Display device and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel having a display portion, a connection portion and a bending portion, a main supporting layer; and an auxiliary supporting layer, the auxiliary supporting layer including a main body portion and a folded back portion as an integral structure, the folded back portion being connected to the main body portion. An edge portion of the display device includes a stacked structure. The stacked structure includes: the connection portion; the folded back portion on the connection portion; at least a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded back portion away from the connection portion; a portion of the main supporting layer; and a portion of the display portion located on a side of the portion of the main supporting layer away from the main body portion. Multiple layers of the stacked structure are bent toward the back of the display device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to display technology, and more particularly, to a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device. Background Art

[0002] A flexible display device is a bendable or deformable display device with a flexible display panel. Examples of flexible display devices include flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) display devices, flexible electrophoretic display (EPD) devices, and flexible liquid crystal display (LCD) devices. As a new generation of display devices, flexible display devices are thinner and lighter, with high contrast, high responsiveness, and high brightness. It also provides full-color display and wide viewing angle. Flexible display devices are widely used in mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, onboard displays, notebook computers, wall-mounted TVs, and various military applications. Flexible display devices include flexible array substrates. The base substrate of the flexible array substrate can be made of a flexible material such as plastic. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a display device, comprising: a display panel, comprising a display portion, a connecting portion and a bending portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connecting portion, and the bending portion is bent; a main supporting layer; and an auxiliary supporting layer, the auxiliary supporting layer comprising a main portion as an integral structure and a folded back portion, the folded back portion being connected to the main portion; wherein an edge portion of the display device comprises a stacked structure, the stacked structure comprising: the connecting portion; the folded back portion on the connecting portion; at least a portion of the main portion located on a side of the folded back portion away from the connecting portion; a portion of the main supporting layer; and a portion of the portion of the display portion located on the main supporting layer on a side away from the main portion; wherein the multiple layers of the stacked structure are bent toward the back side of the display device, and the back side of the display device is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the display device.

[0004] Optionally, the folded back portion and the main body portion comprise the same material; a portion of the main body portion and the folded back portion form a double-layer structure; and the folded back portion is at least partially in contact with a rear surface of the main body portion, the rear surface being a surface of the main body portion on a side away from the main supporting layer.

[0005] Optionally, the bent portion is bent to form a bent cavity; and a portion of the auxiliary supporting layer where the bent portion and the main body portion are connected to each other directly adjoins the bent cavity.

[0006] Optionally, the folded portion and at least part of the main body portion have matching curvatures.

[0007] Optionally, the folded back portion, the main body portion and at least part of the main support layer have matching curvatures.

[0008] Optionally, each layer of the plurality of layers of the stacked structure has a matching curvature with an adjacent layer.

[0009] Optionally, the display device also includes a flexible printed circuit bonded to the connecting portion; wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a chip portion on the back side of the display device, a bonding portion including a plurality of bonding pads bonded to the connecting portion, and an extending portion connecting the chip portion and the bonding portion; and a first average distance between a surface of the bonding portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer located on a side close to the bonding portion is substantially the same as a second average distance between a surface of the extension portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer located on a side close to the extension portion.

[0010] Optionally, the surface of the engaging portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer and the surface of the extending portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer are substantially coplanar.

[0011] Optionally, the orthographic projection of the edge of the folded portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer is spaced apart from the orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer by a distance greater than or equal to 0.2 mm; the orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer is spaced apart from the orthographic projection of the edge of the chip portion close to the folded portion on the main support layer by a distance less than 1.0 mm; and the orthographic projection of the edge of the folded portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer is between the orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer and the orthographic projection of the edge of the chip portion close to the folded portion on the main support layer.

[0012] Optionally, the stacked structure also includes: a first back film covering the back surface of the display part, the first back film being located between the display part and the part of the main supporting layer; and a second back film covering the back surface of the connecting part, the second back film being located between the connecting part and the folded back part; wherein the bent part does not include the first back film and does not include the second back film.

[0013] Optionally, the orthographic projection of the folded portion on the second back film does not overlap with a portion of the second back film, which portion of the second back film extends toward the bending portion and exceeds the portion where the folded portion and the main body portion on the auxiliary supporting layer are connected to each other; and the edge of the portion of the second back film is spaced apart from the portion where the folded portion and the main body portion on the auxiliary supporting layer are connected to each other by a distance greater than or equal to 0.15 mm.

