electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device and a flexible display apparatus, wherein the electronic device includes a display unit, a touch unit, and a drive unit. The touch unit includes a first region and a second region. The drive unit can drive the first region and the second region separately, and the display unit overlaps the touch unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to a bendable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, foldable or deformable electronic devices have become a focal point of next-generation electronic technology, leading to a corresponding increase in demand for foldable display devices that can be integrated into these devices. As consumer expectations for foldable electronic devices grow, the question of how to achieve the desired product specifications, such as deformation effect, lifespan, and display quality, through material and / or structural design has become a key area of ​​development for related fields. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides an electronic device including a touch control unit that can be divided into two or more parts. A driving circuit in the electronic device can drive the touch control unit in each part to provide various functions in different modes of the electronic device.

[0004] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising a display unit, a touch unit comprising a first region and a second region, and a driving unit, wherein the driving unit can drive the first region and the second region respectively, and the display unit overlaps the touch unit.

[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a bendable electronic device comprising a display unit, a touch unit, the touch unit comprising a first region and a second region, a bending axis located between the first region and the second region, and a drive unit. The first region is electrically connectable to a first signal input terminal, the second region is electrically connectable to a second signal input terminal, and the drive unit drives the first region and the second region of the touch unit via the first signal input terminal and the second signal input terminal, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 3 FIG1 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device in a bent state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4 FIG1 is another partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device in a bent state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 5FIG1 is a cross-sectional diagram of an electronic device according to a variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 11 for Figure 10 The cross-sectional view of a portion of the wiring is shown along the tangent line AA'.

[0017] Figure 12 FIG1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to a variation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 13 FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to another variation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 14 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a touch electrode of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 15 FIG1 is a schematic top view of a touch electrode of an electronic device according to a variation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 16 FIG1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device including a braking unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 17 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the brake unit in the closed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 18 FIG1 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the brake unit in the first embodiment of the present invention in the open state.

[0024] Figure 19 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an automatic function of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 20Schematic diagrams of an electronic device in different states according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals: 100 - flexible display device; AL - braking layer; ADH - adhesive layer; APU - braking processing unit; AU - braking unit; BC - bridge line; CO - cover layer; C1 - first connection part; C2 - second connection part; C3 - third connection part; CH - contact hole; D1, D2 - height; DD - display device; DM - driver unit; DP - flexible printed circuit board; DR - display area; DU - display unit; EL - electronic layer; EN - packaging layer; FP - fingerprint recognition area; FPU - processing unit; FR - bending area; F X, FX1, FX2, FX3, FX4 - bending axis; IC1 - first drive circuit; IC2 - second drive circuit; IN, IN1, IN2, IN3, INL - insulation layer; IP - insulation part; IS1 - first signal input terminal; IS2 - second signal input terminal; L1 - first trace; L2 - second trace; L3 - third trace; L4 - fourth trace; LL - virtual line; M1 - first metal layer; M2 - second metal layer; M3 - third metal layer; M4 - fourth metal layer; M5 - fifth metal layer; M6 - sixth metal layer; MP - metal Pad; NFR-non-bending region; OP-optical layer; OPE-opening; P1, P1', P2, P2'-part; P3-region; PC-peripheral circuit; PM-protective element; PO1, PO2-point; PR-non-display region; PP, PP1, PP2, PP3-protrusion structure; PX-pixel; R-radius of curvature; R1-first region; R2-second region; S1, S1-1, S1-2-first surface; S102, S104-step; S2-second surface; S3-third surface; S4, S5-side; S6-sixth surface ; SB-substrate; SL1-first side; SL2-second side; SL3-third side; SL4-fourth side; SUF-support layer; T1-spacing; T2, T3-thickness; TC-timing controller; TE, TE1-1, TE1-2, TE1-3, TE1-4, TE2, TE2-1, TE2-2-touch electrodes; TU-touch unit; TR1-first transmission line; TR2-second transmission line; TR3-third transmission line; VC-virtual circle; X, Y, Z-direction; J-J'-truncation line; θ-bending angle; A-A'-tangent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention will be understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding and for the sake of simplicity, the various figures in this disclosure depict only portions of the electronic device, and certain components in the figures are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, the number and dimensions of components in the figures are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Throughout this specification and the appended claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that electronic device manufacturers may refer to the same components by different names. This document is not intended to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names.

[0029] In the following description and claims, the words “including” and “comprising” are open-ended words, and thus should be interpreted as meaning “including but not limited to…”.

[0030] It should be understood that when an element or film layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or film layer, it can be directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers between the two (indirect case). Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element or film layer, there are no intervening elements or layers between the two.

[0031] While the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used to describe various components, these terms are not intended to be limiting. These terms are used solely to distinguish a single component from other components within the specification. Claims may not use the same terms, but may be replaced with "first," "second," "third," etc., according to the order in which the components are declared in the claims. Thus, in the following description, the first component may be referred to as the second component in a claim.

[0032] It should be noted that the following embodiments may be implemented by replacing, reorganizing, or mixing the technical features of several different embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention to complete other embodiments.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 FIG1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, Figure 1The electronic device in the embodiment may be a display device DD, for example, it may include a laptop computer, a public display, a spliced ​​display, a car display, a touch display, a television, a monitor, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a light source module, a lighting device or an electronic device applied to the above products, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an antenna device or a sensing device. For example, when the electronic device is an antenna device, the display unit in the original display device may be replaced with a minimum working unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the display device DD in this embodiment may be a bendable display device 100, for example, capable of being repeatedly bent along at least one bending axis FX, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the term "bend" herein may mean curved, bent, folded, rolled, flexed or other similar deformations, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The bendable display device 100 will be used as an example of an electronic device to illustrate other embodiments of the present invention. From Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the flexible display device 100 has three bending axes FX. That is, the flexible display device 100 of this embodiment can be bent one or more times along at least one of the three bending axes FX, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the flexible display device 100 may have one, two, four, or more bending axes FX, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the flexible display device 100 can be bent inward or outward depending on design requirements.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the display device DD (flexible display device 100) may include a display unit DU, a touch unit TU, and a drive unit DM. In this embodiment, the display unit DU and / or the touch unit TU are flexible and have a bending axis. These components or layers are described in detail below.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 , and refer to Figure 2 . Figure 2 : is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The structure shown is only a schematic diagram of the stacking arrangement of the various film layers or components, so the thickness or width of each film layer is not limited to Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2As shown, the display unit DU may include a substrate SB, an electronic layer EL, and an encapsulation layer EN. In addition to the aforementioned film layers or components, the flexible display device 100 may optionally include an optical layer OP and a cover layer CO disposed on the touch unit TU. The optical layer OP may, for example, include an organic or inorganic material that can improve the optical performance of the flexible display device 100. The cover layer CO may, for example, include glass or other materials that cover the flexible display device 100 to protect other components or film layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 2 The various film layers and components included in the bendable display device 100 shown in the figure can be applied to the following embodiments, so they will not be described in detail. According to this embodiment, the substrate SB can be a single-layer or multi-layer insulating layer structure, wherein the insulating layer structure can have a supporting function or a buffering function. For example, the substrate SB can include (but is not limited to) an insulating layer, an adhesive layer and / or a supporting layer ( Figure 2 ), wherein the insulating layer may, for example, include a polyimide (PI) layer or other suitable insulating material, the supporting layer may, for example, include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other suitable material, and the adhesive layer may, for example, include a suitable adhesive to connect the supporting layer and the insulating layer to each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the substrate SB may further include a buffer layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] In this embodiment, the bendable display device 100 may include a bending region and a non-bending region, wherein a portion of the bendable display device 100 located in the bending region may be bent, for example, along a bending axis, while the region outside the bending region of the bendable display device 100 may be a non-bending region. Figure 2 As shown, the bendable display device 100 may include a bending region FR, wherein a portion of the bendable display device 100 located in the bending region FR may be bent, for example, along a bending axis FX1. The area outside the bending region FR of the bendable display device 100 may be a non-bending region NFR, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, when the bendable display device 100 has other bending axes in addition to the bending axis FX1, the bendable display device 100 may further include bending regions corresponding to the bending axes.

