CN112490647A

CN112490647A - Antenna structure and display device comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN112490647A
Application number: CN202010944429.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 崔秉搢; 柳汉燮; 朴东必
Original assignee: Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-11
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2021-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-10
Also published as: KR102619336B1; CN112490647B; KR20210031224A

Abstract

The invention provides an antenna structure body and a display device comprising the same. By using the middle frame as a ground layer of the antenna electrode layer, a thin display device can be realized, and signal efficiency and reliability can be improved.

Description

Antenna structure and display device comprising same

Technical Field

The invention relates to an antenna structure and a display device including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna structure including an antenna electrode layer and a display device including the antenna structure.

Background

In recent years, with the development of an information-oriented society, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are combined with a display device, and the wireless communication technologies are implemented in the form of a smart phone, for example. In this case, the antenna can perform a communication function in conjunction with the display device.

Recently, with the development of mobile communication technology, it is necessary to combine an antenna for performing ultra high frequency band communication with the above display device.

For example, in the case of recent 5G high-frequency band communication, the wavelength becomes shorter, and therefore, transmission and reception of signals may be interrupted, and the frequency band in which transmission and reception are possible becomes narrow, and thus, signal loss and signal interruption may easily occur. For this reason, the demand for high frequency antennas having desired directivity, gain, and signal efficiency is increasing.

In addition, since a display device having an antenna mounted thereon is made thinner and lighter, the space occupied by the antenna is also reduced. For this reason, there is a limitation in implementing high-frequency, broadband signal transmission and reception simultaneously in a limited space.

For example, korean laid-open patent No. 2013-0095451 discloses an antenna integrated with a display panel, but does not provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Korean laid-open patent publication No. 2013-0095451

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved

An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna structure having improved radiation reliability and space utilization.

The invention provides a display device with improved radiation reliability and space utilization.

Means for solving the problems

1. An antenna structure, comprising: a middle frame of the display device; a dielectric layer formed on the middle frame, and an antenna electrode layer disposed on the dielectric layer and including a radiation pattern.

2. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the middle frame is provided as a ground layer for the radiation pattern.

3. The antenna structure according to claim 2, wherein the surface resistance of the middle frame is 1 Ω/□ or less.

4. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the antenna electrode layer further includes: a transmission line extending from the radiation pattern; and a signal pad connected to an end of the transmission line.

5. The antenna structure according to claim 4, wherein the antenna electrode layer further includes a ground pad that is electrically and physically separated from the transmission line and the signal pad around the signal pad.

6. The antenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the radiation pattern includes a mesh structure.

7. A display device, comprising: the display device includes a middle frame, a display panel disposed on an upper surface of the middle frame, a driving control part disposed under a lower surface of the middle frame and including a main board, a dielectric layer disposed on the middle frame, and an antenna electrode layer disposed on the dielectric layer and including a radiation pattern.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are disposed between the middle frame and the drive control unit.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the drive controller includes a radiation hole formed in a region corresponding to a region where the antenna electrode layer is disposed.

10. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer is formed between the middle frame and the display panel, and the antenna electrode layer is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric layer so as to penetrate the middle frame.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein the dielectric layer is provided as a protective layer of the display panel.

12. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are sequentially disposed on the upper surface of the middle frame.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are disposed adjacent to an outer peripheral portion of the display panel.

14. The display device according to claim 7, further comprising a flexible portion that folds the display device, wherein the display panel includes a first display panel and a second display panel that are divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion, wherein the middle frame includes a first frame and a second frame that are divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion, wherein the drive control portion includes a first drive control portion and a second drive control portion that are divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer that are divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion, and wherein the antenna electrode layer includes a first antenna electrode layer and a second antenna electrode layer that are divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein the first frame, the first dielectric layer, and the first antenna electrode layer are stacked in this order in a direction opposite to a visible direction of the first display panel, and wherein the second frame, the second dielectric layer, and the second antenna electrode layer are stacked in this order in a direction opposite to a visible direction of the second display panel.