[0014] Optionally, the stacked structure further includes: a first optically transparent adhesive layer, which is between the first back film and the portion of the main supporting layer, and the first optically transparent adhesive layer bonds the first back film and the main supporting layer together; a polarizer, which is located on the side of the display part away from the first back film; a second optically transparent adhesive layer, which is located on the side of the polarizer away from the display part; and a cover, which is located on the side of the second optically transparent adhesive layer away from the polarizer.

[0015] Optionally, the display device further comprises a coating covering a back side of the bent portion, the back side being opposite to a side of the bent portion directly surrounding the bent cavity.

[0016] Optionally, the main support layer comprises a metal material; and the auxiliary support layer comprises an organic polymer material.

[0017] Optionally, the main supporting layer comprises a metal material; and the auxiliary supporting layer comprises a metal material.

[0018] On the other hand, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: setting a display panel; bending the display panel to form a bending portion, a display portion and a connecting portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connecting portion; setting a main supporting layer; setting an auxiliary supporting layer, wherein the auxiliary supporting layer includes a main body portion as an integral structure and a folded back portion, wherein the folded back portion is connected to the main body portion; setting the main supporting layer and the auxiliary supporting layer between the connecting portion and the display portion to form a stacked structure at an edge portion of the display device, wherein the stacked structure includes the connecting portion; the folded back portion on the connecting portion; at least a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded back portion away from the connecting portion; the main supporting layer located on a side of the main body portion away from the folded back portion; and a portion of the display portion located on a side of the main supporting layer away from the main body portion; and bending multiple layers of the stacked structure toward the back side of the display device, wherein the back side of the display device is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the display device.

[0019] Optionally, the method also includes: setting an original supporting layer; folding the original supporting layer to form the folded back portion and the main body portion, the folded back portion and a portion of the main body portion forming a double-layer structure; and at least pressing the double-layer structure to achieve a curvature that matches the curvature of the main supporting layer.

[0020] Optionally, bending the plurality of layers of the stacked structure comprises pressing the edge portion of the display device using a profile press. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] According to various disclosed embodiments, the following drawings are examples only for illustration purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1C is a plan view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 is a further enlarged view of the stacking structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 4 is a further enlarged view of an area surrounding a bonding region where a flexible printed circuit is bonded to a connection portion of a display device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 is a further enlarged view of the stacking structure according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 7 A process of bending an edge portion of a display device using a profile press according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. It should be noted that the following description of some of the embodiments presented herein is for illustration and description purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed.

[0032] The present disclosure provides, inter alia, a display device and a method for manufacturing a display device, which substantially avoids one or more problems caused by limitations and disadvantages of the prior art. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a display device. In some embodiments, the display device includes a display panel having a display portion, a connecting portion, and a bending portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connecting portion; a main support layer; and an auxiliary support layer, the auxiliary support layer including a main body portion and a folded back portion as an integral structure, the folded back portion being connected to the main body portion. Optionally, an edge portion of the display device includes a stacked structure, the stacked structure including: the connecting portion; the folded back portion on the connecting portion; a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded back portion away from the connecting portion; and the display portion located on a side of the portion of the main body portion away from the folded back portion. Optionally, multiple layers of the stacked structure are bent toward the back of the display portion, and the back of the display portion is opposite to the connecting portion.

[0033] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1A The display device includes a display panel having a display portion DP, and an image is displayed in at least a portion of the display portion DP through a sub-pixel array in the display portion. The display portion DP itself may include a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. Figure 1A A rectangular display area is shown in FIG, but the display part DP can have any suitable shape and size. Examples of suitable shapes of the display part DP include circles, squares, hexagons, ellipses and irregular polygons. Each sub-pixel in the display part DP can be electrically connected to a pixel drive circuit including one or more thin film transistors. The display device also includes gate lines and data lines for providing signals for driving the image display in the display part DP. These signal lines are electrically connected to one or more integrated circuits, such as gate drive integrated circuits and data drive integrated circuits. One or more integrated circuits can be integrated into a display panel (chip on glass) or mounted on a flexible printed circuit (chip on film). One or more integrated circuits are electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit. The display device also includes various other signal lines, such as a high voltage power line VDD, a low voltage power line VSS and a start signal line.