[0037] The electronic layer EL is provided on the substrate SB and may include a driving element, a light emitting element and / or a light conversion element ( Figure 2(not shown) and other electronic components. The driving element may, for example, include a thin film transistor (TFT), which can be used to drive the light-emitting element, but is not limited thereto. The light-emitting element may include, but is not limited to, a light-emitting diode (LED), and the light-emitting diode LED may, for example, include a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (mini-LED), a micro-light-emitting diode (micro-LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QD-LED), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the chip size of the light-emitting diode is approximately 300 microns (μm) to 10 millimeters (mm), the chip size of the sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (miniLED) is approximately 100 microns to 300 microns, and the chip size of the micro-light-emitting diode (micro LED) is approximately 1 micron to 100 microns, but is not limited thereto. The light conversion element may, for example, include quantum dots, fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, color filter layers, other suitable materials, or a combination of the above materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] In addition, the display unit DU has a display area DR and a non-display area PR located outside the display area DR. Figure 2 As shown, the electronic layer EL may include a plurality of sub-pixels, each of which may, for example, include a portion of a light-conversion material and its corresponding light-emitting element and driving element, and may, for example, emit red, blue, green or other suitable colors of light, and the sub-pixels emitting light of different colors may, for example, constitute a pixel PX, and the electronic layer EL may include a plurality of pixels PX, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the display unit DU of this embodiment refers to a display element in the bendable display device 100 that is used as a whole to display an image or picture, and has various electronic components required to display an image or picture. The display area DR may, for example, be defined by a plurality of pixels PX used for display in the electronic layer EL of the display unit DU, and the non-display area PR is the area of ​​the electronic layer EL outside the display area DR, wherein the non-display area PR may be provided with peripheral wiring and / or peripheral circuits PC, such as driving elements, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the bendable display device 100 may also be other types of display devices, such as a liquid crystal display device. In this case, the electronic layer EL may selectively include a conductive layer, an insulating layer, or a liquid crystal layer, and the bendable display device 100 may also further include a backlight module, but is not limited to this.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 , as mentioned before, Figure 1The display unit DU of the embodiment shown is bendable, for example, the display unit DU has bending axes FX1, FX2 and FX3, which extend respectively along direction X, and the display unit DU can be bent in direction Z at a position corresponding to any bending axis, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the bending axes FX1, FX2 and FX3 can, for example, extend along direction Y, and the display unit DU can be bent perpendicular to direction Y at a position corresponding to any bending axis. In some embodiments, the bending axes FX1, FX2 and FX3 can each extend along direction X or direction Y, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The bending axes FX2 and FX3 can, for example, be located on opposite sides of the display area DR. The angle at which the bendable display device 100 is bent can be adjusted according to design requirements, for example, on the same surface on opposite sides of the bending axis FX (for example Figure 3 The first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 (or display surface) can be substantially parallel to each other or have an angle therebetween. Furthermore, the components or film layers located in the non-display region PR can be bent toward the back side of the display device (e.g., the second surface S2) along the bending axes FX2 and FX3, but this is not limited to the present invention. It should be noted that the bending directions and bending angles of the bendable display device 100 along the bending axes FX1, FX2, and FX3 in this embodiment can be the same or different, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The details regarding the display unit DU in this embodiment are applicable to the following embodiments and will not be further elaborated upon.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 , and refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 14 and Figure 15 . Figure 14 is a schematic top view of a touch electrode of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 15 FIG. 1 is a top view of a touch electrode of an electronic device according to a variation of the first embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the touch unit TU can be divided into at least two areas. For example, Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a touch unit TU divided into two regions (a first region R1 and a second region R2), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the touch unit TU may include three or more regions. Figure 1 As shown, the touch unit TU includes a first region R1 (or a first portion) and a second region R2 (or a second portion), wherein when the bendable display device 100 is not bent (that is, when the bendable display device 100 is a plane, as shown in FIG. Figure 2), a distance T1 may be present between the first region R1 and the second region R2. In a top-down direction Z of the flexible display device 100, the bending axis FX1 may be located between the first region R1 and the second region R2, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the touch unit TU may have a first region R1 located on one side of the bending axis FX1 and a second region R2 located on the other side of the bending axis FX1.

[0041] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the display unit DU may at least partially overlap the touch unit TU in the top view direction Z. Specifically, the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU may respectively overlap a portion of the display unit DU, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 2 As shown, the touch unit TU of this embodiment can be disposed on the display unit DU. Specifically, the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU can be disposed on the display unit DU, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the touch unit TU can be integrated into the display unit DU, for example, the touch unit TU can be disposed between the encapsulation layer EN and the electronic layer EL of the display unit DU, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the touch unit TU may include a plurality of repeated touch electrodes TE, wherein a portion of the plurality of touch electrodes TE having the same control unit may form a region. The first region R1 and the second region R2 each include a plurality of touch electrodes TE. For example, Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the touch electrodes TE in the first region R1 may have the same control unit, and the touch electrodes TE in the second region R2 may have the same control unit, but this is not limited to the above. The touch electrodes TE may include, for example, a reflective electrode, a transparent electrode, or a semi-transparent electrode. The reflective electrode may include, for example, silver, germanium, aluminum, copper, molybdenum, titanium, or tin. The transparent electrode may include, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). The semi-transparent electrode may include, for example, a metal thin film electrode such as a magnesium-silver alloy thin film electrode, a gold thin film electrode, a platinum thin film electrode, or an aluminum foil film electrode, but this is not limited to the above.

[0043] like Figure 14 As shown, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE in the first region R1 and the second region R2 (eg Figure 14 The dotted lines in the middle may be regarded as repeated electrode units (such as touch electrodes TE1-1, TE1-2, TE2-1, TE2-2), but this is for illustration only. Figure 14Each touch electrode in the touch unit TU can be regarded as an electrode unit), that is, the touch electrode TE is a touch element with a repeated pattern in the touch unit TU, and in some embodiments, adjacent touch electrodes TE can be electrically connected to each other via a bridge line BC, so that the electrically connected touch electrodes TE form an electrode string extending along the direction X (for example, touch electrodes TE1-1 and TE1-3) or direction Y (for example, touch electrodes TE1-2 and TE1-4). It should be noted that although Figure 14 In the example, only one bridge line BC is shown between adjacent electrode units in the electrode string, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, there may be two or more bridge lines BC between adjacent electrode units in the electrode string, depending on the product design. Figure 14 As shown, the touch unit TU may include a plurality of first connection portions C1, a second connection portion C2, a first transmission line TR1, and a second transmission line TR2. The first connection portion C1 may be electrically connected to an electrode string extending along a direction Y (e.g., touch electrodes TE1-2, TE1-4, etc.), while the second connection portion C2 may be electrically connected to an electrode string extending along a direction X (e.g., touch electrodes TE1-1, TE1-3, etc.). The first transmission line TR1 may transmit signals from the touch electrodes in the electrode string extending along the direction Y, while the second transmission line TR2 may transmit signals from the touch electrodes in the electrode string extending along the direction X.

