Support plate, display screen and foldable electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a support plate, a display screen and a foldable electronic device, and relates to the technical field of display screens. The support plate comprises a first non-bending part, a bending part and a second non-bending part connected in sequence along a specified direction, the bending part is made of a dynamic covalent bond polymer, the bending part comprises a plurality of bending zones connected in sequence along the specified direction, the plurality of bending zones have isomorphic topological networks inside, two adjacent bending zones have different isomorphic topological networks, and have different rigidities based on the different isomorphic topological networks. By using the support plate of the present disclosure, the possibility of plastic deformation of the bending part can be reduced, so as to reduce the possibility of obvious creases appearing on the display screen after unfolding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a support plate, a display screen, and a foldable electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] In foldable electronic devices such as foldable screen phones, the display screen is fixedly connected to different folding parts. During the folding process of the foldable electronic device, the display screen will bend, and the support plate at the bottom of the display screen will also bend.

[0003] In related technologies, to accommodate the teardrop shape of the display screen and reduce creases, the bending portion of the support plate needs to be designed with variable stiffness. Currently, variable stiffness design of the bending portion is often achieved by creating holes of different sizes and numbers at different locations within the bending portion.

[0004] Thus, stress concentration occurs around the holes during the bending process of the display screen, which may cause plastic deformation of the bent part around the holes, resulting in obvious creases on the display screen after it is unfolded. Utility Model Content

[0005] This disclosure provides a support plate, a display screen, and a foldable electronic device, which can solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in related technologies. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, a support plate is provided, the support plate comprising a first non-bending portion, a bending portion, and a second non-bending portion connected sequentially along a specified direction;

[0007] The bending section is made of a dynamic covalent polymer and includes multiple bending regions connected sequentially along the specified direction. The interior of each bending region has a heterogeneous topological network. Adjacent bending regions have different heterogeneous topological networks and different stiffnesses based on the different heterogeneous topological networks.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the middle of the bent portion has a first bending zone, the stiffness of which is lower than the stiffness of the bending zones located on both sides of the first bending zone.

[0009] In some possible implementations, on each side of the first bending region, the stiffness of each bending region increases in a direction away from the first bending region.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the bending portion is a symmetrical structure, with two bending regions symmetrical about the first bending region having the same stiffness.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the dynamically covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying heating temperatures and / or heating durations; or,

[0012] The dynamic covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying light intensity and / or light duration.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the support plate is a single-piece structure, with reinforcing layers inside the first non-bending portion and the second non-bending portion.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the reinforcing layer is a fiber layer.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the support plate is a thermoformed structure.

[0016] In a second aspect, a display screen is provided, the display screen including a support plate provided in the first aspect and its possible implementations.

[0017] Thirdly, a foldable electronic device is provided, the foldable electronic device including a support plate provided by the first aspect and its possible implementations, wherein the first non-bending portion and the second non-bending portion are respectively located at two folding portions of the foldable electronic device.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this disclosure include at least the following:

[0019] By creating different heterogeneous topologies within adjacent bending zones, the two adjacent bending zones can have different stiffnesses. This allows for a variable stiffness design of the bending section without opening holes, thereby reducing the possibility of plastic deformation in the bending section and minimizing the likelihood of noticeable creases appearing on the display screen after unfolding.

[0020] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a support plate provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of another support plate provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another support plate provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a support plate provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a display screen provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the variation of heterogeneous topology networks within a dynamically covalent polymer, as provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 7 This is another diagram showing the variation of heterogeneous topology networks within a dynamically covalent polymer, provided in this embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 This is another diagram showing the variation of heterogeneous topology networks within a dynamic covalent polymer, provided in this embodiment.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 1. The first non-bending part;

[0032] 2. Bending section; 21. Bending area; 211. First bending area;

[0033] 3. The second non-bending section;

[0034] 4. Reinforcing layer;

[0035] 021. Display section. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other. This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0038] This disclosure provides a support plate. For example... Figure 1As shown, the support plate includes a first non-bending portion 1, a bending portion 2, and a second non-bending portion 3 connected sequentially along a specified direction. The bending portion 2 is made of a dynamically covalent polymer and includes multiple bending regions 21 connected sequentially along a specified direction. The interior of each bending region 21 has a heterogeneous topological network. Adjacent bending regions 21 have different heterogeneous topological networks and, based on these different heterogeneous topological networks, have different stiffnesses.