[0034] The display device further includes a bending portion PBP and a connecting portion CP. The connecting portion CP is a portion where the flexible printed circuit can be bonded to the display device. The bending portion PBP is flexible or bendable. Figure 1A As shown, the bent portion PBP may be bent in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 , so that the connection portion CP may be bent toward the back side of the display portion. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1B A display device is shown in which the bent portion PBP is bent and the connection portion CP is bent toward the back side of the display portion. Optionally, the connection portion CP can display an image. Optionally, the bent portion BP can display an image.

[0035] Figure 1C is a plan view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1C In some embodiments, the display portion DP includes a display region DR in which an image is displayed, and a fan-out region FR between the display region DR and the bending portion PBP. The display portion DP includes a plurality of signal lines SL extending through the fan-out region FR.

[0036] As used herein, the term "display area" refers to the area of ​​the display panel in the display device that actually displays the image. Optionally, the display area may include a sub-pixel area and an inter-sub-pixel area. The sub-pixel area refers to the light-emitting area of ​​the sub-pixel, for example, the area corresponding to the pixel electrode in the liquid crystal display or the area corresponding to the light-emitting layer in the organic light-emitting diode display panel. The inter-sub-pixel area refers to the area between adjacent sub-pixel areas, for example, the area corresponding to the black matrix in the liquid crystal display or the area corresponding to the pixel defining layer in the organic light-emitting diode display panel. Optionally, the inter-sub-pixel area is the area between adjacent sub-pixel areas in the same pixel. Optionally, the inter-sub-pixel area is the area between two adjacent sub-pixel areas in two adjacent pixels. Optionally, the display device is a flexible display device.

[0037] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In one example, Figure 2 It is along Figure 1B A partial cross-sectional view of the display device along the line AA' in FIG. Figure 2 In some embodiments, the display device includes a display panel. In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the display panel includes a display portion DP, a connection portion CP and a bending portion BP. The bending portion BP connects the display portion DP and the connection portion CP. The bending portion is bent along an edge E of the display device. Figure 2 As shown, the bent portion BP is bent to form a bent cavity BC.

[0038] In some embodiments, the display device further includes a main supporting layer SUSm and an auxiliary supporting layer SUSa. The main supporting layer SUSm and the auxiliary supporting layer SUSa are located between the connection portion CP and the display portion DP. In some embodiments, a stacked structure is formed in at least an edge portion EP of the display device. The stacked structure includes: a connection portion CP; an auxiliary supporting layer SUSa on the connection portion CP; a portion of the main supporting layer SUSm; and a portion of the display portion DP located on a side of the portion of the main supporting layer SUSm away from the auxiliary supporting layer SUSa.

[0039] The inventors of the present disclosure surprisingly and unexpectedly found that a stacked structure having the complex structure described in the present disclosure can realize a display device that eliminates many problems including deformation and cracking in edge portions and peeling of a flexible printed circuit. The display device having the present stacked structure realizes very high adhesive strength between layers in the edge portion, where the display device is less susceptible to deformation during a pad bending process, and the flexible printed circuit can be securely attached to the connection portion for an extended period of time.

[0040] In some embodiments, the auxiliary supporting layer SUSa has a unique structure including a main body part MP as an integral structure and a folded back part FBP connected to the main body part MP. The folded back part FBP is folded onto the back of the main body part MP to form a double-layer structure. Therefore, in some embodiments, the stacked structure includes a connection part CP; a folded back part FBP on the connection part CP; at least a portion of the main body part MP, which is located on a side of the folded back part FBP away from the connection part CP; a portion of the main supporting layer SUSm, which is located on a side of the main body part MP away from the folded back part FBP; and a portion of the display part DP, which is located on a side of the portion of the main supporting layer SUSm away from the main body part MP.

[0041] Figure 3 is a further enlarged view of the stacking structure in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 , the folded portion FBP is at least partially in contact with the rear surface of the main body part MP, which is the surface of the main body part MP on the side away from the main supporting layer SUSm. The inventors of the present disclosure have found that when the folded portion FBP and the main body part MP are formed as an integral structure, the stacked structure is particularly resistant to cracking and deformation. For example, in some embodiments, the folded portion FBP and the main body part MP are manufactured by folding the original supporting layer. The original supporting layer is folded along the folding line to form the folded portion FBP and the main body part MP. As described above, the folded portion FBP is folded onto the back side of the main body part MP. Therefore, in some embodiments, the folded portion FBP and the main body part MP are made of the same material. Figure 3FIG. 4 shows a portion FP of the auxiliary supporting layer SUSa where the folded portion FBP and the main portion MP are connected to each other. Figure 3 As shown, the portion FP is directly adjacent to the bending cavity BC.