[0044] Taking the first region R1 as an example, in this embodiment, through the electrode string formed by the bridge line BC, touch electrode TE1-1 and touch electrode TE1-3 can have the same signal, touch electrode TE1-2 and touch electrode TE1-4 can have the same signal, and touch electrode TE1-2 and touch electrode TE1-3 can have different signals. Therefore, the signal of the first transmission line TR1 and the first connection portion C1 is different from the signal of the second transmission line TR2 and the second connection portion C2. However, because the signal of the first transmission line TR1 and the first connection portion C1 and the signal of the second transmission line TR2 and the second connection portion C2 in the first region R1 are ultimately transmitted to the same control unit (e.g., a drive circuit), all touch electrodes in the first region R1 can be considered to be located in the same region, and are not defined as touch electrodes in different regions simply because they receive different signals. The above definition also applies to the second region R2 and is not further explained.

[0045] In addition, the touch unit TU may further include a plurality of insulating parts IP, which are arranged above or below the bridge line BC. A plurality of bridge lines BC may be provided to reduce the problem of poor touch due to broken lines. The insulating part IP may, for example, include a suitable insulating material, and may electrically insulate the electrode string extending along the direction X and the electrode string extending along the direction Y, but is not limited thereto. The first connection part C1, the second connection part C2, the first transmission line TR1 and the second transmission line TR2 may have the same or different materials as the touch electrode. In addition, the first connection part C1, the second connection part C2, the first transmission line TR1 and the second transmission line TR2 may be arranged on the same layer or different layers as the touch electrode, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first transmission line TR1 and the second transmission line TR2 may be the first routing line or the second routing line in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the first transmission line TR1 and the second transmission line TR2 connected to the first region R1 may be Figure 1 The first transmission line L1 connected to the second region R2 may be a first transmission line TR1 and a second transmission line TR2. Figure 1 The second line L2 is provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the materials of a portion P1 of the touch electrode TE located in the first region R1 and another portion P2 of the touch electrode TE located in the first region R1 may be different. Similarly, the materials of a portion P1' of the touch electrode TE located in the second region R2 and another portion P2' of the touch electrode TE located in the second region R2 may be different. Specifically, in this embodiment, the portion P1 or P1' (i.e., the portion P1 of the touch electrode located in the bending region FR) Figure 14 The material of the touch electrodes TE2-1, TE2-2) in the non-bending region NFR may be the same as the material of the other part P2 or P2' (ie Figure 14The materials of the touch electrodes TE1-1 to TE1-4 are different, but not limited thereto. According to this embodiment, the materials of the touch electrodes TE1-1 to TE1-4 may include, for example, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), or other suitable materials, and the material of the touch electrode TE2 may include, for example, silver nanowire (AGNW), metal, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), carbon nanotube (CNT), or other suitable conductive materials, but not limited thereto. Since the touch electrodes TE2-1 and TE2-2 near the bending axis FX1 in this embodiment have a material different from that of the touch electrodes TE1-1 to TE1-4 (or in other words, the touch electrodes TE2-1 and TE2-2 include a material that is more resistant to bending than the material of the touch electrodes TE1-1 to TE1-4), the structural strength of the touch unit TU near the bending area (i.e., near the bending axis FX1) can be improved, and the stability and reliability of the touch display device can be improved.

[0047] Likewise, if Figure 15 As shown, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE in the first region R1 and the second region R2 (eg Figure 15 The dotted box in the middle) can be regarded as a repeated electrode unit (such as touch electrodes TE1-1, TE1-2 and TE2, but this is only exemplary). That is, the touch electrode TE is a touch element with a repeated pattern in the touch unit TU. The repeated pattern may be disconnected, but is not limited to this. Figure 15 As shown, the touch unit TU may include a plurality of third connection parts C3 and third transmission lines TR3, wherein the material and configuration of the third connection parts C3 may refer to the first connection parts and the second connection parts, and the material and configuration of the third transmission lines TR3 may refer to the first transmission lines TR1 and the second transmission lines TR2, so they will not be described in detail here. Figure 14 In this variant embodiment, the material of the touch electrode TE2 located in the bending region FR may be different from the material of the touch electrodes TE1-1 and TE1-2 located in the non-bending region NFR, thereby improving the folding resistance of the touch unit TU structure near the bending region, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the touch display device.

[0048] It should be noted that although Figure 14 and Figure 15The touch electrodes TE1 (including touch electrodes TE1-1 to TE1-4) in the first region R1 and the second region R2 are made of the same material, and the touch electrodes TE2 (including touch electrodes TE2, TE2-1, and TE2-2) in the first region R1 and the second region R2 are made of the same material, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the material of the touch electrodes TE1 in the first region R1 may be different from the material of the touch electrodes TE1 in the first region R2, or the material of the touch electrodes TE2 in the first region R1 may be different from the material of the touch electrodes TE2 in the first region R2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, in some embodiments, Figure 14 The structure of the touch electrode shown and Figure 15 The structure of the touch electrodes shown can be integrated to form the touch electrodes in the bendable display device 100. For example, the structure of the touch electrodes located in the first region R1 can refer to Figure 14 The structure of the touch electrodes in the second region R2 can refer to Figure 15 The touch electrodes shown, or the touch electrodes located in the first region R1 and the second region R2, may each include Figure 14 and Figure 15 The electrode structure shown in FIG is not limited thereto. The above description of the touch unit TU and the type, material and design of the touch electrode TE in the touch unit TU can be applied to various embodiments and variations of the present invention, so they will not be described in detail hereafter. It should be noted that Figure 15 The grid-shaped touch electrode structure shown in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary and does not represent the actual structure of the touch electrode in this embodiment.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 .like Figure 1 As shown, the flexible display device 100 may include a driving unit DM located outside the display area DR. The driving unit DM may be, for example, a package component, and may include a first driving circuit IC1 and a second driving circuit IC2, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first driving circuit IC1 and the second driving circuit IC2 may be disposed in the non-display area PR of the flexible display device 100, for example, by means of a chip on substrate, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that although Figure 1Although not shown, the drive unit DM including the first drive circuit IC1 and the drive unit DM including the second drive circuit IC2 can be connected via a timing controller, but this is not limited to this. According to this embodiment, the first drive circuit IC1 of the drive unit DM can drive the first region R1 of the touch unit TU, and the second drive circuit IC2 of the drive unit DM can drive the second region R2 of the touch unit TU. In other words, the drive unit DM can drive the first region R1 and the second region R2 separately, but this is not limited to this. It should be noted that the aforementioned "the first drive circuit IC1 can drive the first region R1 of the touch unit TU" means that the first drive circuit IC1 can drive the multiple touch electrodes TE in the first region R1, and "the second drive circuit IC2 can drive the second region R2 of the touch unit TU" means that the second drive circuit IC2 can drive the multiple touch electrodes TE in the second region R2.

[0050] More specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the flexible display device 100 may include a first signal input terminal IS1 and a second signal input terminal IS2 located outside the display region DR. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 may be disposed in the non-display region PR of the bendable display device 100. Figure 1 As shown, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 can be disposed on the opposite side of the corresponding bending axis relative to the display area DR. Specifically, the first signal input terminal IS1 can be disposed in the non-display area PR on the opposite side of the bending axis FX2 relative to the display area DR, while the second signal input terminal IS2 can be disposed in the non-display area PR on the opposite side of the bending axis FX3 relative to the display area DR, but this is not limited to the embodiment. In this embodiment, the drive unit DM can be disposed on a circuit board DP. The drive unit DM can be electrically connected to the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2, respectively, via the circuit board DP. The first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 can each include a plurality of connection pads MP, each of which can be electrically connected to the first region R1 of the touch unit TU via a plurality of first traces L1 and to the second region R2 of the touch unit TU via a plurality of second traces L2. The circuit board DP can include, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a printed circuit board (PCB), or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. Through the above-mentioned electrical connection or coupling manner, the first driving circuit IC1 and the second driving circuit IC2 of the driving unit DM can drive the touch electrodes TE in the first region R1 and the second region R2 respectively.

