Flexible display apparatus including reinforcement part and method of manufacturing the display apparatus

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0185413, filed on Dec. 22, 2021, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

One or more embodiments relate to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus in which a crack occurrence is suppressed.

Electronic apparatuses such as smartphones, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation apparatuses, smart televisions, and the like may include a display apparatus for displaying images. The display apparatus generates images and display images to a user through a display screen.

Recently, the purpose of using display apparatuses has been diversified, and various types of display apparatuses have been developed along with technology developments. Such display apparatuses may include flexible display apparatuses that are easy to carry and may improve user convenience.

Among flexible display apparatuses, a foldable display apparatus may be foldable or folded with respect to a folding axis. However, when a foldable display apparatus is folded, damage to various elements may occur in a folded area transformed in a curved shape from a flat state.

One or more embodiments include a display apparatus that may suppress crack occurrence.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus which is in-folded or out-folded in a folded area thereof includes a substrate, a plurality of display elements disposed over the substrate, an encapsulation layer sealing the plurality of display elements, and a reinforcement part disposed on the encapsulation layer and arranged in the folded area.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may be in-folded or out-folded in a same folded area, and a thickness of the reinforcement part may vary in the folded area.

In an embodiment, the reinforcement part may include a protrusion portion disposed on two opposite sides of a folding axis around the folding axis in the folded area.

In an embodiment, the protrusion portion may include a plane portion having a constant thickness and an inclined surface portion having a thickness decreasing as being away from the plane portion from two opposite sides of the plane portion.

In an embodiment, the protrusion portion may be arranged to be symmetric with respect to the folding axis.

In an embodiment, a thickness of the reinforcement part overlapping the folding axis may be less than a thickness of the protrusion portion.

In an embodiment, the reinforcement part may include a transparent material.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, where a portion of the reinforcement part in the display area and a portion of the reinforcement part the peripheral area may include different materials from each other.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, where the reinforcement part may be arranged in the peripheral area.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a touch sensor layer disposed on the reinforcement part.

In an embodiment, the folded area may include a first folded area which is out-folded, and a second folded area which is in-folded, where the reinforcement part may include a first reinforcement part arranged in the first folded area.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a touch sensor layer disposed between the first reinforcement part and the encapsulation layer.

In an embodiment, the reinforcement part may further include a second reinforcement part disposed on the encapsulation layer and arranged in the second folded area.

In an embodiment, the first reinforcement part and the second reinforcement part may be connected to each other and integrally formed with each other as a single unitary and indivisible e body.

In an embodiment, a thickness of the first reinforcement part may be greater than a thickness of the second reinforcement part.

In an embodiment, the first reinforcement part and the second reinforcement part may include different materials from each other.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a backside reinforcement part disposed on a backside of the substrate in the second folded area.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus including a display surface which is bent in a partial region thereof and displays images and a non-display surface opposite to the display surface, includes a substrate, and a reinforcement part disposed on the display surface in the partial region of the substrate, where the reinforcement part alleviates a tensile force applied to the substrate.

In an embodiment, the reinforcement part may be disposed between an encapsulation layer and a touch sensor layer, the encapsulation layer may be disposed over the substrate, and the touch sensor layer may be disposed on the encapsulation layer.

In an embodiment, the display apparatus may further include a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, where the reinforcement part may be arranged in the peripheral area.

In an embodiment, a thickness of the reinforcement part may vary.

According to one or more embodiments, a method of manufacturing a display apparatus which is in-folded or out-folded in a folded area thereof includes providing an encapsulation layer over a substrate on which a plurality of display elements is disposed, and coating a reinforcement part on the encapsulation layer in the folded area.

In an embodiment, the coating the reinforcement part may include coating the reinforcement part in a way such that a thickness of the reinforcement part vary in the folded area.

In an embodiment, the coating of the reinforcement part may include coating the reinforcement part only in a periphery of the substrate in which the plurality of display elements is not arranged.

In an embodiment, the method may further include providing a touch sensor layer on the encapsulation layer to cover the reinforcement part.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

As the present disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, certain embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in the written description. Effects and features of the disclosure, and methods for achieving them will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and may be embodied in various forms.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, “a”, “an,” “the,” and “at least one” do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “an element” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be further understood that, when a layer, region, or component is referred to as being “on” another layer, region, or component, it can be directly or indirectly on the other layer, region, or component. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, or components may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, since sizes and thicknesses of elements in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The term “lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are not limited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

In the case where a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed in the order different from the described order. As an example, two processes that are successively described may be substantially simultaneously performed or performed in the order opposite to the order described.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

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

1 2 FIGS.and 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 1 1 are perspective views of a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment. Specifically,shows the display apparatusthat is unfolded, andshows the display apparatusthat is folded.

1 2 FIGS.and 1 Referring to, an embodiment of the display apparatusmay include a lower cover LC, a display panel DP, and a cover window CW.

1 1 2 1 2 1 2 The lower cover LC may form or define a lower appearance of the display apparatus. The lower cover LC may include plastic, metal, or both plastic and metal. The lower cover LC may include a first part Pand a second part Pthat support the display panel DP. The lower cover LC may be folded around a folding axis FAX defined between the first part Pand the second part P. In an embodiment, the lower cover LC may further include a hinge part HP. The hinge part HP may be provided between the first part Pand the second part P.