16. The display device according to claim 14, further comprising: a first cover window and a second cover window respectively disposed on a visible surface of the first display panel and a visible surface of the second display panel; and a third antenna electrode layer disposed adjacent to an outer peripheral portion of the first display panel between the first frame and the first cover window, or adjacent to an outer peripheral portion of the second display panel between the second frame and the second cover window.

Effects of the invention

The antenna structure according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed by sequentially stacking a dielectric layer and an antenna electrode layer on a mid frame (mid frame) included in a display device. The middle frame may serve as a ground layer of the antenna electrode layer. Therefore, a thin (slim) display device can be easily realized without an additional ground layer.

The antenna electrode layer is disposed under the display panel, so that radiation interference, resistance mismatch, and the like generated by electrodes, circuits, and the like included in the display panel can be prevented.

In addition, the position and direction of the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer disposed on the middle frame can be adjusted, so that the radiation direction of the antenna signal can be easily adjusted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 to 4 are schematic sectional views illustrating an antenna structure body of an exemplary embodiment and a display device including the same.

Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating an antenna electrode layer of an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7 to 10 are schematic sectional views showing an antenna structure and a display device including the same according to the embodiment.

Description of the symbols

10. 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80: display device

100: the antenna structure body 110: middle frame

120: dielectric layer 130: antenna electrode layer

210: the display panel 220: touch sensor layer

230: optical layer 240: external coated window

250: support layer 300: drive control unit

310: the radiation hole 400: flexible part

X, Y: visible direction A, B: visible noodle

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna structure disposed on a middle frame of a display device and a display device including the same. By using the middle frame as a ground layer, a thin (slim) display device can be easily realized. In addition, signal efficiency and reliability can be improved.

The antenna structure may be, for example, a microstrip patch antenna (microstrip patch antenna) manufactured in a transparent film form. The antenna structure described above can be applied to, for example, a communication device for 3G to 5G mobile communication.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings. However, the following drawings attached to the present specification are provided to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the contents of the invention described above and the technical idea of the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the matters described in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an antenna structure of an exemplary embodiment and a display device including the same.

Referring to fig. 1, a display device 10 of an exemplary embodiment may include: a middle frame 110; a dielectric layer 120 formed on the middle frame 110; and an antenna electrode layer 130 disposed on the dielectric layer 120 and including a radiation pattern.

The middle frame 110 is positioned between the display panel 210 and the driving control part 300, and may fix the display panel 210 and the driving control part 300. For example, the middle frame 110 can prevent deformation of the display device 10 due to external impact. In addition, the middle frame 110 can shield signal interference between the display panel 210 and the driving control part 300.

In some embodiments, the middle frame 110 may comprise a metal plate. The metal plate may be formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and alloys thereof. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In some embodiments, the middle frame 110 may serve as a ground plane for the radiation pattern included in the antenna electrode layer 130. In this case, since it is not necessary to add a ground layer for the radiation pattern, the display device 10 can be realized in a slim (slim) form.

In some embodiments, the area resistance of the mid-frame 110 may be less than about 1 Ω/□. Within the above range, the reliability and efficiency of the antenna signal can be improved.

The dielectric layer 120 may be formed on the middle frame 110. For example, the dielectric layer 120 may be directly formed on the middle frame 110.

For example, capacitance (capacitance) or inductance (inductance) is formed between the antenna electrode layer 130 and the middle frame 110 via the dielectric layer 120, so that a frequency band in which the antenna structure body 100 can be driven or induced can be adjusted.

In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 120 can be adjusted within a range of about 1.5 to about 12. In the case where the dielectric constant is larger than 12 as described above, the driving frequency is excessively reduced and driving in a high frequency band may not be achieved.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 120 may entirely overlap with the antenna electrode layer 130 in a top view direction.

