KR20200141017A - Flexible display device including touch detecting sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible display device including a touch sensor. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display device comprises: a flexible substrate; a light emitting member positioned on the flexible substrate; a sealing layer positioned on the light emitting member and including a plurality of sealing thin films; and a touch sensing layer included in the sealing layer and including a touch sensor. The plurality of sealing thin films include at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film alternately stacked. The touch sensing layer is positioned between the inorganic layer and the organic layer adjacent to each other. Therefore, the thickness of the flexible display device including the touch sensor may be reduced and the optical characteristics may be improved.

Description

Flexible display device including a touch detection sensor {FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING TOUCH DETECTING SENSOR}

The present invention relates to a flexible display device including a touch sensor.

Display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting diode displays (OLED displays), and electrophoretic displays include electric field generating electrodes and electro-optical active layers. active layer). For example, an organic light-emitting display device includes an organic light-emitting layer as an electro-optical active layer. The electric field generating electrode may be connected to a switching element such as a thin film transistor to receive a data signal, and the electro-optical active layer converts the data signal into an optical signal to display an image.

The display panel of such a display device has limitations in portability and large screen display when a glass substrate that is heavy and fragile is used. Accordingly, in recent years, a flexible display device that uses a plastic substrate having a light weight and strong impact and a flexible plastic substrate as a substrate for a display panel has been actively developed.

Recently, such a display device may include a touch sensing function capable of interacting with a user in addition to a function of displaying an image. The touch detection function detects changes in pressure, electric charge, and light applied by the display device to the screen when a user approaches or touches a finger or a touch pen to write text or draw a picture. It is to find out contact information such as whether or not it has been approached or contacted and the location of the contact. The display device may receive an image signal and display an image based on the contact information.

Such a touch detection function may be implemented through a touch detection sensor. The touch detection sensor may be classified according to various methods such as a resistive type, a capacitive type, an electromagnetic type (EM), and an optical type.

For example, in the case of a resistive touch sensor, two electrodes facing each other and spaced apart from each other may contact each other by pressure from an external object. When the two electrodes are in contact with each other, the contact location, etc. can be determined by recognizing the voltage change according to the resistance change at that location.

The capacitive type touch detection sensor includes a detection capacitor composed of a plurality of detection electrodes capable of transmitting detection signals, and the charging capacitance of the detection capacitor generated when a conductor such as a finger approaches the touch detection sensor. By detecting a change or a change in the amount of charge charged, it is possible to find out whether or not a contact is made and the contact location. The capacitive touch detection sensor includes a plurality of touch electrodes disposed in the touch detection area and a signal transmission line connected to the touch electrodes. The signal transmission wiring may transmit a sensing input signal to the touch electrode or transmit a sensing output signal of the touch electrode generated according to the touch to the sensing signal controller.

In the case of a flexible display device, a touch detection sensor is formed in a separate touch panel and attached to the flexible display device (add-on cell type).

When a touch panel is attached to the flexible display device, a process of manufacturing the touch panel and attaching the touch panel to the display device is added, resulting in a decrease in yield and an increase in cost. In addition, in order to attach and fix the touch panel on the flexible display device, an adhesive layer is disposed between the touch panel and the display device or on the touch panel, thereby increasing the thickness of the display device. In addition, due to the attached touch panel, transmittance may decrease, reflectance may increase, and haze may increase. In addition, wiring may be disconnected due to corrosion of metal electrodes constituting the touch detection sensor of the touch panel attached to the outside of the display device. In addition, due to these various reasons, when the flexible display device to which the touch panel is attached is bent, durability may be deteriorated, resulting in defects.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, to simplify the manufacturing process of the flexible display device including the touch sensor and to reduce the cost. In addition, the thickness of the flexible display device including the touch detection sensor is reduced, optical characteristics are improved, and impurities such as moisture are prevented from penetrating into the touch detection sensor to reduce defects of the touch detection sensor and increase the durability when bending the flexible display device. will be.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible substrate, a light emitting member positioned on the flexible substrate, a sealing layer positioned on the light emitting member and including a plurality of encapsulating thin films, and included in the sealing layer and including a touch detection sensor. A touch sensing layer including, wherein the plurality of encapsulating thin films includes at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film alternately stacked, and the touch sensing layer is positioned between the inorganic film and the organic film adjacent to each other do.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed on a flexible substrate including a first film, a light emitting member disposed on the flexible substrate, a sealing layer disposed on the light emitting member, and an upper or lower surface of the first film. And a touch sensing layer including a touch sensing sensor.

At least one first encapsulation thin film positioned on the touch sensing layer among the plurality of encapsulation thin films may expose a pad portion of the touch sensing layer.

The touch detection sensor may include a plurality of touch electrodes positioned on the same layer.

A touch wire connected to the touch electrode may be further included, and an end portion of the touch wire may form the pad part.

The plurality of touch electrodes are separated from each other and include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that are alternately arranged without overlapping each other, and a plurality of the first touch electrodes arranged in a first direction Are connected to each other by a plurality of first connecting portions, and the plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction different from the first direction may be connected to each other by a plurality of second connecting portions.

An insulating film positioned between the first connection part and the second connection part and insulating the first connection part and the second connection part may be further included.

The first connection part may be located on the same layer as the first touch electrode and integrated with the first touch electrode, and the second connection part may be located on a different layer from the second touch electrode.

The second connection part may be located on the insulating layer.

The touch electrode may include at least one of a dummy pattern, a protrusion pattern, and a static electricity induction pattern for protection from static electricity.

At least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer alternately stacked among the plurality of encapsulation thin films may be disposed on the touch sensing layer.

* The second connection part may include a low resistance opaque conductive material.

A second film disposed between the first film and the light emitting member may further be included, and the second film may include polyimide (PI).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturing process of a flexible display device including a touch sensor may be simplified and cost may be reduced.

It is possible to reduce the thickness of the flexible display device including the touch sensor and improve optical characteristics.

By preventing impurities such as moisture from penetrating into the touch detection sensor, defects of the touch detection sensor can be reduced and durability of the flexible display can be improved.