[0051] The touch units TU can be activated in sections, that is, each of the touch units TU is driven by a different driving circuit. Therefore, the flexible display device 100 of this embodiment can provide multiple operating states and functions. For example, one of the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be in an on state while the other can be in an off state. Alternatively, the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be in both an on state and an off state simultaneously, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, because the touch electrodes TE of the first region R1 of this embodiment can be driven by the adjacent first driving circuit IC1, and the touch electrodes of the second region R2 can be driven by the adjacent second driving circuit IC2, the risk of high impedance caused by excessively long traces (e.g., the first trace L1 and the second trace L2) can be reduced, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the flexible display device 100.

[0052] It should be noted that Figure 1 The size and shape of the circuit board DP in the following figures are for illustration only and do not represent the actual size or shape of the circuit board DP. Figure 1 The number and direction of the wiring in the following figures are only examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, Figure 1 There may be more or fewer first traces L1 and second traces L2, or the first traces L1 and second traces L2 may enter from different sides of the first region R1 and the second region R2, respectively, instead of the same. Figure 1 The first and second traces L1 and L2 may be arranged on the same surface as the first and second regions R1 and R2, or on different surfaces, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0053] The materials of the first signal input terminal IS1, the second signal input terminal IS2, the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 may include, for example, aluminum, copper, tin, nickel, gold, silver, other suitable conductive materials or a combination of the above materials, but are not limited thereto. The first trace L1 and the second trace L2 may include, for example, copper, silver, gold, aluminum, other suitable conductive materials or a combination of the above materials, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 may include a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The materials of the driving unit DM, the first signal input terminal IS1, the second signal input terminal IS2, the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 and the manner and design of setting them on the bendable display device 100 mentioned above can be applied to the following embodiments of the present invention, and will not be described in detail hereinafter.

[0054] because Figure 1 The first and second traces L1 and L2 do not pass through the bending axis FX1, thus reducing the number of traces in the bending area (eg Figure 2In some embodiments, the circuit board DP with the driving unit DM can be bent along the bending axes FX2 and FX3 to the back side of the display device, in other words, the side not used for displaying images or pictures (such as the second surface S2, such as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 ), so that the drive unit DM is disposed on the second surface S2. Furthermore, because the portions of the touch electrodes TE in the first region R1 and the second region R2 adjacent to the bending axes FX2 and FX3 can be made of different materials, such as a material that is more resistant to bending, as described above, the probability of damage to the touch electrodes TE due to bending in the bending region can be reduced, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the flexible display device 100.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 FIG1 is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device in a bent state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The materials and settings of the membrane layers shown in Figure 2 , so it will not be described in detail. According to this embodiment, the bendable display device 100 can be repeatedly bent along the bending axis FX1, wherein the bendable display device 100 can have a bending angle θ when being bent along the bending axis FX1. It should be noted that the bending angle θ can be defined as, for example, the angle between the same surface of the bendable display device 100 on both sides of the bending axis (e.g., the bending axis FX1). In this embodiment, the range of the bending angle θ can be, for example, between 0 degrees and 360 degrees (0°≤bending angle θ≤360°). For example, when the bending angle θ is 0 degrees, the first surface S1 (e.g., the display surface) of the bendable display device 100 can be divided into a first surface S1-1 and a first surface S1-2, for example, by the bending axis FX1, and the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 of the bendable display device 100 can be close to each other and substantially parallel. When the bending angle θ is 360 degrees, the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 of the bendable display device 100 can be separated from each other and substantially parallel. When the bending angle θ is 180 degrees, the bendable display device 100 can be in an unbent state, and the first surface S1 is substantially flat (i.e., the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 are coplanar, for example). Figure 2 (as shown), but not limited to this. It should be noted that although the angle between the first surface S1 (including the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2) is used as the bending angle θ of the flexible display device 100, this is only exemplary. In other embodiments, the bending angle θ can be obtained by reference to other surfaces of the flexible display device 100, for example, the back surface of the display device (e.g., the second surface S2), but is not limited to this.

[0056] In addition, according to this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, when the bendable display device 100 is bent, the thickness of each film layer in the bending region FR may be smaller than the thickness of each film layer in the non-bending region NFR due to bending compression, for example Figure 3 The thickness T2 of the substrate SB in the bending region FR is less than the thickness T3 of the substrate SB in the non-bending region NFR, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the thickness T2 and thickness T3 of the substrate SB are measured when the bendable display device 100 is bent. Figure 3 The thickness of the substrate SB is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, when the bendable display device 100 is bent, the thickness of any layer of the bendable display device 100 in the bend region FR may be less than the thickness of the layer in the non-bend region NFR. The above-mentioned bend region FR may, for example, be bent when the bendable display device 100 is bent. Figure 3 The film layers are essentially defined by connecting the two ends where the curved surface begins to appear, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The above definition of the bending angle θ can be applied to the following embodiments, so it will not be repeated hereafter.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is another partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device in a bent state according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the bendable display device 100 near the end portion on the right side of the middle section line JJ′ (or opposite to the Y direction). Figure 4 The materials and settings of the membrane layers shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In addition, the substrate SB may include a support layer SUF, an adhesive layer ADH and an insulating layer INL. Figure 4 As shown, the non-display area (eg Figure 1 The non-display region PR shown can be bent, for example, along a bending axis FX2 toward the back side of the display device (e.g., the third surface S3). Specifically, the substrate SB, display unit DU, touch unit TU, optical layer OP, and cover layer CO of the flexible display device 100 can be bent toward the back side of the display device along the bending axis FX2, while the first region R1 of the touch unit TU may not be bent toward the back side of the display device.

