U.S. patent application number 14/961571 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for flexible display.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Display Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Mu Gyeom KIM, An Na RYU.
Application Number | 20160295685 14/961571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57017800 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160295685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RYU; An Na ; et al. |
October 6, 2016 |
FLEXIBLE DISPLAY
Abstract
A flexible display is disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible
display includes a window layer including a bending area and a
non-bending area and a flexible display panel formed over a surface
of the window layer and configured to display images. The bending
area includes a plurality of cut portions which are configured to
be at least partially separated along a plurality of cut lines
formed therebetween.
Inventors: |
RYU; An Na; (Hwaseong-si,
KR) ; KIM; Mu Gyeom; (Hwaseong-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Display Co., Ltd. |
Yongin-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
57017800 |
Appl. No.: |
14/961571 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 2457/20 20130101;
G06F 1/1641 20130101; B32B 2457/206 20130101; G06F 1/1652 20130101;
C09K 2323/05 20200801; B32B 3/30 20130101; B32B 2457/202
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 1/02 20060101
H05K001/02; H05K 5/00 20060101 H05K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0045315 |
Claims
1. A flexible display, comprising: a window layer including a
bending area and a non-bending area; and a flexible display panel
formed over a surface of the window layer and configured to display
images, wherein the bending area includes a plurality of cut
portions which are configured to be at least partially separated
along a plurality of cut lines formed therebetween.
2. The flexible display of claim 1, further comprising: a hard
coating layer formed over another surface of the window layer so as
to oppose the flexible display panel; and an adhesive layer
interposed between the window layer and the hard coating layer,
wherein an end of each of the cut portions is configured to slip
along a surface of the adhesive layer as the flexible display is
bent.
3. The flexible display of claim 2, wherein the ends of the cut
portions are further configured to slip along the surface of the
adhesive layer so as to be spaced apart from each other.
4. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the flexible display
panel includes: a display area including at least one pixel
configured to emit light so as to display an image; and a
non-display area, wherein the non-bending area is arranged at a
position corresponding to the display area, and wherein the bent
area is arranged at a position corresponding to the non-display
area.
5. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the cut portions are
directly connected along the surface of the flexible display
panel.
6. A flexible display, comprising: a window layer including a
bending area and a non-bending area; and a flexible display panel
formed over a surface of the window layer and including a plurality
of emission areas configured to emit light to display an image,
wherein at least a portion of the window layer is removed from the
bent area.
7. The flexible display of claim 6, wherein the bent area includes:
a plurality of protrusions, each having a greater cross-section
than that of the emission area, wherein the protrusions are
arranged at positions corresponding to the emission areas; and a
filler formed over the protrusions such that the height of the
bending area is substantially equal to that of the window
layer.
8. The flexible display of claim 7, wherein the filler comprises
transparent synthetic resins or glass.
9. The flexible display of claim 8, further comprising a hard
coating layer formed of the same material as the filler and formed
over another surface of the window layer so as to oppose the
flexible display panel.
10. The flexible display of claim 6, wherein the bent area includes
a plurality of grooves arranged at positions corresponding to the
emission areas, wherein each of the grooves has a cross-section
that is greater than that of the emission areas.
11. The flexible display of claim 10, further comprising a hard
coating layer formed on another surface of the window layer so as
to oppose the flexible display panel, wherein the hard coating
layer is formed of transparent synthetic resins or glass.
12. The flexible display of claim 11, wherein a filler comprising
the same material as the hard coating layer fills in the grooves.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0045315 filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 31, 2015, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The described technology generally relates to a flexible
display that is capable of preventing damage caused due to bending
of the display, and maintaining the optical characteristics even
when the display is bent.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0005] Currently, widely known display devices, each using a unique
display technology, include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma
display panels (PDPs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
displays, field effect displays (FEDs), electrophoretic displays
(EPDs), and the like. Techniques for forming these types of display
devices with flexible material(s) are currently being researched.