The display panel DP may include a display area DA. The display panel DP may display images by using an array of a plurality of pixels PX arranged in the display area DA. Each pixel PX may be defined by an emission area from which light is emitted by a light-emitting element electrically connected to a pixel circuit. The light-emitting element may be, for example, an organic light-emitting diode OLED. In an embodiment, each pixel PX may emit red, green, or blue light. Alternatively, each pixel PX may emit red, green, blue, or white light.

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 The display area DA may include a first display area DAand a second display area DA, where the first display area DAand the second display area DAare respectively arranged on two opposite sides around the folding axis FAX crossing the display area DA. The first display area DAand the second display area DAmay be respectively disposed on the first part Pand the second part Pof the lower cover LC. The display panel DP may display a first image and a second image by using light emitted from the plurality of pixels PX arranged in the first display area DAand the second display area DA. In an embodiment, the first image and the second image may be portions of one of images displayed by the display area DA of the display panel DP. In an alternative embodiment, the display panel DP may display the first image and the second image which are independent images.

1 2 1 2 The display panel DP may be folded around the folding axis FAX. In an embodiment, when the display panel DP is folded, the first display area DAand the second display area DAof the display panel DP may face each other. In an alternative embodiment, when the display panel DP is folded, the first display area DAand the second display area DAof the display panel DP may face in directions opposite to each other.

10 3 FIG. In such an embodiment, the display panel DP may be in-folded or out-folded (or foldable in an in-folding manner or foldable an out-folding manner) with respect to the folding axis FAX. Here, in-folding may denote that the display panel DP is folded in a +z direction with respect to the folding axis FAX, and out-folding may denote that the display panel DP is folded in a −z direction with respect to the folding axis FAX. In other words, the in-folding may denote that folding is performed in a way such that the upper surfaces of the cover window CW face each other, and the out-folding may denote that folding is performed in a way such that the lower surfaces of the cover window CW face each other. In an embodiment, the lower surface of the cover window CW may denote a surface closer to a substrate(see) in the z direction than the upper surface of the cover window CW.

The display panel DP may include a folded area FA which is a region including the folding axis FAX. The display panel DP may be in-folded and/or out-folded with respect to the folding axis FAX of the folded area FA and bent in the folded area FA.

1 2 FIGS.and In an embodiment, as shown in, the folding axis FAX may extend in a y direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the folding axis FAX may extend in an x direction crossing the y direction. Alternatively, the folding axis FAX may also extend in a direction crossing the x direction and the y direction.

1 2 FIGS.and In an embodiment, as shown in, the number of the folding axis FAX provided therein may be one, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the display panel DP may be folded with respect to two folding axes FAX crossing the display area DA. In an embodiment, for example, where the display panel DP is folded with respect to two folding axes FAX, the display panel DP may be in-folded with respect to one folding axis FAX, and out-folded with respect to the other folding axis FAX. Alternatively, the display panel DP may be in-folded with respect to both the two folding axes FAX, or out-folded with respect to both the two folding axes FAX. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the display panel DP may be folded with respect to a plurality of folding axes FAX crossing the display area DA. In such an embodiment, the display panel DP may be in-folded with respect to each folding axis FAX, or out-folded with respect to each folding axis FAX.

The cover window CW may be disposed on the display panel DP to cover the display panel DP. The cover window CW may be folded or warped according to external force without crack occurrence. When the display panel DP is folded with respect to the folding axis FAX, the cover window CW may be folded together and may cover the display panel DP.

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display apparatusaccording to an embodiment.may correspond to a cross-section of the display apparatustaken along line I-I′ of. That is,shows a cross-section of a portion of the display apparatusin the display area DA.

3 FIG. 10 Referring to, an embodiment of the display panel DP may have a stack structure including the substrate, a pixel circuit layer PCL, a display element layer DEL, a thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, a touch sensor layer TEL, and an optical functional layer OFL.

10 The substratemay include glass or a polymer resin. In this case, the polymer resin may include at least one selected from polyethersulfone, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose tri acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, and the like.

10 11 13 13 15 17 3 FIG. a b The pixel circuit layer PCL may be disposed on the substrate.shows an embodiment where the pixel circuit layer PCL includes a thin-film transistor TFT, a buffer layer, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a third insulating layer, and a planarization layerunder and/or on elements of the thin-film transistor TFT.

11 10 10 11 The buffer layermay block penetration of foreign materials, moisture, or external air from below the substrateand provide a flat surface on the substrate. The buffer layermay include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, and silicon oxide, and include a single layer or a multi-layer including the above inorganic insulating materials.

11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 14 12 c a b a b c c. The thin-film transistor TFT on the buffer layermay include a semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layermay include polycrystalline silicon. Alternatively, the semiconductor layermay include amorphous silicon, an oxide semiconductor, or an organic semiconductor. The semiconductor layermay include a channel region, a drain region, and a source region, where the drain regionand the source regionare respectively on two opposite sides of the channel region. A gate electrodemay overlap the channel region

14 14 The gate electrodemay include a low-resistance metal material. The gate electrodemay include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti) and have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure, each layer therein including at least one selected from the above materials.

13 12 14 13 a a 2 x 2 3 2 2 5 2 x x 2 The first insulating layermay be disposed between the semiconductor layerand the gate electrode. The first insulating layermay include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (AlO), titanium oxide (TiO), tantalum oxide (TaO), hafnium oxide (HfO), or zinc oxide (ZnO). Here, zinc oxide (ZnO) may be zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or zinc peroxide (ZnO).

