Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed, comprising: a display module; a first supporting member and a second supporting member disposed below the display module and separated from each other, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are disposed relative to a folding axis; and a flattening member disposed on one side of the first supporting member and maintaining one surface of the first supporting member and one surface of the second supporting member on the same reference surface.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0092531 filed on July 30, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device. Background Art

[0004] The display device displays an image and includes an organic light emitting display panel such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or a quantum dot electroluminescent (QD-EL) device, or a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel.

[0005] Mobile electronic devices include display devices that provide images to users. The proportion of mobile electronic devices having larger display screens but the same or smaller volume or thickness than conventional electronic devices is increasing, and foldable or bendable display devices are being developed that can be folded or unfolded when in use to provide a larger screen.

[0006] In a foldable display device, support members separated from each other with respect to a folding axis are attached to a lower portion of a display module to fold the foldable display device. When two support members are attached to the display module, a step may occur between the two support members due to assembly tolerance and use of the foldable display device. In this case, bending deformation of the display module may be visually recognized around the folding axis. Summary of the invention

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device that reduces the occurrence of a step between two supporting members that are separated from each other with respect to a folding axis due to a magnetic planarizing member.

[0008] An embodiment of the display device includes: a display module; a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which are disposed below the display module and are separated from each other, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are disposed relative to a folding axis; and a flattening member, which is disposed on one side of the first supporting member and maintains one surface of the first supporting member and one surface of the second supporting member on the same reference surface.

[0009] An embodiment of a display device includes a display module and a foldable member, wherein the display module includes a first non-foldable area, a second non-foldable area and a foldable area located between the first non-foldable area and the second non-foldable area, and the foldable member is arranged below the display module, wherein the foldable member includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member, a third supporting member, a fourth supporting member, a hinge member and a flattening member, the first supporting member is arranged below the first non-foldable area, and the second supporting member is arranged below the second non-foldable area, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are separated from each other, the third supporting member is arranged below the first supporting member, and the fourth supporting member is arranged below the second supporting member, the hinge member is arranged side by side on one side of the third supporting member and one side of the fourth supporting member, wherein the one side of the third supporting member and the one side of the fourth supporting member face each other, and the flattening member keeps one surface of the first supporting member and one surface of the second supporting member on the same reference surface, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are arranged relative to a folding axis between the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

[0010] An embodiment of the display device includes: a display module; a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which are arranged below the display module and separated from each other, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are arranged relative to a folding axis located therebetween; and a flattening member, which is arranged on one side of the first supporting member, wherein the flattening member is fixed to the first supporting member by an adhesive member and can be detached from the second supporting member.

[0011] According to the above and other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device in which a magnetic planarizing member is used to reduce the occurrence of a step between two supporting members that are separated from each other with respect to a folding axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The display device is shown in a state where it is folded inwardly.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the configuration of the display device shown in FIG.

[0015] Figure 4 and Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the display device shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A side view of the display device shown in FIG.

[0017] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member.

[0018] Fig. 9 is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0019] Fig.10 Shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 The main body of the hinge part shown in the figure and the sub-connection part arranged on one side of the hinge part.

[0020] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a fixed cam according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig.12 is a perspective view of a rotating cam according to an embodiment.

[0022] Fig.13 is along Fig.10 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III'.

[0023] Fig.14 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member according to another embodiment.

[0024] Fig.15 is along Fig.14 A cross-sectional view taken along line V-V'.

[0025] Fig.16 According to yet another embodiment Figure 4 A side view of the display device shown in FIG.

[0026] Fig.17 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member according to still another embodiment.

[0027] Fig.18 is along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII'.

[0028] Fig.19 According to yet another embodiment Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of a planarization component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0030] It should also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it may be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals may represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The display device is shown in a state where it is folded inwardly.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a rectangular shape having long sides in a first direction DR1 and short sides in a second direction DR2 crossing the first direction DR1. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the display device 1000 may have a different shape. The display device 1000 is a flexible or foldable display device 1000 that can be folded or unfolded with respect to a folding axis FX extending in the second direction DR2.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the display device 1000 is divided into a plurality of regions by folding. For example, the display device 1000 is divided into a foldable region FA and two flat non-foldable regions NFA1 and NFA2, in which the display device 1000 is folded. The non-foldable regions NFA1 and NFA2 are spaced apart in a first direction DR1, and the foldable region FA is disposed between the two non-foldable regions NFA1 and NFA2. In the present embodiment, there is one foldable region FA in the display device 1000, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, there may be a plurality of foldable regions in the display device 1000.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the folding axis FX includes a first rotation axis RX1 and a second rotation axis RX2, which extend in the second direction DR2 and are disposed adjacent to each other to provide a dual-axis rotation axis for the display device 1000. The foldable area FA overlaps the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2, and the display device 1000 can be folded relative to the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the display device 1000 includes a display module 100 and a foldable member 200 disposed below the display module 100. The upper surface of the display module 100 is a display surface DS parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The image IM generated by the display module 100 is displayed to the user through the display surface DS.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the display surface DS includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA. An image can be displayed in the display area DA but not in the non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA surrounds the display area DA and forms an edge portion of the display device 1000 provided with a predetermined color.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the display module 100 is flexible and includes a display panel 110 and a touch sensing unit 120 disposed on the display panel 110. The display panel 110 generates an image and displays the image to a user. The display panel 110 may be a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, an electrowetting display panel, or any other display panel that can display an image, wherein the organic light emitting display panel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a quantum dot electroluminescent (QD-EL) device.