Since display devices formed with flexible material(s) can be used
to develop new devices such as electronic books and electronic
paper, these flexible displays are anticipated to be widely used
for various applications.
[0006] However, since such flexible displays have a structure in
which several layers are stacked, stress is not evenly distributed
when the displays are bent due to the differences in the elastic
coefficients of the materials forming respective layers and the
differences in the properties of components contained in each
layer. Since stress that is not evenly distributed is concentrated
in one area, it may experience premature wear, resulting in damage
or complete failure. Accordingly, flexible displays having a
structure that more evenly distribute stress when bent is
desired.
[0007] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only intended to facilitate the understanding of the background
of the described technology and therefore it may contain
information that does not form the prior art that is already known
in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS
[0008] One inventive aspect is a flexible display that is capable
of preventing damage caused due to bending of the display, and
maintaining the optical characteristics even when bent.
[0009] Further, aspects are not limited to the aforementioned
aspects, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be understood
by those skilled in the art from the description below.
[0010] Another aspect is a flexible display, including a window
layer that includes a bent area and a non-bending area and a
flexible display panel formed on one surface of the window layer to
display an image, wherein the bent area can include a plurality of
cut units formed by the window layer being cut into a
plurality.
[0011] The flexible display can further include a hard coating
layer formed on the other surface of the window layer and an
adhesive layer interposed between the window layer and the hard
coating layer so that one end of the cut unit slips along a surface
of the adhesive layer, wherein one end of one of the plurality of
cut units can be slipped along the surface of the adhesive layer to
be spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of the cut
units.
[0012] The flexible display panel can include a display area
including a pixel from which light is emitted to display an image,
and a non-display area in which light is blocked not to display an
image, wherein the non-bending area can be formed at a position
corresponding to the display area, and the bent area can be formed
at a position corresponding to the non-display area.
[0013] Another aspect is a flexible display, including a window
layer that includes a bent area and a non-bending area, and a
flexible display panel formed on one surface of the window layer
and including an emission area where light emitted from a unit
pixel passes through to display an image, wherein the bent area can
be formed by partially removing the window layer.
[0014] The bent area can include a plurality of protrusions formed
by partially removing the window layer to have a larger
cross-section than that of the emission area at a position
corresponding to the emission area, and a bent area filling portion
that fills the bent area so that a height of the bent area is equal
to a surface of the window layer.
[0015] The bent area filling portion can be made with transparent
synthetic resins or glass.
[0016] The flexible display can further include a hard coating
layer formed with the same material as the bent area filling
portion, and can be formed on the other surface of the window
layer.
[0017] The bent area can include a plurality of grooves formed by
partially removing the window layer corresponding to the emission
area to have a larger cross-section than that of the emission area
while corresponding to a shape of the emission area.
[0018] The flexible display can further include a hard coating
layer formed on the other surface of the window layer and formed
with transparent synthetic resins or glass.
[0019] The grooves can be filled with the same material as the hard
coating layer.
[0020] Another aspect is a flexible display comprising a window
layer including a bending area and a non-bending area; and a
flexible display panel formed over a surface of the window layer
and configured to display images, wherein the bending area includes
a plurality of cut portions which are configured to be at least
partially separated along a plurality of cut lines formed
therebetween.
[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the flexible display further
comprises a hard coating layer formed over another surface of the
window layer so as to oppose the flexible display panel; and an
adhesive layer interposed between the window layer and the hard
coating layer, wherein an end of each of the cut portions is
configured to slip along a surface of the adhesive layer as the
flexible display is bent. The ends of the cut portions can be
further configured to slip along the surface of the adhesive layer
so as to be spaced apart from each other.
[0022] In exemplary embodiments, flexible display panel can include
a display area including at least one pixel configured to emit
light so as to display an image; and a non-display area, wherein
the non-bending area is arranged at a position corresponding to the
display area, and wherein the bent area is arranged at a position
corresponding to the non-display area. The cut portions can be
directly connected along the surface of the flexible display
panel.
