# US 10,121,977 B2 · Display apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,121,977 B2 - Document ID: US10121977B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/463,197 - Filed: 2017-03-20 - Published: 2018-02-22 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-19 - Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Display Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Sangjo Lee; Changyong Jeong; Yoonsun Choi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10121977B2 ## CPC - H10K 77/111: {Flexible substrates} - H10K 59/1213: {the pixel elements being TFTs} - H10K 59/126: Shielding, e.g. light-blocking means over the TFTs - H10K 59/131: Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals - H10K 2102/311: {Flexible OLED} - Y02E 10/549: Organic PV cells - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - H10K: ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract Provided is a display apparatus capable of reducing generation of defects such as a disconnection during manufacturing processes, while ensuring longer lifespan thereof. The display apparatus includes: a substrate including a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate including a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate comprising a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first upper line located in the first area and comprising an end portion facing the second area, the first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate, the first contact hole being located in the first area; and a first additional line at least partially located in the second area and comprising an end portion facing the first area, the first additional line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first additional contact hole in the second substrate, the first additional contact hole being located in the second area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first upper line is at least partially located in the first area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a second upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second contact hole in the second substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first intermediate line, which corresponds to the first additional contact hole, has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a second additional line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second additional contact hole in the second substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein, in the first intermediate line, a portion overlapping the first additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line, and in the second intermediate line, a portion overlapping the second additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the second intermediate line, and wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and an end portion of the first intermediate line in a direction towards the display area is closer to the display area than the first contact hole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and the first upper line is electrically connected to a display device located in the display area. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and the display area is throughout the first area, the bending area, and the second area. ### Claim 12 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate comprising a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate; a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a second upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second contact hole in the second substrate, wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being parallel to the substrate and crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, in the first intermediate line, a portion overlapping the first contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line, and in the second intermediate line, a portion overlapping the second contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the second intermediate line. ### Claim 14 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate comprising a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate; and a first additional line at least partially located in the second area, the first additional line over the first substrate being electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first additional contact hole in the first substrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The display apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first additional contact hole is located to correspond to an upper surface of the first additional line and within the upper surface of the first additional line. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The display apparatus of claim 14, wherein the portion of the first additional line overlaps the first additional contact hole and has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first additional line. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The display apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a second additional line over the first substrate to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second additional contact hole in the first substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein, in the first additional line, a portion overlapping the first additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first additional line, and in the second additional line, a portion overlapping the second additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the second additional line, and wherein the portion of the first additional line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second additional line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first additional line and the second additional line extend. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the portion of the first additional line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second additional line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first additional line and the second additional line extend. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The display apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an electronic device over a surface of the first additional line, the surface of the first additional line being away from the second substrate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The display apparatus of claim 20, wherein the substrate is bent such that a part of the first substrate in the first area and at least a part of the first substrate in the second area face each other, and the display apparatus further comprises a support layer between the parts of the first substrate facing each other and comprising a concave portion for accommodating the electronic device. ### Claim 22 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate comprising a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked, wherein a display area is throughout the first area, the bending area, and the second area; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate; and a data line and a scan line that cross each other in the display area, wherein one of the data line and the scan line is the first upper line, and the first upper line is connected to the first intermediate line in a region where the data line and the scan line cross each other such that the data line and the scan line do not directly contact each other. ### Claim 23 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis, the substrate comprising a first substrate and a second substrate that are stacked; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first upper line over the second substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the second substrate; a thin film transistor over the second substrate to be located in at least one of the first area, the bending area, and the second area; and a shielding layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate to correspond to the thin film transistor to prevent external light from reaching the thin film transistor, wherein the shielding layer includes a same material as that of the first intermediate line. ### Claim 24 A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a bending area between a first area and a second area to be bent in the bending area about a bending axis; a first intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and located over a lower surface of the substrate, wherein the lower surface of the substrate is an internal surface in the bending area; a first upper line over an upper surface of the substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first contact hole in the substrate; and a lower protective film covering the lower surface of the substrate and the first intermediate line. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first upper line is at least partially located in the first area. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and an end of the first intermediate line in a direction towards the display area is closer to the display area than the first contact hole. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein a portion of the first intermediate line, which corresponds to the first contact hole, has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and arranged over the lower surface of the substrate, wherein the lower surface of the substrate is the internal surface in the bending area; and a second upper line at least partially located in the first area to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second contact hole in the substrate. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The display apparatus of claim 28, wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The display apparatus of claim 28, wherein, in the first intermediate line, a portion overlapping the first contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line, and in the second intermediate line, a portion overlapping the second contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the second intermediate line, and wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a first additional line at least partially located in the second area, and arranged over the upper surface of the substrate to be electrically connected to the first intermediate line via a first additional contact hole in the substrate. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The display apparatus of claim 31, further comprising: a second intermediate line at least partially located in the bending area, and arranged over the lower surface of the substrate, wherein the lower surface of the substrate is the internal surface in the bending area; and a second additional line over the upper surface of the substrate to be electrically connected to the second intermediate line via a second additional contact hole in the substrate. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The display apparatus of claim 32, wherein, in the first intermediate line, a portion overlapping the first additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line, and in the second intermediate line, a portion overlapping the second additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the second intermediate line, and wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The display apparatus of claim 32, wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first additional contact hole and the portion of the second intermediate line overlapping the second additional contact hole are not adjacent to each other in a direction crossing a direction in which the first intermediate line and the second intermediate line extend. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The display apparatus of claim 31, wherein the portion of the first intermediate line overlapping the first additional contact hole has a width that is greater than a width of the other portion of the first intermediate line. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and the first upper line is electrically connected to a display device located in the display area. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first area comprises a display area, and the display area is throughout the first area, the bending area, and the second area. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The display apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a data line and a scan line that cross each other in the display area, wherein one of the data line and the scan line is the first upper line, and the first upper line is connected to the first intermediate line in a region where the data line and the scan line cross each other such that the data line and the scan line do not directly contact each other. ### Claim 39 (depends on 24) The display apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a thin film transistor over the second substrate to be located in at least one of the first area, the bending area, and the second area; and a shielding layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate to correspond to the thin film transistor to prevent external light from reaching the thin film transistor, wherein the shielding layer includes a same material as that of the first intermediate line.