[0039] By using the support plate provided in this embodiment, and by making the two adjacent bending areas 21 have different heterogeneous topological networks, the two adjacent bending areas 21 can have different stiffnesses. This allows for a variable stiffness design of the bending part 2 without opening holes. Compared to the solution where opening holes leads to uneven stress on the overall structure, the structural stress and strain of the support plate provided in this embodiment are continuous. There will be no stress concentration caused by opening holes that will result in plastic deformation. This will reduce the possibility of plastic deformation in the bending part 2 and reduce the possibility of obvious creases appearing on the display screen after it is unfolded.

[0040] In addition, laser etching is often used to create holes in the bending part in related technologies. Laser processing can cause local ablation of the material, resulting in degradation of the material properties around the hole and weakening of the local stiffness of the structure.

[0041] In contrast, the support plate provided in this embodiment eliminates the need for holes in the bending portion 2, enabling a variable stiffness design. This prevents material degradation around the holes due to laser processing, thus avoiding localized structural stiffness weakening. Consequently, the actual stiffness of the bending portion 2 closely matches the designed stiffness, significantly shortening the research and development verification cycle.

[0042] The phrase "each bending region 21 has a different heterogeneous topology network and has different stiffness based on the different heterogeneous topology networks" means that the main factor affecting each bending region 21 is the heterogeneous topology network within each bending region 21. Other factors may also have a certain impact on the stiffness of the bending region 21, but compared with the heterogeneous topology network within each bending region 21, the impact of other factors on the stiffness of the bending region 21 is small and can be basically ignored.

[0043] The statement that "the support plate includes a first non-bending portion 1, a bending portion 2, and a second non-bending portion 3 connected sequentially along a specified direction" does not mean that the support plate can only include the first non-bending portion 1, the bending portion 2, and the second non-bending portion 3. The support plate can also include a second bending portion and a third non-bending portion, with the first non-bending portion 1, the bending portion 2, the second non-bending portion 3, and the second bending portion and the third non-bending portion connected sequentially along a specified direction. In this case, the support plate can correspond to a tri-fold screen electronic device. Similarly, the support plate can also include more bending portions and non-bending portions, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0044] Optionally, the dynamically covalent polymer mentioned in the embodiments of this disclosure can be, for example, but not limited to, a photosensitive polymer, a thermosensitive polymer, or an electrosensitive polymer. By isomerizing and regionalizing the topological structure of the polymer within the dynamically covalent polymer, regionalized elastic modulus regulation can be achieved on a single structure, thus realizing variable stiffness design.

[0045] Optionally, the elastic modulus of the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3 is greater than 70 GPa, and the elastic modulus of the bending portion 2 is between 10 MPa and 5 GPa.

[0046] In some embodiments, the dynamic covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying heating temperatures and / or heating durations.

[0047] In this way, by heating each bending zone under certain heating conditions, the heterogeneous topology network inside the bending zone can be changed, thereby changing the stiffness of the bending zone to meet the stiffness design requirements of the bending zone.

[0048] In other embodiments, the dynamically covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying light intensities and / or durations.

[0049] In this way, by simply illuminating each bending zone and meeting certain illumination conditions, the heterogeneous topology network inside the bending zone can be changed, thereby altering the stiffness of the bending zone to meet its stiffness design requirements.

[0050] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the variation of heterogeneous topology networks within a dynamically covalent polymer, as provided in this embodiment. Figure 6 The solid and dashed lines in the diagram represent two different dynamic covalent segments within the polymer.

[0051] like Figure 6As shown, for dynamically covalent polymers, by activating the dynamic covalent bonds (e.g., photosensitive polymers can be activated by light), the covalent segments within the polymer undergo bond exchange under thermodynamic effects. This allows the heterogeneous topological network within the polymer to transform from a first type of heterogeneous topology to an intermediate type, and then to a second type, thereby adjusting the polymer's stiffness. In this process, the main factors affecting the stiffness of the dynamically covalent polymer are the main chain length, branch chain length, and branch chain density within the heterogeneous topological network. These factors will be discussed below in conjunction with... Figure 7 , Figure 8 To elaborate further:

[0052] Among them, such as Figure 7 As shown, when the heterogeneous topological network is in the first state, the main chain is relatively long, the grafted chain is relatively short and the density is relatively low. At this time, the stiffness of the dynamic covalent polymer is low. Activating the dynamic covalent bond causes the heterogeneous topological network to change from the first state to the second state. In this process, the main chain becomes shorter, the grafted chain becomes longer and the grafted chain density remains unchanged, thereby increasing the stiffness of the dynamic covalent polymer.

