Display device and electronic equipment

Abstract

The present application discloses a display device and electronic device, including a display device comprising a flexible display screen, the flexible display screen comprising a stacked cover plate and a display panel, the cover plate being provided with a thinned region in a portion of a surface adjacent to the display panel, the thickness of the cover plate at the location of the thinned region being less than the thickness of a cover plate without the thinned region. The display device provided in an embodiment of the present application utilizes a cover plate with unequal thicknesses to ensure both the mechanical properties of the fixed display area, such as ball-dropping and pen-dropping properties, and the sliding and rolling properties. This improves the connection between the cover plate and the display panel, prevents tearing, and enhances display performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to a display device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of flexible display technology, applications such as fixed curvature curved screens, folding screens, wristbands, and curling screens are emerging in an endless stream, injecting new vitality into the ID design of flexible display screens.

[0003] While flexible display forms offer a variety of display modes, ensuring the flatness of flexible screens, improving visual quality and user satisfaction, is also crucial. This requires the film layer in the bending area to be bendable and to ensure that all film layers in the bent area do not break or separate during the bending process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desired to provide a display device and an electronic device that can prevent film breakage or separation between film layers and improve display effects.

[0005] On the one hand, the present application provides a display device, including a flexible display screen, wherein the flexible display screen includes a stacked cover plate and a display panel, wherein the cover plate is provided with a thinning area on a partial area of ​​the surface close to the display panel, and the thickness of the cover plate at the position of the thinning area is less than the thickness of the cover plate without the thinning area.

[0006] Optionally, the cover plate includes a sliding area and a fixed end located on one side of the sliding area, and the fixed end includes a curved area provided at an end portion and a flat area connected to the sliding area.

[0007] Optionally, a first cut-out area is provided on the lower surface of the sliding area, and the thickness of the sliding area is smaller than the thickness of the planar area.

[0008] Optionally, a critical surface between the first cut-away area and the planar area is a slope.

[0009] Optionally, a first filling layer is provided in the first cut-away area.

[0010] Optionally, a second cut-away area is provided on the lower surface of the curved area, and the thickness of the curved area is smaller than the thickness of the planar area.

[0011] Optionally, a second filling layer is provided in the second cut-away area.

[0012] Furthermore, the display device also includes a functional film layer arranged along the lower surface of the cover plate, and the functional film layer includes a first film layer area corresponding to the sliding area, a second film layer area corresponding to the flat area, and a third film layer area corresponding to the curved area.

[0013] Optionally, the sum of the thicknesses of the first film layer region and the sliding region is less than or equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the second film layer region and the planar region.

[0014] Optionally, the sum of the thicknesses of the third film layer region and the curved region is less than or equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the second film layer region and the flat region. Optionally, the display panel and the cover plate are fixedly connected by optical adhesive.

[0015] Optionally, a support member is provided on a side of the display panel facing away from the cover plate.

[0016] Optionally, a sliding scroll is further included, wherein the sliding scroll is configured to reciprocate along a first direction to unfold and retract the flexible display screen, and the first direction is parallel to the outer surface of the flexible display screen.

[0017] Furthermore, the cover plate also includes a sliding end located on one side of the sliding area, wherein the fixed end is arranged on one side of the outer surface of the flexible display screen; the sliding end is located at the end where the flexible display screen is rolled up and retracted and is arranged on the side away from the outer surface of the flexible display screen.

[0018] On the other hand, the present application provides an electronic device comprising any of the display devices described above.

[0019] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application may have the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The display device provided in the embodiment of the present application ensures both the mechanical properties of the fixed display area (such as ball-dropping and pen-dropping properties) and the sliding and rolling properties by designing the cover plate with unequal thickness; by arranging polymer filling materials in the second cut-out area and the first cut-out area of ​​the cover plate, the elastic modulus of the cover plate is increased, the connection performance between the cover plate and the display panel is improved, tearing is prevented, and the display performance is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a cover plate provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another cover plate provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of another cover plate provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a functional film layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of another functional film layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of another functional film layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the state of a curling process of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] in,

[0030] 1. Cover plate; 2. Display panel; 3. First cut-out area; 4. Second cut-out area; 5. Support member; 6. Sliding roller; 7. First filling layer; 8. Second filling layer; 9. Functional film layer; D1. Sliding area; D2. Fixed end; D3. Sliding end; D12. Bending area; D13. Plane area; D21. First film layer area; D22. Second film layer area; D23. Third film layer area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for the purpose of explaining the relevant invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only portions relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0032] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0033] During the bending process of flexible display devices, due to the displacement between each functional layer, transparent adhesive is usually used as a connecting layer (to bond the functional layers together) and also as a stress relief layer. The role of the stress relief layer requires the adhesive to have a relatively low modulus and a certain thickness to provide sufficient displacement capacity to release stress. However, the addition of a low modulus and relatively thick connecting layer is equivalent to adding soft support under the flexible cover, which will reduce the pencil hardness of the flexible cover. Generally, the hardness of the MDL is 4 to 6 levels lower than that of a single-layer flexible cover.

[0034] The sliding display mode is another new display mode after the folding display. The sliding display technology enables the screen expansion to change from 1+1 folding to 1+X. When the screen is pulled out from the hinge, the display screen unfolds like a scroll. The screen will not interrupt the customer's continuous experience during the unfolding process. The strong sense of fashion and technology brings customers a better visual and usage experience.

[0035] Please see Figure 1-2 On the one hand, the present application provides a display device including a flexible display screen, wherein the flexible display screen includes a cover plate 1 and a display panel 2 arranged in a stacked manner, wherein the cover plate 1 is provided with a thinning area on a partial area of ​​the surface close to the display panel 2, and the thickness of the cover plate at the position of the thinning area is less than the thickness of the cover plate without the thinning area.

[0036] Specifically, the cover plate 1 includes a sliding area D1 and a fixed end D2 located at one side of the sliding area D1. The fixed end D2 includes a curved area D12 provided at the end and a flat area D13 connected to the sliding area D1.

[0037] The lower surface of the sliding area D1 is provided with a first cut-away area 3, and the thickness of the sliding area D1 is smaller than the thickness of the plane area D13; and / or

[0038] A second cutout area 4 is provided on the lower surface of the curved area D12 , and the thickness of the curved area D12 is smaller than that of the flat area D13 .

[0039] In the embodiment of the present application, the flexible display screen is a module that is fixed on one side and slides on the other. This form results in a curved surface at the sliding end D3. To achieve a beautiful display effect, the edge of the display panel 2 must also be simultaneously curved to form a 3D shape. In the embodiment of the present application, a hard curved cover plate 1 is used. The hard cover plate 1 itself can form a 3D arc. The hard cover plate 1 is set on the outer surface and can also resist the rebound effect of the functional layers inside the flexible module (such as polarizer, display layer, back film, etc.).

[0040] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the cover plate 1 corresponding to the first cut-out area 3 and the thickness of the cover plate 1 corresponding to the second cut-out area 4 can be set differently according to their bending radius, and the present application does not limit this.

[0041] For example, in the glass design of the cover plate 1 in the embodiment of the present application, the fixed end D2 is the flattened area of ​​the flexible display screen, the thickness of the glass of the cover plate 1 can be controlled at 500 to 70 um, and the sliding area D1 can be controlled at 70 to 30 um. At the same time, the glass cover plate 1 on the side of the fixed end D2 adopts a curved edge design to maintain the edge morphology.

[0042] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first direction is defined as the direction in which the flexible display screen is unfolded and retracted, and the first direction is parallel to the outer surface of the flexible display screen; the second direction is parallel to the axial direction of the scroll axis, and the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first direction is defined as the length of the flexible display screen, and the second direction is defined as the width of the flexible display screen. In other embodiments, the first and second directions may be interchangeable.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present application, the glass cover plate 1 is directly bonded to the display panel 2 using optical adhesive. During use, a first filler layer 7 is disposed within the first cutout region 3, and a second filler layer 8 is disposed within the second cutout region 4. The first filler layer 7 and the second filler layer 8 can be optical adhesive, or other transparent, flexible polymer materials.

[0044] By setting a filling layer between the glass cover plate 1 and the display panel 2, on the one hand, film marks can be prevented during the bonding process. On the other hand, by setting the polymer material, the elastic modulus of the glass cover plate 1 is increased, the bending and tensile resistance of the cover plate 1 are increased, and tearing between the display panel 2 and the cover plate 1 is prevented. At the same time, the bonding force between the display panel 2 and the glass cover plate 1 is increased.

[0045] The optical adhesive is OCA. OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) is a double-sided adhesive tape made from optical acrylic adhesive without a backing material. It is then laminated with a release film (protective film) on the top and bottom layers. It is colorless and transparent, boasts a light transmittance exceeding 90%, excellent bonding strength, cures at room or medium temperatures, and exhibits minimal shrinkage upon curing.

[0046] During the specific processing, after the glass cover 1 and the display panel 2 are fixed by optical glue, they are flatly pressed by a laminating roller or other pressing device to make the two evenly attached, avoid laminating failure, and overcome the defect of low laminating yield of existing flexible display screens.

[0047] It is worth noting that in the embodiment of the present application, the thinned area and the first cut-off area can be arranged in combination according to different bending radii or different performance requirements.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the cover plate 1 is provided with a first cutout area 3 in the sliding area, and a second cutout area 4 is provided on the lower surface of the bending area D12, so that different areas meet different bending performance requirements. The thickness of different areas is set differently according to different bending radii and other requirements.

