KR102703335B1 - Antenna device and display device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An antenna element of embodiments of the present invention includes a first dielectric layer, an antenna pattern disposed on the first dielectric layer and including a mesh structure, and a spacer pattern disposed on the first dielectric layer and distributed within the mesh structure of the antenna pattern. Through the spacer pattern, gain reduction, frequency disturbance, etc. due to the upper dielectric layer can be suppressed.

Description

{ANTENNA DEVICE AND DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an antenna element and a display device including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antenna element including a radiating electrode and a dielectric layer, and a display device including the same.

Recently, with the development of the information society, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are being combined with display devices and implemented in the form of, for example, smartphones. In this case, an antenna may be combined with the display device to perform a communication function.

As mobile communication technology has evolved recently, an antenna for performing high-frequency band communication needs to be combined with the display device. As the display device becomes thinner and lighter, the space where the antenna can be mounted can also be reduced. Accordingly, the size of the antenna inserted into the display device also needs to be reduced.

As the antenna is coupled to the display device, the radiation characteristics and impedance characteristics of the antenna may be disturbed by structures included in the display device. For example, the radiation characteristics of the antenna set to a desired frequency and impedance may be changed by dielectric structures laminated over the antenna.

Therefore, an antenna design is required that is free from the influence of the structures of the display device and implements radiation of a desired high-frequency band. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0095451 discloses an antenna integrated into a display panel, but as described above, it does not sufficiently consider compatibility with the display device.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0095451

An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna element having improved radiation characteristics and signal efficiency.

One object of the present invention is to provide a display device including an antenna element having improved radiation characteristics and signal efficiency.

1. An antenna element comprising: a first dielectric layer; an antenna pattern disposed on the first dielectric layer and including a mesh structure; and a spacer pattern disposed on the first dielectric layer and distributed within the mesh structure of the antenna pattern.

2. An antenna element in the above 1, wherein the mesh structure includes a plurality of unit cells, and a plurality of spacer patterns are arranged within the unit cells.

3. In the above 2, the spacer patterns partially fill the unit cell respectively and are spaced apart from the mesh structure, the antenna element.

4. An antenna element in the above 3, wherein each of the spacer patterns is spaced apart from a side wall of the unit cell by 0.5 μm or more and fills 50% or more of the unit cell area in the planar direction.

5. An antenna element according to 1 above, wherein the antenna pattern includes a radiating electrode and a transmission line extending from the radiating electrode.

6. An antenna element according to 5 above, wherein the radiation electrode and the transmission line share the mesh structure, and the spacer patterns are distributed together within the radiation electrode and the transmission line.

7. An antenna element further comprising a signal pad connected to the transmission line on the first dielectric layer in the above 5; and an insulating pattern disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the signal pad.

8. An antenna element in the above 1, wherein the height of the spacer pattern is greater than the height of the antenna pattern.

9. An antenna element further comprising a second dielectric layer laminated on the antenna pattern and the spacer pattern in the above 8.

10. In the above 9, the second dielectric layer is physically separated from the antenna pattern, the antenna element.

11. An antenna element in the above 9, wherein an air gap is formed between the antenna pattern and the second dielectric layer.

12. An antenna element according to the above 10, further comprising a dummy mesh electrode arranged around the antenna pattern on the first dielectric layer and including a plurality of dummy unit cells.

13. An antenna element further comprising a dummy spacer pattern arranged within the dummy unit cells in the above 12.

14. An antenna element further comprising a peripheral spacer pattern arranged around the antenna pattern on the first dielectric layer in the above 1.

15. A display device comprising the antenna elements of the embodiments described above.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a spacer pattern may be formed within the mesh structure of an antenna pattern including a mesh structure. An upper dielectric layer may be formed on the spacer pattern. The spacer pattern may be spaced apart from the antenna pattern to separate/isolate the upper dielectric layer and the antenna pattern from each other.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent or reduce disturbances such as radiation interference and frequency shift caused by the dielectric/insulating structure placed over the antenna pattern. In addition, it is possible to suppress gain loss caused by the upper dielectric layer.

