KR20240080912A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

This specification relates to a display device that reduces the thickness of the display device and improves display quality by using the first electrode, second electrode, or connection electrode of the light emitting display panel as a touch electrode.

Description

Display device {DISPLAY APPARATUS}

This specification relates to a display device, and more specifically, to a display device with a touch sensor formed inside a display panel.

Display devices that display images in TVs, monitors, smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops are used in various ways and forms.

Among various types of display devices, Liquid Crystal Display Apparatus (LCD) is still in use to this day, and the use and scope of application of Light Emitting Display Apparatus (LED) are also rapidly expanding.

Display devices include a display panel having a plurality of light-emitting elements or liquid crystals for displaying an image, and thin film transistors for individually controlling the operation of each light-emitting element or liquid crystal.

Among these, liquid crystal displays do not emit their own light, so they require a light source such as a backlight that supplies light from the back. The backlight increases the thickness of the liquid crystal display device and has limitations in implementing a display device that is curved or has various designs.

A light-emitting display panel with a light-emitting element can be implemented thinner than a display panel with a built-in light source, and since it does not require a separate light source, it can be bent or display devices of various designs can be implemented.

In addition, the light emitting display device is equipped with an input device that allows the user to input information by touching the screen with a finger or a pen while looking at the display screen, thereby improving user convenience.

To detect a touch input, the display device may attach a touch screen panel to the top of the display panel, or may form a touch sensor directly on the encapsulation portion of the display panel.

When a touch screen panel or a touch sensor is formed separately from the display panel, the overall thickness of the display device increases, and the increased thickness may deteriorate portability and exterior design.

Additionally, because the image implemented on the display panel passes through the touch screen panel or touch sensor, the visibility of the image may be reduced.

Additionally, since the touch screen panel or touch sensor is formed separately from the display panel, the manufacturing process becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase.

In this specification, the thickness of the display device can be reduced by forming a touch sensor inside the display panel. Additionally, the manufacturing process of the display device can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

The problems to be solved according to the embodiments of the present specification are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present specification includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, a thin film transistor disposed in the display area, disposed on the thin film transistor, a first electrode, a light emitting layer, and a first electrode. It may include a light emitting device including two electrodes.

In addition, it may further include a touch sensor including a first touch electrode composed of a second electrode, and an encapsulation portion disposed on the touch sensor and protecting the touch sensor and the light emitting device.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to an embodiment of the present specification, since the second electrode of the light emitting device is used as a touch sensor, the thickness of the display device can be reduced.

Additionally, since no separate touch screen panel or touch sensor is formed on the top of the display panel, the manufacturing process can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Additionally, since no touch screen panel or touch sensor is placed on the top of the display panel, display quality can be improved.

The effects of the present specification are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the front of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.
FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the rear of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II′ of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present specification.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II′ of FIG. 1A according to another embodiment of the present specification.
Figure 4 is a plan view showing a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present specification.
Figure 5a is an enlarged plan view of area A of Figure 4.
Figure 5b is an enlarged plan view of area B in Figure 4.

Specific details for carrying out the present invention will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below along with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present specification is complete and that common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains is provided. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the scope of the claims is not limited to the embodiments of the invention.

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

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

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

When an element or layer is referred to as “on” another element or layer, it includes instances where the other layer or other element is directly on top of or interposed between the other elements.

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

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness of the components shown.

Each of the features of the various embodiments of the present specification can be combined or combined with each other, partially or entirely, and as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, various technical interconnections and operations are possible, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of each other. It may be possible to conduct them together due to a related relationship.

The display device of this specification may be applied to a liquid crystal display device and an organic light emitting display device, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to various display devices such as an LED display device or a quantum dot display device.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to the drawings.

1A is a plan view showing the front of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.

FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the rear of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the display device 1 includes a display panel 10, a gate driver that is connected to the display panel 10 and applies a driving signal and a driving voltage, a data driver 20, and a circuit board. (30), etc. may be included.

The display panel 10 can be divided into a display area (AA) in which a light-emitting element is included and an image is displayed, and a non-display area (NA) in which a gate driver and a data driver 20 are disposed.

The display area AA may be an area where a plurality of sub-pixels PX are arranged on the display substrate and an image is displayed. Each of the plurality of sub-pixels (PX) is an individual unit that emits light, and a light-emitting element and a thin film transistor may be disposed in each of the plurality of sub-pixels (PX).

The plurality of sub-pixels PX may include, but is not limited to, a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel, and/or a white sub-pixel.

The non-display area (NA) may be an area where images are not displayed. Various wiring and driving ICs for driving the plurality of sub-pixels (PX) arranged in the display area (AA) may be disposed in the non-display area (NA). For example, a gate driver, a data driver 20, a circuit board 30, etc. may be disposed in the non-display area NA.

The non-display area (NA) may be an area surrounding the display area (AA). For example, the non-display area NA may be an area extending from the display area AA and may be an area where a plurality of sub-pixels PX are not arranged. The non-display area (NA) where no image is displayed may be a bezel area.