1 is a block diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a plan view illustrating a touch detection sensor of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an enlarged view of a part of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 2,
4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV,
5 is a cross-sectional view of one pixel of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing layer of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a base film and a touch sensing layer of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
8 to 12B are diagrams sequentially illustrating a manufacturing process of forming a touch detection sensor on or below a base film of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
13 is a plan view of a touch detection sensor included in a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 13 taken along line XIV-XIV,
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 13 taken along line XV-XV,
16 and 17 are plan views, respectively, of a touch detection sensor included in the flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
18 is a plan view illustrating a touch detection sensor and a ground wiring of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
19 is an enlarged view of a part of the flexible display device illustrated in FIG. 18.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly express various layers and regions. The same reference numerals are assigned to similar parts throughout the specification. When a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where the other part is "directly above", but also the case where there is another part in the middle. Conversely, when one part is "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in the middle.

A display device and a driving method thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a flexible display device including a touch detection sensor according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

1 is a block diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensor of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of a part of one touch detection sensor, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel 300, a display controller connected to the display panel 300, and a touch controller 700. Include.

The display panel 300 may display an image and sense a touch. The display panel 300 includes a display area DA for displaying an image and a peripheral area PA surrounding the display area DA when viewed in a planar structure.

A part or entire area of the display panel 300 may be a touch active area TA capable of sensing a touch. The touch active area TA is an area capable of sensing a touch when an object actually approaches the display panel 300 or contacts the display panel 300. Here, the contact includes not only a case in which an external object such as a user's hand directly touches the display panel 300 but also a case in which an external object approaches the display panel 300 or is hovering in an approached state.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which approximately the entire display area DA is the touch active area TA, but is not limited thereto. A part of the peripheral area PA may also be used as the touch active area TA, and only a part of the display area DA may form the touch active area TA.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of pixels PX and a plurality of display signal lines (not shown) connected to the pixels PX and transmitting driving signals are positioned in the display area DA.

The display signal line includes a plurality of scan signal lines (not shown) for transferring scan signals and a plurality of data lines (not shown) for transferring data signals. The scan signal line and the data line may cross each other and extend. The display signal line may extend to the peripheral area PA to form a pad portion (not shown).

The plurality of pixels PX may be arranged in an approximate matrix form, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each pixel PX may include a switching element (not shown) connected to the gate line and the data line, and a pixel electrode (not shown) connected thereto. The switching element may be a three-terminal element such as a thin film transistor integrated on the display panel 300. The switching element may be turned on or off according to a gate signal transmitted by the gate line to selectively transmit a data signal transmitted by the data line to the pixel electrode. The pixel PX may further include a counter electrode (not shown) facing the pixel electrode. In the case of an organic light emitting diode display, a light emitting layer may be positioned between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode to form a light emitting device. The opposite electrode can deliver a common voltage.

In order to implement color display, each pixel PX may display one of primary colors, and a desired color is recognized by the sum of these primary colors. Examples of the basic color may include three primary colors such as red, green, and blue, or four colors. Each pixel PX is positioned at a location corresponding to each pixel electrode, and may further include a color filter representing one of the basic colors, or a light emitting layer included in the light emitting element may emit colored light.

A touch sensor is positioned in the touch active area TA. The touch detection sensor can detect touch in various ways. For example, touch detection sensors can be classified into various methods such as resistive type, capacitive type, electromagnetic type (EM), and optical type. have.

In this embodiment, a capacitive type touch sensor will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 2, a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of touch electrodes, and the plurality of touch electrodes includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 and a plurality of second touch electrodes 420. It may include. The first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 are separated from each other.

Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 and a plurality of second touch electrodes 420 may be alternately distributed and disposed so as not to overlap each other in the touch active area TA. The plurality of first touch electrodes 410 may be disposed in plurality, respectively, along the column direction and the row direction, and a plurality of second touch electrodes 420 may be disposed in each of the column direction and the row direction.

The first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 may be positioned on the same layer.

Each of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 may have a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto and may have various shapes such as having a protrusion to improve the sensitivity of the touch sensor.

The plurality of first touch electrodes 410 arranged in the same row or column may be connected to or separated from each other inside or outside the touch active area TA. Similarly, at least some of the plurality of second touch electrodes 420 arranged in the same column or row may be connected or separated from each other inside or outside the touch active area TA. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 disposed in the same row are connected to each other within the touch active area TA, a plurality of second touch electrodes 420 disposed in the same column ) May be connected to each other inside the touch active area TA.

More specifically, a plurality of first touch electrodes 410 positioned in each row are connected to each other through a first connector 412, and a plurality of second touch electrodes 420 positioned in each column are connected to a second connector ( 422) may be connected to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first connection part 412 connecting between adjacent first touch electrodes 410 is located on the same layer as the first touch electrode 410 and is located on the same layer as the first touch electrode 410. It can be formed of the same material. That is, the first touch electrode 410 and the first connector 412 may be integrated with each other and may be patterned at the same time.

The second connector 422 connecting the adjacent second touch electrodes 420 to each other may be located on a different layer from the second touch electrode 420. That is, the second touch electrode 420 and the first connector 412 may be separated from each other and may be separately patterned. The second touch electrode 420 and the second connector 422 may be connected to each other through direct contact.

An insulating layer 430 is positioned between the first connector 412 and the second connector 422 to insulate the first connector 412 and the second connector 422 from each other. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the insulating layer 430 may be a plurality of independent island-shaped insulators disposed at each intersection of the first connector 412 and the second connector 422. The insulating layer 430 may expose at least a part of the second touch electrode 420 so that the second connector 422 may be connected to the second touch electrode 420.

The insulating layer 430 may have a rounded edge or a polygonal shape.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the insulating layer 430 is formed entirely, and is positioned on a part of the second touch electrode 420 to connect the second touch electrodes 420 adjacent in the column direction. May have been removed.