The dielectric layer 120 may include a transparent resin substance. For example, the dielectric layer 120 may include polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate; cellulose resins such as diacetylcellulose and triacetylcellulose; a polycarbonate-based resin; acrylic resins such as polymethyl (meth) acrylate and polyethyl (meth) acrylate; styrene resins such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer; polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins having a cyclic or norbornene structure, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; a vinyl chloride-based resin; amide resins such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; an imide-based resin; a polyether sulfone-based resin; a sulfone-based resin; a polyether ether ketone resin; polyphenylene sulfide-based resin; a vinyl alcohol resin; a vinylidene chloride resin; a vinyl butyral resin; an allylic resin; a polyoxymethylene resin; thermoplastic resins such as epoxy resins. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In addition, a transparent film made of a thermosetting resin such as (meth) acrylic, urethane, acrylic urethane, epoxy, or silicone or an ultraviolet curable resin may be used as the dielectric layer 120. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 120 may further include an Adhesive film such as Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), Optically Clear Resin (OCR), and the like.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 120 may comprise an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, glass, or the like.

In one embodiment, the dielectric layer 120 may be provided as a substantially single layer. In one embodiment, the dielectric layer 120 may also include a multi-layer structure with at least two layers.

The antenna electrode layer 130 may be disposed on the dielectric layer 120 and may include a radiation pattern. For example, the antenna electrode layer 130 may be directly disposed on the dielectric layer 120.

Referring to fig. 1, the display panel 210 may be disposed on an upper surface of the middle frame 110. For example, the display panel 210 may include a liquid crystal, an organic light emitting diode, a plasma display panel, and the like.

For example, the display panel 210 may include a pixel electrode, a pixel defining film, a display layer, a counter electrode, and an encapsulation layer disposed on a panel substrate.

The panel substrate may include a flexible resin substance, and in this case, the image display device may be provided as a flexible display.

A pixel circuit including a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) may be formed on the panel substrate, and an insulating film may be formed to cover the pixel circuit. The pixel electrode may be connected to, for example, a drain electrode of the TFT on the insulating film.

The pixel defining film may be formed on the insulating film to expose the pixel electrode and define a pixel region. The display layer may be formed on the pixel electrode, and the display layer may include, for example, a liquid crystal layer or an organic light emitting layer.

The counter electrode may be disposed on the pixel defining film and the display layer. The counter electrode may be provided as a common electrode or a cathode (cathode) of an image display device, for example. The sealing layer for protecting the display panel may be stacked on the counter electrode.

Referring to fig. 1, a touch sensor layer 220 may be disposed on an upper surface of a display panel 210. Touch sensor layer 220 may include resistive or capacitive touch sensors. The touch sensor layer 220 may have optical transparency. For example, transparent touch electrodes and electrode wirings may be included.

For example, touch sensor layer 220 can include sense electrodes and traces. For example, the sensing electrode and the trace may be arranged to be driven in a Mutual Capacitance (Mutual Capacitance) manner. For example, the sensing electrode and the trace may be arranged to be driven in a Self-Capacitance (Self-Capacitance) manner.

By the region where the sensing electrodes are arranged, an active region where touch sensing is substantially performed can be defined on the touch sensor layer 220. The active area substantially corresponds to a display area of the display device 10 in which an image is displayed.

Referring to fig. 1, the optical layer 230 may be disposed on the upper surface of the touch sensor layer 220, but the disposed position is not limited as long as it is on the upper surface of the display panel 210.

Optical layer 230 may include various optical films or optical structures included in display device 10, and may include, for example, a coated polarizer or polarizer.

The coated polarizer may include a liquid crystal coating layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. In this case, the optical layer 230 may further include an alignment film for imparting alignment properties to the liquid crystal coating layer.

The polarizer may include a polyvinyl alcohol polarizer and a protective film attached to at least one surface of the polyvinyl alcohol polarizer.

Referring to fig. 1, the exterior window 240 may be disposed at an outermost side of the display device 10. For example, the overcoat window 240 may be disposed on the upper surface of the optical layer 230.