[0042] Optionally, in the process when the folded portion FBP is folded onto the back side of the main body MP, a portion FP connecting the folded portion FBP and the main body MP is formed. Therefore, the FP portion can be considered as the side of the auxiliary supporting layer SUSa that is directly adjacent to the bending cavity BC. Optionally, the thickness of the portion FP is the sum of the thickness of the main body MP and the thickness of the folded portion FBP. Optionally, each of the thickness of the main body MP and the thickness of the folded portion FBP is in the range of 0.05mm to 0.25mm, for example, 0.05mm to 0.10mm, 0.10mm to 0.15mm, 0.15mm to 0.20mm, or 0.20mm to 0.25mm. In one example, each of the thickness of the main body MP and the thickness of the folded portion FBP is 0.15mm.

[0043] In some embodiments, multiple layers of the stacked structure are bent toward the back side BS of the display portion. Optionally, the back side BS of the display device is opposite to the light-emitting surface LES of the display device, on which the display device is configured to emit light for image display. As used herein, the term "curved" or "curving" refers to an action or result of an action that deviates from a reference plane (e.g., a plane containing a non-bent portion of the display device) by more than 1 degree and less than or equal to 45 degrees (e.g., less than or equal to 40 degrees, less than or equal to 35 degrees, less than or equal to 30 degrees, less than or equal to 25 degrees, less than or equal to 20 degrees, less than or equal to 15 degrees, less than or equal to 10 degrees, or less than or equal to 5 degrees). As used herein, the term "bent" or "bending" refers to an action that deviates from a reference plane by 90 degrees or more (for example, 100 degrees or more, 110 degrees or more, 120 degrees or more, 130 degrees or more, 140 degrees or more, 150 degrees or more, 160 degrees or more, 170 degrees or more, 175 degrees or more, 179 degrees or more, or 180 degrees or more).

[0044] In some embodiments, at least portions of the folded portion FBP and the main portion MP have matching curvatures. As used herein, the term "curvature" refers to the rate of change of angle of a curved object or curved line segment. As used herein, the term "matching" curvature refers to two curved objects having matching rates of change of angle along at least portions of the two curved objects adjacent to each other. In one example, the two curved objects have matching curvatures so that adjacent surfaces of the two curved objects are substantially exact counterparts of each other, e.g., complementary to each other.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least part of the folded portion FBP, body portion MP and main support layer SUSm have matching curvature. In one example, the folded portion FBP, body portion MP and part of main support layer SUSm are pressed by a profile press head having a surface with a desired curvature, for example.

[0046] In some embodiments, each layer and adjacent layers in the stacked structure have matching curvatures. Figure 2 As shown, the stacked structure includes a display portion DP, a first back film BF1 on the display portion DP, a first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1 located on a side of the first back film BF1 away from the display portion DP, a portion of the main support layer SUSm located on a side of the first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1 away from the first back film BF1, a main portion MP located on a side of the portion of the main support layer SUSm away from the first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1, a folded portion FBP located on a side of the main portion MP away from the main support layer SUSm, a second back film BF2 located on a side of the folded portion FBP away from the main portion MP, and a connection portion CP located on a side of the second back film BF2 away from the folded portion FBP. In one example, the first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1, the main support layer SUSm, and the first back film BF1 have matching curvatures. In another example, the second back film BF2, the connection portion CP, and the folded portion FBP have matching curvatures.

[0047] In some embodiments, the display device further includes a flexible printed circuit FPC coupled to the connection portion CP. Figure 4 is a further enlarged view of an area surrounding a bonding area where a flexible printed circuit is bonded to a connection portion of a display device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 In some embodiments, the flexible printed circuit FPC includes a chip portion CHP on the back side of the display device, a bonding portion BDP having a plurality of bonding pads bonded to a connection part CP, and an extension portion ETP connecting the chip portion CHP and the bonding portion BDP. The bonding portion BDP contacts the connection portion CP, while the extension portion ETP does not contact the connection portion CP. Optionally, the chip portion CHP contacts the main support layer SUSm or a layer above the main support layer SUSm, while the extension portion ETP does not contact the main support layer SUSm or a layer above the main support layer SUSm.