[0053] Among them, such as Figure 7 As shown, when the heterogeneous topological network is in the third state, the main chain is short, the graft chain is long and the density is low. At this time, the stiffness of the dynamic covalent polymer is large. Activating the dynamic covalent bond causes the heterogeneous topological network to change from the third state to the fourth state. In this process, the main chain length remains unchanged, the graft chain length decreases and the graft chain density increases, thereby reducing the stiffness of the dynamic covalent polymer.

[0054] Therefore, during the production of the support plate, different dynamic covalent bond activation methods are used for adjacent bending regions 21, resulting in different heterogeneous topological networks within the two adjacent bending regions 21, and consequently, different stiffnesses. Taking photosensitive polymers as an example, two-photon 3D printing technology can be used. The photoinitiator within the photosensitive polymer will generate two-photon absorption at the focal point of the high-energy photon beam, initiating polymerization and curing of the polymer. By controlling the intensity of the incident light, the incident light intensity outside the focal point is insufficient to generate two-photon absorption, with two-photon absorption only occurring at the focal point. This confines the polymerization reaction to a very small area within the focal point, achieving high-precision manufacturing.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the middle part of the bent portion 2 has a first bending region 211, and the stiffness of the first bending region 211 is lower than the stiffness of the bending regions 21 located on both sides of the first bending region 211.

[0056] When the support plate is folded, it will be folded around the middle of the bending part 2. The closer to the middle of the bending part 2, the greater the deformation of the bending part 2. In this way, the stiffness of the first bending area 211 located in the middle of the bending part 2 is small, which can ensure that the middle of the bending part 2 has good deformation capacity.

[0057] In some embodiments, on each side of the first bending region 211, the stiffness of each bending region 21 increases in a direction away from the first bending region 211.

[0058] In this case, on each side of the first bending area 211, the degree of deformation of the bending part 2 gradually decreases in the direction away from the first bending area 211. In this way, the stiffness of each bending area 21 in the direction away from the first bending area 211 increases, so that each bending area 21 can have good support stiffness while meeting the deformation requirements, thereby avoiding excessive deformation of the bending part 2.

[0059] In some embodiments, the bending portion 2 has a symmetrical structure, and the two bending regions 21 that are symmetrical about the first bending region 211 have the same stiffness.

[0060] When the support plate is folded, it will be folded around the middle of the bending part 2. The forces on both sides of the bending part 2 are often symmetrical. By setting the bending part 2 as a stiffness symmetrical structure, the deformation of the bending areas 21 on both sides of the first bending area 211 can be more consistent, so that the display screen will have a symmetrical teardrop bending shape after being folded.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the number of multiple bending regions 21 is three.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, in some other embodiments, the number of multiple bending regions 21 is five.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, in some other embodiments, the number of multiple bending regions 21 is seven.

[0064] While a greater number of bending zones 21 results in a more uniform stress distribution in the bent portion 2 after bending, it also increases the structural complexity of the bent portion 2, making it more difficult to control the structural stiffness tolerance during production. Therefore, limiting the number of bending zones 21 to three, five, or seven ensures uniform stress distribution in the bent portion 2 after bending while preventing excessive tolerances in the structural stiffness of the bent portion 2 during production.

[0065] Among them, although Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In the support plate shown, for support plates used for the same size display screen, the dimension of the bent portion 2 in the specified direction does not change with the number of bent areas 21. However, the dimension of the bent portion 2 in the specified direction can also be adjusted with the number of bent areas 21. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the support plate is an integral structure, and the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3 have a reinforcing layer 4 inside.

[0067] In this way, the support plate is a single-piece structure, which avoids stress concentration caused by splicing different parts of the support plate, thus ensuring relatively uniform stress distribution throughout the support plate. Because the support plate is a single-piece structure, the structural stiffness of the bending part 2 is relatively low to ensure good deformation performance. This results in low structural stiffness of the substrate (dynamic covalent polymer) in the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3. By setting a reinforcing layer 4 inside the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3, the structure of the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3 can be strengthened, giving them greater stiffness and ensuring good support for the display screen.