The exterior cover window 240 may protect the internal components of the display device 10 from external physical impact or moisture, temperature change. For example, the overlay window 240 may be formed of glass or reinforced plastic.

In some embodiments, an anti-reflection layer, an anti-glare layer, an antistatic layer, a hard coat layer, an anti-fouling layer, and the like may be formed on the upper surface of the exterior window 240.

Referring to fig. 1, a touch sensor layer 220, an optical layer 230, and an overcoat window 240 may be sequentially disposed on an upper surface of a display panel 210. In this case, since the sensing electrode of the touch sensor layer 220 is disposed below the optical layer 230 including the polarizer or the polarizer, the pattern visibility phenomenon can be more effectively prevented.

In one embodiment, the optical layer 230, the touch sensor layer 220, and the cover window 240 may be sequentially disposed on the upper surface of the display panel 210.

Referring to fig. 1, the driving control part 300 may be disposed under the lower surface of the middle frame 110. For example, the drive control section 300 may include a main board. The main board may include a touch sensor driving circuit, a display panel driving circuit, and an antenna driving IC chip.

The antenna driving IC chip may be electrically connected to the antenna electrode layer 130. For example, the antenna driver IC chip and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be connected by a driving wire.

For example, the above-described driving wirings may extend along the sides of the middle frame 110 and the dielectric layer 120 through a space between the outer case (lower metal case) or the internal components of the display device 10. The antenna driving IC chip and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be connected to each other by the driving wires extending along the side surfaces of the middle frame 110 and the dielectric layer 120. For example, the driving wire may penetrate the middle frame 110 and the dielectric layer 120 to connect the antenna driving IC chip and the antenna electrode layer 130.

For example, the drive wiring may be directly connected to the antenna drive IC located on the inner side surface of the drive control unit 300, or may be connected to the antenna drive IC located on the outer side surface after penetrating the drive control unit 300.

Referring to fig. 1, the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be disposed between the middle frame 110 and the driving control part 300. Thereby, the display device 10 that radiates the antenna signal at the back side can be easily realized. In addition, signal interference caused by electrodes included in the display panel 210 and the touch sensor layer 220 can be effectively prevented.

Fig. 2 to 4 are schematic sectional views showing an antenna structure and a display device including the same according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2, the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be disposed at least partially under the lower surface of the middle frame 110. In this case, the support layer 250 may be disposed adjacent to the dielectric layer 120 and the outer peripheral portion of the antenna electrode layer 130. In addition, the support layer 250 may be disposed between the driving control part 300 and the middle frame 110.

The support layer 250 may fix the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 between the middle frame 110 and the driving control part 300, and may prevent the radiation pattern from being damaged by external impact.

For example, the support layer 250 may include an adhesive layer, a dielectric layer, or an air gap (air gap). For example, the support layer 250 may include a film formed of an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), an Optically Clear Resin (OCR).

Referring to fig. 2, the driving control part 300 may include a radiation hole 310 formed in a region corresponding to a region where the antenna electrode layer 130 is disposed. For example, the radiation hole 310 may be formed at a region corresponding to a region where the radiation pattern included in the antenna electrode layer 130 is formed. In this case, the radiation hole 310 can effectively prevent signal loss due to the drive control portion 300.

In some exemplary embodiments, referring to fig. 3, the dielectric layer 120 may be formed between the middle frame 110 and the display panel 210, and the antenna electrode layer 130 may penetrate the middle frame 110 and be disposed on the lower surface of the dielectric layer 120. In this case, the cathode electrode layer included in the display panel 210 may perform a grounding function.

For example, the dielectric layer 120 may be provided as a protective layer of the display panel 210. Since the dielectric layer 120 functions as the protective layer, a display device having a thin structure can be more easily realized.

For example, the thickness of the dielectric layer 120 may be about 50 to 400 μm, and preferably about 100 to 200 μm. Within the above range, the display panel can be effectively prevented from being damaged by external impact, and a display device having a thin structure can be easily realized.