In addition, by employing a mesh structure, the transmittance through the antenna pattern can be increased while the radiation/gain efficiency can be improved through the spacer pattern.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, illustrating antenna elements according to exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna element according to some exemplary embodiments.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic plan views illustrating antenna elements according to some exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna element according to some exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to exemplary embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna element including an antenna pattern including a mesh structure and an insulating pattern that can be arranged within the mesh structure of the antenna pattern.

The above antenna element may be, for example, a microstrip patch antenna manufactured in the form of a transparent film. The film antenna may be applied to, for example, a communication device for high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency (for example, 3G, 4G, 5G or higher) mobile communications.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a display device including the antenna element. The application target of the antenna element is not limited to the display device, and can be applied to various objects or structures such as vehicles, home appliances, buildings, etc.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the contents of the invention described above, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, showing antenna elements according to exemplary embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the illustration of the second dielectric layer (150) is omitted in Figure 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the antenna element may include a first dielectric layer (100), an antenna electrode layer (110) disposed on an upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100), and a spacer pattern (130). A second dielectric layer (150) may be disposed on the antenna electrode layer (110) and the spacer pattern (130).

The first dielectric layer (100) may be provided as a base dielectric layer or a lower dielectric layer of the antenna element. For example, electrostatic capacitance or inductance is generated between the antenna electrode layer (110) and the ground layer (90) facing each other by the first dielectric layer (100), so that the radiation characteristics (e.g., vertical radiation characteristics), frequency band, etc. of the antenna electrode layer (110) can be adjusted.

The first dielectric layer (100) may include an insulating material having a predetermined permittivity. For example, the first dielectric layer (100) may include a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, or polybutylene terephthalate; a cellulose resin such as diacetyl cellulose or triacetyl cellulose; a polycarbonate resin; an acrylic resin such as polymethyl (meth) acrylate or polyethyl (meth) acrylate; a styrene resin such as polystyrene or an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer; a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyolefin having a cyclo- or norbornene structure, or an ethylene-propylene copolymer; a vinyl chloride resin; an amide resin such as nylon or an aromatic polyamide; an imide resin; a polyethersulfone resin; a sulfone resin; a polyether ether ketone resin; a sulfated polyphenylene resin; It may include transparent resin materials such as vinyl alcohol-based resin; vinylidene chloride-based resin; vinyl butyral-based resin; allylate-based resin; polyoxymethylene-based resin; epoxy-based resin; urethane-based or acrylic urethane-based resin; silicone-based resin, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In some embodiments, an adhesive film, such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA), an optically clear resin (OCR), or the like, may be included in the first dielectric layer (100). In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer (100) may include an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, glass, or the like.

The first dielectric layer (100) may be provided substantially as a single layer. In one embodiment, the first dielectric layer (100) may include a multilayer structure of at least two layers.

In some embodiments, the permittivity of the first dielectric layer (110) may be adjusted to a range of about 1.5 to 12. If the permittivity exceeds about 12, the driving frequency may be excessively reduced, so that antenna radiation/driving in a desired high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency band may not be realized.

The antenna electrode layer (110) may be formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100). The antenna electrode layer (110) may include an antenna pattern including a radiation electrode (112) and a transmission line (114). For example, a plurality of the antenna patterns may be arranged on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100) while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

The antenna electrode layer (110) may include a mesh structure. According to exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the radiation electrode (112) and the transmission line (114) may be formed with the mesh structure. The transmission line (114) may extend from one end of the radiation electrode (112) and share the mesh structure with the radiation electrode (112).

The above mesh structure can be defined by a collection of a plurality of unit cells (50) defined by electrode lines intersecting each other. For example, each unit cell (50) can have a rhombus shape as shown in FIG. 2. However, the unit cell (50) can be formed in various shapes such as a polygon, circle, or ellipse.

According to exemplary embodiments, a spacer pattern (130) may be arranged within a unit cell (50). The spacer pattern (130) may have a pillar pattern, an island pattern, or a bar pattern shape arranged within the unit cell (50).