[0039] Quantum dots are semiconductor materials with nanoscale crystal structures and are composed of hundreds to thousands of atoms. Since quantum dots are very small, they have a large surface area per unit volume, and most of the atoms of the quantum dots are present on the surface of the nanocrystals and exhibit a quantum confinement effect. Due to the quantum confinement effect, the emission wavelength can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the quantum dots, and the quantum dots have good color purity and high photoluminescence (PL) emission efficiency. The QD-EL device according to the embodiment is a three-layer device including a hole transport layer (HTL) and an electron transport layer (ETL) and a quantum dot light-emitting layer interposed between the hole transport layer (HTL) and the electron transport layer (ETL), wherein the hole transport layer (HTL) and the electron transport layer (ETL) are arranged at both ends of the three-layer device.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the touch sensing unit 120 can sense an external input (such as a user's hand or a touch pen), convert the external input into a predetermined input signal, and send the input signal to the display panel 110. The touch sensing unit 120 includes a plurality of touch sensor units that can sense the external input. The touch sensor unit uses capacitance to sense the external input. The display panel 110 receives the input signal from the touch sensing unit 120 and generates an image corresponding to the input signal.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the foldable member 200 supports the display module 100 and can be folded by rotating around the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2. When the foldable member 200 is folded, the flexible display module 100 is folded by the foldable member 200. When folded, the display device 1000 is folded inwardly by the foldable member 200 so that the display surfaces DS in different areas of the display module 100 face each other.

[0042] The following will refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 A more specific embodiment of the foldable member 200 is described in detail. Hereinafter, a direction perpendicular to a plane parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 is defined as a third direction DR3. The third direction DR3 includes an upper direction and a lower direction opposite to the upper direction.

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the configuration of the display device shown in FIG.

[0044] refer to Figure 3 According to an embodiment, the display panel 110 includes a base layer BSL, a pixel layer PXL disposed on the base layer BSL, and a protection layer PTL disposed on the base layer BSL and covering the pixel layer PXL.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the base layer BSL is flexible and provides a rear surface of the display module 100. The pixel layer PXL includes a plurality of pixels and is driven by receiving an electrical signal to generate an image IM. The protective layer PTL protects the pixel layer PXL, and the touch sensing unit 120 is disposed on the protective layer PTL. The protective layer PTL has a multilayer structure and includes an organic insulating film or an inorganic insulating film.

[0046] According to an embodiment, a window is further provided on the touch sensing unit 120. The window covers and protects the display module 100. The window is made of a transparent material. The window may include plastic, and in this case, the window is flexible.

[0047] Examples of plastics suitable for windows include polyimide, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polystyrene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyether sulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate, triacetyl cellulose (TAC) or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), etc., but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. According to embodiments, the window may include one or more of the plastic materials listed above.

[0048] Figure 4 and Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the display device shown in FIG.

[0049] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the display device 1000, and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lower portion of the display device 1000 .

[0050] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 According to an embodiment, the display device 1000 includes a display module 100 and a foldable member 200. The foldable member 200 includes first and second supporting members SM1, SM2, SM3, SM4, a hinge member HGM, and first and second back surface covers BSC1 and BSC2.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2 are arranged in the first direction DR1, and the display module 100 is disposed on the first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the planarization member PM is arranged to overlap with one side of the lower surface of the first support member SM1 and one side of the lower surface of the second support member SM2. The planarization member PM is made of a magnetic material, fixed to one side of the lower surface of the first support member SM1, and detachably connected to one side of the lower surface of the second support member SM2. Figures 6 to 9 The planarizing member PM is described in detail.

[0053] According to an embodiment, one side of the first supporting member SM1 and one side of the second supporting member SM2 face each other. The foldable area FA of the display module 100 is disposed above a gap between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2, and the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 of the display module 100 are disposed on upper surfaces of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2, respectively.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the third supporting member SM3 and the fourth supporting member SM4 are arranged in the first direction DR1. The third supporting member SM3 is disposed under the first supporting member SM1, and the fourth supporting member SM4 is disposed under the second supporting member SM2.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the hinge member HGM overlaps the gap between the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2, and is disposed between the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4. The hinge member HGM is connected to one side of the third support member SM3 and one side of the fourth support member SM4, and the one side of the third support member SM3 and the one side of the fourth support member SM4 face each other in the first direction DR1. The hinge member HGM provides a rotation axis to each of the one side of the third support member SM3 and the one side of the fourth support member SM4. The rotation axes RX1 and RX2 include a first rotation axis RX1 disposed at one side of the third support member SM3 and a second rotation axis RX2 disposed at one side of the fourth support member SM4.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the hinge member HGM includes a plurality of hinge parts HGP, which are spaced apart in the second direction DR2 and are disposed between the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4. For example, the hinge member HGM includes two hinge parts HGP, but the number of the hinge parts HGP is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the hinge member HGM includes one hinge part HGP or includes more than two hinge parts HGP.

[0057] like Fig.10 As shown in , according to an embodiment, each of the hinge portions HGP is connected to one side of the third supporting member SM3 and one side of the fourth supporting member SM4 to provide a first rotation axis RX1 to the one side of the third supporting member SM3 and a second rotation axis RX2 to the one side of the fourth supporting member SM4. Each of the hinge portions HGP includes a main body portion BDP extending in the second direction DR2 and a plurality of sub-connection portions SCP extending from opposite sides of the main body portion BDP in the first direction DR1.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the main body parts BDP each include a first rotation unit RU1 providing a first rotation axis RX1 and a second rotation unit RU2 providing a second rotation axis RX2. The first rotation unit RU1 extends in a second direction DR2 and rotates around the first rotation axis RX1, and the second rotation unit RU2 extends in the second direction DR2 and rotates around the second rotation axis RX2. The cross-section of each of the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2 has a D-shape. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the cross-section of each of the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2 may have any shape as long as the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2 and the sub-connection part SCP can be connected to each other to rotate simultaneously. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of each of the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2 has a circular shape.