13 14 13 b b 2 x 2 3 2 2 5 2 x x 2 The second insulating layermay cover the gate electrode. The second insulating layermay include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (AlO), titanium oxide (TiO), tantalum oxide (TaO), hafnium oxide (HfO), or zinc oxide (ZnO). Here, zinc oxide (ZnO) may be zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or zinc peroxide (ZnO).

2 13 2 14 14 2 13 14 1 b b An upper electrode Cstof a storage capacitor Cst may be disposed on the second insulating layer. The upper electrode Cstmay overlap at least a portion of the gate electrodedisposed therebelow. The gate electrodeand the upper electrode Cstoverlapping each other with the second insulating layertherebetween may constitute the storage capacitor Cst. In such an embodiment, the gate electrodemay serve as a lower electrode Cstof the storage capacitor Cst.

1 14 14 In an embodiment, as described above, the storage capacitor Cst may overlap the thin-film transistor TFT. In an alternative embodiment, the storage capacitor Cst may not overlap the thin-film transistor TFT. In such an embodiment, the lower electrode Cstof the storage capacitor Cst may be an element separate from the gate electrodeand be separated from the gate electrode.

2 The upper electrode Cstmay include aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chrome (Cr), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and/or copper (Cu), and have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure, each layer therein including at least one selected from the above materials.

15 2 15 15 2 x 2 3 2 2 5 2 x x 2 The third insulating layermay cover the upper electrode Cst. The third insulating layermay include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (AlO), titanium oxide (TiO), tantalum oxide (TaO), hafnium oxide (HfO), or zinc oxide (ZnO). Here, zinc oxide (ZnO) may be zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or zinc peroxide (ZnO). The third insulating layermay have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure, each layer therein including at least one selected from the inorganic insulating materials.

16 16 15 16 16 12 12 16 16 16 16 16 16 a b a b a b a b a b a b A drain electrodeand a source electrodemay each be disposed on the third insulating layer. The drain electrodeand the source electrodemay be respectively connected to the drain regionand the source regionthrough contact holes defined in insulating layers therebelow. The drain electrodeand the source electrodemay each include a material having a high conductivity. The drain electrodeand the source electrodemay each include a conductive material including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (AI), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti) and have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure. In an embodiment, the drain electrodeand the source electrodemay each have a multi-layered structure of Ti/Al/Ti.

17 17 The planarization layermay include an organic insulating material. The planarization layermay include an organic insulating material including a general-purpose polymer such as polymethylmethacrylate (“PMMA”) or polystyrene (“PS”), polymer derivatives having a phenol-based group, an acryl-based polymer, an imide-based polymer, an aryl ether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-based polymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, or a blend thereof.

21 22 23 21 17 The display element layer DEL may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer PCL having the above structure. The display element layer DEL may include an organic light-emitting diode OLED as a light-emitting element. The organic light-emitting diode OLED may have a stack structure of a pixel electrode, an emission layer, and a common electrode. The pixel electrodeof the organic light-emitting diode OLED may be electrically connected to the thin-film transistor TFT through a contact hole defined in the planarization layer.

21 21 21 2 3 x 2 3 The pixel electrodemay include a conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (InO), indium gallium oxide (“IGO”), or aluminum zinc oxide (“AZO”). In an embodiment, the pixel electrodemay include a reflective layer including silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chrome (Cr), or a compound thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the pixel electrodemay further include a layer on/under the reflective layer, the layer including ITO, IZO, ZnO, or InO.

19 21 19 19 21 19 19 19 19 19 A pixel-defining layermay be disposed on the pixel electrode, and an openingOP may be defined through the pixel-defining layerto expose at least a portion of the pixel electrode. The pixel-defining layermay include an organic insulating material and/or an inorganic insulating material. The openingOP may define an emission area of light emitted from the organic light-emitting diode OLED. In an embodiment, for example, the size/width of the openingOP may correspond to the size/width of the emission area. Accordingly, the size and/or width of the pixel PX may depend on the size and/or width of the openingOP of the pixel-defining layer.

22 19 19 22 22 The emission layermay be disposed in the openingOP of the pixel-defining layer. The emission layermay include a polymer organic material or a low-molecular weight organic material that emits light of a preset color. Alternatively, the emission layermay include an inorganic emission material or quantum dots.

22 22 Though not shown, a first functional layer and a second functional layer may be respectively arranged under and on the emission layer. The first functional layer may include, for example, a hole transport layer (“HTL”), or include an HTL and a hole injection layer (“HIL”). The second functional layer may include an electron transport layer (“ETL”) and/or an electron injection layer (“EIL”). However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The first functional layer and the second functional layer may be selectively disposed on and under the emission layer, respectively.

23 10 Like the common electrodedescribed below, the first functional layer and/or the second functional layer may be common layers covering the substrateentirely.

23 21 21 23 23 23 23 10 2 3 The common electrodemay be disposed over the pixel electrodeand may overlap the pixel electrode. The common electrodemay include a conductive material having a low work function. In an embodiment, for example, the common electrodemay include a (semi) transparent layer including silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chrome (Cr), or an alloy thereof. Alternatively, the common electrodemay further include a layer on the (semi) transparent layer, the layer including ITO, IZO, ZnO, or InO. The common electrodemay be formed as a single unitary and indivisible body to cover the substrateentirely.