In addition, the dielectric layer 120 may form an appropriate distance between the display panel 210 and the antenna electrode layer 130 and can improve reliability and efficiency of an antenna signal.

For example, the support layer 250 may be formed between the middle frame 110 and the driving control part 300. In this case, the thickness of the support layer 250 may be the same as the height of the antenna electrode layer 130 protruding through the middle frame 110.

Referring to fig. 3, the driving control part 300 may include a radiation hole 310 formed in a region corresponding to a region where the antenna electrode layer 130 is disposed. The radiation hole 310 may prevent a signal loss caused by the driving control part 300.

Referring to fig. 4, the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be sequentially disposed toward above the upper surface of the middle frame 110. Thus, a display device in which the antenna signal is radiated in front can be easily realized. In addition, signal interference caused by the drive control unit 300 can be effectively prevented, and signal reliability can be improved.

Referring to fig. 4, the display device 40 may further include a cover window 240 disposed on the upper surface of the display panel 210, and may further include a support layer 250 formed between the cover window 240 and the antenna electrode layer 130.

The support layer 250 can fix the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 on the middle frame 110, for example, to reduce damage caused by external impact.

Referring to fig. 4, the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be disposed adjacent to the outer circumferential portion of the display panel 210. Thus, an additional layer for forming the antenna structure 100 is not required, and the thickness of the display device 40 can be thinned.

For example, the drive control unit 300 may further include an NFC module, a battery, and the like.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna electrode layer of an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 5, the antenna electrode layer 130 may include a radiation pattern 135, a signal pad 134, and a ground pad 136.

In some embodiments, the antenna electrode layer 130 may include a transmission line and a pad electrode.

The transmission line may be branched from the radiation pattern 135 to be formed. The pad electrode may include a signal pad 134 and a ground pad 136.

The signal pad 134 may be connected at the end of the transmission line. The radiation pattern 135 and the signal pad 134 may be connected through the above-described transmission line. In one embodiment, the transmission line and the signal pad 134 may be integrally connected with the radiation pattern 135 to be provided as a single member.

The ground pads 136 may be configured in such a manner as to face each other with the signal pads 134 interposed therebetween. For example, the signal pads 134 may be disposed in the middle, and formed in pairs at opposite positions. The ground pad 136 and the signal pad 134 may be separated by a predetermined distance.

In one embodiment, the ground pads 136 may be configured to be electrically and physically separated from the transmission lines and the signal pads 134 around the signal pads 134.

In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 135, the signal pad 134, and the ground pad 136 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), or an alloy thereof. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

For example, to achieve low resistance, silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy) may be used. By using the above-described metal and metal alloy as the radiation pattern 135 and the signal pad 134, the resistance of the antenna electrode can be greatly reduced. Therefore, the signal efficiency and reliability of the antenna can be improved. For example, in the case of a signal of a high frequency (hertz, Hz) band, the resistance of the antenna may have a great influence. Therefore, by reducing the resistance of the antenna, signals in a high frequency band can be transmitted and received efficiently.

In some embodiments, the antenna electrode layer 130 may include a transparent conductive oxide such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), Indium Tin Zinc Oxide (ITZO), or zinc oxide (ZnOx).

In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna structure body 100 may further include a transparent resin film disposed between the dielectric layer 120 and the antenna electrode layer 130.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the radiation pattern 135, the signal pad 134, and the ground pad 136 may be formed on the transparent resin film described above.

In some embodiments, the radiation pattern 135, the signal pad 134, and the ground pad 136 may be formed inside the transparent resin film. For example, the antenna structure 100 can be manufactured by bonding the transparent resin film on which the antenna electrode layer 130 is formed to the dielectric layer 120.

For example, the transparent resin film may include Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyimide (PI), Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and the like.

In some embodiments, a transparent support layer may be disposed between the dielectric layer 120 and the transparent resin film. The transparent support layer can bond the transparent resin film and the dielectric layer 120.