For example, an antenna electrode layer (110) including the mesh structure may be formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100), and a spacer film may be formed on the antenna electrode layer (110). The spacer film may include a photosensitive resin such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a novolac resin, or the like.

Thereafter, the spacer film can be etched through a photolithography process including an exposure process to form a spacer pattern (130) within the unit cell (50).

The spacer pattern (130) may be formed on the same layer or level as the antenna electrode layer (110). For example, the spacer pattern (130) and the antenna electrode layer (110) may be positioned together on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100).

The spacer pattern (130) may be physically separated or spaced from the mesh structure (e.g., the electrode lines of the mesh structure) included in the radiation electrode (112) and/or the transmission line (114). For example, the spacer pattern (130) may be spaced apart from the adjacent electrode lines by about 0.5 μm or more.

Accordingly, radiation interference such as gain reduction and frequency shift of the radiation electrode (112) due to the spacer pattern (130) can be suppressed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the height of the spacer pattern (130) may be greater than the height of the antenna electrode layer (110) (e.g., the height of the electrode line of the mesh structure). Accordingly, the spacer pattern (130) may protrude from the upper surface of the antenna electrode layer (110) in the cross-sectional direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, spacer patterns (130) may be arranged in each unit cell (50). In some embodiments, spacer patterns (130) may be arranged in some of the unit cells (50) included in the mesh structure.

The antenna electrode layer (110) may further include a signal pad (115). For example, an end of a transmission line (114) may be electrically connected to the signal pad (115). For example, the signal pad (115) may be bonded to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). A power/antenna control signal may be applied to the signal pad (115) from, for example, an antenna driver integrated circuit (IC) chip through the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In some embodiments, a ground pad (117) may be arranged around the signal pad (115). For example, a pair of ground pads (117) may be arranged with the signal pad (115) interposed therebetween. The ground pads (117) may be electrically and physically separated from the transmission line (114) and the signal pad (115).

In some embodiments, an insulating pattern (132) may be formed on the signal pad (115) and/or the ground pad (117). The insulating pattern (132) may cover a portion of the upper surface of the signal pad (115) and/or the ground pad (117) in a planar direction. The insulating pattern (132) may be omitted as an optional configuration.

The insulating pattern (132) can be formed through the same process as the spacer pattern (130) arranged within the unit cell (50) of the radiation electrode (112) and the transmission line (114). For example, through the photolithography process for the spacer film described above, a portion of the spacer film can be converted into the insulating pattern (132) formed on the signal pad (115) and/or the ground pad (117).

As described above, since the insulating pattern (132) is formed on the signal pad (115) and/or the ground pad (117), the stress generated on the pads (115, 117) during the pressing/bonding process of the flexible printed circuit board can be absorbed or distributed.

The antenna electrode layer (110) 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), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy thereof. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof. For example, silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (e.g., a silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy) may be used to implement low resistance.

In one embodiment, the antenna electrode layer (110) may include copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (e.g., a copper-calcium (CuCa) alloy) considering low resistance and fine linewidth patterning.

In some embodiments, the antenna electrode layer (110) may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (ITZO), or zinc oxide (ZnOx).

In some embodiments, the antenna electrode layer (110) may include a laminated structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer, and may have, for example, a three-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the flexible characteristic may be improved by the metal layer, while the resistance may be lowered, thereby improving the signal transmission speed, and the corrosion resistance and transparency may be improved by the transparent conductive oxide layer.

In some embodiments, the signal pad (115) and the ground pad (117) may have a solid structure including the metal or alloy described above. Accordingly, for example, the power supply/signal transmission efficiency from the antenna driving IC chip can be increased.

A second dielectric layer (150) may be arranged on the antenna electrode layer (110) and the spacer pattern (130). The second dielectric layer (150) may include the organic insulating material and/or inorganic insulating material described above.

The second dielectric layer (150) is provided as an upper dielectric layer of the antenna element, and may also be provided as a protective layer or encapsulation layer of the antenna element. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer (150) may include an optical film, such as a polarizing plate, a phase difference film, an anti-reflection film, an anti-fingerprint film, an anti-static film, a hard coating film, a window film, a cover glass, etc., included in a display device.