31 32 33 An encapsulation member may be disposed on the display element layer DEL. In an embodiment, the encapsulation member may be provided as or defined by the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the display element layer DEL and may cover the display element layer DEL. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. In an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include a first inorganic layer, an organic layer, and a second inorganic layerthat are sequentially stacked one on another. Though not shown, the encapsulation member may be provided as an encapsulation substrate.

31 33 32 32 32 The first inorganic layerand the second inorganic layermay include at least one inorganic material selected from aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. The organic layermay include a polymer-based material. The polymer-based material may include an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, polyimide, and polyethylene. In an embodiment, the organic layermay include acrylate. The organic layermay be formed by hardening a monomer or coating a polymer.

The touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, where the touch sensor layer TFE includes touch electrodes. The touch sensor layer TEL may obtain coordinate information corresponding to an external input, for example, a touch event.

41 42 43 44 45 The touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The touch sensor layer TEL may include a first touch insulating layer, a first touch conductive pattern, a second touch insulating layer, a second touch conductive pattern, and a third touch insulating layer.

41 33 41 41 41 x 2 The first touch insulating layermay be disposed on the second inorganic layer. In an embodiment, the first touch insulating layermay be a single layer or a multi-layer including an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO), and/or silicon oxynitride (SiON). In an embodiment, the first touch insulating layermay include an organic material. In an alternative embodiment, the first touch insulating layermay be omitted.

42 41 33 42 19 42 19 19 42 42 42 The first touch conductive patternmay be disposed on the first touch insulating layerand/or the second inorganic layer. In an embodiment, the first touch conductive patternmay overlap the pixel-defining layer. The first touch conductive patternmay not overlap the openingOP of the pixel-defining layer. The first touch conductive patternmay include a conductive material. In an embodiment, for example, the first touch conductive patternmay include at least one selected from molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti) and have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure, each layer herein including at least one selected from the above materials. In an embodiment, the first touch conductive patternmay have a structure of Ti/Al/Ti in which a titanium layer, an aluminum layer, and a titanium layer are sequentially stacked.

43 42 43 45 x 2 The second touch insulating layermay cover the first touch conductive pattern. The second touch insulating layermay be a single layer or a multi-layer including an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO), and/or silicon oxynitride (SiON). In an embodiment, the third touch insulating layermay include an organic material.

44 43 44 19 44 19 19 44 42 43 44 44 44 The second touch conductive patternmay be disposed on the second touch insulating layer. In an embodiment, the second touch conductive patternmay overlap the pixel-defining layer. The second touch conductive patternmay not overlap the openingOP of the pixel-defining layer. In an embodiment, the second touch conductive patternmay be connected to the first touch conductive patternthrough a contact hole of the second touch insulating layer. The second touch conductive patternmay include a conductive material. In an embodiment, for example, the second touch conductive patternmay include at least one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (AI), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti) and have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure, each layer therein including at least one selected from the above materials. In an embodiment, the second touch conductive patternmay have a structure of Ti/Al/Ti in which a titanium layer, an aluminum layer, and a titanium layer are sequentially stacked one on another.

42 44 42 44 The first touch conductive patternand the second touch conductive patternmay each include a plurality of sensing electrodes for sensing a touch input. In an embodiment, the first touch conductive patternand the second touch conductive patternmay each include a first sensing electrode, a second sensing electrode, a first connection electrode, and/or a second connection electrode. In an embodiment, the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode may each sense an input by using a mutual capacitance method. In an alternative embodiment, the first sensing electrode and/or the second sensing electrode may each sense an input by using a self-capacitance method.

45 44 45 45 x The third touch insulating layermay cover the second touch conductive pattern. In an embodiment, the third touch insulating layermay be a single layer or a multi-layer including an inorganic material such as silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO2), and/or silicon oxynitride (SiON). In an embodiment, the third touch insulating layermay include an organic material.

1 1 The optical functional layer OFL may be disposed on the touch sensor layer TEL. The optical functional layer OFL may reduce the reflectivity of light (external light) incident toward the display apparatusfrom outside, and improve the color purity of light emitted from the display apparatus.

In an embodiment, the optical functional layer OFL may include a retarder and/or a polarizer. The retarder may include a film-type retarder or a liquid crystal-type retarder. The retarder may include a λ/2 retarder and/or a λ/4 retarder. The polarizer may include a film-type polarizer or a liquid crystal-type polarizer. The film-type polarizer may include a stretchable synthetic resin film, and the liquid crystal-type polarizer may include liquid crystals arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Each of the retarder and the polarizer may further include a protective film.

In an embodiment, the optical functional layer OFL may include a destructive interference structure. The destructive interference structure may include a first reflection layer and a second reflection layer respectively disposed on different layers. First-reflected light and second-reflected light respectively reflected by the first reflection layer and the second reflection layer may destructively interfere and thus the reflectivity of external light may be reduced.

An adhesive member may be disposed between the touch sensor layer TEL and the optical functional layer OFL. In an embodiment, a general member known in the art may be employed as the adhesive member without limitation. In an embodiment, for example, the adhesive member may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”).

The cover window CW may be disposed on the display panel DP. The cover window CW may be adhered to the display panel DP by the adhesive member. The adhesive member may be, for example, a PSA.