For example, the transparent support layer may be formed on the upper surface of the transparent resin film. The antenna structure 100 can be manufactured by bonding the transparent support layer to the dielectric layer 120. The transparent support layer may include a film formed of an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA) or an Optically Clear Resin (OCR).

In some embodiments, ground pads 136 may be configured to be electrically and physically separated from mid-frame 110.

For example, the ground pad 136 and the mid-frame 110 may be separated by the dielectric layer 120 in an up-down configuration. Accordingly, the ground pad 136 may be electrically insulated from the middle frame 110 by the dielectric layer 120. Thus, an antenna structure having excellent signal efficiency and reliability and a thin display device including the antenna structure can be easily realized.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna electrode layer of an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 6, the antenna electrode layer 130 may include a mesh structure 138. For example, the radiation pattern 135 comprised by the antenna electrode layer 130 may comprise a grid structure 138. As shown in fig. 6, the radiation pattern 135, the above-described transmission lines, the signal pads 134, and the ground pads 136 may include a mesh structure 138.

In an exemplary embodiment, the grid structure 138 may have a line width of 2 μm to 10 μm and a thickness of 10nm to 500 nm. In the above range of line width and thickness, the mesh structure 138 can maintain the resistance at a low level while ensuring the permeability.

In some embodiments, to prevent signal loss due to an increase in resistance, the signal pads 134 and the ground pads 136 may be formed of a solid (solid) pattern.

For example, the antenna electrode layer 130 includes the mesh structure 138, so that the transmittance of the antenna structure can be increased. In this case, even if the antenna electrode layer 130 is disposed on the visible side surface of the middle frame 110, it can be prevented from being visible to the user.

In addition, in the case where the antenna electrode layer 130 includes the mesh structure 138, even if the middle frame 110 is formed using a transparent film in order to realize a transparent display device, the antenna electrode layer 130 can be effectively prevented from being visible regardless of the position where the antenna electrode layer 130 is formed.

In some embodiments, a dummy mesh layer 139 may be disposed around the antenna electrode layer 130. By means of the dummy grid layer 139, the electrode arrangement around the antenna electrode layer 130 (e.g., around the radiation pattern 135) can be uniformized to prevent the grid structure or the electrode lines included therein from being visible to a user of the display device.

For example, the dummy mesh layer 139 may be electrically and physically isolated from the radiation pattern 135 and the signal pad 134 by forming a mesh metal layer on the dielectric layer 120 and cutting the mesh metal layer along a predetermined region.

Fig. 7 to 10 are schematic sectional views showing an antenna structure and a display device including the same according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7 to 10, the

display devices

50, 60, 70, and 80 may further include a flexible portion 400 folded. In the case where the flexible portion 400 is folded, the display device 50 may be divided into the first unit 51 and the second unit 52, the display device 60 may be divided into the first unit 61 and the second unit 62, the display device 70 may be divided into the first unit 71 and the second unit 72, and the display device 80 may be divided into the first unit 81 and the second unit 82.

For example, the

first unit

51, 61, 71, 81 may include a first display panel 211, a first frame 111, a first driving control part 301, a first dielectric layer 121, and a first antenna electrode layer 131. The

second unit

52, 62, 72, 82 may include a second display panel 212, a second frame 112, a second driving control part 302, a second dielectric layer 122, and a second antenna electrode layer 132.

For example, the display panel 210 may be divided into the first display panel 211 and the second display panel 212 by the folding formed by the flexible portion 400, the middle frame 110 may be divided into the first frame 111 and the second frame 112 by the folding formed by the flexible portion 400, the driving control portion 300 may be divided into the first driving control portion 301 and the second driving control portion 302 by the folding formed by the flexible portion 400, the dielectric layer 120 may be divided into the first dielectric layer 121 and the second dielectric layer 122 by the folding formed by the flexible portion 400, and the antenna electrode layer 130 may be divided into the first antenna electrode layer 131 and the second antenna electrode layer 132 by the folding formed by the flexible portion 400.