[0068] The main factor affecting the stiffness of the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3 is the reinforcing layer 4. Other factors (such as the heterogeneous topological network in the dynamic covalent polymer) may also have a certain impact on the stiffness of the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3, but compared with the reinforcing layer 4, the other factors have a smaller impact on the stiffness of the bending region 21 and can be basically ignored.

[0069] In some embodiments, the reinforcing layer 4 is a fiber layer.

[0070] Among them, the fiber layer has high structural strength while having low weight. By reinforcing the support plate with the fiber layer, the structural strength of the support plate can be improved while keeping the support plate low in weight, so as to meet the lightweight design requirements of foldable electronic devices.

[0071] In some embodiments, the fiber layer is a carbon fiber layer or a glass fiber layer.

[0072] Among them, carbon fiber has higher structural strength while having a lower weight compared to other fiber materials, thus better meeting the lightweight design requirements of foldable electronic devices.

[0073] Among them, the glass fiber layer has higher structural strength and lower production cost compared to other fiber materials, which can reduce the production cost of the support plate.

[0074] In some embodiments, the support plate is a thermoformed structure.

[0075] In this way, the overall structural material distribution of the support plate can be more uniform, so that the internal stress distribution of the support plate is more uniform during deformation, thereby reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the support plate during use.

[0076] Optionally, the high stiffness of the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3 can be achieved by introducing a fiber layer. A high-modulus dynamic covalent polymer can be used as a matrix and compounded with dry fiber filaments to prepare a semi-cured prepreg. The high stiffness design of the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3 can then be achieved through layup design and post-curing.

[0077] Based on the same concept, this disclosure also provides a display screen, which includes the support plate provided above.

[0078] like Figure 5 As shown, the display screen includes a display portion 021 and a support plate. The support plate is located at the bottom of the display portion 021, thereby supporting the display portion 021. A first non-bending portion 1, a bending portion 2, and a second non-bending portion 3 are connected to different areas of the display portion 021, thereby providing good support for the non-bending areas of the display portion 021 through the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3, and providing good support for the bending areas of the display portion 021 through the bending portion 2.

[0079] Optionally, in some embodiments, the display screen further includes a protective film that covers the bottom of the support plate to protect the support plate.

[0080] Based on the same concept, this disclosure also provides a foldable electronic device, which includes the support plate provided above, with the first non-bending portion 1 and the second non-bending portion 3 located at the two folding portions of the foldable electronic device, respectively.

[0081] In this way, the first non-bending part 1 and the second non-bending part 3 can support the non-bending part 2 of the display screen at the two folding parts, and when the two folding parts are folded, the bending part 2 can support the bending area of ​​the display screen, thereby ensuring the support effect of the support plate on the display screen.

[0082] Alternatively, the foldable electronic device can be, for example, but not limited to, a dual-folding screen phone or a triple-folding screen phone.

[0083] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

[0084] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support plate, characterized in that, The support plate includes a first non-bending part (1), a bending part (2), and a second non-bending part (3) connected sequentially along a specified direction; The bending portion (2) is made of a dynamic covalent polymer. The bending portion (2) includes a plurality of bending regions (21) connected sequentially along the specified direction. The interior of the plurality of bending regions (21) has a heterogeneous topological network. Two adjacent bending regions (21) have different heterogeneous topological networks and have different stiffnesses based on the different heterogeneous topological networks.

2. The support plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending portion (2) has a first bending area (211) in the middle, and the stiffness of the first bending area (211) is lower than the stiffness of the bending areas (21) located on both sides of the first bending area (211).

3. The support plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, On each side of the first bending region (211), the stiffness of each bending region (21) increases in a direction away from the first bending region (211).

4. The support plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bending portion (2) has a symmetrical structure, and the two bending regions (21) symmetrical about the first bending region (211) have the same stiffness.

5. The support plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dynamically covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying heating temperatures and / or heating durations; or, The dynamic covalent polymer exhibits different heterogeneous topological networks under varying light intensity and / or light duration.

6. The support plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support plate is an integral structure, and the first non-bending part (1) and the second non-bending part (3) have a reinforcing layer (4) inside.

7. The support plate according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reinforcing layer (4) is a fiber layer.

8. The support plate according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support plate is a thermoformed structure.

9. A display screen, characterized in that, The display screen includes the support plate as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that, The foldable electronic device includes a support plate as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first non-bending portion (1) and the second non-bending portion (3) are respectively located at two folding portions of the foldable electronic device.

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