Unlike shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second connection part 422 connecting the second touch electrodes 420 adjacent to each other is located on the same layer as the first touch electrode 410, and the first touch electrode ( The first connection part 412 that is integrated with the 410 and connects the adjacent first touch electrodes 410 to each other may be located on a different layer from the first touch electrode 410.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first touch electrodes 410 connected to each other in each row are connected to the touch control unit 700 through a first touch wire 411, and the second touch electrodes 420 connected to each other in each column are 2 It may be connected to the touch control unit 700 through the touch wiring 421. The first touch wire 411 and the second touch wire 421 may be located in the peripheral area PA of the display panel 300 as shown in FIG. 2. Unlike this, the first touch wire 411 and the second touch wire 421 may be located in the touch active area TA. May be.

End portions of the first and second touch lines 411 and 421 form a pad part 450 in the peripheral area PA of the display panel 300.

The first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 may have a predetermined transmittance or higher so that light may be transmitted from the display panel 300. For example, the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420 are thin metal layers such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), silver nanowires (AgNw), and metal mesh. , It may be made of a transparent conductive material such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), but is not limited thereto.

The first and second touch wires 411 and 421 are transparent conductive materials included in the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420, or molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), titanium ( It may include a low resistance material such as Ti), copper (Cu), aluminum (Ti), molybdenum/aluminum/molybdenum (Mo/Al/Mo).

The first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 adjacent to each other form a mutual sensing capacitor that functions as a touch sensing sensor. The mutual sensing capacitor may receive a sensing input signal through one of the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420 and output a change in the amount of charge due to contact of an external object as a sensing output signal through the remaining touch electrodes. have.

Unlike shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the plurality of first touch electrodes 410 and the plurality of second touch electrodes 420 are separated from each other to be connected to the touch control unit 700 through touch wires (not shown). May be. In this case, each touch electrode may form a self sensing capacitance as a touch sensing sensor. The self-sensing capacitor may receive a sensing input signal and be charged with a predetermined amount of charge, and if there is contact with an external object such as a finger, the amount of charge may be changed, and thus a sensing output signal different from the input sensing input signal may be output.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the display controller 600 controls an image display operation of the display panel 300.

More specifically, the signal controller 600 receives an input image signal including luminance information of each pixel PX from the outside and an input control signal for controlling the display thereof. The signal controller 600 processes the input image signal based on the input image signal and the input control signal, converts it into an output image signal, and generates control signals such as a gate control signal and a data control signal. The signal controller 600 outputs a gate control signal to a gate driver (not shown), and sends a data control signal and an output image signal to a data driver (not shown).

Although not shown, the data driver converts the output image signal into a data voltage by receiving the output image signal for the pixel PX in a row according to the data control signal, and selecting a gray voltage corresponding to each output image signal. , Apply this to the data line. The gate driver turns on a switching element connected to the gate line by applying a gate-on voltage to the gate line according to the gate control signal. Then, the data voltage applied to the data line is applied to the pixel PX through the turned-on switching element. When a data voltage is applied to the pixel PX, the pixel PX may display a luminance corresponding to the data voltage through various optical conversion devices such as a light emitting device.

The touch control unit 700 is connected to a touch detection sensor positioned in the touch active area to control the operation of the touch detection sensor. The touch controller 700 may transmit a sensing input signal to the touch sensing sensor or receive and process a sensing output signal. The touch control unit 700 may generate touch information such as whether or not a touch is touched by processing the sensing output signal.

Driving devices such as the data driver, the gate driver, and the display controller 600 are mounted directly on the display panel 300 in the form of at least one integrated circuit chip, or a flexible printed circuit film (not shown) It may be mounted on and attached to the display panel 300 in the form of a tape carrier package (TCP), or may be mounted on a separate printed circuit board (not shown). Alternatively, the driving device may be integrated on the display panel 300 together with a display signal line and a switching element.

The touch control unit 700 is also directly mounted on the display panel 300 in the form of at least one integrated circuit chip, or mounted on a flexible printed circuit film and attached to the display panel 300 in the form of TCP, or on a separate printed circuit board. It can also be installed. The touch control unit 700 may be connected to the first touch wiring 411 and the second touch wiring 421 through the pad portion 450 of the display panel 300.

Then, a structure of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 along with FIGS. 1 to 4 described above.

5 is a cross-sectional view of one pixel of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing layer of the flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate may include various plastics, thin metal films, or ultra-thin glass. The flexible substrate according to the present embodiment may include at least one plastic film. Plastic films are, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyarylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyimide ( PI) and the like.

5 shows an example in which the flexible substrate includes the first film 112 and the second film 113. For example, the first film 112 may include polyimide (PI) having strong moisture-proof power, and the second film 113 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a base film. . The first film 112 is positioned on the second film 113. The second film 113 may be omitted.

A barrier layer 111 is positioned on the first film 112. The barrier layer 111 may prevent impurities from outside from passing through the flexible substrate and penetrating upward, and the surface thereof may be flat. The barrier layer 111 may include at least one of an inorganic layer and an organic layer. For example, the barrier layer 111 may include silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), or the like. The barrier layer 111 may be omitted.

A display device including a plurality of thin films is positioned on the barrier layer 111. The display device includes several signal lines and wirings described above, and a plurality of pixels PX. The signal line may include a plurality of scan signal lines for transmitting scan signals and a plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals.

An example of the structure of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, a plurality of semiconductors 154b are positioned on the barrier layer 111. The semiconductor 154b may include a source region 153b and a drain region 155b formed by doping and positioned at both sides of the channel region 152b and the channel region 152b. The semiconductor 154b may include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or an oxide semiconductor.

A gate insulating layer 140 which may be made of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx) is positioned on the semiconductor 154b.

A plurality of gate conductors including a plurality of scan signal lines (not shown) and a control electrode 124b are positioned on the gate insulating layer 140. The control electrode 124b may overlap a part of the semiconductor 154b, in particular, the channel region 152b.

A first passivation layer 180a is positioned on the gate insulating layer 140 and the gate conductor. The first passivation layer 180a and the gate insulating layer 140 may include a contact hole 183b exposing the source region 153b of the semiconductor 154b and a contact hole 185b exposing the drain region 155b.