The plurality of sub-pixels PX in the display area AA may include thin film transistors. The thin film transistor in the display area AA may include a polycrystalline semiconductor material and/or an oxide semiconductor material.

The gate driving unit disposed in the non-display area (NA) may apply a GIP (Gate In Panel) method in which the gate driving chip is directly mounted on the display board or the gate driving circuit is formed directly on the display board. GIP (Gate In Panel), which forms a gate driving circuit directly on the display substrate, consists of a thin film transistor using a polycrystalline semiconductor material as a semiconductor layer and a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor material as a semiconductor layer using C-MOS to be installed on the display substrate. It can be formed directly. As a result, electron mobility can be increased in the channel within the thin film transistor, making it possible to implement a display device with high resolution and low power consumption.

A plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines may be disposed in the display area AA. For example, a plurality of data lines may be arranged in rows or columns, and a plurality of gate lines may be arranged in columns or rows. In the display panel 10, a sub-pixel PX may be disposed on an area where a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines are disposed.

The display panel 10 may include a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of emission control lines. Multiple scan lines and multiple light emission control lines may be wiring that transmits different types of gate signals (scan signals, light emission control signals) to gate nodes of different types of thin film transistors (switching transistors, driving transistors).

The gate driver may include a scan driving circuit that outputs scan signals through a plurality of scan lines, which are a type of gate line, and a light emission driving circuit that outputs light emission control signals through a plurality of light emission control lines, which is another type of gate line.

The display panel 10 includes a front portion (FP), a bending portion that extends from the front portion (FP) and can be bent, and a pad portion (PAD) that extends from the bending portion and is disposed below the front portion (FP). It can be included.

The data driver 20 may be disposed on the pad portion (PAD) disposed below the display panel 10. The data driver 20 receives digital video data and source control signals from the timing control unit. The data driver 20 converts digital video data into analog data voltages according to a source control signal and supplies them to the data lines. The data driver 20 may be formed of a data driver chip, either a COP (chip on panel) type mounted directly on the pad portion (PAD) of the display panel 10 or a COF (chip on panel) type mounted on the circuit board 30. It can be connected to the display panel 10 in a film manner.

The gate driver disposed in the non-display area (NA) sequentially supplies scan signals to a plurality of gate lines, thereby sequentially driving each row of sub-pixels (PX) in the display area (AA).

When a specific gate line is opened by the gate driver, the data driver 20 converts the image data into an analog data voltage and supplies it to a plurality of data lines.

The data line may supply the common voltage and driving voltage of the data driver 20 to the plurality of sub-pixels PX in the display area AA, and the data line may be arranged to extend to the display area AA through the bending unit. there is.

The end of the pad portion (PAD) may be connected to the circuit board 30 having the data driver 20 and the timing controller. The circuit board 30 may be connected to the pad portion (PAD) of the display panel 10 using a film on panel (FOP) method. The circuit board 30 can be attached to the pad portion (PAD) using an anisotropic conducting film and can be electrically connected.

The timing control unit receives digital video data and timing signals from an external system board. The timing control unit generates a gate control signal for controlling the operation timing of the gate driver and a data control signal for controlling the data driver based on the timing signal. The timing control unit may supply a gate control signal to the gate driver and a data control signal to the data driver 20.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the display area AA of the display panel 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display substrate 110 disposed below the display panel 10 may be made of glass or plastic. When the display substrate 110 is made of a plastic material, the display panel 10 may have flexibility.

Like the display panel 10, the display substrate 110 may include a display area AA where an image is displayed and a non-display area NA surrounding the display area AA.

In the case of the plastic display substrate 110, it may be composed of multi-layers in which organic films and inorganic films are alternately stacked. For example, the display substrate 110 may be formed by alternately stacking organic layers such as polyimide and inorganic layers such as silicon oxide, but embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto.

A buffer layer 120 may be disposed on the display substrate 110. The buffer layer 120 may include a lower buffer layer 130 and an upper buffer layer 140.

The lower buffer layer 130 is intended to block moisture that may penetrate through the display substrate 110 from the outside, and is made of a silicon oxide (SiO2) film or a silicon nitride (SiN) film, etc. in a single layer or stacked in multiple layers. It can be configured as follows, and the embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto.

The upper buffer layer 140 may be formed to protect the semiconductor layer 310 formed thereon and to provide a base on which the semiconductor layer 310 is formed. The upper buffer layer 140 can block various types of defects flowing from the display substrate 110. The upper buffer layer 140 may be formed of amorphous silicon (a-Si) or the like.

A thin film transistor 300 may be disposed on the buffer layer 120, and a semiconductor layer 310 of the thin film transistor 300 may be disposed. The thin film transistor 300 includes a semiconductor layer 310, a gate electrode 320, a source electrode 330, and a drain electrode 340, and is driven in the light emitting device 400 according to the data voltage applied from the data line. Current can be provided. The thin film transistor 300 may include an oxide semiconductor or a polycrystalline semiconductor as the semiconductor layer 310.