1 The cover window CW may have a high transmittance to transmit light emitted from the display panel DP, and have a thin thickness to reduce the weight of the display apparatus. In addition, the cover window CW may have strength and hardness to protect the display panel DP from external impacts. The cover window CW may include, for example, glass or plastic. In an embodiment, the cover window CW may be an ultra thin reinforcement glass in which strength thereof is reinforced by methods such as chemical or thermal reinforcement.

1 1 1 In an embodiment, as described above, the display apparatusincludes an organic light-emitting diode OLED as a light-emitting element, but an embodiment of the display apparatusis not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the display apparatusmay be an inorganic light-emitting display apparatus including an inorganic light-emitting diode. The inorganic light-emitting diode may include a PN-junction diode including inorganic material semiconductor-based materials. In such an embodiment, when a forward voltage is applied to a PN-junction diode, holes and electrons are injected and energy created by recombination of the holes and the electrons is converted to light energy, and thus, light of a preset color may be emitted. The inorganic light-emitting diode may have a width in a range of several micrometers to hundreds of micrometers. In an embodiment, the inorganic light-emitting diode may be a micro light-emitting diode.

4 FIG. 1 FIG. 5 FIG. 4 FIG. 6 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 6 FIGS.to 3 FIG. 500 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment, taken along line II-II′ of.is a cross-sectional view of the display panel ofin an out-folded state.is a cross-sectional view of the display panel ofin an in-folded state. For convenience of description,schematically show only the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, layers BP under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, the reinforcement part, and the touch sensor layer TEL, and other elements are the same as and/or similar to those of, and thus, the other elements are not particularly illustrated.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 500 500 1 500 Referring to, in an embodiment of a display panel, the reinforcement partmay be disposed on (a +z direction in) of the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The reinforcement partmay be disposed as or defined by a layer on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The reinforcement partmay alleviate stress by folding in the display apparatus, particularly, in the folded area FA. The touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the reinforcement part.

500 1 500 500 1 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 4 FIG. 1 FIG. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in a peripheral area PA (see). In such an embodiment, as shown inshowing a cross-section in the display area DA of the display apparatus, the reinforcement partmay not be arranged in the display area DA (see) but may be arranged in the peripheral area PA around the display area DA as shown in. In an embodiment, for example, the reinforcement partmay be arranged on two opposite sides in the lengthwise direction (a y direction in) of the folding axis FAX.

500 1 1 500 In a display apparatus that is foldable, cracks may occur in the folded area due to folding. Cracks may start from the peripheral area, particularly in the folded area, and propagates to the display area. According to an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the peripheral area PA which may be a start point of the cracks as described above, and may prevent the cracks of the display apparatus. In such an embodiment, cracks that may occur while the display apparatus, particularly, the display panel DP, is folded may be prevented by using a simple method of arranging the reinforcement partin the peripheral area PA without particularly changing design of the display area DA that displays images.

500 510 510 500 510 510 510 510 4 FIG. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include a protrusion portion. The protrusion portionmay protrude in a direction perpendicular to a stack surface of the reinforcement part. In an embodiment, the protrusion portionmay be arranged in the folded area FA. In an embodiment, in a plan view, the protrusion portionmay be apart from each other on two opposite sides (a +x direction and a −x direction in) with respect to the folding axis FAX in the folded area FA. In such an embodiment, separation distances between the protrusion portionfrom the folding axis FAX may be equal to each other on two opposite sides of the folding axis FAX. In such an embodiment, both protrusion portionsmay be arranged to be symmetric with respect to the folding axis FAX.

520 510 520 520 An indented portionmay be disposed between the protrusion portions. The indented portionmay be formed indented by the protrusion portions on two opposite sides. The indented portionmay be formed as a single unitary and indivisible body with the protrusion portion.

1 510 3 500 2 520 3 2 520 3 500 510 520 2 520 3 A thickness tof the protrusion portionmay be greater than a thickness tof the reinforcement partin a region other than the folded area FA. In an embodiment, the thickness tof the indented portionmay be equal to the thickness tin the region other than the folded area FA. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness tof the indented portionmay be less than the thickness tin the region other than the folded area FA. In another alternative embodiment, the reinforcement partmay not be disposed between the protrusion portionson two opposite sides (that is, the thickness of the indented portionis 0). Hereinafter, for convenience of description, embodiments where the thickness tof the indented portionis equal to the thickness tin the region other than the folded area FA will be mainly described.

3 510 510 511 512 511 510 512 511 511 510 4 FIG. In an embodiment, the thickness tof the protrusion portionmay vary. In an embodiment, for example, as shown in, the protrusion portionmay include a plane (or flat) portionand an inclined portion. The plane portionis disposed in the center of the protrusion portionand forms a flat surface. The inclined portionforms an inclined surface having a thickness decreasing as being away from the plane portionfrom two opposite sides of the plane portion. Accordingly, the protrusion portionmay have a shape in which a center thereof is convex.

3 510 3 510 510 510 In an alternative embodiment, though not shown, the thickness tof the protrusion portionmay continuously vary. In such an embodiment, the thickness tmay continuously reduce toward the outer side from the center of the protrusion portion. Accordingly, a cross-sectional shape of the protrusion portionin a front view may be, for example, a triangle having round vertexes, or a semi-circular shape. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto and alternatively, the cross-section of the protrusion portionmay be a quadrangular shape or an elliptical shape within the scope of the present disclosure.