[0023] Another aspect is a flexible display, comprising a window
layer including a bending area and a non-bending area; and a
flexible display panel formed over a surface of the window layer
and including a plurality of emission areas configured to emit
light to display an image, wherein at least a portion of the window
layer is removed from the bent area.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the bent area includes a plurality
of protrusions, each having a greater cross-section than that of
the emission area, wherein the protrusions are arranged at
positions corresponding to the emission areas; and a filler formed
over the protrusions such that the height of the bending area is
substantially equal to that of the window layer. The filler can
comprise transparent synthetic resins or glass. The flexible
display can further comprise a hard coating layer formed of the
same material as the filler and formed over another surface of the
window layer so as to oppose the flexible display panel..
[0025] In exemplary embodiments, the bent area includes a plurality
of grooves arranged at positions corresponding to the emission
areas, wherein each of the grooves has a cross-section that is
greater than that of the emission areas. The flexible display can
further comprise a hard coating layer formed on another surface of
the window layer so as to oppose the flexible display panel,
wherein the hard coating layer is formed of transparent synthetic
resins or glass. A filler comprising the same material as the hard
coating layer can fill in the grooves.
[0026] According to at least one embodiment, even though a flexible
display is bent, since stress due to the bending can be properly
dispersed, it is possible to prevent the flexible display from
being damaged and to maintain the optical characteristics thereof
when bent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible display according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in which
the flexible display of FIG. 1 is bent.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible
display according to a first exemplary embodiment taken along line
II-II of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in which
the flexible display of FIG. 3 is bent.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible
display according to a second exemplary embodiment taken along line
II-II of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in which
the flexible display of FIG. 5 is bent.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible
display according to a third exemplary embodiment taken along line
II-II of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in which
the flexible display of FIG. 7 is bent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in
describing the embodiments, a description of known functions or
configurations will be omitted such that the description of the
subject matter is clear.
[0036] The drawings and description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals
designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition,
the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings may
be exaggerated for the sake of clarity and ease of description, but
the described technology is not limited thereto.
[0037] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer,
film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another
element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening
elements may also be present.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible display according
to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a
configuration in which the flexible display of FIG. 1 is bent.
[0039] As shown FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible display 100 according
to an exemplary embodiment includes a window layer 110, a flexible
display panel 120, and a hard coating layer 130. In the flexible
display 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the
window layer 110 is formed on the outermost side of the flexible
display 100 to block and protect the interior thereof.
[0040] Since the flexible display 100 can be bent, the window layer
110 according to the present exemplary embodiment can be formed of
a flexible material to be bent together with the flexible display
100. Further, the window layer 110 can be formed of an electrically
insulating material to electrically insulate the interior of the
flexible display 100. The window layer 110 can be formed of a
transparent material to allow light generated from the flexible
display panel 120 to be emitted the exterior of the flexible
display 100. More specifically, the window layer 110 according to
the present exemplary embodiment can be formed of a material such
glass and/or plastic, but it is not limited thereto, and any
material having such aforementioned characteristics can be used as
a material for forming the window layer 110 of the present
exemplary embodiment.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the window layer 110 can be divided into
a bent area or flexible area (BD) and a non-bending area (FL).
However, since the bent area (BD) and the non-bending area (FL) are
shown as being divided to illustrate and explain a configuration in
which the flexible display 100 shown in FIG. 2 can be bent, they
may not be visually different when the flexible display 100 is
unfolded. That is, the bent area (BD) and the non-bending area (FL)
can be visually indistinguishable to a user of the flexible display
100.
[0042] Further, the division between the bent area (BD) and the
non-bending area (FL) is not necessarily fixed, and thus the
position of the division can vary according to the region at which
the flexible display 100 is bent.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the bent area (BD) is an area
substantially deformed when the flexible display 100 is bent, and
the non-bending area (FL) is an area that is not deformed and
remains flat even when the flexible display 100 is bent. The
flexible display panel 120 can generate light in order to display
an image by the flexible display 100 according to the present
exemplary embodiment. The flexible display panel can be formed on
one surface of the window layer 110 according to the present
exemplary embodiment.