[0059] According to an embodiment, each of the sub-connection parts SCP is connected to one of the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2. The plurality of sub-connection parts SCP include the first sub-connection part SCP1 and the second sub-connection part SCP2, and the main body BDP is disposed between the first sub-connection part SCP1 and the second sub-connection part SCP2. In particular, the first sub-connection part SCP1 and the second sub-connection part SCP2 are arranged on each side of each main body BDP, and one side of one sub-connection part SCP is connected to the first rotation unit RU1, and one side of the other sub-connection part SCP is connected to the second rotation unit RU2. Each pair of the first sub-connection part SCP1 and the second sub-connection part SCP2 faces each other in the first direction DR1.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the first sub-connection portion SCP1 extends in the first direction DR1 and is connected to the lower side of the third supporting member SM3 and the lower side of the fourth supporting member SM4. The second sub-connection portion SCP2 extends in the first direction DR1 and then extends toward the first sub-connection portion SCP1 in the second direction DR2, and is also connected to the lower side of the third supporting member SM3 and the lower side of the fourth supporting member SM4. For example, a plurality of second pin units PU2 may be inserted into a plurality of second connection holes CH2 formed in the first sub-connection portion SCP1 and the second sub-connection portion SCP2 to be connected to the lower side of the third supporting member SM3 and the lower side of the fourth supporting member SM4.

[0061] Reference again Figure 4 and Figure 5 According to an embodiment, the first back surface cover BSC1 is disposed under the third supporting member SM3, and the second back surface cover BSC2 is disposed under the fourth supporting member SM4. The first back surface cover BSC1 and the second back surface cover BSC2 are connected to the lower side of the third supporting member SM3 and the lower side of the fourth supporting member SM4 and cover the hinge portion HGP.

[0062] According to the embodiment, a plurality of third connection holes CH3 are formed in each of the third and fourth supporting members SM3 and SM4 , and a plurality of fourth connection holes CH4 are formed in each of the first and second back surface covers BSC1 and BSC2 .

[0063] According to an embodiment, the fourth connection hole CH4 overlaps the third connection hole CH3 in one-to-one correspondence. A plurality of pin units PU are inserted into the fourth connection hole CH4 and the third connection hole CH3 to connect the first and second back surface covers BSC1 and BSC2 to the third and fourth supporting members SM3 and SM4, respectively.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the first back surface cover BSC1 includes a first bottom cover BC1 and two first side surface covers SC1 extending upward from opposite sides of the first bottom cover BC1 in the second direction DR2.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the second back surface cover BSC2 has a structure symmetrical to that of the first back surface cover BSC1. The second back surface cover BSC2 includes a second bottom cover BC2 and a second side surface cover SC2, the second bottom cover BC2 having a structure symmetrical to that of the first bottom cover BC1, and the second side surface cover SC2 having a structure symmetrical to that of the first side surface cover SC1.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the fourth connection hole CH4 is formed in the first and second bottom covers BC1 and BC2. The first and second side surface covers SC1 and SC2 cover opposite sides of the third and fourth supporting members SM3 and SM4 in the second direction DR2.

[0067] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 6 to 9 The planarizing member PM is described in detail.

[0068] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A side view of the display device shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member. Fig. 9 is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0069] refer to Figures 6 to 9 According to an embodiment, the display device 1000 may be bent in the folding direction FD relative to the folding axis FX. In other words, the display device 1000 may be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state in the folding direction FD relative to the folding axis FX.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2 overlap the display module 100 and are disposed under the display module 100. The first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2 include a metal material and a magnetic material such as stainless steel (SUS).

[0071] According to an embodiment, the first and second support members SM1 and SM2 prevent the display module 100 from bending due to external force and can reduce the bending angle and bending curvature. In other words, even when external force is applied, the first and second support members SM1 and SM2 keep the display module 100 in a relatively flat state.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2 are disposed with a first double-sided adhesive film PSA1 between them and the display module 100 , and are attached to the lower side of the display module 100 using the first double-sided adhesive film PSA1 .

[0073] According to an embodiment, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) or a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) may be used as the first double-sided adhesive film PSA1.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2 are coplanar and spaced apart from each other by a reference distance D0. For example, the reference distance D0 is 0.1 mm or less. The first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2 are symmetrical with respect to the folding axis FX.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the first double-sided adhesive film PSA1 includes a first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and a first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12 that are separated from each other.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 overlaps the first non-foldable area NFA1 of the display module 100 and is disposed between the display module 100 and the first supporting member SM1. In this case, the first supporting member SM1 is coupled to the display module 100 using the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11. Similarly, the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12 overlaps the second non-foldable area NFA2 of the display module 100 and is disposed between the display module 100 and the second supporting member SM2. In this case, the second supporting member SM2 is coupled to the display module 100 using the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12 are coplanar and spaced apart from each other by a first distance D1 greater than a reference distance D0. The first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12 are bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the folding axis FX.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the inner surface of the first supporting member SM1 is closer to the folding axis FX than the inner surface of the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11, and the inner surface of the second supporting member SM2 is closer to the folding axis FX than the inner surface of the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12.