500 500 500 500 In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be an organic layer. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include a polymer-based material. The polymer-based material may include at least one selected from an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, polyimide, and polyethylene. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include acrylate. The reinforcement partmay be coated by a spray coater.

500 500 500 500 500 500 In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include a transparent material. Accordingly, the reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display panel DP. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto and alternatively, at least a portion of the reinforcement partmay include an opaque material. Even in an embodiment where at least a portion of the reinforcement partincludes an opaque material, the reinforcement partis arranged in only the peripheral area PA, such that the reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display panel DP.

5 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 Referring to, the display panel DP ofmay be out-folded with respect to the folding axis FAX. In a state where the display panel DP is out-folded, as the thickness of the reinforcement partincreases, tensile stress applied to the display panel DP, particularly, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE and the layers under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, is reduced.

5 FIG. 510 500 While the display panel DP is out-folded, tensile stress may be concentrated on regions of two opposite sides adjacent to the folding axis FAX as shown in. The protrusion portionsmay be arranged in the regions of the two opposite sides adjacent to the folding axis FAX in the display panel DP. That is, the reinforcement partmay be formed thick at the positions corresponding to the two opposite sides of the folding axis FAX on which the tensile force is concentrated, and thus, may reduce tensile stress.

6 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 Referring to, the display panel DP ofmay be in-folded with respect to the folding axis FAX. In a state where the display panel DP is in-folded, as the thickness of the reinforcement partdecreases, tensile stress applied to the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE and the layers under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE is reduced.

6 FIG. 520 510 500 While the display panel DP is in-folded, tensile stress may be concentrated on a region overlapping the folding axis FAX as shown in. The indented portionmay be arranged in the region of the display panel DP that overlaps the folding axis FAX and disposed between the protrusion portions. That is, the reinforcement partmay be formed thin at the positions overlapping the folding axis FAX on which the tensile force is concentrated, and thus, may reduce tensile stress.

As described above, in an embodiment of the display panel DP, tensile force applied to the display panel DP may be reduced in both states where the display panel DP is in-folded and/or out-folded.

7 FIG. 7 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 7 FIG. 7 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display apparatusaccording to an alternative embodiment.is a view similar tocorresponding to the cross-section of the display apparatus, taken along line I-I′ of. That is,shows a cross-section of a portion of the display apparatusin the display area DA. The same or like elements shown inare labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiment of the display apparatus shown in, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

7 FIG. 4 FIG. 500 500 500 500 Referring to, the reinforcement partmay be disposed between the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE and the touch sensor layer TEL in the display area DA. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the display area DA entirely. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the peripheral area PA as shown in. That is, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the display area DA and the peripheral area PA and integrally formed with each other as a single unitary and indivisible body.

500 3 500 3 510 520 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. In such an embodiment, the thickness of the reinforcement partin the display area DA may be equal to the thickness t(see) of the reinforcement part in the region other than the folded area FA in the peripheral area PA. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be formed to have a same thickness tin the display area DA and the peripheral area PA, and the protrusion portion(see) and the indented portion(see) may be formed in only the peripheral area PA.

500 500 500 In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include a transparent material. Accordingly, the reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display panel DP. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partarranged in the display area DA may not influence the visibility of the display panel DP.

8 9 FIGS.and 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 8 9 FIGS.and 1 1 1 are perspective views of the display apparatusaccording to an alternative embodiment. Specifically,shows the display apparatusthat is unfolded, andshows the display apparatusthat is folded. Hereinafter, differences of the embodiments shown infrom the embodiments of the display apparatus described above will be mainly described.

In an embodiment, the display panel DP may be a flexible display panel which has flexibility and thus is easily bendable, foldable, or rollable. In an embodiment, for example, the display panel DP may include a foldable display panel that is foldable and unfoldable, a curved display panel that has a curved display surface, a bended display panel in which a region except a display surface is bent, a rollable display panel that is rollable and unrollable, and a stretchable display panel that is stretchable.

1 In an embodiment, the display apparatusmay include the lower cover LC, the display panel DP, and the cover window.

1 1 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 The lower cover LC may form the lower appearance of the display apparatus. The lower cover LC may include the first part Pand the second part P, and a third part Psupporting the display panel DP. The lower cover LC may be folded around a first folding axis FAXdefined between the first part Pand the second part P. In addition, the lower cover LC may be folded around a second folding axis FAXdefined between the second part Pand the third part P.

1 2 1 2 3 2 The display panel DP may include the display area DA. The first display area DAand the second display area DAmay be defined with the first folding axis FAXtherebetween. In addition, the second display area DAand the third display area DAmay be defined with the second folding axis FAXtherebetween.

1 2 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 9 FIG. In an embodiment, the first display area DAand the second display area DAmay be folded not to face each other, that is, out-folded with respect to the first folding axis FAX. That is, the first part Pand the second part Pmay be folded to face each other with respect to the first folding axis FAX. The second display area DAand the third display area DAmay be folded to face each other, that is, in-folded with respect to the second folding axis FAX. The display apparatusmay be folded in a ‘Z’ shape as shown in.