A plurality of data conductors including a plurality of data lines 171, a plurality of input electrodes 173b, and a plurality of output electrodes 175b are positioned on the first passivation layer 180a. The data line 171 transmits a data signal and may cross the scan signal line. The input electrode 173b is connected to the data line 171. The output electrode 175b may have an island shape and is separated from the data line 171. The input electrode 173b and the output electrode 175b face each other on the semiconductor 154b.

The input electrode 173b and the output electrode 175b may be connected to the source region 153b and the drain region 155b of the semiconductor 154b through contact holes 183b and 185b, respectively.

The control electrode 124b, the input electrode 173b, and the output electrode 175b form a driving thin film transistor Qd together with the semiconductor 154b. However, the structure of the driving thin film transistor Qd is not limited thereto and may be variously changed.

A second passivation layer 180b that may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide may be positioned on the data conductor. The second passivation layer 180b may have a flat surface without a step in order to increase the luminous efficiency of the light emitting member to be formed thereon. The second passivation layer 180b may have a contact hole 185c exposing the output electrode 175b.

A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 are positioned on the second passivation layer 180b.

The pixel electrode 191 of each pixel PX is physically and electrically connected to the output electrode 175b through the contact hole 185c of the second passivation layer 180b. The pixel electrode 191 may include a semi-transmissive conductive material or a reflective conductive material.

A pixel defining layer (also referred to as a partition wall) 360 having a plurality of openings exposing the pixel electrode 191 may be positioned on the second passivation layer 180b. An opening of the pixel defining layer 360 exposing the pixel electrode 191 may define each pixel area. The pixel defining layer 360 may be omitted.

A light emitting member 370 is positioned on the pixel defining layer 360 and the pixel electrode 191. The light emitting member 370 may include a first organic common layer 371, a plurality of light emitting layers 373, and a second organic common layer 375 that are sequentially stacked.

The first organic common layer 371 may include, for example, at least one of a hole injecting layer and a hole transport layer that are sequentially stacked. The first organic common layer 371 may be formed over the entire display area in which the pixel PX is disposed, or may be formed only in each pixel PX area.

The emission layer 373 may be positioned on the pixel electrode 191 of each corresponding pixel PX. The emission layer 373 may be made of an organic material that uniquely emits light of basic colors such as red, green, and blue, or may have a structure in which a plurality of organic material layers emitting light of different colors are stacked.

The second organic common layer 375 may include, for example, at least one of an electron transport layer and an electron injecting layer that are sequentially stacked. The second organic common layer 375 may be formed over the entire display area in which the pixel PX is disposed, or may be formed only in each pixel PX area.

The first and second organic common layers 371 and 375 are for improving the luminous efficiency of the emission layer 373, and any one of the first and second organic common layers 371 and 375 may be omitted.

A counter electrode 270 that transmits a common voltage is positioned on the light emitting member 370. The counter electrode 270 may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the counter electrode 270 is made of a transparent conductive material or is formed by thinly stacking metals such as calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), and silver (Ag) to transmit light. You can have.

The pixel electrode 191, the light emitting member 370, and the counter electrode 270 of each pixel PX form a light emitting element, and one of the pixel electrode 191 and the counter electrode 270 becomes a cathode, and the remaining One becomes the anode.

The flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be a top emission type in which an image is displayed by emitting internal light from the light emitting member 370 upward.

An encapsulation layer 280 may be positioned on the counter electrode 270. The sealing layer 280 may encapsulate the light emitting member 370 and the counter electrode 270 to prevent moisture and/or oxygen from penetrating from the outside.

The sealing layer 280 may include a plurality of encapsulating thin films.

Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of encapsulating thin films of the sealing layer 280 may include at least one inorganic layer 280_1 and at least one organic layer 280_2 alternately stacked. The inorganic layer 280_1 may include an inorganic material such as aluminum oxide (AlOx), silicon oxide (SiOx), and silicon nitride (SiNx). 6 illustrates an example in which the inorganic layer 280_1 is positioned at the bottom or the top of the sealing layer 280, but is not limited thereto, and the organic layer 280_2 is the bottom or top of the sealing layer 280 This may be located.

In the sealing layer 280 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch detection layer 400 including a touch detection sensor and touch wires 411 and 412 connected thereto is positioned. That is, the contact sensing layer 400 may be positioned between the plurality of encapsulating thin films of the sealing layer 280. More specifically, the touch sensing layer 400 may be positioned between the organic layer 280_2 and the inorganic layer 280_1 adjacent to each other of the sealing layer 280.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the contact sensing layer 400 is positioned directly on the inorganic layer 280_1, which is generally located on the upper side of the plurality of encapsulation thin films of the sealing layer 280, but is not limited thereto, and the organic layer 280_2 ) The touch sensing layer 400 may be positioned directly above or the touch sensing layer 400 may be positioned directly above the other inorganic layer 280_1.

When the touch sensing layer 400 is located between the encapsulation thin film located at the lower side of the plurality of encapsulation thin films of the sealing layer 280, interference due to parasitic capacitance between the touch sensing layer 400 and the lower display element occurs. I can. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to lower the dielectric constant of the plurality of encapsulation thin films of the encapsulation layer 280, in particular, the encapsulation thin films located under the touch sensing layer 400.

As described above, at least one encapsulation thin film is positioned above and below the touch sensing layer 400 included in the sealing layer 280 according to an embodiment of the present invention, so that moisture from outside and /Or it can prevent the penetration of oxygen.

At least one inorganic layer 280_1 and at least one organic layer 280_2 alternately stacked may be positioned above the touch sensing layer 400 to protect the touch sensing layer 400.

A part of the encapsulation thin film positioned above the pad part 450 of the touch wiring included in the touch sensing layer 400 is removed to expose the pad part 450, and the touch control unit 700 may be connected to the pad part 450. have.

The touch sensing layer 400 is formed by sequentially stacking the encapsulating thin films under it, and then laminating a touch electrode and a conductive material for touch wiring thereon by a method such as sputtering, and then patterning or printing to form a plurality of touch electrodes and a plurality of touch wirings. It can be formed by forming. Next, the remaining encapsulation thin film may be stacked on the touch sensing layer 400 and then the encapsulation thin film on the touch sensing layer 400 may be patterned to form a region from which the encapsulation thin film is removed. Alternatively, when stacking the remaining encapsulation thin film on the touch sensing layer 400, the encapsulation thin film may be stacked only in an area other than the pad part 450 using a mask.

