 and the second thickness t2 is the first thickness t1 or the fourth thickness (t4) or less. Alternatively, in some cases, the fourth thickness t4 may be greater than the first thickness t1.

A portion of the first support substrate 201 positioned on the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 is etched to form a thinner portion than the remaining portion of the first support substrate 201, so that the first support substrate ( The first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 may be connected to each other without increasing the thickness in the overlapping region of the 201 and the second support substrate 202 .

In addition, the sum of the third thickness t3 of the portion of the first support substrate 201 positioned in the overlapping region and the second thickness t2 of the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 is the first By making it smaller than the thickness t1 or the fourth thickness t4 , it is possible to prevent an increase in thickness due to overlapping of the support substrate 200 or arrangement of the flexible printed circuit 150 .

As such, in the embodiments of the present invention, the light emitting device layer 220 and the transparent substrate 210 included in another display panel 110 overlap in the boundary region of the display panel 110 so that a seamless image is displayed. While doing so, it is possible to facilitate the connection between the display panels 110 by the overlapping structure of the support substrate 200 included in the other display panels 110 .

In addition, embodiments of the present invention minimize the distance between the display panels 110 in the boundary region of the adjacent display panel 110 and prevent the display panels 110 from overlapping each other, so that there is no interruption in the luminance in the boundary region. The display apparatus 100 for displaying an image may be provided.

8 and 9 are another example of the structure of the display apparatus 100 including the plurality of display panels 110 and the cross-sectional structure of the boundary area of the plurality of display panels 110 according to embodiments of the present invention. is a diagram showing

Referring to FIG. 8 , the first display panel 111 includes a first supporting substrate 201 , a first light emitting device layer 221 positioned on the first supporting substrate 201 , and a first light emitting device layer. A first encapsulation part 231 positioned on the 221 and sealing the first light emitting device layer 221 may be included.

In addition, the second display panel 112 includes a second support substrate 202 , a second light emitting element layer 222 positioned on the second support substrate 202 , and a second light emitting element layer 222 on the second support substrate 202 . It may include a second encapsulation unit 232 positioned in the second light emitting device layer 222 sealing.

That is, the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 may not include the transparent substrate 210 . In addition, a layer on which a thin film transistor or the like is disposed and a light emitting device layer 220 may be disposed on the support substrate 200 , and an encapsulation unit 230 may be disposed on the light emitting device layer 220 .

The encapsulation unit 230 may be disposed on a portion of the side surface of the support substrate 200 to seal the light emitting device layer 220 .

For example, the first encapsulation part 231 may encapsulate the first light emitting device layer 221 and may be located in a partial region of a side surface of the first support substrate 201 . Also, the second encapsulation unit 232 may seal the second light emitting device layer 222 and may be located in a partial region of a side surface of the second support substrate 202 .

Accordingly, in the boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 , the first encapsulation unit 231 and the second encapsulation unit 232 may be connected to each other. In addition, a portion of at least one of the first encapsulation unit 231 and the second encapsulation unit 232 may be positioned between the first light emitting element layer 221 and the second light emitting element layer 222 .

Here, the connected structure may refer to any structure in which the first encapsulation unit 231 and the second encapsulation unit 232 are in contact with each other, are adhered to each other, or are connected with another material interposed therebetween.

In addition, since only a portion of the encapsulation part 230 is positioned between the light emitting device layers 220 , the gap between the first light emitting device layer 221 and the second light emitting device layer 222 may be very small.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide the display apparatus 100 in which a seamless image is displayed without a decrease in luminance in the boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 .

As described above, in the embodiments of the present invention, the light emitting device layer 220 is formed on the support substrate 200 , and the encapsulation unit 230 is not interrupted by a structure surrounding up to a partial region of the side surface of the support substrate 200 . It is possible to provide the display apparatus 100 of a large screen displaying an image.

In addition, by the structure of the support substrate 200 in the boundary region of the display panel 110 , the distance between the display panels 110 may be further reduced and the arrangement of the driving circuit may be facilitated.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the first display panel 111 includes a first support substrate 201 , a first light emitting device layer 221 , and a first encapsulation unit 231 , and the second display panel 112 includes It may include a second support substrate 202 , a second light emitting device layer 222 , and a second encapsulation unit 232 .

The first encapsulation part 231 may seal the first light emitting device layer 221 and may be disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the first support substrate 201 . In addition, the second encapsulation part 232 may seal the second light emitting device layer 222 and may be disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the second support substrate 202 .

Here, the second supporting substrate 202 includes a first portion 202a having a first thickness t and a second portion 202b having a second thickness t2 smaller than the first thickness t1. may include Also, in some cases, the first support substrate 201 may have the same shape as the second support substrate 202 .

The first portion 202a of the second support substrate 202 may overlap a region in which the second light emitting device layer 222 is disposed. In addition, at least a portion of the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 may overlap a region in which the first light emitting device layer 221 is disposed.

A portion of the first support substrate 201 may be positioned between the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 and the first light emitting device layer 221 . In addition, a portion of the first support substrate 201 positioned on the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 has a third thickness t3 , and the remaining portion of the second support substrate 202 has a third thickness t3 . The fourth thickness t4 may be greater than the third thickness t3.

Here, the fourth thickness t4 may be equal to or greater than the first thickness t1. The sum of the second thickness t2 and the third thickness t3 may be equal to or less than the first thickness t1 or the fourth thickness t4.

Accordingly, an increase in thickness due to overlapping of the first support substrate 201 and the second support substrate 202 in the boundary region between the first display panel 111 and the second display panel 112 is prevented, and the first display panel The coupling between the 111 and the second display panel 112 may be facilitated.

In addition, the flexible printed circuit 150 in which the driving circuit is mounted on the second portion 202b of the second support substrate 202 may be bonded.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an increase in the gap between the first support substrate 201 and the second support substrate 202 as the flexible printed circuit 150 on which the driving circuit is mounted is disposed on the side surface of the second support substrate 202 . have.

In this way, while facilitating coupling between the display panels 110 by the structure of the second support substrate 202 , the gap between the display panels 110 is further reduced by providing the bonding area of the flexible printed circuit 150 , and thus the display is displayed. A seamless image may be displayed in the boundary area of the panel 110 .

According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, in the boundary region between the plurality of display panels 110 , the light emitting device layer 220 of one display panel 110 is the transparent substrate 210 of the other display panel 110 . ) and displaying an image, an image with a sense of unity can be displayed without interruption in the boundary area of the display panel 110 .

In addition, the overlapping structure between the display panels 110 can be easily realized by a structure in which a part of the support substrate 200 of the display panel 110 is removed, and the quality of a large screen image can be improved.

In addition, in some cases, by minimizing the gap between the display panels 110 by the structure of the display panel 110 in which the encapsulation unit 230 surrounds the side surface of the substrate, the display device ( 100) can be provided.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, so the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: display device 110: display panel
120: gate driving circuit 130: data driving circuit
140: controller 150: flexible printed circuit
200: support substrate 210: transparent substrate
220: light emitting element layer 230: encapsulation part
300: adhesive layer 400: polarizing plate

Claims (17)

a first display panel; and
and a second display panel located on the first side of the first display panel and connected to the first display panel,
The first display panel,
a first support substrate;
a first transparent substrate disposed on the first supporting substrate and including a region protruding from the outside of a boundary of the first supporting substrate; and
a first light emitting element layer positioned in a partial region on the first transparent substrate and having a boundary between the boundary of the first support substrate and the boundary of the first transparent substrate in the first overlapping region located on the first side; including,
The second display panel,
a second support substrate;
a second transparent substrate disposed on the second support substrate; and
and a second light emitting device layer positioned on a partial region on the second transparent substrate and positioned below the first transparent substrate in the first overlapping region.
According to claim 1,
The second light emitting device layer is positioned so as not to overlap the first light emitting device layer in the first overlapping region.
According to claim 1,
The boundary of the second light emitting element layer is located outside the boundary of the first light emitting element layer in the first overlapping region or overlaps the boundary of the first light emitting element layer.
According to claim 1,
The second support substrate and a portion of the second transparent substrate are positioned in a region overlapping the first light emitting device layer in the first overlapping region.
According to claim 1,
The data voltage supplied corresponding to image data from the second light emitting device layer to the light emitting device positioned in the first overlapping region is supplied corresponding to the same image data to the light emitting device positioned in a region other than the first overlapping region. A display device that is a voltage indicating a higher luminance than the data voltage.
According to claim 1,
The second display panel,
and at least one driving circuit positioned in a region overlapping the first light emitting device layer in the first overlapping region and disposed on the second transparent substrate.
According to claim 1,
The second display panel,
The display device further comprising: at least one flexible printed circuit on which a driving circuit is mounted and connected to the second transparent substrate in a region overlapping the first light emitting element layer among the first overlapping regions.
According to claim 1,
The portion of the second support substrate positioned in the first overlapping region includes a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the second portion and the second portion 1 A display device in which a portion of the first support substrate is positioned between transparent substrates.
According to claim 1,
and a third display panel located on a second side other than the first side of the first display panel and connected to the first display panel,
The third display panel,
a third support substrate;
a third transparent substrate disposed on the third support substrate; and
and a third light emitting element layer positioned on a partial region on the third transparent substrate and positioned below the first transparent substrate in a second overlapping region positioned on the second side.
10. The method of claim 9,
At least one of the second transparent substrate and the third transparent substrate is located in an area except for at least a partial area of a third overlapping area in which the first overlapping area and the second overlapping area overlap.
a first display panel; and
and a second display panel located on one side of the first display panel and connected to the first display panel,
The first display panel,
a first support substrate;
a first light emitting device layer positioned on the first supporting substrate; and
a first encapsulation part disposed on the first light emitting device layer, sealing the first light emitting device layer, and disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the first support substrate;
The second display panel,
a second support substrate;
a second light emitting device layer positioned on the second supporting substrate; and
and a second encapsulation part disposed on the second light emitting device layer, sealing the second light emitting device layer, and disposed on a partial region of a side surface of the second support substrate,
A display device in which a portion of at least one of the first encapsulation unit and the second encapsulation unit is positioned between the first light emitting element layer and the second light emitting element layer.
12. The method of claim 11,
The first encapsulation unit and the second encapsulation unit are connected to each other.
12. The method of claim 11,
The second support substrate includes a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness,
The first portion is positioned so as not to overlap the first light emitting element layer, and at least a portion of the second portion is positioned in a region overlapping the first light emitting element layer.
14. The method of claim 13,
A portion of the first support substrate is positioned between the second portion of the second support substrate and the first light emitting device layer.
15. The method of claim 14,
The second display panel,
The display device further comprising: at least one flexible printed circuit on which a driving circuit is mounted and connected on the second portion between the portion of the first support substrate and the second portion of the second support substrate.
A display device comprising a plurality of display panels, the display device comprising:
Each of the plurality of display panels,
support substrate;
a transparent substrate disposed on the support substrate; and
A light emitting device layer disposed on a partial region on the transparent substrate,
At least one display panel of the plurality of display panels includes an overlapping area under the transparent substrate in which a portion of the supporting substrate is removed, and at least one of the light emitting device layers positioned in the overlapping area is disposed between two transparent substrates. A display device located in the
17. The method of claim 16,
Any one of the light emitting device layers disposed in the overlapping region is positioned so as not to overlap with the other light emitting device layers.

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