[0079] In this case, according to an embodiment, the foldable area FA and the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2 of the display module 100 are defined by the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12. The first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2 are areas of the display module 100 that are connected to the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 through the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12, and are areas that are slightly bent by an external force and have a substantially flat state. In other words, the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2 are areas in which all of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2, the first double-sided adhesive film PSA1, and the display module 100 overlap with each other and are connected (or attached) to each other. The foldable area FA is an area of ​​the display module 100 that is not directly connected to the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2 (or is not directly supported by the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2), and the area is greatly bent by an external force. For example, for the same external force, the degree of deformation (such as bending angle) of the foldable area FA is at least three times the degree of deformation of each of the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2. The foldable area FA can be switched from a folded state to an unfolded state or from an unfolded state to a folded state by an external force.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the display device 1000 further includes a single-sided adhesive film CF or a height compensation film.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the single-sided adhesive film CF overlaps the foldable area FA of the display module 100 and is disposed between the display module 100 and the first supporting member SM1 and between the display module 100 and the second supporting member SM2. In other words, the single-sided adhesive film CF is coplanar with the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the single-sided adhesive film CF has the same thickness as the first double-sided adhesive film PSA1. The single-sided adhesive film CF includes a first single-sided adhesive film CF1 and a second single-sided adhesive film CF2, which overlap the foldable area FA and are coplanar with the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the first single-sided adhesive film CF1 is disposed between the display module 100 and the first supporting member SM1. Similarly, the second single-sided adhesive film CF2 is disposed between the display module 100 and the second supporting member SM2. The first single-sided adhesive film CF1 and the second single-sided adhesive film CF2 are spaced apart from each other by a fourth distance D4. The fourth distance D4 is greater than or equal to the reference distance D0. For example, the inner side surface of the first single-sided adhesive film CF1 (such as the side surface adjacent to the folding axis FX) is coplanar with the inner side surface of the first supporting member SM1. In another embodiment, the inner side surface of the first supporting member SM1 is closer to the folding axis FX than the inner side surface of the first single-sided adhesive film CF1.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the first single-sided adhesive film CF1 is spaced apart from the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 by a second distance D2, and the second single-sided adhesive film CF2 is spaced apart from the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12 by a third distance D3. Here, the second distance D2 and the third distance D3 may be the same as or different from each other. For example, each of the second distance D2 and the third distance D3 may be 1 mm or less, and may be substantially zero.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the lower surface of the first single-sided adhesive film CF1 is sticky, and the upper surface is not sticky. Similarly, the lower surface of the second single-sided adhesive film CF2 is sticky, and the upper surface is not sticky. In this case, the first single-sided adhesive film CF1 is attached to the upper surface of the first supporting member SM1, and the second single-sided adhesive film CF2 is attached to the upper surface of the second supporting member SM2. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this, and in other embodiments, both the upper surface and the lower surface of the single-sided adhesive film CF are sticky.

[0086] According to an embodiment, when the lower surface of the single-sided adhesive film CF is sticky and the upper surface of the single-sided adhesive film CF is not sticky, the horizontal position of the neutral surface NP is determined according to the positions of the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12, and the horizontal width of the neutral surface NP corresponds to the first distance D1 between the first left double-sided adhesive film PSA11 and the first right double-sided adhesive film PSA12.

[0087] However, when both the upper and lower surfaces of the single-sided adhesive film CF are adhesive, the horizontal position of the neutral surface NP can be determined according to the positions of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2, and the horizontal width of the neutral surface NP corresponds to the reference distance D0 between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the single-sided adhesive film CF has ductility substantially the same as or similar to that of the display module 100 .

[0089] According to an embodiment, the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 support the display module 100 using the single-sided adhesive film CF. Therefore, a phenomenon in which the display module 100 is deformed during the manufacturing process of the foldable display device 1000 or when the foldable display device 1000 is in use can be prevented. For example, a phenomenon in which the display module 100 is pressed down and deformed by a lamination roller in the foldable area FA during a lamination process of attaching the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 to the display module 100 can be prevented.

[0090] As described above, according to the embodiment, the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2 are disposed under the display module 100, and therefore, the non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 are maintained to be substantially flat. In addition, the single-sided adhesive film CF is disposed between the display module 100 and the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2 in the foldable area FA, and therefore, deformation of the display module 100 during the manufacturing process of the foldable display device 1000 or due to the use of the foldable display device 1000 can be minimized. Therefore, degradation of display quality can be prevented.

[0091] According to an embodiment, at least one planarizing member PM is disposed on one side of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the plurality of planarizing members PM have a rectangular shape, and a thickness H1 of the planarizing members PM in the third direction DR3 is much smaller than its length in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, the length of the planarizing member PM in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length of the planarizing member PM in the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM is smaller than the thickness H2 of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 in the third direction DR3. The plurality of planarizing members PM are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction DR2 on one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0093] According to an embodiment, one side of the planarizing member PM is fixed to one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1. According to an embodiment, the planarizing member PM is fixedly attached to one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX by the adhesive member PSA3. According to an embodiment, the adhesive member PSA3 is a single-sided adhesive film, wherein at least one of its upper surface and lower surface is adhesive. For example, the upper surface of the single-sided adhesive film is adhesive and the lower surface thereof is not adhesive. In this case, as Fig. 9As shown in , the adhesive member PSA3 is a base film, wherein its upper surface is attached to a portion of the lower surface of the planarizing member PM, a portion of the side surface of the planarizing member PM, and a portion of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1, and its lower surface is not adhesive. Each of the plurality of planarizing members PM is fixedly attached by a separate adhesive member PSA3.

[0094] According to an embodiment, a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used as the bonding member PSA 3. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) may be a natural rubber adhesive, a styrene / butadiene latex adhesive, an ABA block copolymer type thermoplastic rubber (wherein A is a thermoplastic polystyrene end block, and B is a polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyethylene rubber or polybutylene rubber, a middle block of butyl rubber), polyisobutylene, polyacrylate, acrylic polymer adhesive (such as vinyl acetate or acrylate copolymer) or vinyl ether polymer adhesive (such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl ethyl ether or polyvinyl isobutyl ether).

[0095] However, the shape of the planarizing member PM is not limited thereto. Figure 8 As shown in , the planarization member PM_1 has a rectangular shape in which the length in the second direction DR2 is substantially longer than the length in the first direction DR1. In this case, the planarization member PM_1 is fixedly attached by the adhesive member PSA3_1, wherein the adhesive member PSA3_1 completely covers the area where the planarization member PM_1 and the first supporting member SM1 overlap. In addition, in yet another embodiment, the planarization member PM is integrally formed with the first supporting member SM1.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the other side of the flattening member PM can be detached from the side of the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 adjacent to the folding axis FX. According to an embodiment, the flattening member PM includes a magnetic material. For example, the magnetic material is a permanent magnet. In this case, the magnetic material always maintains a magnetic field. As described above, the second supporting member SM2 includes a metal material and a magnetic material, such as stainless steel (SUS). Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the attraction caused by the magnetic field acts between the other side of the flattening member PM and the second supporting member SM2.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM, the number of planarizing members PM, and the size of the area of ​​the planarizing member PM overlapping with the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 may vary in proportion to the area of ​​each of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2. For example, as the area of ​​each of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 increases, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM may increase, and the number of planarizing members PM and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing member PM with the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 also increase.