As described above, a spacer pattern (130) having a height greater than that of the antenna electrode layer (110) may be arranged within the mesh structure included in the antenna electrode layer (110). Accordingly, the second dielectric layer (150) may be physically spaced from the radiation electrode (130). For example, an air gap (160) may be formed between the second dielectric layer (150) and the antenna electrode layer (110).

As the second dielectric layer (150) is separated from the antenna electrode layer (110), the reduction in radiation gain caused by the upper dielectric layer can be suppressed or reduced. In addition, the frequency shift phenomenon that occurs when the second dielectric layer (150) comes into contact with the antenna electrode layer (110) can also be prevented.

In some embodiments, a ground layer (90) may be disposed on the lower surface of the first dielectric layer (100). The ground layer (90) may overlap the antenna pattern with the first dielectric layer (100) interposed therebetween. For example, the ground layer (90) may entirely overlap the radiation electrode (112) of the antenna pattern.

In some embodiments, the ground layer (90) may be included as a separate component of the antenna element. In some embodiments, a conductive member of a display device on which the antenna element is mounted may be provided as the ground layer.

The conductive member may include, for example, various wires such as a gate electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) included in a display panel, a scan line or a data line, or various electrodes such as a pixel electrode or a common electrode.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an antenna element according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3, a dummy mesh electrode (120) may be formed around the radiation electrode (112). For example, a conductive film may be formed on the first dielectric layer (100). While the conductive film is etched to form a mesh structure, the conductive film may be etched along the profile of the radiation electrode (112) to form a separation region that separates the radiation electrode (112) and the dummy mesh electrode (120).

The dummy mesh electrode (120) may be defined by assembling a plurality of dummy unit cells (60). As the dummy mesh electrode (120) is distributed adjacent to the radiation electrode (112), the uniformity of the electrode pattern distribution around the radiation electrode (112) is increased, thereby preventing the radiation electrode (112) from being recognized by a user of, for example, a display device. The dummy mesh electrode (120) may also be arranged around the transmission line (114).

According to exemplary embodiments, a dummy spacer pattern (135) may be arranged inside a dummy unit cell (60) included in a dummy mesh electrode (120). The dummy spacer pattern (135) may be formed together with a spacer pattern (130) formed inside a unit cell (50) of a radiation electrode (112) from the spacer film described above.

In one embodiment, the dummy unit cell (60) and the dummy spacer pattern (135) may have shapes substantially identical to or similar to the unit cell (50) and the spacer pattern (130), respectively.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic plan views illustrating antenna elements according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, the spacer pattern (130) may have a shape substantially identical to or similar to the shape of the unit cell (50) in the planar direction. For example, the unit cell (50) may have a rhombus shape, and the spacer pattern (130) may be a pattern that partially fills the unit cell (50) and has a rhombus upper surface.

In some embodiments, the spacer pattern (130) may fill about 50% or more of the area of the unit cell (50) in the planar direction while maintaining a predetermined distance from the unit cell (50). For example, the spacer pattern (130) may fill about 50% or more, preferably about 60% or more, or about 70% or more, more preferably about 80% or more of the area of the unit cell (50) while being spaced apart from the electrode line of the unit cell (50) or the sidewall of the unit cell (50) by about 0.5 ㎛ or more as described above. Accordingly, the mechanical stability of the antenna element can be maintained while securing the radiation reliability of the antenna pattern.

Referring to FIG. 5, the unit cell (50) may have a rectangular shape. In this case, the spacer pattern (130) may also be a pattern that partially fills the unit cell (50) and has a rectangular upper surface.

The shapes of the unit cell (50) and the spacer pattern (130) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are exemplary and may be appropriately changed in consideration of the design of the radiation electrode (112) and radiation efficiency. For example, the spacer pattern (130) may have a cylindrical shape.