[0058] In this embodiment, the driving circuit that controls the touch unit TU (e.g., the first driving circuit IC1 and the second driving circuit IC2 described above) can be electrically connected to the display unit DU (e.g., the electronic layer EL), and the display unit DU can be electrically connected to the touch unit TU (e.g., by forming a contact hole CH between the display unit DU and the touch unit TU or by providing an additional wire), so that the operation of the touch unit can be controlled by the driving circuit. For example, Figure 4 As shown, the first driving circuit IC1 can be electrically connected to the electronic layer EL of the display unit DU, and the touch unit TU can be electrically connected to the electronic layer EL of the display unit DU through additional wires and / or contact holes (such as Figure 4 As shown) is electrically connected to the electronic layer EL to control the operation of the touch unit TU, but is not limited to this. It should be noted that although Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows only the case where the non-display area of ​​the display device is bent along the bending axis FX2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the non-display area of ​​the display device may be bent along the bending axis FX3. Figure 4 The first region R1 in the embodiment can be the second region R2, but this is not limited to this. The above-described bending conditions are applicable to all embodiments and variations of the present invention and will not be described in detail hereafter. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic layer EL can be calculated from the conductive layer closest to the insulating layer INL, but this is not limited to this.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a variation of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The structure of the display unit DU and touch unit TU is schematically illustrated, with some film layers omitted. The components and film layers included in the display unit DU can be found in the description of the display unit DU above, so a detailed description is omitted. The display unit DU includes a sixth surface S6, a third surface S3 opposite to the sixth surface S6, and side surfaces S4 and S5 connecting the sixth surface S6 and the third surface S3. Figure 5 The variation shown is similar to Figure 2 One of the differences between the first embodiment shown is that the non-display area of ​​the display device in this variation does not include the bending axis FX2 and the bending axis FX3. Therefore, the non-display area of ​​the display device in this variation may not be bent to the back side of the display device (e.g., the third surface S3), but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 1 Another difference from the first embodiment shown is that the wiring of this variant embodiment has a different design. Figure 5As shown, the first and second traces L1 and L2 of this variation can be disposed on the side surfaces S4 and S5 and / or the third surface S3 of the display unit DU. The first signal input terminal IS1 and the first driver circuit IC1, and the second signal input terminal IS2 and the second driver circuit IC2 can be disposed on the third surface S3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first and second traces L1 and L2 of this variation can be fabricated on the side surfaces S4 and S5 of the display unit DU, for example, by imprinting or other suitable processes. The materials of the first and second traces L1 and L2 can include metal or conductive adhesive, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0060] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the bendable display device 100 may further include a protection element PM disposed on the first and second traces L1 and L2, wherein the protection element PM may cover the first and second traces L1 and L2 to protect the first and second traces L1 and L2. The protection element PM may include a suitable insulating material, but is not limited thereto. According to this variation, since the first and second traces L1 and L2 may be disposed on the side S4 of the display unit DU, the surrounding area of ​​the bendable display device 100 (e.g., Figure 1 The area of ​​the non-display region PR) allows for greater variations and design flexibility in the spatial configuration of the bendable display device 100. The wiring design of this variant embodiment can be applied to the above-mentioned and following embodiments of the present invention, and will not be further described.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown, there is a distance T1 between the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU. According to this variation, the distance T1 may be less than πR, that is, T1 ≤ πR. In some embodiments, the bendable display device 100 is in a bent state where at least one layer of the bendable display device 100 is bent so that different portions of the same surface are substantially parallel to each other, for example Figure 3The first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 of the non-bending region NFR may be parallel to each other. In this case, a virtual circle VC may be defined, and the virtual circle VC may be tangent to the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 of the flexible display device 100 (e.g., tangent to the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2 through points PO1 and PO2, respectively). A virtual line LL may pass through the tangent points (e.g., points PO1 and PO2) and the center of the virtual circle VC (in this embodiment, the center of the virtual circle VC may, for example, coincide with the bending axis FX1). The radius of the virtual circle VC may be considered the radius of curvature R of the flexible display device 100. It should be noted that while the virtual circle VC and the radius of curvature R are defined by the first surface S1-1 and the first surface S1-2, the present invention is not limited thereto. Other surfaces of the flexible display device 100 may also be used to define the virtual circle VC and the radius of curvature R. Because the spacing T1 in this variation is less than πR, it can reduce the possibility of touch failure or poor touch due to the excessive distance between the first region R1 and the second region R2, thereby improving the reliability of the flexible display device 100. The design of the spacing T1 between the first region R1 and the second region R2 in this variation is applicable to the above-mentioned and following embodiments of the present invention, and will not be further described.

[0062] Furthermore, although Figure 5 The structure shown is that the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU are located in the same layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the touch electrodes TE (eg, Figure 14 and Figure 15 The touch electrodes TE of the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be located in different layers. For example, the touch electrodes TE of the first region R1 can be directly disposed on the display unit DU, and then a buffer layer can be disposed on the first region R1, and then the touch electrodes TE of the second region R2 can be disposed on the buffer layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto. By disposing the first region R1 and the second region R2 on different layers, the first trace L1 electrically connected to the first region R1 and the second trace L2 electrically connected to the second region R2 can be located in different layers, thereby reducing the area of ​​the non-display region PR of the bendable display device 100, allowing the design of the non-display region PR of the bendable display device 100 to have more flexibility. The design in which the first region R1 and the second region R2 are located in different layers can be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment and the following embodiments of the present invention, and will not be described in detail hereinafter.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 1 ,like Figure 1As shown, the bendable display device 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention may further optionally include a fingerprint recognition area FP, wherein the fingerprint recognition area FP may partially overlap the first area R1 or the second area R2, but is not limited thereto. Figure 1 The fingerprint recognition area FP overlaps with the first area R1, but the present invention is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FP may overlap with the second area R2, or the flexible display device 100 may include two fingerprint recognition areas FP, which overlap with the first area R1 and the second area R2 respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. According to this embodiment, Figure 1 The fingerprint recognition element of the fingerprint recognition area FP and the touch electrodes TE of the first area R1 (in other embodiments, the second area R2) can be arranged on different layers. For example, the touch electrodes TE of the first area R1 can be located above the fingerprint recognition element of the fingerprint recognition area FP, or the touch electrodes TE of the first area R1 can be located below the fingerprint recognition element of the fingerprint recognition area FP. The present invention is not limited thereto. The fingerprint recognition area FP is electrically connected to the processing unit FPU via L3, wherein the processing unit FPU can be arranged on a bending axis (e.g., Figure 1 The first trace L1 electrically connected to the first region R1 and the third trace L3 electrically connected to the fingerprint recognition region FP may be disposed on different layers.

[0064] It should be noted that the arrangement of the fingerprint recognition area FP and the first region R1 (or second region R2) of the present invention is not limited to the above. In some embodiments, the fingerprint recognition element of the fingerprint recognition area FP and the touch electrodes TE of the first region R1 (or second region R2) can be arranged on the same layer, or the two can be integrated with a shared sensing element, with the timing control unit controlling the sensing functions separately. The present invention is not limited to this.

[0065] In some embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FP may include a plurality of fingerprint recognition electrodes (not shown) located in the fingerprint recognition area FP, wherein the plurality of fingerprint recognition electrodes may be electrically connected to the processing unit FPU via one of the plurality of third traces L3. The material of the fingerprint recognition electrode may refer to the material of the touch electrode TE in the first region R1 and the second region R2, so it will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, the "electrode density" may be, for example, the total number of electrodes per unit area of ​​the region, or the distance between any two adjacent electrodes per unit area of ​​the region, and according to this embodiment, the number of fingerprint recognition electrodes (not shown) per unit area may be greater than the number of touch electrodes TE per unit area, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the distance between adjacent fingerprint recognition electrodes may be less than the distance between adjacent touch electrodes TE, but is not limited thereto. That is, in this embodiment, the electrode density of the fingerprint recognition electrode is greater than the electrode density of the touch electrode TE. In addition, in this embodiment, the "routing density" may be, for example, the number of routings per unit area of ​​the region, or the distance between any two adjacent routings per unit area of ​​the region. As Figure 1 As shown, the routing density of the third trace L3 electrically connected to the fingerprint recognition area FP can be greater than the routing density of the first trace L1 electrically connected to the first region R1 and the second trace L2 electrically connected to the second region R2, but this is not limited to this. According to this embodiment, when a user places an object (such as a finger) on the fingerprint recognition area FP, the third trace L3 can transmit the electrical signal generated by the fingerprint recognition electrode to the processing unit FPU, thereby completing the fingerprint recognition task. The above-mentioned and following embodiments and variations of the present invention may or may not include the fingerprint recognition area FP, the third trace L3, and the processing unit FPU, and therefore will not be described in detail hereafter.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 1 , and refer to Figure 2 and Figures 16 to 18 . Figure 16 FIG1 is a schematic top view of an electronic device including a braking unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 FIG1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the brake unit in the closed state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 FIG1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the brake unit in the first embodiment of the present invention in the open state. Figure 1 As shown, the bendable display device 100 may further optionally include a brake layer AL, wherein the brake layer AL overlaps the second region R2, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the bendable display device 100 may not include the brake layer AL, or the brake layer AL may overlap the first region R1. Figure 2As shown, the brake layer AL can be provided under the display unit DU and the touch unit TU, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the brake layer AL may not be provided under the display unit DU, or may replace the support layer (e.g. Figure 4 The brake layer AL can be electrically connected to the brake processing unit APU via the fourth trace L4, wherein the brake processing unit APU can be arranged on a bending axis (e.g. Figure 1 The braking layer AL may comprise a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, and may comprise, for example, a suitable piezoelectric material or a material that deforms in response to temperature or magnetic force, but is not limited thereto. The material of the fourth trace L4 can refer to the materials of the first to third traces L1 to L3 described above, and will not be further described here.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the braking layer AL may include at least one braking unit AU. Figure 15 As shown, the braking layer AL may include a plurality of braking units AU, which may be electrically connected to the braking processing unit APU via one of the plurality of fourth traces L4, such as Figure 1 and Figure 16 According to this embodiment, when the braking processing unit APU is in the off state or there is no driving braking layer AL, the braking unit AU is in the off state. In other words, the braking unit AU is not turned on. Figure 17 As shown, the brake layer AL can be, for example, a flat layer or other suitable film layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto. However, when the brake processing unit APU is turned on or the brake layer AL is driven, the brake unit AU is turned on, causing the brake unit AU to deform. In addition, since the display unit DU is bendable, the corresponding display unit DU can deform accordingly with the deformed brake unit AU. Figure 18 As shown, when part of the braking unit AU is deformed, for example, extending and bulging along the Z direction, the corresponding display unit DU may be affected by the bulging braking unit AU, causing the display unit DU to bulge. At this time, the user can observe the deformation of the bendable display device 100, for example, the bulge can be perceived by the naked eye, or can be felt by touching it with a finger.