For example, the flexible portion 400 may be integrally formed with the

first units

51, 61, 71, and 81 and the

second units

52, 62, 72, and 82. For example, the flexible portion 400 may be connected to the

first units

51, 61, 71, and 81 and the

second units

52, 62, 72, and 82 separately.

For example, the flexible portion 400 may include a foldable third display panel, and the third display panel may be integrally connected to the first display panel 211 and the second display panel 212 to form a single display panel 210. In this case, the display panel 210 may be a flexible (flexible) display panel.

For example, the cover window 240 may be integrally formed on the display panel 210 including the first display panel 211, the second display panel 212, and the third display panel.

For example, the flexible portion 400 may be integrally formed with the first outer cover window 241 and the second outer cover window 242, and may include a foldable third outer cover window.

For example, the first cover window 241 may be disposed on the first display panel 211, the second cover window 242 may be disposed on the second display panel 212, and the third cover window may be disposed on the third display panel.

In some embodiments, the first cover window 241 and the second cover window 242 may be disposed on the visible surface a of the first display panel 211 and the visible surface B of the second display panel 212, respectively.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flexible portion 400 may further include an auxiliary pivot for supporting the display panel to be flat. For example, the auxiliary pivot may be formed under a lower surface of the third display panel.

Referring to fig. 7, the first frame 111, the first dielectric layer 121, and the first antenna electrode layer 131 may be sequentially stacked in a direction opposite to the visible direction X of the first display panel 211. The second frame 112, the second dielectric layer 122, and the second antenna electrode layer 132 may be sequentially stacked in a direction opposite to the visible direction Y of the second display panel 212.

In this case, since the middle frame 110 is disposed between the display panel 210 and the antenna electrode layer 130, signal interference between them can be prevented by the middle frame 110. Further, since the antenna electrode layer is disposed in the direction opposite to the visible direction X, a rear surface radiation display device can be easily realized.

In some embodiments, a third antenna electrode layer may be further included adjacent to the periphery of the first display panel 211 and disposed between the first frame 111 and the first outer cover window 241. A third dielectric layer may be formed between the third antenna electrode layer and the first frame 111. This makes it possible to realize a display device capable of performing front and rear surface irradiation simultaneously.

Referring to fig. 8, the display device 60 may further include a second support layer 252 formed between the second driving control part 302 and the second frame 112. For example, the second support layer 252 may be disposed adjacent to the second dielectric layer 122 and the outer circumferential portion of the second antenna electrode layer 132.

In this case, the second drive control portion 302 may include a second radiation hole 312 formed in a region corresponding to a region where the second antenna electrode layer 132 is disposed. For example, the second radiation hole 312 may be formed at a region corresponding to a region where the radiation pattern included in the second antenna electrode layer 132 is formed.

For example, since the second drive control unit 302 includes the second radiation hole 312, the problem that the antenna signal is shielded can be effectively prevented by the second drive control unit 302.

Although not shown, the display device 60 may further include a first support layer formed between the first driving control part 301 and the first frame 111. For example, the first support layer may be disposed adjacent to the first dielectric layer 121 and the outer periphery of the first antenna electrode layer 131. In this case, the first drive control unit 301 may include a first radiation hole formed in a region corresponding to the region where the first antenna electrode layer 131 is disposed, similarly to the second drive control unit 302.

Referring to fig. 9, the second dielectric layer 122 may be formed between the second frame 112 and the second display panel 212, and the second antenna electrode layer 132 may be disposed on the second dielectric layer 122 through the second frame 112 in a direction opposite to the viewing direction Y of the second display panel 212.

For example, the second display panel 212 may be provided as a ground layer of the second antenna electrode layer 132. For example, the cathode electrode included in the second display panel 212 may be provided as a ground layer of the second antenna electrode layer 132. In this case, the second antenna electrode layer 132 may be formed on the second dielectric layer 122 in a region corresponding to a region where the cathode electrode is present.