A gate insulating layer 210 and a gate electrode 320 may be disposed on the semiconductor layer 310. The gate insulating layer 210 is an inorganic layer, for example, a silicon nitride layer (SiNx), a silicon oxy nitride layer (SiON), a silicon oxide layer (SiOx), a titanium oxide layer (TiOx), or an aluminum oxide layer (AlOx). ), etc., and the semiconductor layer 310 and the gate electrode 320 can be arranged to be spaced apart while protecting the semiconductor layer 310.

A gate electrode 320 may be disposed on the gate insulating layer 210. The gate electrode 320 is connected to the gate line, so that a scan signal supplied from the gate driver can be applied. The gate electrode 320 is made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu). It can be formed as a single layer or multiple layers made of an alloy.

An interlayer insulating layer 220 may be disposed on the gate electrode 320. The interlayer insulating layer 220 is an inorganic layer, for example, a silicon nitride layer (SiNx), a silicon oxy nitride layer (SiON), a silicon oxide layer (SiOx), a titanium oxide layer (TiOx), or an aluminum oxide layer (AlOx). ), etc. The interlayer insulating layer 220 may be formed of a plurality of inorganic films.

A source electrode 330 and a drain electrode 340 may be formed on the interlayer insulating layer 220. The source electrode 330 and the drain electrode 340 may be connected to the semiconductor layer 310 by forming a contact hole in the interlayer insulating layer 220 and/or the gate insulating layer 210.

The source electrode 330 and the drain electrode 340 are titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu). ) may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers made of any one or an alloy thereof. For example, the source electrode 330 and the drain electrode 340 may be formed by stacking a titanium layer (Ti) - an aluminum layer (Al) - a titanium layer (Ti), or a molybdenum layer (Mo) - an aluminum layer (Al) - molybdenum. It can be constructed by stacking layers (Mo).

The functions of the source electrode 330 and the drain electrode 340 may be reversed depending on the material constituting the semiconductor layer 310, and their names may be reversed accordingly. The source electrode 330 or the drain electrode 340 is connected to a data line, so that a data voltage or signal can be input, and a predetermined current or voltage can be supplied to the first electrode 410 of the light emitting device 400. there is.

A first planarization layer 230 and/or a second planarization layer 250 may be formed on the thin film transistor 300 to flatten steps that occur due to differences in thickness of various components. The separation distance between the light emitting device 400 and the thin film transistor (or signal wire, etc.) increases due to the first planarization layer 230 and/or the second planarization layer 250, and the distance between the light emitting device 400 and the thin film transistor (or signal wire, etc.) increases. The influence of generated noise on the light emitting device 400 may be reduced.

The first planarization layer 230 or the second planarization layer 250 may be composed of an organic layer such as polyimide or acrylic resin, but the embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto.

A light emitting device 400 is formed on the first planarization layer 230. The light emitting device 400 includes a first electrode 410 (or anode electrode), a second electrode 420 (or cathode electrode) corresponding to the first electrode 410, and a first electrode 410 and a second electrode. It may include a light emitting layer 430 located between 420. The first electrode 410 and the light emitting layer 430 may be formed for each sub-pixel PX, and the second electrode 420 may be formed over the entire display area AA.

The thin film transistor 300 and the light emitting device 400 may be connected through the connection electrode 240. The light emitting device 400 may be connected to the source electrode 330 or the drain electrode 340 of the thin film transistor 300 through the connection electrode 240 formed on the second planarization layer 250.

A first planarization layer 230 is disposed between the connection electrode 240 and the first electrode 410 of the light emitting device 400, and the first electrode 410 is connected through a contact hole formed in the first planarization layer 230. The connection electrode 240 may be connected. In addition, a second planarization layer 250 is disposed between the connection electrode 240 and the source electrode 330 or the drain electrode 340 of the thin film transistor 300, and a contact hole formed in the second planarization layer 250 is formed. The source electrode 330 or the drain electrode 340 and the connection electrode 240 may be connected through.

The connection electrode 240 is made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu). It can be formed as a single layer or multiple layers made of an alloy.

The first electrode 410 is connected to the connection electrode 240 through a contact hole penetrating the first planarization layer 230, and the connection electrode 240 is connected to the connection electrode 240 through a contact hole penetrating the second planarization layer 250. It may be connected to the source electrode 330 or the drain electrode 340.

When the first electrode 410 is applied to a top-emission organic light emitting display device, the first electrode 410 has a stacked structure of aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) (Ti/Al/Ti). , a laminated structure of aluminum (Al) and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) (ITO/Al/ITO), APC alloy, and a laminated structure of APC alloy and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) (ITO/APC/ITO) It can be formed of a metal material with high reflectance, such as APC alloy is an alloy of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), and copper (Cu).

A data voltage (current) or signal may be input to the first electrode 410 through the thin film transistor 300, and a common voltage (EVSS), which is a low potential voltage, may be applied to the second electrode 420.

When voltage is applied to the first electrode 410 and the second electrode 420, holes and electrons combine with each other in the light emitting layer 430 to emit light.

The light-emitting layer 430 may be formed by stacking a hole-related layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an electron-related layer on the first electrode 410 in that order or in the reverse order.

A bank layer 450 may be formed between the planar light emitting layers 430. The bank layer 450 may be disposed on the same layer as the light emitting layer 430 and may be disposed to cover a portion of the first electrode 410 . The bank layer 450 is formed on the first electrode 410 of each sub-pixel (PX) and may be a pixel defining layer that exposes the first electrode 410.

The bank layer 450 may be formed of a transparent material or an opaque material to prevent light interference between adjacent sub-pixels (PX). For example, the bank layer 450 may include a light-blocking material made of any one of color pigment, organic black, and carbon.

A second electrode 420 may be disposed on the bank layer 450 and the light emitting layer 430. The second electrode 420 faces the first electrode 410 with the light emitting layer 430 interposed therebetween, and may be formed on the top and side surfaces of the light emitting layer 430.

The second electrode 420 may be formed integrally with the entire surface of the display area AA. When applied to a top-emission organic light emitting display device, the second electrode 420 may be made of a transparent conductive film such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) or indium-zinc-oxide (IZO). there is.

Additionally, the second electrode 420 may be used as the first touch electrode TE1 of the touch sensor TS.

The display device requires the function of detecting touch input, and may form a separate touch screen panel or touch sensor to detect touch. However, in the embodiment of the present specification, the second electrode 420 of the light emitting device 400 ) and the first electrode 410 to configure the touch sensor (TS), or the second electrode 420 or the connection electrode 240 to configure the touch sensor (TS) to reduce the thickness of the display device. and the display quality can be improved.

The display device may include a touch sensor (TS) for detecting a touch, a touch circuit for driving the touch sensor (TS) and detecting the position, and a touch wire connecting the touch sensor (TS) and the touch circuit. there is.

The touch circuit may supply a driving signal to the touch sensor TS, detect a sensing signal from the touch sensor TS, and detect the presence or absence of a touch and/or a touch position (touch coordinates) through the sensing signal. The touch circuit may include a touch driving circuit that supplies a driving signal and receives a sensing signal, and a touch control unit that calculates the presence or absence of touch and/or the touch position (touch coordinates).

The touch circuit may be implemented with one or two or more components (eg, integrated circuits), and may be integrated with the data driving circuit 30 or implemented separately from the data driving circuit 30.

The display device can sense a touch based on capacitance formed in the touch sensor TS. The touch sensor (TS) can sense touch using a mutual-capacitance method or a self-capacitance method.

The touch sensor TS may include a first touch electrode TE1 and a second touch electrode TE2. The second touch electrode TE2 may be disposed below the first touch electrode TE1. The second touch electrode TE2 may function as a bridge electrode connecting the first touch electrode TE1. For example, the first touch electrode TE1 may be an upper touch electrode, but embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto. For example, the second touch electrode TE2 may be a lower touch electrode, but embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto.

The first touch electrode TE1 may be a touch electrode, and includes a driving electrode DE (or transmission electrode) to which a driving signal is applied, and a sensing electrode SE (or SE) to which a sensing signal is sensed and forms a capacitance with the driving electrode. may include a receiving electrode).

A bank layer 450 serving as an insulating film may be disposed between the first touch electrode TE1 and the second touch electrode TE2. The sensing electrode SE (or driving electrode DE) of the first touch electrode TE1 may be connected to the second touch electrode TE2 by forming a contact hole in the bank layer 450.

According to an embodiment of the present specification, the first touch electrode TE1 may be composed of a second electrode 420, and the second touch electrode TE2 may be disposed on the same layer as the first electrode 410, and the second touch electrode TE2 may be formed of a second electrode 420. 1 It may be formed of the same material as the electrode 410.

The display device according to the embodiment of the present specification does not form a separate touch screen panel or a separate touch sensor on the light-emitting device 400, but uses the first electrode 410 and the second electrode ( 420) can be used to form a touch sensor (TS).

Accordingly, the manufacturing process of the display device can be simplified and manufacturing costs can also be reduced. Additionally, the thickness of the display device can be reduced and display quality can be improved.

The second electrode 420 is formed on the entire area of the display area AA, and the second electrode 420 is patterned or separated into a plurality of square or diamond shapes to form the driving electrode DE and the sensing electrode SE. ) may be formed. Since the first touch electrode TE1 functions as the second electrode 420 except during the touch sensing period, it may have a shape that overlaps with the first electrode 410.

In order to form the driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) of the first touch electrode (TE1), a process of patterning the second electrode 420 is required, and the second electrode 420 is placed in the display area (AA). It can be carried out along with the forming patterning process.

The driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) of the first touch electrode (TE1) are separated from each other at a certain interval and arranged throughout the display area (AA), and a plurality of driving electrodes (DE) are arranged in the same row or column. ) Alternatively, the plurality of sensing electrodes SE may be electrically connected to each other to form a driving electrode line or a sensing electrode line.

To form a driving electrode line or a sensing electrode line, for example, a plurality of driving electrodes DE disposed between a plurality of sensing electrodes SE may be formed integrally to form a driving electrode line, and a plurality of sensing electrodes SE may be formed integrally to form a driving electrode line. In order to avoid contact with the driving electrode DE, the electrode SE may be connected to the second touch electrode TE2 at a portion overlapping with the driving electrode line to form a sensing electrode line. For example, the sensing electrode line may be separated at a portion overlapping with the driving electrode line and connected by the second touch electrode TE2 located below.