Since the detailed structure of the touch detection sensor included in the touch detection layer 400 is the same as described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the contact detection layer 400 including the touch detection sensor is formed together in the process of forming the sealing layer 280, there is no need to separately manufacture and attach a touch panel, and touch detection It is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of the flexible display device including the sensor and reduce manufacturing cost. In addition, since a separate touch panel does not need to be attached to the display panel on which the image is displayed, the thickness of the flexible display device including the touch sensor can be reduced, and optical characteristics such as transmittance can be improved.

Since the touch detection sensor is included in the sealing layer 280, it is possible to prevent moisture or/and oxygen from penetrating into the touch detection sensor, thereby improving moisture-proof power, and reducing defects of the touch detection sensor due to metal corrosion. And it is possible to increase the bending durability of the flexible display device.

Since the touch electrodes included in the touch detection sensor are located on the same layer with each other, deformation of the touch detection sensor can be reduced and defects can be prevented when the display panel 300 is bent, and the thickness of the touch detection layer 400 can be reduced. And can reduce the bending radius of curvature.

An antireflection layer 390 capable of reducing reflection of external light may be further positioned on the sealing layer 280.

Now, a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 along with FIGS. 1 to 6 described above.

7 is a cross-sectional view of a base film and a touch sensing layer of a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mostly the same as the flexible display device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above, but the location of the touch sensing layer 400 may be different. The touch sensing layer 400 according to the present embodiment may be located on the upper surface of the second film 113, which is a flexible substrate, as shown in FIG. 7(a), or on the lower surface of the second film 113 as shown in FIG. 7(b). I can. That is, a plurality of touch electrodes 410 and 420 constituting a touch sensor and touch wires 411 and 421 connected thereto may be formed above or below the second film 113.

The flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be a bottom emission type in which an image is displayed by emitting internal light from the light emitting member 370 downward. In this case, the first film 112 and the barrier layer 111 may have high transparency.

The effect according to the present embodiment is the same as the previously described embodiment.

Next, a method of manufacturing the touch sensing layer 400 of the flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12B together with the drawings described above.

8 to 12B are views sequentially showing a manufacturing process of forming a touch detection sensor above or below the base film of the flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 9B is an intermediate product shown in FIG. 9A. Is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the intermediate product shown in FIG. 10A along line XX, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing the intermediate product shown in FIG. 11A along line XI-XI. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the intermediate product shown in FIG. 12A.

First, referring to FIG. 8, a conductive layer is formed by laminating a conductive material on a second film 113 such as PET by a method such as sputtering. The conductive layer may include a first conductive layer 401 and a second conductive layer 403 stacked in sequence. The first conductive layer 401 may include a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO, and the second conductive layer 403 may include a metal material such as aluminum (Al).

Next, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first conductive layer 401 and the second conductive layer 403 are patterned to form a first intermediate pattern 410P, a second intermediate pattern 420P, and a second connection pattern 422P. ), and a touch wiring including a first touch wiring 411 and a second touch wiring 421 connected to the first intermediate pattern 410P and the second intermediate pattern 420P. The shapes of the first intermediate pattern 410P and the second intermediate pattern 420P may be the same as the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 described above, respectively.

The second intermediate patterns 420P located in the same column may be located on the same layer as the second intermediate patterns 420P and may be connected to each other through a second connection pattern 422P patterned together. Alternatively, the first intermediate patterns 410P positioned in the same row may be connected to each other through a separate first connection pattern (not shown).

Next, referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the first intermediate pattern 410P, the second intermediate pattern 420P, and the second conductive layer 402, which is an upper layer of the second connection pattern 422P, are etched. By removing, a plurality of transparent first touch electrodes 410, a plurality of second touch electrodes 420, and a plurality of second connection portions 422 are formed. In contrast, when the first touch electrodes 410 arranged in the same column are connected by the first connection parts 412 located on the same layer, the first connection part 412 may be formed instead of the second connection part 422 in this step.

The first touch wiring 411 and the second touch wiring 421 may still include both the first conductive layer 401 and the second conductive layer 403 to form a low resistance wiring.

Next, referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, an insulating material is stacked and patterned on the first touch electrode 410, the second touch electrode 420, the second connection part 422, and the touch wire, An insulating layer 430 positioned on and covering the second connection part 422 and an insulating layer 432 positioned on the touch wiring and covering the touch wiring are formed.

Next, referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a conductive material is stacked on the insulating layer 430 and patterned to insulate and cross the second connector 422 and connect the first touch electrodes 410 adjacent to each other in a row. 1 Form the connection part 412.

As a result, the touch sensing layer 400 including the touch sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be completed. In the method of manufacturing the touch sensing layer 400 according to the present embodiment, the touch sensing sensor is formed above and below the second film 113 as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 described above. Can be applied to examples.

The method of manufacturing the touch sensing layer 400 according to the present embodiment is equally applied to the embodiment in which the touch sensing layer 400 is located in the sealing layer 280 as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above. I can. In this case, the second film 113 shown in FIGS. 8 to 12B may be replaced with any one inorganic film 280_1 of the sealing layer 280.

Now, various structures of a touch detection sensor included in the flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a touch detection sensor included in the flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 13 taken along line XIV-XIV, and FIG. 15 Is a cross-sectional view of the touch detection sensor shown in FIG. 13 taken along the XV-XV line, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are plan views of the touch detection sensor included in the flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the touch sensor according to the present embodiment is mostly the same as the embodiment described above, but may further include a structure for protection from static electricity. A description will be made focusing on differences from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 described above.

Adjacent first touch electrodes 410 located in the same row may be connected to each other by a first connector 412 that may be located on the same layer as the first touch electrode 410. The first connector 412 may be integrated with the first touch electrode 410.

First, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, adjacent second touch electrodes 420 located in the same column may be connected to each other by a second touch electrode 420 and a second connector 422 that may be located in a different layer. have. The second touch electrode 420 and the second connector 422 may be connected to each other through direct contact. The second connector 422 connecting the pair of second touch electrodes 420 connected to each other may be provided in a plurality that are separated from each other. 13 illustrates an example in which a pair of second connection parts 422 connect adjacent second touch electrodes 420.

An insulating film 430 is positioned between the first connection part 412 and the second connection part 422, respectively, to insulate the first connection part 412 and the second connection part 422 from each other. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the insulating layer 430 may be a plurality of independent island-shaped insulators disposed at each intersection of the first connection part 412 and the second connection part 422. Alternatively, the insulating layer 430 may be removed to expose a part of the second touch electrode 420 so that the second connector 422 is connected to the pair of connected second touch electrodes 420 while being formed entirely. have.

The second connection part 422 may be transparent or made of a low-resistance opaque conductive material such as a metal. When the second connection part 422 is made of a low-resistance opaque metal material, it may be formed of the same layer in the same manufacturing process as the touch wires 411 and 421 of the peripheral area PA. The width of the second connection part 422 made of a low-resistance opaque metal material may be limited or may be designed to be inclined in a diagonal direction with respect to the horizontal direction so as to prevent visual recognition. In this way, when the second connection part 422 is designed to be narrow in consideration of visibility, a defect may occur in the second connection part 422 due to static electricity concentrated in the crossing area of the first connection part 412 and the second connection part 422. have.

In order to prevent such a defect caused by static electricity, a touch electrode 410 that is an island type and belongs to at least one of the first touch electrode 410 and the second touch electrode 420 according to an embodiment of the present invention is Dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, and 429 that are electrically insulated from 420 and disposed adjacent to the crossing region of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420 may be formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a first dummy pattern 418 spaced apart from an edge and a second dummy pattern 419 in contact with the edge may be formed in a partial area of the first touch electrode 410, A first dummy pattern 428 spaced apart from an edge and a second dummy pattern 429 in contact with the edge may be formed in a partial area of the second touch electrode 420.

The dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, 429 form a blocking area (insulation area) on the electric movement path of each of the first touch electrode 410 or the second touch electrode 420 to reduce the width of the electric movement path. By increasing the length of the path, the electrical resistance on the moving path may be increased to prevent rapid static electricity from flowing into the high resistance region, which is an intersection region of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420.

Referring to FIG. 13, dummy patterns 418 and 428 may be spaced apart from edges of touch electrodes 410 and 420 to which they belong. The dummy patterns 419 and 429 may contact edges of the touch electrodes 410 and 420 to which they belong. The dummy patterns 418 and 428 are charged with negative charges on the surface of the dummy patterns 418 and 428 when static electricity of positive charges is introduced to catch the positive charges of static electricity, and alleviate the shock caused by static electricity flowing into the second connection part 422 I can make it. The dummy patterns 419 and 429 serve to extend and bypass the electric movement path so that the introduced static electricity does not rapidly enter the crossing regions of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420.

The dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, and 429 may be positioned on the same layer as the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420, and may be made of the same material.

The dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, and 429 may be disposed at the same size in an area symmetrical to each other about the intersection area of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420. For example, the first and second dummy patterns 418 and 419 of the first touch electrode 410 are disposed at the same size in an area symmetrical to each other around the first connection part 412, and the second touch electrode ( The first and second dummy patterns 428 and 429 of 420 may be disposed at the same size in a region symmetrical to each other about the second connector 422.

The dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, and 429 may have a shape bent to form an electric movement path within the touch electrodes 410 and 420. For example, in the second touch electrode 420, the second dummy pattern 429 is positioned at the edges of both sides, and the first dummy pattern 428 bent in an L shape between the second dummy patterns 429 This can be located.

The shapes and positions of the dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, and 429 are not limited to those shown and may be variously changed.

The second touch electrode 420 may have a protruding pattern 427 protruding toward the adjacent first touch electrode 410 and connected to the second connector 422. The protruding pattern 427 prevents rapid static electricity from flowing into the second connection part 422 having a relatively narrow width, and electrical movement of the touch electrodes 410 and 420 together with the dummy patterns 418, 419, 428, 429 You can change the path. A plurality of protruding patterns 427 may be provided on one second touch electrode 420, and are parallel to each other from the second touch electrode 420 to which it is connected between the adjacent second touch electrodes 420. Can be extended.

13 shows an example in which the protruding patterns 427 protrude from the separated second touch electrodes 420 and are connected to the second connector 422, but unlike this, first touch electrodes 410 adjacent to each other The first touch electrode 410 may be connected to each other through a first connection part 412 positioned on a different layer. In this case, a protrusion pattern in which the first touch electrode 410 is connected to the first connection part 412 (shown Not).

13 and 15, the touch detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of static electricity induction patterns 490. The static electricity induction pattern 490 is electrically connected to any one of the first and second touch electrodes 410 and 420, and includes touch electrodes 410 and 420 adjacent to the touch electrodes 410 and 420 to which they are connected, respectively. It is formed to extend in the facing direction so that a partial region overlaps the adjacent touch electrodes 410 and 420. The static electricity induction pattern 490 may be connected to any one of the touch electrodes 410 and 420 through direct contact. In contrast, the static electricity induction pattern 490 is positioned on the upper or lower layer of the touch electrodes 410 and 420 to which it is connected, and the touch electrodes 410 and 420 through a contact hole (not shown) formed in the insulating layer 434. ) And may be electrically connected.

Here, an insulating layer 434 for securing insulation may be interposed between the electrostatic induction pattern 490 and the touch electrodes 410 and 420 overlapping without being electrically connected to each other.

The static electricity induction pattern 490 may be formed on the same layer of the same material as the second connection part 422 to simplify the process. The static electricity induction pattern 490 may be formed of a low-resistance opaque metal material such as the touch wires 411 and 421.

If static electricity is induced toward the static electricity induction pattern 490, stability can be ensured for the first and second connection parts 412 and 422, and even if damage such as disconnection is applied to the static electricity induction pattern 490, this Does not affect driving.