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining an antenna element according to some exemplary embodiments. Detailed descriptions of configurations and structures substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, peripheral spacer patterns (137) may be arranged around the radiation electrode (112) and the transmission line (114). For example, a plurality of peripheral spacer patterns (137) may be arranged around the antenna pattern including the radiation electrode (112) and the transmission line (114) on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer (100).

As the peripheral spacer pattern (137) is formed, the second dielectric layer (150) can be more effectively prevented from coming into contact with the antenna pattern while preventing the step of the second dielectric layer (150).

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display device according to exemplary embodiments. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a front shape including a window of the display device.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display device (200) may include a display area (210) and a peripheral area (220). The peripheral area (220) may be disposed, for example, at both sides and/or both ends of the display area (210).

In some embodiments, the antenna element described above may be inserted into the display device (200) in the form of a film or patch. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna pattern of the antenna element may overlap with the display area (210) of the display device (200). In some embodiments, the radiation electrodes (112) may overlap with the display area (210), and the signal pads (115) and the ground pads (117) may be arranged to correspond to the peripheral area (220).

The peripheral area (220) may correspond to, for example, a shaded area or a bezel area of a display device. In addition, a driving circuit, such as a driving IC chip of the display device (200) and/or an antenna, may be placed in the peripheral area (220).

By arranging the signal pads (115) of the above antenna element adjacent to the driving circuit, the signal transmission/reception path can be shortened, thereby suppressing signal loss.

As described above, the antenna element may include an antenna pattern including a mesh structure and a dummy mesh electrode (120). Accordingly, the transmittance of the antenna element may be improved and the electrode visibility may be significantly reduced or suppressed. Accordingly, while maintaining or improving the desired communication reliability, the image quality in the display area (210) may also be improved.

In addition, for example, frequency and impedance disturbances caused by upper dielectric structures such as window films, optical films, and cover glasses arranged on the front side of the display device (200) can be reduced or blocked through the spacer pattern (130). Accordingly, communication at a desired high frequency or ultra-high frequency can be implemented with high reliability.

50: Unit cell 60: Dummy unit cell
90: Ground layer 100: First dielectric layer
110: Antenna electrode layer 112: Radiating electrode
114: Transmission line 115: Signal pad
117: Ground pad 120: Dummy mesh electrode
130: Spacer pattern 135: Dummy spacer pattern

Claims (15)

first genetic layer;
An antenna pattern disposed on the first dielectric layer and including a mesh structure; and
A spacer pattern is disposed on the first dielectric layer and is distributed within the mesh structure of the antenna pattern,
An antenna element wherein the mesh structure includes a plurality of unit cells in the form of openings, and a plurality of spacer patterns are arranged within the unit cells so as to partially fill each unit cell and be spaced apart from the mesh structure. delete delete An antenna element according to claim 1, wherein each of the spacer patterns is spaced apart from a side wall of the unit cell by 0.5 μm or more and fills 50% or more of the area of the unit cell in a planar direction. An antenna element according to claim 1, wherein the antenna pattern includes a radiating electrode and a transmission line extending from the radiating electrode. In claim 5, the radiation electrode and the transmission line share the mesh structure,
An antenna element wherein the spacer patterns are distributed together within the radiating electrode and the transmission line. In claim 5,
a signal pad connected to the transmission line on the first dielectric layer; and
An antenna element further comprising an insulating pattern disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the signal pad. An antenna element according to claim 1, wherein the height of the spacer pattern is greater than the height of the antenna pattern. An antenna element according to claim 8, further comprising a second dielectric layer laminated on the antenna pattern and the spacer pattern. An antenna element according to claim 9, wherein the second dielectric layer is physically spaced from the antenna pattern. An antenna element according to claim 10, wherein an air gap is formed between the antenna pattern and the second dielectric layer. An antenna element according to claim 1, further comprising a dummy mesh electrode arranged around the antenna pattern on the first dielectric layer and including a plurality of dummy unit cells. An antenna element according to claim 12, further comprising a dummy spacer pattern arranged within the dummy unit cells. An antenna element according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral spacer pattern arranged around the antenna pattern on the first dielectric layer. A display device comprising the antenna element of claim 1.