[0098] In addition, according to an embodiment, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM, the number of planarizing members PM, and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing member PM with the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 vary in proportion to the thickness H2 and the modulus of each of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2. For example, as the thickness H2 and the modulus of each of the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 increase, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM increases, and the number of planarizing members PM and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing member PM with the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 also increase.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the planarizing member PM is disposed on the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 and the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 in the area of ​​the planarizing member PM overlapping the foldable area FA of the display module 100. In other words, the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 and the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 are in direct contact with the upper surface of the planarizing member PM, and therefore, the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 and the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 are located on the same reference surface. Therefore, no step is generated between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 in the third direction DR3.

[0100] In addition, according to the embodiment, since there is an attractive force between the magnetic planarizing member PM and the metallic second supporting member SM2, a phenomenon in which a gap is generated between the planarizing member PM and the second supporting member SM2 can be prevented. Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the unfolded state can be maintained.

[0101] According to the embodiment, the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 overlap with the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2, respectively, and are respectively arranged below the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2. The third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 can be rotated by the hinge member HGM, and the connection angle between the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 changes. However, the shapes of the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 themselves are not deformed.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the third and fourth supporting members SM3 and SM4 each include a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum or a polymer such as PMMA, PC, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0103] According to an embodiment, the second double-sided adhesive film PSA2 includes a second left double-sided adhesive film PSA21 and a second right double-sided adhesive film PSA22. The second left double-sided adhesive film PSA21 is disposed between the first supporting member SM1 and the third supporting member SM3, and the second right double-sided adhesive film PSA22 is disposed between the second supporting member SM2 and the fourth supporting member SM4. Through the second double-sided adhesive film PSA2, the third supporting member SM3 is attached to the first supporting member SM1, and the fourth supporting member SM4 is attached to the third supporting member SM3.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 are coplanar and spaced apart from each other by a reference distance D5. For example, the reference distance D5 is 0.1 mm or less. The third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 are symmetrical with respect to the folding axis FX. According to an embodiment, the reference distance D5 between the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 is equal to the reference distance D0 between the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the reference distance D5 between the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 is greater than the reference distance D0 between the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the second double-sided adhesive film PSA2 is a spacer tape. Here, the spacer tape may include a buffer member, a first adhesive layer disposed on one surface of the buffer member and adhering the buffer member to the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2, and a second adhesive layer disposed on the other surface of the buffer member and adhering the buffer member to the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4.

[0106] According to an embodiment, the second double-sided adhesive film PSA2 has a thickness sufficient to secure a space for the planarizing member PM fixedly coupled to one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 to rotate when the display device 1000 is folded.

[0107] Fig.10 Shows Figure 4 and Figure 5 The main body of the hinge part shown in the figure and the sub-connection part arranged on one side of the hinge part. Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the fixed cam. Fig.12 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a rotating cam. Fig.13 is along Fig.10 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III'.

[0108] refer to Figures 10 to 13 According to an embodiment, the first rotating unit RU1 and the second rotating unit RU2 extend in the second direction DR2 and can rotate around the first rotating axis RX1 and the second rotating axis RX2, respectively. A first gear portion GP1 providing the first rotating axis RX1, a second gear portion GP2 providing the second rotating axis RX2, and a third gear portion GP3 and a fourth gear portion GP4 provided between the first gear portion GP1 and the second gear portion GP2 are provided in the body portion BDP.

[0109] refer to Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 According to an embodiment, one side of the fixed cam FC is fixed to the main body portion BDP, and the other side of the fixed cam FC includes a ridge FC_a provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the fixed cam FC and a valley FC_b provided on the left and right surfaces of the fixed cam FC. The directions along which the ridge FC_a and the valley FC_b are formed are based on the angle at which the foldable member 200 is opened or closed. The rotating cam SC includes a valley SC_b, which engages with the ridge FC_a of the fixed cam FC to allow sliding surface contact. Therefore, the ridge SC_a is formed at both sides of the valley SC_b. An elastic member is provided at one side of the rotating cam SC, which can be pressed against the fixed cam FC and the rotating cam SC. The elastic member can be, for example, a compression coil spring.

[0110] According to the embodiment, in the operation in which the user folds the foldable member 200, the ridge SC_a of the rotating cam SC gradually rotates toward the peak of the ridge FC_a of the fixed cam FC, and the rotating cam SC moves in the direction of the arrow a. When the ridge SC_a of the rotating cam SC passes through the peak of the ridge FC_a of the fixed cam FC, the rotating cam SC rotates while moving in the direction of the arrow b due to the force of the elastic member, and the foldable member 200 is automatically folded even when the user no longer applies force.

[0111] According to an embodiment, although Fig.13 , but the first gear portion GP1, the second gear portion GP2, the third gear portion GP3, and the fourth gear portion GP4 extend in the second direction DR2 like the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2. When viewed from the second direction DR2, the outer peripheral surface of each of the first gear portion GP1, the second gear portion GP2, the third gear portion GP3, and the fourth gear portion GP4 has a gear shape, and the first gear portion GP1, the second gear portion GP2, the third gear portion GP3, and the fourth gear portion GP4 are engaged with each other.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the first gear portion GP1 is collinear with and connected to the first rotation unit RU1. The first rotation axis RX1 extends in the second direction DR2 and forms a central axis of the first rotation unit RU1 and the first gear portion GP1. The second gear portion GP2 is collinear with and connected to the second rotation unit RU2. The second rotation axis RX2 extends in the second direction DR2 and forms a central axis of the second rotation unit RU2 and the second gear portion GP2.

[0113] According to an embodiment, a fifth connection hole CH5 extending in the second direction DR2 is formed in one side of each of the sub-connection parts SCP. Each of the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2 is inserted into the fifth connection hole CH5 of the sub-connection part SCP, so that the sub-connection part SCP is connected to the first rotation unit RU1 and the second rotation unit RU2. The first rotation unit RU1 and the first gear part GP1 rotate around the first rotation axis RX1, and the second rotation unit RU2 and the second gear part GP2 rotate around the second rotation axis RX2.