[0044] The flexible display panel 120 of the present exemplary
embodiment can employ any one of various display techniques, such
as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel
(PDP), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the
like, according to the structure and light generation technique,
but it is not limited thereto. In addition, the flexible display
panel 120 of the present exemplary embodiment can be formed of a
flexible material such as plastic to be easily bent.
[0045] The hard coating layer 130 is formed on the window layer 110
to protect the window layer 110 according to the present exemplary
embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the flexible display
panel 120 can be formed on the one surface of the window layer 110,
and the hard coating layer 130 can be formed on an opposing surface
of the window layer 110. The hard coating layer 130 is illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2, but it may be omitted in some embodiments. The
hard coating layer 130 can also be formed of a flexible material so
that the flexible display 100 of the present exemplary embodiment
can be smoothly or easily bent and unfolded.
[0046] The bent area (BD) and the non-bending area (FL) formed on
the window layer 110 can be formed to have a discontinuous
structure. The term "discontinuous structure" generally means that
the arrangement or configuration of the bent and non-bending areas
(BD) and (FL) are different from each other. Therefore, the bent
area (BD) and the non-bending area (FL) can be different from each
other in their arrangement and/or configuration, and they can vary
according to the position at which the flexible display 100 is
bent, as described above.
[0047] A detailed structural difference between the bent area (BD)
and the non-bending area (FL) according to first to third exemplary
embodiments will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3
to 8. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible
display 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment taken along
line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a
configuration in which the flexible display 100 of FIG. 3 is bent.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible display 100
according to a second exemplary embodiment taken along line II-II
of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in
which the flexible display 100 of FIG. 5 is bent. FIG. 7 is a
partial cross-sectional view of a flexible display 100 according to
a third exemplary embodiment taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is a drawing illustrating a configuration in which the flexible
display 100 of FIG. 7 is bent.
[0048] The first exemplary embodiment will now be described in
detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the flexible display 100 according to the first exemplary
embodiment includes a plurality of cut units or cut portions 112
formed by some or all of the window layer 110 corresponding to the
bent area (BD) being cut. The cut units 112 are formed by some or
all of the window layer 110 being cut so that when the flexible
display 100 is bent, the cut units 112 are arranged to be spaced
apart from each other so that stress generated due to the flexible
display 100 being bent can be distributed. Further, when the
flexible display 100 is unfolded, the cut units 112 are arranged to
be adjacent to each other.
[0049] Since the window layer 110 can be divided into two areas for
each cut made in the window layer 110, there are a plurality of cut
units 112. A laser cutter can be used for cutting the window layer
110 to form the cut units 112, but is not limited thereto, and any
cutter that can precisely cut some or the all of the window layer
110 for forming a cut line or a slit in the window layer 110 can be
used. The cut units 112 formed by cutting the window layer 110
according the present exemplary embodiment can be cut to be
parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of
the window layer 110 to have a predetermined width along a
thickness direction of the window layer 110. However, the present
exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, that is, the scope for
implementing the described technology is not limited to a cut
structure for easily bending the flexible display 100.
[0050] The flexible display 100 according to the present exemplary
embodiment described above can include a hard coating layer 130,
and can further include an adhesive layer 140. The hard coating
layer 130 is formed on the a surface of the window layer 110, and
the adhesive layer 140 is interposed between the window layer 110
and the hard coating layer 130, and one end portion of the cut
units 112 can slip along a surface of the adhesive layer 140.