Since the roles of the driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) can be reversed depending on the applied signal, the structures of the driving electrode line and the sensing electrode line can be reversed.

The second touch electrode TE2 is a first electrode (TE2) on the same layer as the first electrode 410 in order to connect the sensing electrode SE (or driving electrode DE) of the separated first touch electrode TE1. 410) and may be formed of the same material.

The second touch electrode TE2 may be disposed between the first electrodes 410 . The second touch electrode TE2 may be placed at a certain distance from the light emitting layer 430 to prevent interference with light generated from the light emitting layer 430 and signal interference with the light emitting device 400.

The second touch electrode TE2 may be formed of a highly reflective metal material, which is the same material as the first electrode 410, and may be disposed so as not to overlap the light emitting layer 430. For example, the second touch electrode TE2 may be formed to have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer 430. Since the second touch electrode TE2 may be formed of an opaque metal material with low resistance, fast signal transmission is possible even if it has a mesh shape.

The second touch electrode TE2 may be formed along with the patterning process of the first electrode 410 to form the light emitting device 400.

In order to connect the first touch electrode (TE1) to the second touch electrode (TE2), a contact hole may be formed in the area of the bank layer 450 that overlaps the second touch electrode (TE2), and the bank in which the contact hole is formed The first touch electrode TE1 may be formed on the layer 450 to connect the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE2.

The second electrode 420 is formed on the entire area of the display area AA, and the second electrode 420 is patterned or separated into a plurality of square or diamond shapes to form the driving electrode DE and the sensing electrode SE. ) may be formed. The patterning process for forming the driving electrode DE and the sensing electrode SE may be performed together with the patterning process for forming the second electrode 420 in the display area AA.

The first touch electrode TE1 may be made of a transparent conductive film such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) or indium-zinc-oxide (IZO), and may have high resistance. Therefore, in order to lower the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1, an auxiliary electrode 500 in contact with the first touch electrode TE1 may be included.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be formed in contact with the first touch electrode TE1 at the top or bottom of the first touch electrode TE1. To lower the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1, the auxiliary electrode 500 may use an opaque metal with low resistance.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be arranged not to overlap the light emitting layer 430 but to overlap the bank layer 450 in a plan view, in order to prevent interference with light generated from the light emitting layer 430. Since the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1 can be lowered as more auxiliary electrodes 500 are arranged, the auxiliary electrodes 500 may be arranged to have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer 430.

The auxiliary electrode 500 is made of molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium/aluminum/titanium (Ti/Al/Ti), molybdenum/ It may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure made of a metal material such as aluminum/molybdenum (Mo/Al/Mo). The material of the auxiliary electrode 500 is not limited thereto.

An encapsulation portion 600 may be disposed on the first touch electrode TE1 and the auxiliary electrode 500. The encapsulation portion 600 can prevent moisture and external substances from penetrating into the light emitting device. The encapsulation portion 600 may include a first encapsulation layer 610, a second encapsulation layer 620, and a third encapsulation layer 630 that are sequentially stacked, but embodiments of the present specification are not limited thereto.

The first encapsulation layer 610 and the third encapsulation layer 630 of the encapsulation portion 600 may be formed of an inorganic material such as silicon oxide (SiOx). The second encapsulation layer 620 of the encapsulation portion 600 is made of acryl resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, and polyimide resin. ) and other organic substances. The embodiments of this specification are not limited thereto.

The second encapsulation layer 620 may be formed to extend to the non-display area, and a dam including the same material layer as the bank layer 450 may be disposed at an edge of the second encapsulation layer 620. The dam may be formed by additionally stacking the first encapsulation layer 510 and the third encapsulation layer 530.

The dam can prevent the second encapsulation layer 620 from flowing to the outside of the display panel 10 during the formation of the encapsulation portion 600.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II′ of FIG. 1A according to another embodiment of the present specification. The display device of FIG. 3 may have a different structure of the second touch electrode 543 compared to the display device of FIG. 2, and duplicate descriptions with FIG. 2 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the touch sensor TS may include a first touch electrode TE1 and a second touch electrode TE3. The first touch electrode TE1 may be composed of the second electrode 420. The second touch electrode TE3 may be disposed on the same layer as the connection electrode 240 and may be formed of the same material as the connection electrode 240.

The second electrode 420 may be patterned or separated into a plurality of square or diamond shapes to form a first touch electrode (TE1) consisting of a driving electrode (DE) and a sensing electrode (SE). The first touch electrode TE1 may be the second electrode 420 .

A first planarization layer 230 and a bank layer 450 may be disposed between the first touch electrode TE1 and the second touch electrode TE3. In order to connect the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE3, a contact hole is formed in the area of the first planarization layer 230 and the bank layer 450 that overlaps the second touch electrode TE3. You can. The first touch electrode TE1 may be formed on the first planarization layer 230 and the bank layer 450 in which the contact hole is formed, thereby connecting the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE3.

Since the connection portion CP for connecting the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE3 is formed through the first planarization layer 230 and the bank layer 450, the connection portion CP is connected to the first electrode It may be arranged so as not to overlap the light emitting layer 410 and 430. The connection portion CP may be a part extending from the first touch electrode TE1 or may be formed of a separate metal.

The second touch electrode TE3 connected to the connection portion CP may be arranged not to overlap the first electrode 410 and the light emitting layer 430, and may be arranged to have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer 430. .

The second touch electrode TE3 is a connection electrode 240 on the same layer as the connection electrode 240 in order to connect the driving electrode DE (or the sensing electrode SE) of the separated first touch electrode TE1. It can be formed of the same material as.

In order to connect the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE3, a contact hole may be formed in the area of the bank layer 450 that overlaps the second touch electrode TE2, and the contact hole is formed. The first touch electrode TE1 may be formed on the bank layer 450 to connect the first touch electrode TE1 to the second touch electrode TE3.

The driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) of the first touch electrode (TE1) are separated from each other at a certain interval, and a plurality of driving electrodes (DE) or a plurality of sensing electrodes (SE) are arranged in the same row or column. may be electrically connected to each other to form a driving electrode line or a sensing electrode line.

To form a driving electrode line or a sensing electrode line, for example, a plurality of driving electrodes DE disposed between a plurality of sensing electrodes SE may be formed integrally to form a driving electrode line, and a plurality of sensing electrodes SE may be formed integrally to form a driving electrode line. The electrode SE may be connected to the second touch electrode TE2 to form a sensing electrode line to avoid contact with the driving electrode DE. The roles of the driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) can be reversed depending on the applied signal, and the structures of the driving electrode line and the sensing electrode line can be reversed.

According to the embodiment of the present specification, the first planarization layer 230 and the bank layer 450 are disposed between the first touch electrode (TE1) and the second touch electrode (TE3), so that the driving electrode line and the sensing electrode line Since the separation distance at the overlapping portion increases, signal interference between the driving electrode line and the sensing electrode line can be reduced. In addition, since the second touch electrode TE3 is made of the material of the connection electrode 240 rather than the material of the first electrode 410, it is possible to form the second touch electrode TE3 with other characteristics such as low resistance. there is.

In order to lower the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1, an auxiliary electrode 500 in contact with the first touch electrode TE1 may be included.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be formed in contact with the first touch electrode TE1 at the top or bottom of the first touch electrode TE1. To lower the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1, the auxiliary electrode 500 may use an opaque metal with low resistance.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be arranged not to overlap the light emitting layer 430 but to overlap the bank layer 450 in a plan view, in order to prevent interference with light generated from the light emitting layer 430. As more auxiliary electrodes 500 are arranged, the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1 can be lowered, so they can be arranged to have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer 430.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the touch sensor TS may be entirely disposed in the display area AA of the display panel 10 . The touch sensor TS may include second touch electrodes TE2 and TE3, which are bridge electrodes, and a first touch electrode TE1 disposed on the second touch electrodes TE2 and TE3. The first touch electrode TE1 may be a touch electrode and includes a driving electrode DE (or transmission electrode) to which a driving signal is applied, and a sensing electrode SE to which a sensing signal is sensed and forms a capacitance with the driving electrode DE. ) (or a receiving electrode) may be included. The first touch electrode TE1 is shown as a square, but is not limited thereto and may be formed as a diamond, triangle, or circle. An insulating film may be formed between the second touch electrodes TE2 and TE3 and the first touch electrode TE1.

Among the driving electrodes (DE) of the touch sensor (TS), the driving electrodes (DE) arranged in the same row (or the same column) are electrically connected to each other by an integration method (or by a connection method using a bridge electrode). A driving electrode line (TE1V) can be formed.

Among the sensing electrodes (SE), the sensing electrodes (SE) arranged in the same column (or same row) are electrically connected to each other (or by an integration method) by the second touch electrodes (TE2, TE3), which are bridge electrodes. A sensing electrode line (TE1H) can be formed.

In the case of the mutual-capacitance method, the touch circuit 60 may apply a driving signal to one or more driving electrode lines (TE1V) and receive a sensing signal from one or more sensing electrode lines (TE1H). And, based on the received sensing signal, the change in capacitance between the driving electrode line (TE1V) and the sensing electrode line (TE1H) depending on the presence or absence of contact with a finger, pen, etc. can be detected to detect the presence or absence of touch and/or touch coordinates. .

To transmit the driving signal and the sensing signal, each of the plurality of driving electrode lines (TE1V) and the plurality of sensing electrode lines (TE1H) may be electrically connected to the touch driving circuit through one or more touch wires (TL).

The touch wire TL may be individually connected to each of the driving electrode lines TE1V and the sensing electrode lines TE1H. When the sizes of the plurality of driving electrode lines (TE1V) and the plurality of sensing electrode lines (TE1H) are smaller than the minimum area for sensing a touch input, the touch wire (TL) is connected to the plurality of driving electrode lines (TE1V) (or a plurality of The sensing electrode line (TE1H) can be bundled and connected as one.

In Figure 4, the touch wire (TL) is shown as being placed only in the left area. However, if the touch wire (TL) is placed in only one area, only the non-display area of one area becomes larger, so taking the design of the display panel into consideration, the touch wire (TL) is placed only in the left area. Wiring (TL) can be arranged alternately (or alternately) on both sides.

According to an embodiment of the present specification, the first touch electrode (TE1) of the touch sensor (TS) is also used as the second electrode 420, and the second electrode 420, which is the first touch electrode (TE1), is used as an image ‘Display drive’ for display and ‘touch drive (finger touch drive and/or pen touch drive)’ for sensing touch by finger and/or pen (finger touch drive and/or pen touch drive) can be performed by time division. You can.

For example, the second electrode 420, which is the first touch electrode TE1, may be assigned alternating display driving periods and touch driving periods. During the display driving period, the common voltage (EVSS), which is the same low potential voltage, can be applied to the driving electrode (DE) and the sensing electrode (SE) of the first touch electrode (TE1) to supply voltage for image display. During this time, a driving signal may be supplied to the driving electrode DE of the first touch electrode TE1 and a sensing signal may be received from the sensing electrode SE to sense a touch.

In the case of this time division driving method, the touch driving period may be a blank period in which no display driving is performed.

Figure 5a is an enlarged plan view of area A of Figure 4. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the arrangement relationship between the auxiliary electrode 500 and the first touch electrode TE1.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the auxiliary electrode 500 is shown as being disposed below the first touch electrode TE1, but the auxiliary electrode 500 is not limited thereto, and the auxiliary electrode 500 is disposed above the first touch electrode TE1. can be placed.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be formed of an opaque metal with low resistance in order to lower the resistance of the first touch electrode TE1. The auxiliary electrode 500 may be placed in contact with the first touch electrode TE1.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be arranged not to overlap the light emitting layer 430 but to overlap the bank layer 450 in a plan view, in order to prevent interference with light generated from the light emitting layer 430. The bank layer 450 may be disposed on the same layer as the light emitting layer 430, and the bank layer 450 may be disposed in an area excluding the light emitting layer 430.

The size of one first touch electrode (TE1) can be formed to match the size of a touch input means such as a finger or a touch pen, and a plurality of light emitting layers 430 are formed in the area where one first touch electrode (TE1) is disposed. This can be placed.

As the size or quantity of the auxiliary electrode 500 increases, the resistance of the first touch electrode (TE1) can be lowered, so the auxiliary electrode 500 surrounds the light emitting layer 430 in the entire area where one first touch electrode (TE1) is disposed. Resistance can be lowered as much as possible by arranging it to have a mesh shape.

Figure 5b is an enlarged plan view of area B in Figure 4. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining a structure in which a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 are separated and an arrangement structure of the auxiliary electrode 500 at the separated portion of the first touch electrode TE1.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the plurality of first touch electrodes 500 are separated, and the first touch electrodes TE1 disposed in the same row (or same column) of the plurality of separated first touch electrodes TE1 are integrated. They may be electrically connected to each other using a method (or a connection method using a bridge electrode) to form one driving electrode line (TE1V) or one sensing electrode line (TE1H).

For example, the first touch electrode TE1 may be separated and composed of a plurality of driving electrode lines TE1V and a plurality of sensing electrode lines TE1H, and a plurality of driving electrode lines TE1V or a plurality of sensing electrode lines TE1H. A separation portion SP in which the first touch electrode TE1 is not disposed may be included between the electrode lines TE1H.

Since the first touch electrode TE1 is not disposed in the separator SP, the bank layer 450 disposed below the first touch electrode TE1 is exposed, and the area where the first touch electrode TE1 is disposed is exposed. Since it may be recognized differently from , display quality may deteriorate.

In order to prevent the display quality of the display device from deteriorating, the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed above or below the first touch electrode TE1 is extended to the separation portion SP, so that the bank layer 450 is exposed. You can prevent it from happening.

According to another embodiment of the present specification, the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the separator SP may be formed of transparent metal. When the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the separator SP is made of an opaque metal, it can be recognized as being distinguished from the first touch electrode TE1, which is a transparent metal, and is therefore attached to the separator SP to improve display quality. The auxiliary electrode 500 may be made of the same transparent metal as the first touch electrode TE1.

In order to place the auxiliary electrode 500 of transparent metal in the separation part SP, the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the first touch electrode TE1 is formed of an opaque metal, and the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the separation part SP is formed of an opaque metal. The electrode 500 may be formed of transparent metal, and the first touch electrode TE1 may be disposed on the auxiliary electrode 500.

Alternatively, the auxiliary electrode 500 may be formed of an opaque metal, and the auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the separation portion SP may be formed and patterned together with the first touch electrode TE1. For example, the first touch electrode (TE1) in which the auxiliary electrode 500 is patterned is formed on the auxiliary electrode 500 of an opaque metal, and the auxiliary electrode 500 of an opaque metal and the auxiliary electrode 500 of a transparent metal are formed. The auxiliary electrode 500 composed of can be formed.

The same method can be applied to the structure in which the auxiliary electrode 500 is disposed on the first touch electrode TE1 to form the auxiliary electrode 500 in which a transparent metal is disposed in the separator SP.

The auxiliary electrode 500 may be arranged to have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer 430 in the entire area where one first touch electrode TE1 is disposed.

The auxiliary electrode 500 disposed in the separation portion SP may include a disconnection portion DP to separate the driving electrode line TE1V or the sensing electrode line TE1H. The disconnection portion (DP) can be any structure that cuts off the auxiliary electrode 500 to separate the driving electrode line (TE1V) or the sensing electrode line (TE1H), and is not limited to a specific structure.

The display device according to the present specification can be described as follows.

A display device according to the present specification includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, a thin film transistor disposed in the display area and including a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode, and a thin film transistor. It is disposed on the surface and may include a light-emitting device including a first electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode.

In addition, it may include a touch sensor including a first touch electrode composed of a second electrode, and an encapsulation portion disposed on the touch sensor and protecting the touch sensor and the light emitting device.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the touch sensor may further include a second touch electrode disposed on the same layer as the first electrode and connected to the first touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the display device further includes a bank layer disposed on the same layer as the light emitting layer and covering a portion of the first electrode, and the bank layer may be disposed between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the second touch electrode may have a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, it may further include a connection electrode connecting the thin film transistor and the light emitting device, and a second touch electrode disposed on the same layer as the connection electrode and connected to the first touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, it further includes a first planarization layer disposed between the connection electrode and the first electrode, and a bank layer disposed on the same layer as the light-emitting layer and covering a portion of the first electrode, and the first touch A first planarization layer and a bank layer may be disposed between the electrode and the second touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, it may further include an auxiliary electrode in contact with the first touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the auxiliary electrode may have a mesh shape that overlaps the bank layer in plan and surrounds the light emitting layer.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the first touch electrode is composed of a plurality of driving electrode lines and a plurality of sensing electrode lines, and the first touch electrode is not disposed between the plurality of driving electrode lines or the plurality of sensing electrode lines. It may include a separator, and an auxiliary electrode may be disposed in the separator.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the auxiliary electrode disposed in the separator may include the same material as the first touch electrode.

According to some embodiments of the present specification, the auxiliary electrode disposed in the separator may include a disconnection portion.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and may be implemented in various modifications without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but are for illustrative purposes, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

10: display panel 20: circuit board
30: data driver 110: display board
120: buffer layer 130: lower buffer layer
140: upper buffer layer 210: gate insulating layer
220: interlayer insulating layer 230: lower planarization layer
240: connection electrode 250: upper planarization layer
300: thin film transistor 310: semiconductor layer
320: gate electrode 330: source electrode
340: drain electrode 400: light emitting device
410: first electrode 420: second electrode
430: light emitting layer 450: bank layer
TS: Touch sensor TE1: First touch electrode
TE2: Second touch electrode TE1H: Sensing electrode line
TE1V: Drive electrode line SP: Separation part
DP: Disconnection part 500: Auxiliary electrode
FP: Front PAD: Pad section
600: Encapsulation part 610: First encapsulation layer
620: second encapsulation layer 630: third encapsulation layer

Claims (12)

A substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area;
a thin film transistor disposed in the display area and including a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode;
a light emitting element disposed on the thin film transistor and including a first electrode, a light emitting layer, and a second electrode;
a touch sensor including a first touch electrode comprised of the second electrode; and
A display device disposed on the touch sensor and including an encapsulation portion that protects the touch sensor and the light emitting device. According to claim 1,
The touch sensor further includes a second touch electrode disposed on the same layer as the first electrode and connected to the first touch electrode. According to clause 2,
It further includes a bank layer disposed on the same layer as the light emitting layer and covering a portion of the first electrode,
The bank layer is disposed between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode. According to clause 2,
The second touch electrode has a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer. According to claim 1,
a connection electrode connecting the thin film transistor and the light emitting device; and
The display device further includes a second touch electrode disposed on the same layer as the connection electrode and connected to the first touch electrode. According to clause 5,
a first planarization layer disposed between the connection electrode and the first electrode; and
It further includes a bank layer disposed on the same layer as the light emitting layer and covering a portion of the first electrode,
The display device wherein the first planarization layer and the bank layer are disposed between the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode. According to clause 5,
The second touch electrode has a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer. According to claim 1,
A display device further comprising an auxiliary electrode in contact with the first touch electrode. According to clause 8,
The display device wherein the auxiliary electrode overlaps the bank layer in a plane view and has a mesh shape surrounding the light emitting layer. According to clause 8,
The first touch electrode is composed of a plurality of driving electrode lines and a plurality of sensing electrode lines,
and a separation portion in which the first touch electrode is not disposed between the plurality of driving electrode lines or the plurality of sensing electrode lines,
A display device wherein the auxiliary electrode is disposed in the separation portion. According to claim 10,
The display device wherein the auxiliary electrode disposed in the separation portion includes the same material as the first touch electrode. According to claim 10,
The display device wherein the auxiliary electrode disposed in the separation portion includes a disconnection portion.

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