[0114] According to an embodiment, the third gear portion GP3 and the fourth gear portion GP4 provided between the first gear portion GP1 and the second gear portion GP2 are idle gears for performing dual-axis rotation control by connecting the two gear portions. In other words, the third gear portion GP3 and the fourth gear portion GP4 are respectively engaged with the first gear portion GP1 and the second gear portion GP2, and allow the first gear portion GP1 and the second gear portion GP2 to rotate simultaneously instead of rotating separately. Therefore, the third support member SM3 and the fourth support member SM4 respectively connected to the first gear portion GP1 and the second gear portion GP2 can be symmetrically folded or unfolded.

[0115] Hereinafter, another embodiment of the display device will be described. In the following embodiment, the same components as those of the above embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and the differences between the following embodiment and the above embodiment will be mainly described.

[0116] Fig.14 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member according to another embodiment. Fig.15 is along Fig.14 A cross-sectional view taken along line V-V'.

[0117] refer to Fig.14 and Fig.15 , implementation method and Figure 7 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is different in that the adhesive member PSA3_2 disposed between the first and second supporting members SM1 and SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2 is a double-sided adhesive film.

[0118] More specifically, according to an embodiment, at least one planarizing member PM_2 is disposed on one side of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the plurality of planarizing members PM_2 have a rectangular shape, and a thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM_2 in the third direction DR3 is much smaller than its length in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, the length of the planarizing member PM_2 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length of the planarizing member PM_2 in the second direction DR2. The plurality of planarizing members PM_2 are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction DR2 on one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0120] According to an embodiment, one side of the planarizing member PM_2 is fixed to one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1. According to an embodiment, the planarizing member PM_2 is fixedly attached to one side of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 adjacent to the folding axis FX by an adhesive member PSA3_2. According to an embodiment, the adhesive member PSA3_2 is a double-sided adhesive film, wherein both the upper surface and the lower surface thereof are adhesive. The adhesive member PSA3_2 is disposed between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the bonding member PSA3_2 includes a first bonding member PSA3_21 and a second bonding member PSA3_22. The upper surface of the first bonding member PSA3_21 is disposed in an area where the first supporting member SM1 and the planarizing member PM_2 overlap, and is attached to a portion of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1, and the lower surface of the first bonding member PSA3_21 is attached to the upper surface of the planarizing member PM_2. Each of the plurality of planarizing members PM_2 is fixedly attached by a separate first bonding member PSA3_21.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the upper surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_22 is disposed in an area overlapping with the space between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 and in an area where the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2 overlap, and the upper surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_22 is not adhesive, and the lower surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_22 is attached to a portion of the upper surface of the first adhesive member PSA3_21. According to an embodiment, the upper surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_22 disposed in an area overlapping with the space between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 and in an overlapping area between the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2 is treated to have zero adhesive force by fluorine-based coating or ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. A portion of the first adhesive member PSA3_21 extends between the planarizing member PM_2 and the second adhesive member PSA3_22 in an area overlapping with the space between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 and in which the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2 overlap. A portion of the upper surface of the first bonding member PSA3_21 is attached to the lower surface of the second bonding member PSA3_22.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the other side of the flattening member PM_2 can be detached from the side of the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 adjacent to the folding axis FX. According to an embodiment, the flattening member PM_2 includes a magnetic material. For example, the magnetic material is a permanent magnet. In this case, the magnetic material always maintains a magnetic field. As described above, the second supporting member SM2 includes a metal material and a magnetic material, such as stainless steel (SUS). Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the attraction caused by the magnetic field acts between the other side of the flattening member PM_2 and the second supporting member SM2.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 and the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 are disposed on the upper surface of the planarizing member PM_2 via the adhesive member PSA3_2, so that the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1 and the lower surface of the second supporting member SM2 are located on the same reference surface. Therefore, no step is generated between the first supporting member SM1 and the second supporting member SM2 in the third direction DR3.

[0125] In addition, according to an embodiment, since there is an attractive force between the magnetic planarizing member PM_2 and the metallic second supporting member SM2, a phenomenon in which a gap is generated between the planarizing member PM_2 and the second supporting member SM2 can be prevented. Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the unfolded state can be maintained. In addition, since the adhesive member PSA3_2 is provided between the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2, when the display device 1000 is folded, the second supporting member SM2 and the planarizing member PM_2 can be easily disconnected.

[0126] Fig.16 According to yet another embodiment Figure 4 A side view of the display device shown in FIG. Fig.17 is a plan view of a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a planarizing member. Fig.18 is along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII'.

[0127] refer to Figures 16 to 18 , implementation method and Figure 6 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is different in that a planarizing member PM_3 is inserted into the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 .

[0128] More specifically, according to an embodiment, at least one planarizing member PM_3 is disposed on one side of the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0129] According to an embodiment, each of the first support member SM1_1 and the second support member SM2_1 includes a plurality of grooves HM formed at regular intervals on the sides facing each other relative to the folding axis FX in the second direction DR2. Here, the groove HM is a concave area having a constant depth not exceeding the thickness H2 of the first support member SM1_1 and the second support member SM2_1 in the third direction DR3, located on one of the upper and lower surfaces of each of the first support member SM1_1 and the second support member SM2_1, rather than a hole passing through the upper and lower surfaces of the first support member SM1_1 and the second support member SM2_1. According to an embodiment, ignoring the reference distance D0 between the first support member SM1_1 and the second support member SM2_1, the shape of the groove HM in a plan view is substantially the same as the shape of the planarization member PM_3. The depth of the groove HM in the third direction DR3 is substantially the same as the thickness H1 of the planarization member PM_3. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, in a plan view, the size of the groove HM is greater than the size of the planarization member PM_3 to provide a process margin and a usage margin.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the plurality of planarizing members PM_3 have a rectangular shape, and a thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM_3 in the third direction DR3 is much smaller than its length in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, the length of the planarizing member PM_3 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length of the planarizing member PM_3 in the second direction DR2. The plurality of planarizing members PM_3 are inserted into the groove HM formed in one side of the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX and arranged at regular intervals in the second direction DR2.

[0131] According to an embodiment, one side of each of the plurality of planarizing members PM_3 is fixed to a plurality of grooves HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1. According to an embodiment, the planarizing member PM_3 is fixedly attached to the groove HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX by an adhesive member PSA3_3. According to an embodiment, the adhesive member PSA3_3 is a single-sided adhesive film, wherein at least one of its upper surface and lower surface is adhesive. For example, the upper surface of the single-sided adhesive film is adhesive and the lower surface is not adhesive. In this case, the adhesive member PSA3_3 is a base film, wherein its upper surface is attached to a portion of the lower surface of the planarizing member PM_3 and a portion of the lower surface of the first supporting member SM1_1, and its lower surface is not adhesive. Each of the plurality of planarizing members PM_3 is fixedly attached by a separate adhesive member PSA3_3.

[0132] According to an embodiment, a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used as the bonding member PSA3_3. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) may be a natural rubber adhesive, a styrene / butadiene latex adhesive, an ABA block copolymer type thermoplastic rubber (wherein A is a thermoplastic polystyrene end block, and B is a polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyethylene rubber or polybutylene rubber, a middle block of butyl rubber), polyisobutylene, polyacrylate, acrylic polymer adhesive (such as vinyl acetate or acrylate copolymer) or vinyl ether polymer adhesive (such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyethylene ethyl ether or polyethylene isobutyl ether).

[0133] According to an embodiment, the other side of the flattening member PM_3 is detachably disposed in a groove HM formed in the second supporting member SM2_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX. According to an embodiment, the flattening member PM_3 includes a magnetic material. For example, the magnetic material is a permanent magnet. In this case, the magnetic material always maintains a magnetic field. As described above, the second supporting member SM2_1 includes a metal material and a magnetic material, such as stainless steel (SUS). Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the attraction caused by the magnetic field acts between the other side of the flattening member PM_3 and the second supporting member SM2_1.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the thickness H1 of the planarization member PM_3, the number of planarization members PM_3, and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarization member PM_3 with the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 vary in proportion to the area of ​​each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1. For example, as the area of ​​each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 increases, the thickness H1 of the planarization member PM_3 increases, and the number of planarization members PM_3 and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarization member PM_3 with the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 also increase.

[0135] In addition, according to an embodiment, the number of planarizing members PM_3 and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing members PM_3 and the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 vary in proportion to the thickness H2 and the modulus of each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1. For example, as the thickness H2 and the modulus of each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 increase, the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM_3 increases, and the number of planarizing members PM_3 and the size of the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing members PM_3 and the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 also increase.

[0136] According to an embodiment, in the overlapping area of ​​the planarizing member PM_3 and the foldable area FA of the display module 100, the planarizing member PM_3 is disposed in the groove HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1. In other words, one surface of the groove HM formed in each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 is disposed to be in direct contact with the upper surface of the planarizing member PM_3, and thus one surface of the groove HM formed in each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 is located on the same reference surface. Therefore, no step is generated between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 in the third direction DR3. In addition, a plurality of planarizing members PM_3 are inserted into the groove HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1, so that the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 are arranged in the first direction DR1 relative to the folding axis FX.

[0137] In addition, since there is an attractive force between the magnetic planarizing member PM_3 and the metallic second supporting member SM2_1, no gap is generated between the planarizing member PM_3 and the second supporting member SM2_1. Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the unfolded state is maintained. The attractive force caused by the magnetic field is generated not only between the upper surface and the side surface of the planarizing member PM_3, but also between the inner side surfaces of the groove HM located in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1, so that the unfolded state can be better maintained.

[0138] Fig.19 According to yet another embodiment Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of a planarization component.

[0139] refer to Fig.19 , implementation method and Fig.18 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is different in that the adhesive member PSA3_4 disposed in the groove HM and between the first and second supporting members SM1_1 and SM2_1 and the planarizing member PM_3 is a double-sided adhesive film.

[0140] More specifically, according to an embodiment, at least one planarizing member PM_3 is disposed on one side of the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX.

[0141] According to an embodiment, each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 includes a plurality of grooves HM, which are formed at regular intervals on the sides facing each other relative to the folding axis FX in the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, ignoring the reference distance D0 between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1, in a plan view, the size of the groove HM is substantially the same as the size of the planarizing member PM_3. The thickness of the groove HM in the third direction DR3 is substantially the same as the thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM_3. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, in a plan view, the size of the groove HM is greater than the size of the planarizing member PM_3 to provide a process margin and a usage margin.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the plurality of planarizing members PM_3 have a rectangular shape, and a thickness H1 of the planarizing member PM_3 in the third direction DR3 is much smaller than its length in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. According to an embodiment, the length of the planarizing member PM_3 in the first direction DR1 is greater than the length of the planarizing member PM_3 in the second direction DR2. The plurality of planarizing members PM_3 are inserted into the groove HM formed in one side of the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX, and are arranged at regular intervals in the second direction DR2.

[0143] According to an embodiment, one side of the planarizing member PM_3 is fixed to the groove HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1. According to an embodiment, the planarizing member PM_3 is fixedly attached to the groove HM located in the first supporting member SM1_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX by the adhesive member PSA3_4. According to an embodiment, the adhesive member PSA3_4 is a double-sided adhesive film, wherein both the upper surface and the lower surface thereof are adhesive. The adhesive member PSA3_4 is disposed between the surface of the groove HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 and the surface of the planarizing member PM_3.

[0144] According to an embodiment, the bonding member PSA3_4 includes a first bonding member PSA3_41 and a second bonding member PSA3_42. The upper surface of the first bonding member PSA3_41 disposed in the groove HM in the first supporting member SM1_1 is attached to the surface of the groove HM in the first supporting member SM1_1, and the lower surface of the first bonding member PSA3_41 is attached to the upper surface of the planarizing member PM_3. Each of the plurality of planarizing members PM_3 may be fixedly attached by a separate bonding member PSA3_4.