[0051] When the flexible display 100 is bent as shown in FIG. 4,
the cut unit 112 is spaced apart from the adjacent cut unit 112
while one end portion of the cut unit 112 slips along the surface
of the adhesive layer 140. Accordingly, when the flexible display
100 is bent, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of cut units 112 can
be arranged in an arc shape. Additionally, the other end portions
of the cut units 112 according to the present exemplary embodiment
can be fixed to the flexible display panel 120. The other end
portions of the cut units 112 fixed to the flexible display panel
120 maintain the original spacing between the adjacent cut units
112 even when the flexible display 100 is bent. Accordingly,
refraction or dispersion of light emitted from the flexible display
panel 120 can be reduced or prevented.
[0052] Further, the flexible display panel 120 includes a plurality
of pixels that can emit light, a display area (not shown) in which
light emitted from the pixels is emitted to the exterior of the
flexible display 100 to display an image, and a non-display area
(not shown) in which light is blocked in order to not display an
image. Accordingly, the non-bending area (FL) of the present
exemplary embodiment can be formed at a position corresponding to
the display area, and the bent area (BD) can be formed at a
position corresponding to the non-display area. When the bent area
(BD) is formed at the position corresponding to the display area,
light emitted from the display area can be refracted or dispersed
due to the arrangement of the cut units 112 in certain
configurations. Further, if the bent area (BD) is arranged at the
position corresponding to the display area, problems such as light
leakage may occur.
[0053] Accordingly, the bent area (BD) according to the present
exemplary embodiment can be formed at the position corresponding to
the non-display area (NE) to solve the aforementioned problem.
Accordingly, the cut units 112 according to the present exemplary
embodiment can also be formed at a position where an emission area
(LE) does not exist (e.g., the non-display area), and thus the
non-bending area (FL) can be formed at the position corresponding
to the display area. Therefore, a flexible display 100 capable of
displaying an image more stably is provided.
[0054] The second and third exemplary embodiments will now be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIGS. 5 and 6
illustrate a flexible display 100 in which a plurality of
protrusions 114 are formed in a bent area (BD) according to the
second exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a flexible
display 100 in which a plurality of grooves 116 are formed in a
bent area (BD) according to the third exemplary embodiment.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flexible display 100 in which
the protrusions 114 are formed includes a window layer 110 and a
flexible display panel 120 including the bent area (BD) and a
non-bending area (FL). Since the window layer 110 and the flexible
display panel 120 of the present exemplary embodiment correspond to
those described above, a detailed description of such will be
omitted. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the flexible display
panel 120 can include an emission area (LE) through which light
emitted from a unit pixel passes. In other words, the flexible
display panel 120 includes the emission area (LE) in which an area
of the flexible display panel 120 corresponding to the unit pixel
is formed.
[0056] The bent area (BD) of the present exemplary embodiment is
formed by partially removing the window layer 110. More
specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bent area (BD) is
formed by removing an area of the window layer 110, other than an
area of the window layer 110 corresponding to the protrusions 114,
so that the protrusions 114 having a greater cross-section than
that of the emission area (LE) of the flexible display panel 120
can be formed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the width W1
of the protrusions can be greater than the width W2 of the emission
areas (LE). In other words, the bent area (BD) of the present
exemplary embodiment is formed by removing the window layer 110 so
that the protrusions 114 remain after the removal.
[0057] As in the present exemplary embodiment, when the
cross-section of the protrusion 114 is greater than that of the
emission area (LE), light emitted from the emission area (LE) can
be directly emitted without being refracted or dispersed.
Accordingly, even when the flexible display 100 is bent, the
optical characteristics thereof can be prevented from
deteriorating. The protrusions 114 of the present exemplary
embodiment can be formed to have substantially the same height as
the thickness of the window layer 110, but they is not limited
thereto, and the protrusions 114 can be formed to have height that
is less than the thickness of the window layer 110. In addition,
the bent area (BD) can be formed to have a shape as shown in FIGS.
5 and 6 by leaving a portion of the window layer 110 after removing
some of the window layer 110 so that a lower portion of the
protrusions 114 can be connected to the window layer 110.