Next, referring to FIG. 16, the touch detection sensor according to the present embodiment includes the second dummy patterns 419 and 429 of the touch detection sensor illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 and the first dummy without the static electricity induction pattern 490. It may include only the patterns 418 and 428 and the protruding pattern 427.

The first touch electrode 410 may include a plurality of first dummy patterns 418, and the second touch electrode 420 may include a plurality of first dummy patterns 428 and protruding patterns 427. The first dummy pattern 428 and the protruding pattern 427 may have a shape bent in an L shape.

The bent protrusion pattern 427 may increase the length of an electric movement path between the second touch electrodes 420.

Referring to FIG. 17, the touch detection sensor according to the present embodiment includes first dummy patterns 418 and 428 without the protruding pattern 427 and the static electricity induction pattern 490 of the touch detection sensor shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 described above. ) And the second dummy patterns 419 and 429 may be included.

The first touch electrode 410 includes a plurality of first dummy patterns 418, and the second touch electrode 420 is electrically connected by a single second connector 422 without a protruding pattern, and the first dummy A pattern 428 and a second dummy pattern 429 may be included one by one. The first connection part 412 and the second connection part 422 may be designed to be inclined in a diagonal direction.

The number, shape, and position of the various dummy patterns, protruding patterns, and static electricity induction patterns are variously combined and may be variously modified as necessary.

Next, a flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating a touch detection sensor and a ground wire of the flexible display device according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a part of the flexible display device illustrated in FIG. 18.

The flexible display device according to the present exemplary embodiment is the same as the previously described exemplary embodiment, but may further include a ground wiring 60 positioned in the peripheral area PA.

The ground wiring 60 may be located in an outer area of the touch wirings 411 and 421. The ground wiring 60 may be formed along the edge of the display panel 300 to surround the touch wirings 411 and 421. For example, the ground wiring 60 may have an approximately rectangular shape.

The ground wiring 60 may be electrically connected to a ground power source in order to remove static electricity introduced from the outside. To this end, the ground wiring 60 may be electrically connected to the ground power through a pad included in the pad part 450.

Referring to FIG. 19, the ground wiring 60 includes at least one static electricity induction part 70. The static electricity induction part 70 may be formed more densely in the edge area than in the non-corner area of the ground wiring 60.

The static electricity induction part 70 may include a plurality of static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75. The static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 may have a shape protruding from the ground wire 60, and may extend outward from the ground wire 60 to induce static electricity flowing from the outside. I can.

The static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 may have a lightning rod shape in order to induce external static electricity. In addition, in order to improve the static electricity induction effect, at least one of the static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 may have an uneven portion 77 formed thereon. For example, an uneven portion 77 having an uneven shape may be formed in the static electricity induction patterns 71 and 75. The number of static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 shown in FIG. 19 may be variously changed. In addition, the lengths of the static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 may be different or the same.

The static electricity induction patterns 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 may be integrally formed with the ground wiring 60.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims are also present. It belongs to the scope of rights of

111: barrier layer 112: first film
113: second film 124b: control electrode
140: gate insulating film 154b: semiconductor
171: data line 180a, 180b: protective layer
191: pixel electrode 270: counter electrode
280: sealing layer 300: display panel
360: pixel defining layer 370: light emitting member
371, 375: organic common layer 373: light emitting layer
390: anti-reflection layer 400: contact sensing layer
410, 420: touch electrode 411, 421: touch wiring
412, 422: connection part 418, 419, 428, 429: dummy pattern
427: protruding pattern 430, 432, 434: insulating film
450: pad portion 490: static electricity induction pattern
600: display control unit 700: touch control unit

Claims (36)

Board,
A plurality of first touch electrodes positioned on the substrate and arranged in a first direction,
A plurality of second touch electrodes positioned on the substrate and arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and
A first dummy pattern located inside one of the plurality of first touch electrodes, spaced apart from an outer edge of the first touch electrode, insulated from the first touch electrode, and having an island shape
Including,
The first dummy pattern is parallel to the first direction and has an edge bent at a first axis passing through the center of the first touch electrode, and the first dummy pattern is symmetrical with respect to the first axis.
Display device. In claim 1,
Among the plurality of first touch electrodes, it is located inside another first touch electrode adjacent to the first touch electrode, is spaced apart from an outer edge of the other first touch electrode, is insulated from the other first touch electrode, and has an island shape. Having, further comprising a second dummy pattern,
The second dummy pattern has the same shape as the first dummy pattern.
Display device. In paragraph 2,
The first dummy pattern and the second dummy pattern are symmetrical with respect to a second axis parallel to the second direction. In claim 1,
Further comprising a third dummy pattern located outside the first touch electrode, adjacent to an outer edge of the first touch electrode, insulated from the first touch electrode, and having an island shape,
The third dummy pattern is extended in a straight line.
Display device. In claim 4,
A fourth dummy pattern located outside one of the plurality of second touch electrodes, adjacent to an outer edge of the second touch electrode, insulated from the second touch electrode, and having an island shape, is further provided. Including,
The fourth dummy pattern extends in a straight line,
The edge of the third dummy pattern and the edge of the fourth dummy pattern face each other
Display device. In claim 4,
A fourth dummy pattern located outside of the other first touch electrode among the plurality of first touch electrodes, adjacent to the outer edge of the other first touch electrode, insulated from the other first touch electrode, and having an island shape Including more,
The fourth dummy pattern has the same shape as the third dummy pattern,
The third dummy pattern and the fourth dummy pattern are symmetrical to each other.
Display device. Board,
A plurality of first touch electrodes positioned on the substrate and arranged in a first direction,
A plurality of second touch electrodes disposed on the substrate and arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction,
A first dummy pattern located inside one of the plurality of first touch electrodes, spaced apart from an outer edge of the first touch electrode, insulated from the first touch electrode, and having an island shape, and
A second dummy pattern located outside the first touch electrode, adjacent to an outer edge of the first touch electrode, insulated from the first touch electrode, and having an island shape
Including,
The first dummy pattern is parallel to the first direction and has an edge bent at a first axis passing through the center of the first touch electrode, and the first dummy pattern is symmetrical with respect to the first axis.
Display device. In clause 7,
Among the plurality of first touch electrodes, it is located inside another first touch electrode adjacent to the first touch electrode, is spaced apart from an outer edge of the other first touch electrode, is insulated from the other first touch electrode, and has an island shape. Having, further comprising a third dummy pattern,
The third dummy pattern has the same shape as the first dummy pattern.
Display device. In clause 8,
The first dummy pattern and the third dummy pattern are symmetrical with respect to a second axis parallel to the second direction. In clause 7,
The second dummy pattern extends in a straight line. In claim 10,
A fourth dummy pattern located outside one of the plurality of second touch electrodes, adjacent to an outer edge of the second touch electrode, insulated from the second touch electrode, and having an island shape, is further provided. Including,
The fourth dummy pattern extends in a straight line,
The edge of the second dummy pattern and the edge of the fourth dummy pattern face each other
Display device. In claim 10,
A fourth dummy pattern located outside of the other first touch electrode among the plurality of first touch electrodes, adjacent to the outer edge of the other first touch electrode, insulated from the other first touch electrode, and having an island shape Including more,
The fourth dummy pattern has the same shape as the second dummy pattern,
The second dummy pattern and the fourth dummy pattern are symmetrical to each other.
Display device. Flexible substrate,
A light emitting layer positioned on the flexible substrate, and
A sealing layer having a first lower surface positioned on the emission layer and a second lower surface connected to the first lower surface
Including,
A first distance between the first lower surface and the upper surface of the flexible substrate is different from a second distance between the second lower surface and the upper surface of the flexible substrate,
The sealing layer includes a plurality of encapsulation thin films and a touch sensing layer for sensing a touch input,
The plurality of encapsulation thin films includes at least one inorganic film and at least one organic film,
The touch sensing layer is positioned between one of the at least one inorganic layer adjacent to each other among the plurality of encapsulation thin films and one of the at least one organic layer.
Flexible display device. In claim 13,
The touch sensing layer includes a pad portion, and at least one of the plurality of encapsulation thin films positioned on the touch sensing layer exposes the pad portion. In clause 14,
The touch sensing layer is a flexible display device including a plurality of touch electrodes positioned on the same layer. In paragraph 15,
Further comprising a plurality of touch wires electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes,
The pad portion includes an end portion of the touch wire
Flexible display device. In paragraph 16,
The plurality of touch electrodes include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and are alternately arranged without overlapping,
The plurality of first touch electrodes are arranged in a first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of first connectors,
The plurality of second touch electrodes are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of second connectors.
Flexible display device. In paragraph 17,
The flexible display device further comprising an insulating layer positioned between the first connector and the second connector. In paragraph 18,
The first connector is located on the same layer as the first touch electrode and is integrated with the first touch electrode,
The second connector is located on a layer different from the second touch electrode
Flexible display device. In paragraph 19,
The second connector is positioned on the insulating layer. In claim 20,
Each of the touch electrodes includes at least one of a dummy pattern, a protruding pattern, and an electrostatic induction pattern. In paragraph 15,
One or more of the at least one inorganic layer and at least one of the at least one organic layer are positioned on the touch sensing layer. In claim 22,
The plurality of touch electrodes include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and are alternately arranged without overlapping,
The plurality of first touch electrodes are arranged in a first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of first connectors,
The plurality of second touch electrodes are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of second connectors.
Flexible display device. First film,
A thin film transistor on the first film,
An emission layer on the thin film transistor,
A sealing layer on the light-emitting layer, and
A touch sensing layer directly positioned on the upper or lower surface of the first film
Including,
The light emitting layer is located between the touch sensing layer and the sealing layer, the light emitting layer emits light toward the first film, and the thin film transistor is located between the light emitting layer and the touch sensing layer.
Flexible display device. In claim 24,
The touch sensing layer is a flexible display device including a plurality of touch electrodes positioned on the same layer. In paragraph 25,
The plurality of touch electrodes include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and are alternately arranged without overlapping,
The plurality of first touch electrodes are arranged in a first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of first connectors,
The second touch electrodes are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and connected to each other through a plurality of second connectors.
Flexible display device. In clause 26,
The flexible display device further comprising an insulating layer positioned between the first connector and the second connector. In paragraph 27,
The first connector is located on the same layer as the first touch electrode and is integrated with the first touch electrode,
The second connector is located on a layer different from the second touch electrode
Flexible display device. In paragraph 28,
The second connector is positioned on the insulating layer. In paragraph 29,
The second connector is at least partially formed of an opaque conductive material having low resistance. In paragraph 28,
The plurality of touch electrodes includes at least one of a dummy pattern, a protruding pattern, and an electrostatic induction pattern. In claim 24,
Further comprising a second film positioned between the first film and the light emitting layer,
The second film is at least partially formed of polyimide (PI)
Flexible display device. Flexible substrate,
A plurality of pixels on the flexible substrate,
A sealing layer disposed on the plurality of pixels and including a plurality of organic and inorganic layers alternately arranged, and
Touch sensing layer to detect touch input
Including,
At least one of the plurality of organic and inorganic layers is located between the touch sensing layer and the plurality of pixels,
The plurality of organic layers and inorganic layers include at least one layer positioned on the touch sensing layer,
The touch sensing layer includes a pad portion that does not overlap at least one layer
Flexible display device. In claim 33,
The touch sensing layer includes a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes spaced apart from each other,
The plurality of first touch electrodes are arranged in a first direction and are electrically connected to each other through a plurality of first connectors,
The plurality of second touch electrodes are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and are electrically connected to each other through a plurality of second connectors.
Flexible display device. In claim 34,
The touch sensing layer further includes a plurality of static electricity induction patterns positioned between adjacent first and second touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes,
Each of the static electricity induction patterns is electrically connected to one of the neighboring first and second touch electrodes, and electrically insulated from the others.
Flexible display device. In claim 13,
The light-emitting layer includes an opposite electrode,
The sealing layer is located directly on the counter electrode
Flexible display device.

Images