[0049] like Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, a first cut-out area 3 is provided on the lower surface of the sliding area D1, and the thickness of the sliding area D1 is less than the thickness of the plane area D13. The first cut-out area is used to reduce the thickness of the sliding area, thereby improving the bending and tensile resistance of the sliding area.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, a second cutout area 4 is provided on the lower surface of the curved area D12. The thickness of the curved area D12 is less than that of the planar area D13. The second cutout area 4 reduces the thickness of the curved area D12, thereby improving the bending and tensile properties of the curved area D12.

[0051] It should be noted that the thinned area is provided on the lower surface of the cover plate 1 , but its width is not explicitly limited to be the same as the width of the 3D arc of the display panel 2 . When setting it specifically, it is set according to different application scenarios or different bending radii.

[0052] It should also be noted that the first cut-out area 3 is arranged on the lower surface of the cover plate 1, but its width is not explicitly limited to be the same as the width of the sliding area D1. During the specific setting, it can be adjusted according to the contact area between the sliding shaft 6 and the flexible screen, and can also be set according to different bending radii.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present application, the surface of the glass cover plate 1 can also be protected with PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), which improves the mechanical properties while taking into account the cost. A single layer or multiple layers of polymer coating can also be applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the glass cover plate 1 to enhance the overall mechanical properties of the module. At the same time, the edges of the UTG can be wrapped with polymer. In the event of a drop of the entire device, the polymer at the edges protects the UTG, thereby improving the reliability of the folding display module. The thickness of the protective film is preferably 20 to 100 μm.

[0054] In another embodiment of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, the display device further includes a functional film layer 9 provided along the lower surface of the cover plate 1, the functional film layer 9 including a first film layer area D21 corresponding to the sliding area D1, a second film layer area D22 corresponding to the flat area D13, and a third film layer area D23 corresponding to the curved area D12, wherein:

[0055] The sum of the thicknesses of the first film layer region D21 and the sliding region D1 is less than or equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the second film layer region D22 and the planar region D13; and / or

[0056] The sum of the thicknesses of the third film layer region D23 and the curved region D12 is less than or equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the second film layer region D22 and the planar region D13 .

[0057] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the first film layer area, the second film layer area, and the third film layer area are continuously arranged. The first film layer area is arranged on the lower surface of the cover plate and can fill the area cut out of the lower surface of the cover plate. For example, the first film layer area can fill the first cut-out area, or the third film layer area can fill the second cut-out area. Of course, separate fillers can be provided in the first and second cut-out areas to adapt the functional film layer to the surface of the cover plate.

[0058] To further improve the overall bending performance of the display device, the functional film layer can be thinned in some areas. This application sets a limit based on the overall thickness of the display device and makes different settings according to different requirements. For example, when the sum of the thicknesses of the first film layer area and the sliding area, the sum of the thicknesses of the second film layer area and the flat area, and the sum of the thicknesses of the third film layer area and the bending area are equal, the functional film layer is in a neat state on the lower surface. Correspondingly, to improve the bending performance at different locations, the thicknesses can be reduced accordingly in different areas.

[0059] For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the first film layer region D21 and the third film layer region D23 can be configured in combination according to different bending radii or different performance requirements.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, to further improve the bending and tensile resistance of the rolling area, at the location of the first cutout area corresponding to the rolling area, the total thickness of the first film layer area and the rolling area is less than the total thickness of the second film layer area and the planar area. By further reducing the overall thickness of the cover plate and functional film layer in this area, the bending and tensile resistance is improved.

[0061] like Figure 7As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, in order to further improve the bending and tensile properties of the bending area, at the position of the second cut-out area set in the corresponding bending area, the sum of the thickness of the third film layer area and the bending area is less than the sum of the thickness of the second film layer area and the plane area. By further thinning the overall thickness of the cover plate and the functional film layer in this area, the bending and tensile properties are improved. In the embodiment of the present application, the functional film layer 9 plays a protective role on the one hand, and on the other hand plays a role in improving the surface properties, such as anti-reflection, anti-glare and other functions. In specific applications, different thicknesses of cover plates 1 and polymer materials with different thickness moduli need to be selected according to the different bending radii required by the module. In the embodiment of the present application, a multi-layer functional film layer 9 combination can also be set. In specific applications, there are different combinations of cover plate structures and functional film layer structures. Without violating the concept of the present application, it can be selected according to different application scenarios and applicable application equipment.

[0062] The functional film layer 9 is bonded to the display panel 2 by optical adhesive. When in use, the height difference between the first film layer area, the second film layer area, and the third film layer area can be filled with optical adhesive, which can also be other transparent flexible polymer materials.

