This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0170829 filed on Dec. 19, 2019, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

(1) Field

The invention relates to a display device with increased product reliability.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Display devices display various images on a display screen to provide information to users. In general, a display device displays information within a display screen of a display panel. Flexible display devices have been developed to include flexible display panels capable of being folded.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiment provides a display device with increased product reliability.

According to an embodiment, a display device includes a display module including a first region, a second region and a third region arranged in order; a first plate corresponding to the first region of the display module; a second plate corresponding to the third region of the display module and spaced apart from the first plate at the second region of the display module; and a cover film attached to the first plate and the second plate.

In an embodiment, the cover film may include: a first attachment region attached to the first plate; a second attachment region attached to the second plate; and a connection region between the first attachment region and the second attachment region. The connection region may include a plurality of bent portions.

In an embodiment, the first attachment region may be attached to a bottom surface of the first plate. The second attachment region may be attached to a bottom surface of the second plate.

In an embodiment, the plurality of bent portions may be in a gap between the first plate and the second plate.

In an embodiment, the plurality of bent portions may include: a first bent portion between the first plate and the display module; and a second bent portion between the second plate and the display module.

In an embodiment, the plurality of bent portions may include: a first bent portion below the first plate; and a second bent portion below the second plate.

In an embodiment, the cover film may cover a portion of a side surface of the first plate and a portion of a side surface of the second plate.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a first adhesive layer between the cover film and the first plate; and a second adhesive layer between the cover film and the second plate.

In an embodiment, the first adhesive layer may have a bar shape which extends along a first direction. The second adhesive layer may have a bar shape which extends along the first direction.

In an embodiment, a length along the first direction of each of the first and second adhesive layers may be substantially the same as a width of the cover film along the first direction.

In an embodiment, the first adhesive layer may include: a first adhesive region which extends along a first direction; a second adhesive region which extends along a second direction from one end of the first adhesive region, the second direction intersecting the first direction; and a third adhesive region which extends along the second direction from another end of the first adhesive region. The second adhesive layer may include: a fourth adhesive region which extends along the first direction; a fifth adhesive region which extends along the second direction from one end of the fourth adhesive region; and a sixth adhesive region which extends along the second direction from another end of the fourth adhesive region. The second adhesive region, the third adhesive region, the fifth adhesive region and the sixth adhesive region may each be between the first adhesive region and the fourth adhesive region.

In an embodiment, a width along the first direction of the cover film, may be less than a distance between the second adhesive region and the third adhesive region.

In an embodiment, the first region and the third region may be unfolding areas. The second region may be a folding area.

In an embodiment, a partial region of the first plate may be below the second region. A partial region of the second plate may be below the second region.

In an embodiment, the display module which is unfolded may be flat; and the display module which is folded may dispose the first region and the third region facing each other. The first plate is movable together with folding or unfolding of the display module. The second plate is movable together with the folding or unfolding of the display module. The cover film is deformable together with the folding or unfolding of the display module.

In an embodiment, the cover film may be a flexible film.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a first intermediate adhesive layer between the display module and the first plate, the first intermediate adhesive layer overlapping the first region; a first step compensation film between the display module and the first plate, the first step compensation film overlapping the second region; a second intermediate adhesive layer between the display module and the second plate, the second intermediate adhesive layer overlapping the third region; and a second step compensation film between the display module and the second plate, the second step compensation film overlapping the second region.

According to an embodiment, a display device includes a display module which is foldable and unfoldable, the display module including: a folding area at which the display module is foldable, and a first non-folding area and a second non-folding area facing each other with the folding area therebetween; a first plate corresponding to the first non-folding area of the display module, the first plate movable together with the display module; a second plate corresponding to the second non-folding area of the display module and spaced apart from the first plate at the folding area, the second plate movable together with the display module; and a cover film deformable together with the display module and connected between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate and the second plate which are spaced apart from each other, define a gap space therebetween, at the folding area, and the cover film covers the gap space which is between the first plate and the second plate.

In an embodiment, the cover film may include: a first attachment region attached to the first plate; a second attachment region attached to the second plate; and a connection region between the first attachment region and the second attachment region, the connection region including a plurality of bent portions.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a first adhesive layer between the cover film and the first plate, the first adhesive layer extending along a first direction; and a second adhesive layer between the cover film and the second plate, the second adhesive layer extending along the first direction. A length along the first direction of each of the first and second adhesive layers may be equal to or greater than a width along the first direction of the cover film.