1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 9 FIG. In an alternative embodiment, the display apparatusmay be out-folded with respect to both the first folding axis FAXand the second folding axis FAX. Alternatively, the display apparatusmay be in-folded with respect to both the first folding axis FAXand the second folding axis FAX. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, embodiments where the display apparatusis out-folded with respect to the first folding axis FAXand in-folded with respect to the second folding axis FAXas shown inare mainly described.

10 FIG. 8 FIG. 10 FIG. 3 FIG. 500 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment, taken along line X-X′ of. For convenience of description,schematically shows only the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, the layers BP under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, the reinforcement part, and the touch sensor layer TEL, and other elements are the same as and/or similar to those of, and thus, the other elements are not particularly illustrated.

10 FIG. 10 FIG. 500 500 500 Referring to, the reinforcement partmay be disposed on (a +z direction in) of the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The reinforcement partmay be disposed as a layer on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the reinforcement part.

500 500 500 8 FIG. 8 FIG. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in a peripheral area PA (see). In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay not be arranged in the display area DA but may be arranged in the peripheral area PA around the display area DA. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged on two opposite sides in the lengthwise direction (a y direction in) of the folding axis FAX.

500 530 540 530 1 540 2 530 540 530 540 The reinforcement partmay include a first reinforcement partand a second reinforcement part, where the first reinforcement partis arranged in a first folded area FA, and the second reinforcement partis arranged in a second folded area FA. In an embodiment, the first reinforcement partand the second reinforcement partmay be connected to each other and provided as one body. That is, the first reinforcement partand the second reinforcement partmay be integrally formed with each other as a single layer.

530 1 530 531 532 531 530 532 531 531 530 530 1 10 FIG. The first reinforcement partmay alleviate tensile force applied to the display panel DP in the first folded area FAthat is out-folded. As shown in, the first reinforcement partmay include a plane portionand an inclined portion, wherein the plane portionis disposed in the center of the first reinforcement partand forms a flat surface, and the inclined portionforms an inclined portion having a thickness decreasing as being away from the plane portionfrom two opposite sides of the plane portion. Accordingly, the first reinforcement partmay have a shape in which a center thereof is convex. In such an embodiment, two opposite sides of the first reinforcement partmay be symmetric with respect to the first folding axis FAX.

530 530 530 530 530 In an alternative embodiment, though not shown, the thickness of the first reinforcement partmay continuously vary. In such an embodiment, the thickness of the first reinforcement partmay continuously reduce toward the outer side from the center of the first reinforcement part. Accordingly, a cross-sectional shape of the first reinforcement partin a front view may be, for example, a triangle having round vertexes, or a semi-circular shape. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto and alternatively, the cross-section of the first reinforcement partmay be a quadrangular shape or an elliptical shape within the scope of the present disclosure.

540 2 540 530 540 540 540 The second reinforcement partmay alleviate tensile force applied to the display panel DP in the second folded area FAthat is in-folded. The thickness of the second reinforcement partmay be less than the thickness of the first reinforcement part. In an embodiment, the thickness of the second reinforcement partmay be equal to the thickness in the region other than the folded area FA. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the second reinforcement partmay be less than the thickness in the region other than the folded area FA. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, embodiments where the thickness of the second reinforcement partis equal to the thickness in the region other than the folded area FA are mainly described.

11 FIG. 8 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment, taken along line X-X′ of. Hereinafter, differences from the above-described embodiment are mainly described.

11 FIG. 530 540 530 540 1 530 2 530 Referring to, the first reinforcement partand the second reinforcement partmay include different materials from each other. In an embodiment, a modulus of the first reinforcement partmay be greater than a modulus of the second reinforcement part. Accordingly, in the first folded area FAthat is out-folded, the same effect as that the thickness of the first reinforcement partis thick may be achieved. In such an embodiment, in the second folded area FAthat is in-folded, the same effect as that the thickness of the first reinforcement partis thin may be achieved.

12 FIG. 8 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment, taken along line X-X′ of. Hereinafter, differences from the above-described embodiment are mainly described.

12 FIG. 500 1 500 530 500 1 500 1 Referring to, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in only the first folded area FAthat is out-folded. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include only the first reinforcement part. The reinforcement partmay not be arranged in a region except the first folded area FA. Accordingly, the touch sensor layer TEL covering the reinforcement partmay be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE in the region except the first folded area FA.

13 FIG. 8 FIG. 13 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment, taken along line X-X′ of. Hereinafter, differences of the embodiment offrom the embodiments described above are mainly described.

13 FIG. 500 500 1 500 530 500 1 Referring to, in an embodiment, the touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The reinforcement partmay be disposed on the touch sensor layer TEL. The reinforcement partmay be arranged in the first folded area FAthat is out-folded. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include only the first reinforcement part. In such an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay not be arranged in the region except the first folded area FA.

14 FIG. 8 FIG. 14 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment, taken along line X-X′ of. Hereinafter, differences of the embodiment offrom the embodiments described above are mainly described.

14 FIG. 500 530 530 1 550 530 550 2 2 2 550 550 530 Referring to, in an embodiment, the touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE. The reinforcement part, specifically, the first reinforcement partmay be disposed on the touch sensor layer TEL, wherein the first reinforcement partis arranged in the first folded area FAthat is out-folded. In such an embodiment, a backside reinforcement partmay be disposed on the backside of a surface of the substrate of the display panel DP on which the first reinforcement partis disposed. The backside reinforcement partmay be arranged in the second folded area FAthat is in-folded. Accordingly, in a state where the display panel DP is in-folded in the second folded area FA, tensile force applied to the second folded area FAthrough the backside reinforcement partdisposed on the backside of the substrate may be alleviated. In such an embodiment, the backside reinforcement partmay include a same material as that of the first reinforcement part.

15 FIG. 15 FIG. 15 FIG. 500 is a perspective view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment. For convenience of description,schematically shows the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, the layers BP under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and the reinforcement part. Hereinafter, differences of the embodiment offrom the embodiments described above are mainly described.

15 FIG. 15 FIG. 12 FIG. 15 FIG. 500 500 500 500 500 Referring to, in an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the display area DA and the peripheral area PA.shows an embodiment where the reinforcement parthas the shape of the reinforcement partof, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The reinforcement parthaving another shape of the embodiments described above may be also arranged in the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. The embodiment ofmay correspond to the embodiments where the reinforcement partis arranged in only the peripheral area PA.

500 500 500 500 500 In such an embodiment, as described above, the reinforcement partmay be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and the touch sensor layer may be disposed to cover the reinforcement part. Alternatively, as described above, the touch sensor layer may be disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and the reinforcement partmay be disposed on the touch sensor layer. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, embodiments where the reinforcement partis disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and the touch sensor layer is disposed to cover the reinforcement partare mainly described.

500 530 1 530 1 1 530 The reinforcement partmay include the first reinforcement partarranged in the first folded area FA. The first reinforcement partmay extend in the lengthwise direction of the first folding axis FAXin the first folded area FA. That is, the first reinforcement partmay extend from the peripheral area PA on one side to the peripheral area PA opposite thereto.

530 530 1 In an embodiment, the first reinforcement partmay include a transparent material. Accordingly, the first reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display area DA while alleviating stress in the first folded area FAthat is out-folded.

500 1 500 500 In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be arranged in the first folded area FAand be patterned not to overlap the opening of the pixel-defining layer of the display element layer. The opening of the pixel-defining layer may define an emission area of light emitted from the emission layer. Accordingly, in such an embodiment where the reinforcement partdoes not overlap the opening of the pixel-defining layer, the reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display area DA.

16 FIG. 16 FIG. 16 FIG. 500 is a perspective view of a display panel according to an alternative embodiment. For convenience of description,schematically shows the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, the layers BP under the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and the reinforcement part. Hereinafter, differences of the embodiment offrom the embodiments described above are mainly described.

16 FIG. 530 530 530 530 Referring to, in an embodiment, the first reinforcement partmay include different materials in the display area DA and the peripheral area PA. In an embodiment, for example, the first reinforcement partmay include a transparent material in the display area DA. In such an embodiment, the first reinforcement partmay include an opaque material in the peripheral area PA. Accordingly, the first reinforcement partmay not influence the visibility of the display area DA.

17 19 FIGS.to 17 19 FIGS.to are cross-sectional views showing a method of manufacturing a display apparatus according to an embodiment. The display apparatus to be manufacture inmay correspond to the embodiments of the display apparatus described above, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

17 FIG. 500 500 500 500 Referring to, in an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a display apparatus, the reinforcement partmay be provided or disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE of the display panel DP. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay include an organic material and be coated on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE by a spray coater. In an embodiment, the thickness of the reinforcement partmay be adjusted by the spray coater. In an embodiment, for example, the reinforcement partmay be coated thick in a region of the display panel DP that is out-folded.

500 Then, the reinforcement part that is coated may be hardened. In an embodiment, the reinforcement partmay be hardened by radiating light, for example, an ultraviolet ray or an infrared ray.

18 FIG. 41 Referring to, the touch sensor layer TEL may be disposed. First, the first touch insulating layermay be formed by one of deposition, coating, printing, and the like.

42 42 42 Next, the first touch conductive patternmay be disposed. The first touch conductive patternmay be formed by forming a first touch conductive layer and patterning the first touch conductive patternaccording to a photolithography process.

43 Then, the second touch insulating layermay be formed by one of deposition, coating, printing, and the like.

44 43 44 44 Subsequently, the second touch conductive patternmay be disposed on the second touch insulating layer. The second touch conductive patternmay be formed by forming a second touch conductive layer and patterning the second touch conductive patternaccording to a photolithography process.

45 44 45 Lastly, the third touch insulating layermay be disposed to cover the second touch conductive pattern. The third touch insulating layermay be formed by one of deposition, coating, printing, and the like.

19 FIG. Referring to, the optical functional layer OFL and the cover window CW may be sequentially provided or disposed on the touch sensor layer TEL. After the optical functional layer OFL is stacked, the cover window CW may be attached to the optical functional layer OFL by using an adhesive member. In an embodiment, the adhesive member may be an optically clear adhesive (“OCA”). Alternatively, the adhesive member may be an optically clear resin (“OCR”). The adhesive member may be coated on the optical functional layer OFL, and the cover window CW may be attached to the optical functional layer OFL while the cover window CW faces the adhesive member. In an embodiment, the cover window CW may be disposed on a jig and is attached to the optical functional layer OFL by being pressed toward the optical functional layer OFL.

According to embodiments of the invention, as described herein, the display apparatus may have reinforced durability by suppressing crack occurrence while the display apparatus is folded.

The invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.