[0058] A bent area filling portion or filler 132 is formed on a
surface of the removed window layer 110. The bent area filling
portion 132 is formed by filling the bent area (BD) so that the
removed area of the window layer 110 may have substantially the
same height and width as the surface of the window layer 110. The
bent area filling portion 132 may completely cover the protrusions
114, but is not limited thereto, and when the protrusions 114 is
formed to have substantially the same height as the surface of the
window layer 110, a surface of the protrusions 114 can be exposed
to the exterior of the surface of the bent area filling portion 132
even after the bent area (BD) is filled by the bent area filling
portion 132.
[0059] Further, the flexible display panel 120 according to the
present exemplary embodiment can include a hard coating layer 130
formed on the window layer 110 and the bent area filling portion
132. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the hard coating layer 130
can be formed of the same material as the bent area filling portion
132. As described above, the material forming the hard coating
layer 130 can be flexible. Accordingly, the bent area filling
portion 132 of the present exemplary embodiment can also be formed
of the same material as the hard coating layer 130.
[0060] Since the bent area filling portion 132 is formed on an
upper portion of the flexible display panel 120 corresponding to
the emission area (LE), it can be formed of a transparent material
including transparent synthetic resins or glass. Accordingly, the
hard coating layer 130 of the present exemplary embodiment can also
be formed of a transparent material.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a flexible display 100 in which
the window layer 110 is partially removed so that a plurality of
grooves 116 can be formed according to the third exemplary
embodiment also includes a window layer 110 and a flexible display
panel 120 including a bent area (BD) and a non-bending area (FL).
Since the window layer 110 and the flexible display panel 120 of
the present exemplary embodiment correspond to those described
above, a detailed description therefor will be omitted.
[0062] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the bent area (BD)
includes a plurality of grooves 116 formed by partially removing
the window layer 110. The grooves 116 are formed by partially
removing the window layer 110 to have a greater cross-section than
that of the emission area (LE) of the flexible display panel 120.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7, the width W1 of the grooves
116 can be greater than the width W2 of the emission areas (LE).
When the cross-section of the grooves 116 are greater than that of
the emission area (LE), as in the present exemplary embodiment,
light emitted from the emission area (LE) can be directly emitted
to the exterior of the flexible display 100 without being refracted
or dispersed, as in the second exemplary embodiment. Accordingly,
even when the flexible display 100 is bent, its optical
characteristics can be preserved.
[0063] The grooves 116 of the present exemplary embodiment are
formed removing a portion of the window layer 110 formed at a
position corresponding to the emission area (LE), but they are not
limited thereto, and the grooves 116 can be formed by partially
removing the window layer 110 in a thickness direction of the
window layer 110. The flexible display 100 of the present exemplary
embodiment can further include a hard coating layer 130 formed on
the other surface of the window layer 110. Since the hard coating
layer 130 of the present exemplary embodiment is formed on an upper
portion of emission area (LE) of the flexible display panel 120, as
in the hard coating layer 130 of the second exemplary embodiment,
it can be formed of a transparent material including transparent
synthetic resins or glass. The grooves 116 according to the present
exemplary embodiment can be filled with the same material as the
hard coating layer 130, so that the groove 116 becomes a filled
groove 134.
[0064] When the filled grooves 134 are filled with the same
material as the hard coating layer 130, since refraction or
dispersion of light emitted from the emission area (LE) can be
prevented by an interface surface between the filled grooves 134
and the hard coating layer 130, the optical characteristics of the
flexible display 100 of the present exemplary embodiment can be
maintained.
[0065] A flexible display 100 according to various exemplary
embodiments has been described. According to the various exemplary
embodiments, even when the flexible display 100 is bent, since
stress due to the bending can be properly distributed, it is
possible to prevent the flexible display from being damaged and
maintain the optical characteristics thereof when being bent.
[0066] While the inventive technology has been described in
connection with what is presently considered to be practical
exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *