# US 10,502,993 B2 · Display device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,993 B2 - Document ID: US10502993B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/121,985 - Filed: 2018-09-05 - Published: 2019-03-07 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-05 - Assignees: Japan Display Inc. - Applicants: Japan Display Inc. - Inventors: Emi Higano; Toshiyuki Higano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502993B2 ## CPC - G02F 1/133536: {Reflective polarizers (G02F1/13362 takes precedence)} - G02F 1/133305: {Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film} - G02F 1/133308: {Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels} - G02F 1/133345: {Insulating layers (G02F1/1335, G02F1/1337, G02F1/135, G02F1/136 take precedence)} - G02F 1/133512: {Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix (G02F1/136209 takes precedence)} - G02F 1/133514: {Colour filters} - G02F 1/133528: {Polarisers} - G02F 1/133615: {Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side} - G02F 1/1337: Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers - G02F 1/1339: Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells - G02F 1/134309: {characterised by their geometrical arrangement} - G02B 6/0055: {Reflecting element, sheet or layer} - G02B 6/0056: {for producing polarisation effects, e.g. by a surface with polarizing properties or by an additional polarizing elements} - G02B 6/0088: {of the light guide or other optical sheets in the package} - G02F 1/133519: {Overcoatings} - G02F 1/133553: {Reflecting elements (associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133605)} - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract According to one embodiment, a display device comprises a light source, a light guide, a flexible display panel, and a first polarizer. The light guide includes first and second surfaces and a side surface. The flexible display panel includes a display area on which the light from the first surface is incident. The first polarizer is disposed between the light guide and the display panel. The display panel is opposed to the first surface. An end portion of the display panel is bent toward the second surface along the side surface. The first polarizer faces the side surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A display device, comprising: a light source; a light guide including a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and allowing light from the light source to be emitted from the first surface; a flexible display panel including a display area on which the light from the first surface is incident; and a first polarizer between the light guide and the display panel, wherein the display panel is opposed to the first surface, an end portion of the display panel is bent toward the second surface along the side surface, and the first polarizer faces the side surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The display device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizer comprises: a first layer allowing a first polarization component of light to be transmitted and absorbing a second polarization component; and a second layer disposed between the first layer and the side surface to allow the first polarization component of light from the side surface to be transmitted and to reflect the second polarization component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The display device of claim 2, wherein the display panel includes a light-shielding layer opposed to the side surface, in a bent area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The display device of claim 3, further comprising: a second polarizer, wherein the display panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the second polarizer is bent along the side surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The display device of claim 3, further comprising: a second polarizer, wherein the display panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the second polarizer is not provided in an area where the display panel is bent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The display device of claim 1, wherein the display panel includes a reflective layer which reflects light from the side surface, in a bent area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The display device of claim 6, wherein the display panel comprises: a switching element provided in each of pixels in the display area and including a semiconductor layer; and a metal layer between the semiconductor layer and the light guide, and the reflective layer is formed of a same material as the metal layer, in a same layer as the metal layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The display device of claim 3, wherein the display panel and an end portion of the first polarizer are located on a side of the second surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The display device of claim 8, wherein the display panel comprises: a flexible first substrate; a flexible second substrate opposed to the first substrate; a frame-shaped sealing member which sticks the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed in space surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the sealing member, and the sealing member is located on a side of the second surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The display device of claim 8, further comprising: a reflective member which covers the second surface, wherein the end portion of the first polarizer is bonded to the reflective member. ### Claim 11 A display device, comprising: a light source; a light guide including a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and allowing light from the light source to be emitted from the first surface; a flexible display panel including a display area on which the light from the first surface is incident; and a reflective member facing the side surface, wherein the display panel is bent along the side surface, the reflective member is located between the display panel and the side surface, in an area where the display panel is bent, and a total of a thickness of the display panel and a thickness of the reflective member in the area where the display panel is bent is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the display panel in the display area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein the reflective member is a reflective polarizer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The display device of claim 12, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises: a first layer allowing a first polarization component of light to be transmitted and absorbing a second polarization component; and a second layer disposed between the first layer and the side surface to allow the first polarization component of the light from the side surface to be transmitted and to reflect the second polarization component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein the display panel includes a light-shielding layer opposed to the side surface, in a bent area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, further comprising: a first polarizer and a second polarizer, wherein the display panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the second polarizer is bent along the side surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, further comprising: a first polarizer and a second polarizer, wherein the display panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and the second polarizer is not provided in an area where the display panel is bent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein an end portion of the display panel is located on a side of the second surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein the display panel comprises: a flexible first substrate; a flexible second substrate opposed to the first substrate; a frame-shaped sealing member which sticks the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed in space surrounded by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the sealing member, and the sealing member is located on a side of the second surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein the reflective member is in contact with the side surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The display device of claim 11, wherein the reflective member includes a layer formed of a metal material.