[0068] In this embodiment, the braking unit AU may refer to the configuration of the keyboard (eg Figure 16) and is arranged in the brake layer AL. When the bendable display device 100 is to be used as a computer, the brake processing unit APU can drive the brake layer AL to deform it, so that the user can easily locate it when inputting. In addition, different brake units AU can correspond to different symbols, or multiple brake units AU can correspond to the same symbol. Therefore, according to the size of the corresponding symbol or the difference in the number of brake units AU corresponding to the same symbol, the brake units AU in this embodiment may not be limited to having the same area. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the brake layer AL may not need to be the same as the area of ​​the bendable display device 100 (i.e. Figure 1 The area of ​​the top view surface is the same as Figure 1 As shown, the area of ​​the brake layer AL can be smaller than the area of ​​the display unit DU, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the design of the brake layer AL and the brake unit AU of the present invention is not limited to the above content, and can have different designs according to different needs.

[0069] The processing unit FPU, driver circuits (first driver circuit IC1 and second driver circuit IC2), timing controller TC, and brake processing unit APU mentioned above may comprise, for example, chips or other suitable control units, but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the materials used for these components are applicable to all embodiments and variations of the present invention and will not be further described.

[0070] More embodiments or variations of the present invention will be described below. To simplify the description, the same film layers or components in the following embodiments will use the same reference numerals, and their features will not be repeated. The differences between the embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0071] In this embodiment, the bendable display device 100 has a first side SL1, a second side SL2 and a third side SL3 opposite to the first side SL1, and a fourth side SL4 opposite to the third side SL3. Figure 6 , Figure 6 FIG2 is a top view of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 One of the main differences of the first embodiment shown is the position of the signal input terminal. Figure 6 As shown, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 are arranged on the first side SL1 of the bendable display device 100, wherein the bendable display device 100 of this embodiment may include a bending axis FX4 parallel to and close to the first side SL1, but does not include Figure 1The bending axis FX2 and the bending axis FX3 are included in the flexible display device 100, but are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the flexible display device 100 may not include the bending axis FX4. The bending axis FX4 may be located between the first signal input terminal IS1, the second signal input terminal IS2 and the display area DR or the touch unit TU in the direction X, wherein the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 may be bent backward along the bending axis FX4 to the second surface S2 of the flexible display device 100 (or the back surface of the display device, such as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 shown), but not limited thereto.

[0072] In addition, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 can be electrically connected to the first driving circuit IC1 and the second driving circuit IC2 of the driving unit DM through the circuit board DP, respectively. Figure 6 The driving unit DM can be connected, for example, via a timing controller TC, so that the timing controller TC can control the driving unit DM to sequentially drive the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Since the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 are arranged on the first side SL1 of the bendable display device 100 in this embodiment, the space of the non-display area PR can be reduced, thereby improving the spatial configuration of the bendable display device 100. In addition, since the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 do not pass through the bending axis FX1, the traces in the bending area (e.g. Figure 2 Furthermore, although Figure 6 , a structure including two drive circuits (a first drive circuit IC1 and a second drive circuit IC2) is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the drive unit DM of the flexible display device 100 may include only one of the first drive circuit IC1 or the second drive circuit IC2, wherein the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 may be electrically connected to the drive circuit, and the drive circuit in the drive unit DM may sequentially drive (or time-share drive) the first region R1 and the second region R2 according to the timing controller TC. The above-described configuration of the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 and the number of drive circuits are applicable to the above-mentioned and following embodiments and will not be further described.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 FIG3 is a top view of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 One of the main differences of the first embodiment shown is the design of the drive unit DM. Figure 7As shown, in this embodiment, the first drive circuit IC1 and the second drive circuit IC2 can be located in the same drive unit DM, and the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 can be electrically connected to the first drive circuit IC1 and the second drive circuit IC2 in the drive unit DM respectively using the circuit board DP, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, since the lengths of the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 can be shorter, the impedance of the trace can be reduced. In addition, since the first trace L1 and the second trace L2 do not pass through the bending axis FX1, the impedance of the trace in the bending area (for example, Figure 2 The chance of fracture in the bending area FR) occurs.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG is a top view of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 One of the differences of the first embodiment shown is the position where the signal input terminal is arranged. Figure 8 As shown, the first signal input terminal IS1 of the bendable display device 100 is arranged on the first side SL1, and the second signal input terminal IS2 is arranged on the third side SL3, wherein the first side SL1 can be the long side of the bendable display device 100 in this embodiment, and the third side SL3 can be the short side of the bendable display device 100 in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first side SL1 can be the short side of the bendable display device 100, and the third side SL3 can be the long side of the bendable display device 100, or the first signal input terminal IS1 of this embodiment can be optionally arranged on the second side SL2 of the bendable display device 100 instead of the third side SL3 as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The first side SL1 is shown, but not limited thereto. Since the lengths of the first and second traces L1 and L2 can be shorter in this embodiment, the impedance of the traces can be reduced. In addition, since the first and second traces L1 and L2 do not pass through the bending axis FX1, the impedance of the traces in the bending area (e.g. Figure 2 In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, the area of ​​the first region R1 of the touch unit TU in this embodiment may be smaller than the second region R2, but this is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the area of ​​the first region R1 may be larger than the second region R2. Therefore, depending on different design requirements, the area of ​​the first region R1 of the touch unit TU may be the same as or different from the area of ​​the second region R2. The relationship between the areas of the first region R1 and the second region R2 described above can be applied to the above and below embodiments of the present invention and will not be further described.