[0145] According to an embodiment, the upper surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_42 located in the space between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 and on one surface of the groove HM in the second supporting member SM2_1 is not adhesive. According to an embodiment, the upper surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_42 located in the space between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 and in the overlapping area of ​​the groove HM in the second supporting member SM2_1 and the flattening member PM_3 is processed to have zero adhesive force by fluorine-based coating or UV light irradiation. A portion of the first adhesive member PSA3_41 extends between the flattening member PM_3 and the second adhesive member PSA3_42 in such an area, the area overlaps with the space between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 and the flattening member PM_3 overlap in the area. A portion of the upper surface of the first adhesive member PSA3_41 is attached to the lower surface of the second adhesive member PSA3_42.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the other side of the flattening member PM_3 can be removed from the groove HM located in the second supporting member SM2_1 adjacent to the folding axis FX. According to an embodiment, the flattening member PM_3 includes a magnetic material. For example, the magnetic material is a permanent magnet. In this case, the magnetic material always maintains a magnetic field. As described above, the second supporting member SM2_1 includes a metal material and a magnetic material, such as stainless steel (SUS). Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the attraction caused by the magnetic field acts between the other side of the flattening member PM_3 and the second supporting member SM2_1.

[0147] According to an embodiment, one surface of each of the grooves HM formed in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 is attached to the upper surface of the planarization member PM_3 via the adhesive member PSA3_4, so that the surface of the groove HM in each of the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 is located on the same reference surface. Therefore, no step is generated between the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 in the third direction DR3. In addition, each of the plurality of planarization members PM_3 is inserted into the grooves HM in the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1, so that the first supporting member SM1_1 and the second supporting member SM2_1 are arranged in the first direction DR1 relative to the folding axis FX.

[0148] In addition, according to an embodiment, since there is an attractive force between the magnetic planarizing member PM_3 and the metallic second supporting member SM2_1, no gap is generated between the planarizing member PM_3 and the second supporting member SM2_1. Therefore, when the display device 1000 is unfolded, the unfolded state can be maintained. In addition, since the adhesive member PSA3_4 is provided between the groove HM in the second supporting member SM2_1 and the planarizing member PM_3, when the display device 1000 is folded, the planarizing member PM_3 is easily disconnected from the surface of the groove HM located in the second supporting member SM2_1.

[0149] At the end of the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing substantially from the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for a limiting purpose.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Display module; a first supporting member and a second supporting member, disposed below the display module and spaced apart from each other, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are disposed relative to a folding axis located therebetween; a planarizing member disposed on one side of the first supporting member and holding one surface of the first supporting member and one surface of the second supporting member on the same reference surface; a third supporting member, disposed below the first supporting member; a fourth supporting member disposed below the second supporting member; and a hinge member disposed below the first support member and the second support member, wherein the hinge member extends parallel to an extension direction of the folding axis and overlaps the folding axis, The flattening member is fixedly attached to the one side of the first supporting member by an adhesive member and is detachable from the second supporting member, and the flattening member overlaps the hinge member.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The planarizing member includes a magnetic material having a magnetic field, and the first and second supporting members include a metal material and a magnetic material.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the planarizing member, the first supporting member, and the second supporting member has a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the first direction and the second direction; as well as The planarizing member has a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The area of ​​the planarizing member in the plan view is proportional to any one of the size of the area of ​​each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member, the thickness, and the modulus.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The thickness of the planarizing member is proportional to any one of a size of an area, the thickness, and a modulus of each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

6. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more grooves formed in the first supporting member and the second supporting member, wherein: The one or more grooves are spaced apart at regular intervals along the folding axis in the one side of the first supporting member and the one side of the second supporting member, wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member face each other.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The planarizing member is inserted into the groove, wherein one surface of the planarizing member is fixed to one surface of the groove in the first supporting member through a double-sided adhesive film.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: A surface of the double-sided adhesive film facing a surface of the groove located in the second supporting member is not adhesive.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The third supporting member and the fourth supporting member face each other.

10. A display device, comprising: A display module, comprising a first non-foldable area, a second non-foldable area, and a foldable area located between the first non-foldable area and the second non-foldable area; as well as A foldable component is arranged below the display module, Wherein, the foldable component comprises: a first support member and a second support member, the first support member being disposed below the first non-foldable area, the second support member being disposed below the second non-foldable area, wherein the first support member and the second support member are separated from each other, wherein the first support member and the second support member are disposed relative to a folding axis located therebetween, A third supporting member is disposed below the first supporting member, a fourth supporting member, disposed below the second supporting member, a hinge member disposed below the third support member and the fourth support member, wherein the hinge member extends parallel to an extension direction of the folding axis and overlaps the folding axis, wherein the third support member and the fourth support member face each other, and A planarizing member holds one surface of the first supporting member and one surface of the second supporting member on the same reference surface, and the planarizing member overlaps the hinge member.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The planarizing member is fixed to the first supporting member by an adhesive member, and is detachable from the second supporting member.

12. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The planarizing member includes a magnetic material having a magnetic field, and the first and second supporting members include a metal material and a magnetic material.

13. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: each of the planarizing member, the first supporting member, and the second supporting member has a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the first direction and the second direction; as well as The planarizing member has a thickness smaller than a thickness of each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The area of ​​the planarizing member in the plan view is proportional to any one of the size of the area of ​​each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member, the thickness, and the modulus.

15. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The thickness of the planarizing member is proportional to any one of a size of an area, the thickness, and a modulus of each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

16. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The planarizing member overlaps the foldable area.

17. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: Each of the first non-foldable region and the second non-foldable region is fixed to the first supporting member and the second supporting member, respectively, by a double-sided adhesive film.

18. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: A portion of an upper surface of the first supporting member and a portion of an upper surface of the second supporting member include a height compensation film in the foldable region, wherein at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the height compensation film is not adhesive.

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