For example, the second support layer 252 is formed between the second frame 112 and the second drive control section 302. In this case, the thickness of the second support layer 252 may be the same as the height of the second antenna electrode layer 132 protruding after penetrating through the second frame 112.

Referring to fig. 9, the second driving control portion 302 may include a second radiation hole 312 formed in a region corresponding to a region where the second antenna electrode layer 132 is disposed. The second radiation hole 312 can effectively prevent the antenna signal loss caused by the second driving control portion 302.

Although not shown, the first dielectric layer 121 may be formed between the first frame 111 and the first display panel 211, and the first antenna electrode layer 131 may be disposed on the first dielectric layer 121 to penetrate the first frame 111 in a direction opposite to the viewing direction X of the first display panel 211.

The first drive control unit 301 may include a first radiation hole formed in a region corresponding to the region where the first antenna electrode layer 131 is disposed.

Referring to fig. 10, a third antenna electrode layer 133 may be further included adjacent to the outer circumference of the second display panel 212 and disposed between the second frame 112 and the second cover window 242. A third dielectric layer 123 may be formed between the third antenna electrode layer 133 and the first frame 111.

In this case, a front radiation display device in which signals are radiated in the visible direction Y can be easily realized. In addition, since the third antenna electrode layer 133 is adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of the second display panel 212, rather than constituting a separate layer, the thickness of the display device can be prevented from increasing.

In one embodiment, a support layer 250 may be disposed between the third antenna electrode layer 133 and the first cover window 241 or the second cover window 242. This can effectively prevent the third antenna electrode layer 133 from being damaged by external impact.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, comprising:

a middle frame of the display device,

A dielectric layer formed on the middle frame, and

an antenna electrode layer disposed on the dielectric layer and including a radiation pattern.

2. The antenna structure body according to claim 1, the middle frame being provided as a ground layer for the radiation pattern.

4. The antenna structure body according to claim 1, the antenna electrode layer further comprising: a transmission line extending from the radiation pattern, and a signal pad connected to an end of the transmission line.

5. The antenna structure of claim 4, said antenna electrode layer further comprising a ground pad electrically and physically separated from said transmission line and said signal pad around said signal pad.

6. The antenna structure of claim 1, the radiation pattern comprising a grid structure.

7. A display device, comprising:

a middle frame,

A display panel disposed on the upper surface of the middle frame,

A drive control part disposed below the lower surface of the middle frame and including a main board,

A dielectric layer disposed on the middle frame, and

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are arranged between the middle frame and the drive control portion.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the drive control portion includes a radiation hole formed in a region corresponding to a region where the antenna electrode layer is provided.

10. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer is formed between the middle frame and the display panel, and wherein the antenna electrode layer is provided on a lower surface of the dielectric layer so as to penetrate the middle frame.

12. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are sequentially arranged over the upper surface of the middle frame.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the dielectric layer and the antenna electrode layer are disposed adjacent to a peripheral portion of the display panel.

14. The display device of claim 7, further comprising a flexible portion that folds the display device,

the display panel includes a first display panel and a second display panel divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion,

the middle frame includes a first frame and a second frame divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion,

the drive control portion includes a first drive control portion and a second drive control portion divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion,

the dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion,

the antenna electrode layer includes a first antenna electrode layer and a second antenna electrode layer divided by a fold formed by the flexible portion.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein the first frame, the first dielectric layer, and the first antenna electrode layer are stacked in this order in a direction opposite to a visible direction of the first display panel,

the second frame, the second dielectric layer, and the second antenna electrode layer are sequentially stacked in a direction opposite to a visible direction of the second display panel.

16. The display device of claim 14, further comprising:

a first cover window and a second cover window respectively disposed on a visible surface of the first display panel and a visible surface of the second display panel; and

and a third antenna electrode layer disposed between the first frame and the first cover window adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of the first display panel, or disposed between the second frame and the second cover window adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of the second display panel.