[0075] Please refer to Figure 9 . Figure 9 FIG is a top view of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1One of the differences of the first embodiment shown is the location of the signal input terminal. Figure 9 As shown, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 are arranged on the third side SL3 of the bendable display device 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 may be arranged on the fourth side SL4 of the bendable display device 100. According to this embodiment, the bendable display device 100 may include a bending axis FX1 and may optionally include a bending axis FX3. The bendable display device 100 may be bent, for example, along the bending axis FX3, and the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 may be bent to the second surface S2 of the bendable display device 100 (or the back surface of the display device, such as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 In this embodiment, since the first signal input terminal IS1 and the second signal input terminal IS2 are arranged on the same side of the flexible display device 100, the area of ​​the non-display region PR of the flexible display device 100 can be reduced, thereby improving the spatial configuration of the flexible display device 100. In addition, since the first trace L1 electrically connected to the touch unit TU in this embodiment can pass through the bending axis FX1 (or in other words, through the bending axis FX1), the first trace L1 electrically connected to the touch unit TU can pass through the bending axis FX1 (or through the bending axis FX1). Figure 2 The bending region FR shown in FIG. 4 ) is a portion of the first trace L1 located in the bending region, so the design may be different, but not limited thereto. Figure 9 The second trace L2 is disposed in the non-display region PR, distributed along the first side SL1, and electrically connected to the second region R2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second trace L2 may be located at a different layer than the first trace L1, and may pass above or below the first region R1 to electrically connect to the second region R2, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. For example, Figure 10 The first trace L1 shown in FIG can be Figure 9 The area P3 of the first line L1 in FIG. 1 represents the bending area corresponding to the first line L1 (eg Figure 2 It should be noted that, Figure 9 The range of the region P3 defined in the embodiment is only exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 10 In some embodiments, the first line L1 in FIG. 1 may be the second line L2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 10 As shown, the first line L1 may include a plurality of openings OPE, wherein the openings OPE may be arranged, for example, along direction Y. The openings OPE may also be arranged in multiple rows, for example Figure 10 The first line L1 includes two rows of openings OPE, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the openings OPE can be arranged on the first line L1 in any suitable manner. Figure 10 The middle opening OPE is circular in shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the opening OPE may have an arc, other angular shapes, or any other suitable shape, and each opening OPE may have the same or different shapes, but the present invention is not limited thereto. According to this embodiment, when the flexible display device 100 is bent along the bending axis FX1, the opening OPE can reduce the stress on the first trace L1, thereby reducing the chance of fracture of the first trace L1 in the bending region (e.g., the bending region FR).

[0077] It should be noted that the above-mentioned design of the first trace L1 with the opening OPE is not limited to being applied to the first trace L1 in the area P3. For example, any trace with a bending axis can have this design, such as Figure 1 The bending axis FX2 and the bending axis FX3 are included, but are not limited to these.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 for Figure 10 The schematic cross-sectional view of part of the wiring along the tangent line AA' is shown. Figure 11 and below Figure 12 、 Figure 13 Only the substrate SB and the first trace L1 are shown in FIG. 3 , while the film layer between the substrate SB and the first trace L1 is omitted. Figures 11 to 13 Only the structure of the first line L1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second line L2, the third line L3 and the fourth line L4 may have the same Figures 11 to 13 The same structure as shown. Figure 11 As shown, the first trace L1 may include a structure composed of a stack of a first metal layer M1, a second metal layer M2, and a third metal layer M3, wherein the first metal layer M1 and the third metal layer M3 may include titanium, and the second metal layer M2 may include aluminum. Therefore, the first trace L1 may be a three-layer structure of titanium / aluminum / titanium, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that although Figure 11 The first trace L1 in FIG is formed by three metal layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first trace L1 may be formed by more or fewer metal layers.

[0079] The open OPE of this embodiment can be formed, for example, by removing portions of the first metal layer M1 and the second metal layer M2, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the open OPE can be formed by removing portions of the first metal layer M1, the second metal layer M2, and the third metal layer M3. When the open OPE is formed by removing the first metal layer M1 and the second metal layer M2, the third metal layer M3 can be seen when the open OPE is viewed from the top direction Z. When the open OPE is formed by removing the first metal layer M1, the second metal layer M2, and the third metal layer M3, the film layer below the first trace L1 can be seen when the open OPE is viewed from the top direction Z.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 FIG1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to a variation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 The variation shown is similar to Figure 11 One of the differences in the embodiments shown is that the wiring design near the bending axis can be different. Figure 12 As shown, the formation method of the wiring in this variation embodiment may include, for example, first forming an insulating layer IN on the substrate SB, then patterning the insulating layer IN, and forming protruding structures PP (eg, Figure 12 The protruding structures PP1, PP2 and PP3 in the insulating layer IN are formed, and the fourth metal layer M4 is then disposed on the insulating layer IN. Specifically, in this embodiment, part of the fourth metal layer M4 can be disposed between two adjacent protruding structures PP, or can contact the next stack of the insulating layer IN (not shown), and part of the fourth metal layer M4 can be disposed on the side and top surfaces of the protruding structure PP. The first trace L1 can have a curved design due to the protruding structure PP of the insulating layer IN. In addition, the two adjacent protruding structures PP can have different heights, for example Figure 12 The middle height D1 (the height between the protruding structure PP1 and the protruding structure PP2) may be greater than the height D2 (the height between the protruding structure PP2 and the protruding structure PP3), where the height is the shortest distance from the top surface of two adjacent protruding structures PP to the closest bottom surface, but is not limited to this. Protruding structures PP with different heights can adjust the length of the routing and reduce the chance of routing breakage. The material of the fourth metal layer M4 in this embodiment can refer to the first metal layer M1 to the third metal layer M3 in the above-mentioned embodiment, so it will not be repeated. In addition, the insulating layer IN in this embodiment may, for example, include silicon oxide, silicon nitride or other suitable insulating materials, but is not limited to this. The material of the insulating layer IN can be applied to the insulating layer in the following embodiments or variant embodiments, so it will not be repeated later.

[0081] Please refer to Figure 13 , Figure 13FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of wiring of an electronic device according to another variation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 The variation shown is similar to Figure 11 One of the differences in the embodiments shown is that the wiring design near the bending axis can be different. Figure 13 As shown, the method for forming the wiring in this variation embodiment may, for example, include first forming an insulating layer IN1 on the substrate SUB, then patterning the insulating layer IN1, disposing a fifth metal layer M5 on the insulating layer IN1, and forming an insulating layer IN2 on the fifth metal layer, patterning the insulating layer IN2 and exposing a portion of the fifth metal layer M5, then forming a sixth metal layer M6 and disposing the insulating layer IN3 on the sixth metal layer M6. According to this variation embodiment, since the wiring can have a curved design, the chance of the wiring being broken due to stress when the bendable display device 100 is bent can be reduced. In addition, since the wiring in this variation embodiment may include the fifth metal layer M5 and the sixth metal layer M6, when one of the fifth metal layer M5 and the sixth metal layer M6 is broken due to stress, the wiring can still function normally because the other layer of the fifth metal layer M5 and the sixth metal layer M6 is not broken.

[0082] The design of reducing the chance of wire breakage near the bending axis described in the above embodiments and variations can be applied to other embodiments and variations of the present invention, and will not be described in detail.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 19 and Figure 20 , Figure 19 This is a flow chart of the automatic function of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 Schematic diagram of the electronic device in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 Only the display unit DU, the first and second regions R1 and R2 of the touch unit TU, the brake layer AL, and the bending axis FX1 are shown; other layers or components are omitted. According to this embodiment, the flexible display device 100 can have automatic functions. Specifically, the flexible display device 100 can detect at least one device state and determine the device mode in that state.