[0063] Optionally, the critical surface between the first cut-out area 3 and the plane area D13 is a bevel. The bevel prevents the glass cover plate 1 and the display panel 2 from being bonded together and prevents film marks from occurring during the bonding process. In addition, the display panel 2 is provided with a support member 5 on the side facing away from the cover plate 1. The support member 5 can provide support for the flexible screen to prevent the two sides of the flexible screen from warping toward the middle. The material of the support member 5 includes but is not limited to metal materials and polymer materials with a certain rigidity. In the specific setting, the metal support member 5 can be etched to form a relevant depression. The specific process is: one side of the structural layer rough blank is masked with a template for the first time, and the first etching is performed; when the depression is large, a second etching can be performed. The polymer material support member 5 can be prepared by coating and baking on the model structure. Of course, it can also be bonded and fixed to the support layer of the flexible screen by optical glue or the like.

[0064] In the embodiments of this application, Figure 8 As shown, the display device further includes a sliding scroll 6, which is configured to reciprocate along a first direction to unfold and retract the flexible display screen, wherein the first direction is parallel to the outer surface of the flexible display screen.

[0065] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the outer surface of the flexible display screen refers to the surface of the flexible display screen used for display when installed on a display device, and the inner surface of the flexible display screen refers to the side opposite to the outer surface.

[0066] The cover plate 1 also includes a sliding end D3 located on one side of the sliding area D1, wherein the fixed end D2 is arranged on one side of the outer surface of the flexible display screen; the sliding end D3 is located at the end where the flexible display screen is rolled up and retracted and is arranged on the side away from the outer surface of the flexible display screen.

[0067] It should be noted that the fixed end region D2A can be fixed to the overall housing. The sliding end region D3B can be moved by moving the sliding reel in a first direction. The sliding end region D3B can be wound around the sliding reel 6 and fixed to the overall housing via an elastic member. This application does not specifically limit the arrangement of the sliding end region D3B with the overall housing. The flexible display within the overall housing is unfolded by moving the sliding reel 6.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the display device is mainly divided into rolling and unfolding and rolling and retracting during the rolling process, and the main process is as follows:

[0069] When the external force (motor force) is greater than the fixing force of the whole machine, the sliding scroll 6 rotates, driving the flexible screen to unfold. During this process, the external force acts relatively large, and the sliding scroll 6 of the flexible screen drives forward and fits tightly with the sliding scroll 6; and in the process of retracting the flexible screen, the winding motor force (motor force) decreases or disappears, and the fixing force of the whole machine will drive the flexible screen to rewind.

[0070] In another aspect, the present application provides an electronic device including any of the display devices described above. One or more exemplary embodiments may be applied to, for example, computer monitors, laptop computers, digital cameras, cellular phones, smartphones, smart pads, televisions, personal digital assistants, portable multimedia players, players, navigation systems, game consoles, video phones, and the like.

[0071] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0072] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0073] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein are only for describing specific implementation purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention. Terms such as "setting" appearing in this article can mean that one component is directly attached to another component, or that one component is attached to another component through an intermediate component. Features described in this article in one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is not applicable in the other embodiment or otherwise specified.

[0074] The present invention has been described through the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative and illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention to the described embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various variations and modifications may be made based on the teachings of the present invention, and such variations and modifications fall within the scope of protection claimed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: A flexible display screen includes a stacked cover plate and a display panel, wherein the cover plate has a thinned area on a portion of a surface close to the display panel, and the thickness of the cover plate at the thinned area is less than that of the cover plate without the thinned area. The device further includes a sliding scroll configured to reciprocate along a first direction to unfold and retract the flexible display screen, wherein the first direction is parallel to an outer surface of the flexible display screen; The cover plate includes a sliding area, a fixed end located on one side of the sliding area, and a sliding end located on the other side of the sliding area, wherein the fixed end includes a curved area provided at the end and a flat area connected to the sliding area; the sliding end is located at the end of the flexible display screen that is rolled up and retracted and is provided on a side away from the outer surface of the flexible display screen; A first cut-out area is provided on the lower surface of the sliding area, and the thickness of the sliding area is smaller than the thickness of the plane area; a second cut-out area is provided on the lower surface of the bending area, and the thickness of the bending area is smaller than the thickness of the plane area; the critical surface between the first cut-out area and the plane area is a slope.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein A first filling layer is provided in the first cut-away area.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein A second filling layer is provided in the second cut-away area.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein It also includes a functional film layer arranged along the lower surface of the cover plate, and the functional film layer includes a first film layer area corresponding to the sliding area, a second film layer area corresponding to the flat area, and a third film layer area corresponding to the bending area.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The sum of the thickness of the first film layer region and the thickness of the roll-up region is less than or equal to the sum of the thickness of the second film layer region and the planar region.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The sum of the thickness of the third film layer region and the thickness of the curved region is less than or equal to the sum of the thickness of the second film layer region and the planar region.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display panel and the cover plate are fixedly connected by optical adhesive.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display panel is provided with a support member on a side facing away from the cover plate.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: The device comprises the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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