[0084] like Figure 19 As shown, the flexible display device 100 may first perform step S102 to detect whether the display unit DU has a non-bending area. When the flexible display device 100 does not have a non-bending area, it may be in a viewing mode, for example. In detail, when it is detected that the flexible display device 100 does not have a non-bending area (for example Figure 2When the entire bendable display device 100 has a non-bending region NFR, the entire bendable display device 100 may be bent to form a curved surface (ie, the bendable display device 100 only has the bending region FR, such as Figure 20 As shown in state (I)). In state (I), the display unit DU can be turned on to display the screen, the first area R1 and the second area R2 of the touch unit TU can be turned off without having a touch function, and the brake unit in the brake layer AL can be turned off without deformation. Therefore, the bendable display device 100 in state (I) can be used as a curved display, for example, but is not limited to this. It should be noted that the closing of the above-mentioned elements may refer to the fact that the elements are not supplied with power and are not turned on, or that the elements are supplied with power but are not turned on (for example, in a static state) to save power, and the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the static state of the display unit DU can be that the visually observed display screen is in a dark state, and the static state of the touch unit TU can be that no signal scanning action is performed, and the present invention is not limited to this. This concept can be applied to the situation where the elements are turned off below, so it will not be repeated hereafter.

[0085] When the bendable display device 100 detects in step S102 that the device has a non-bending area, the bendable display device 100 may further perform step S104 to detect the bending angle θ of the bendable display device 100. The definition of the bending angle θ has been explained above, so it will not be repeated here. When the detected bending angle θ is less than or equal to 10 degrees (θ≤10°), the bendable display device 100 may be in the off mode. In detail, when the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU approach each other toward the bending axis FX1, and the bending angle θ of the non-bending region NFR located on both sides of the bending axis FX1 meets the above conditions, such as Figure 20 In state (II), the display unit DU can be turned off and does not display an image, the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU can be turned off and do not have a touch function, and the brake unit in the brake layer AL can be turned off and does not deform.

[0086] When the detected bending angle θ is greater than 10 degrees and less than or equal to 170 degrees (10°<θ≤170°), the flexible display device 100 may be in laptop mode. Specifically, when the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU approach each other toward the bending axis FX1, and the bending angle θ of the non-bending region NFR located on both sides of the bending axis FX1 meets the above conditions, such as Figure 20As shown in state (III). In state (III), the first area R1 of the touch unit TU can be closed, a portion of the display unit DU corresponding to the first area R1 can be used as a display screen, the second area R2 of the touch unit TU can be turned on and used as a keyboard, and the brake layer AL corresponding to the second area R2 can be turned on and deformed. It should be noted that, although in this embodiment, a portion of the display unit DU corresponding to the first area R1 is used as a display screen, and a portion of the display unit DU corresponding to the second area R2 is used as a keyboard, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, in state (III), the curvature radius of the bendable display device 100 can be, for example, between 0.1 centimeters (cm) and 5 centimeters (0.1cm≤curvature radius≤5cm), wherein the definition of the curvature radius has been explained above and will not be repeated here.

[0087] When the detected bending angle θ is greater than 170 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees (170°<θ≤180°), the bendable display device 100 may be in the flat mode, such as Figure 20 Specifically, the non-bending regions NFR on both sides of the bending axis FX1 may be substantially coplanar, as shown in FIG. Figure 20 As shown in state (IV), in state (IV), the display unit DU can be turned on to display an image, the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the touch unit TU can be turned on to provide touch functionality, and the brake layer AL can be turned off to save power, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, in planar mode, the radius of curvature of the flexible display device 100 can be, for example, zero or infinite. In other words, the flexible display device 100 can be almost flat and unbendable, but this is not limited to this.

[0088] The automatic functions of the flexible display device 100 in the above embodiment can be applied to other embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the modes described in the above embodiment are merely exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. The flexible display device 100 of the present invention can be designed with different modes according to different needs.

[0089] In summary, the present invention provides a flexible display device comprising a display unit, a touch unit, and a drive unit. The touch unit may include a first region and a second region, wherein a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit in the drive unit may respectively drive the first region and the second region, allowing the first region and the second region to be independently activated, thereby improving the functionality of the flexible display device. Furthermore, the flexible display device of the present invention may further include a braking unit, wherein the braking unit facilitates positioning and operation of the flexible display device when used as a laptop, thereby enhancing the convenience of the flexible display device.

[0090] The foregoing description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A display unit comprising: a substrate; and an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer having a first protrusion structure, a second protrusion structure, and a third protrusion structure, wherein the second protrusion structure is located between the first protrusion structure and the third protrusion structure, and a height between the first protrusion structure and the second protrusion structure is greater than a height between the second protrusion structure and the third protrusion structure; a touch unit, the touch unit comprising a first area and a second area, and the touch unit overlaps the display unit; a wiring electrically connected to the touch unit and disposed on the insulating layer, wherein at least a portion of the wiring is disposed on the side and top surfaces of the first protruding structure, the side and top surfaces of the second protruding structure, and the side and top surfaces of the third protruding structure; a first signal input terminal electrically connected to the first region; a second signal input terminal electrically connected to the second region; and a drive unit; wherein the driving unit drives the first area and the second area respectively through the first signal input end and the second signal input end; The first region has a first edge and a third edge connected to the first edge, the second region has a second edge and a fourth edge connected to the second edge, and there is a distance between the first edge and the second edge; In a first direction, the first signal input terminal is at a first distance from the third edge, and the second signal input terminal is at a second distance from the fourth edge, and the first distance is different from the second distance; The electronic device has a curvature radius R, and the distance between the first edge and the second edge is less than or equal to πR.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The driving unit includes a first driving circuit and a second driving circuit. The first area is driven by the first driving circuit, and the second area is driven by the second driving circuit.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: One of the first area and the second area is in a closed state, and the other of the first area and the second area is in an open state.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first area and the second area are both in a closed state or both in an open state.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The display unit is bendable and has a bending axis.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: In a top-view direction of the electronic device, the bending axis is located between the first area and the second area.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first area and the second area respectively include a plurality of touch electrodes.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving unit drives the first area and the second area in sequence.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The area of ​​the first region is different from the area of ​​the second region.

10. A bendable display device, characterized in that: include: A display unit comprising: a substrate; and an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer having a first protrusion structure, a second protrusion structure, and a third protrusion structure, wherein the second protrusion structure is located between the first protrusion structure and the third protrusion structure, and a height between the first protrusion structure and the second protrusion structure is greater than a height between the second protrusion structure and the third protrusion structure; a touch unit, the touch unit comprising a first area and a second area; a bending axis located between the first region and the second region; a wiring electrically connected to the touch unit and disposed on the insulating layer, wherein at least a portion of the wiring is disposed on the side and top surfaces of the first protruding structure, the side and top surfaces of the second protruding structure, and the side and top surfaces of the third protruding structure; a first signal input terminal electrically connected to the first region; a second signal input terminal electrically connected to the second region; and A driving unit comprising a first driving circuit and a second driving circuit; The first region is driven by the first driving circuit via the first signal input terminal, and the second region is driven by the second driving circuit via the second signal input terminal; The first region has a first edge and a third edge connected to the first edge, the second region has a second edge and a fourth edge connected to the second edge, and there is a distance between the first edge and the second edge; In a first direction, the first signal input terminal is at a first distance from the third edge, and the second signal input terminal is at a second distance from the fourth edge, and the first distance is different from the second distance; The bendable display device has a curvature radius R, and the distance between the first edge and the second edge is less than or equal to πR.

11. The bendable display device according to claim 10, wherein: The first area and the second area respectively include a plurality of touch electrodes.

12. The bendable display device according to claim 10, wherein: One of the first area and the second area is in a closed state, and the other of the first area and the second area is in an open state.

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