[0048] In the present display device, due to the complex structure of the stacked structure in the edge portion, the bonding portion BDP and the extension portion ETP can be formed to be substantially flat and substantially without a step difference. In some embodiments, the first average distance d1 between the surface S1 of the bonding portion BDP close to the main support layer SUSm and the surface of the main support layer SUSm close to the bonding portion BDP is substantially the same as the second average distance d2 between the surface S2 of the extension portion ETP close to the main support layer SUSm and the surface of the main support layer SUSm close to the extension portion ETP. In some embodiments, the surface S1 of the bonding portion BDP close to the main support layer SUSm and the surface S2 of the extension portion ETP close to the main support layer SUSm are substantially coplanar. As used herein, the term "substantially coplanar" refers to two or more surfaces on a structure that share the same common plane or are offset from sharing the same common plane by no more than 0.05mm (e.g., no more than 0.04mm, no more than 0.03mm, no more than 0.02mm, no more than 0.01mm, no more than 0.005mm, or no more than 0.001mm).

[0049] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The display device includes an auxiliary support layer SUSa having a single-layer structure, for example, lacking a double-layer structure formed by folding. The inventors of the present disclosure have found that Figure 5 The display device in the embodiment results in a large step difference sd between the bonding part BDP and the extension part ETP. Typically, the step difference sd in the display device is greater than 0.15 mm. Due to the large step difference sd between the bonding part BDP and the extension part ETP, the flexible printed circuit is prone to peeling defects. In order to make the display device less prone to peeling defects, the chip part CHP must usually be separated from the connecting part CP by a large distance w2. Typically, the chip part CHP must be separated from the connecting part CP by a distance w2 that is at least 10 times the step difference sd (e.g., 1.5 mm) to reduce peeling defects.

[0050] Reference again Figure 2 and Figure 4 By having a unique stacking structure as described in the present disclosure, the bonding portion BDP and the extension portion ETP can be formed to be substantially flat and substantially have no step difference, as described above. By making the bonding portion BDP and the extension portion ETP substantially flat and substantially have no step difference, the chip portion CHP does not need to be spaced apart from the connection portion CP as much as Figure 5In some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the edge E2 of the connecting part CP close to the chip part CHP on the main support layer SUSm is separated from the orthographic projection of the edge E3 of the chip part CHP close to the folded part FBP on the main support layer SUSm by a distance w2 less than 1.2 mm, for example, less than 1.1 mm, less than 1.0 mm, less than 0.9 mm or less than 0.8 mm. Optionally, the distance w2 is 0.7 mm. The orthographic projection of the edge E1 of the folded part FBP close to the chip part CHP on the main support layer SUSm is between the orthographic projection of the edge E2 of the connecting part CP close to the chip part CHP on the main support layer SUSm and the orthographic projection of the edge E3 of the chip part CHP close to the folded part FBP on the main support layer SUSm.

[0051] In some embodiments, the orthographic projection of the edge E1 of the folded portion FBP close to the chip portion CHP on the main support layer SUSm is spaced apart from the orthographic projection of the edge E2 of the connecting portion CP close to the chip portion CHP on the main support layer SUSm by a distance w1 greater than or equal to 0.2 mm. The orthographic projection of the edge E1 of the folded portion FBP close to the chip portion CHP on the main support layer SUSm is between the orthographic projection of the edge E2 of the connecting portion CP close to the chip portion CHP on the main support layer SUSm and the orthographic projection of the edge E3 of the chip portion CHP close to the folded portion FBP on the main support layer SUSm. By having a spacing distance w1 greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, it can be ensured that the bonding area is substantially flat.

[0052] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The stacked structure further includes a first back film BF1 covering the back surface of the display portion DP, the first back film BD1 being located between the display portion DP and a portion of the main support layer SUSm; and a second back film BF2 covering the back surface of the connection portion CP, the second back film BF2 being located between the connection portion CP and the folding portion FBP. The folding portion BP does not include the first back film BF1, and does not include the second back film BF2.

[0053] Figure 6 is a further enlarged view of the stacking structure in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6, the orthographic projection of the folded portion FBP on the second back film BF2 does not overlap with the portion FP of the second back film BF2, which extends toward the bent portion BP beyond the portion of the auxiliary support layer SUSa where the folded portion FBP and the main portion MP are connected to each other. Optionally, the edge of the portion FP of the second back film BF2 is spaced apart from the portion of the auxiliary support layer SUSa where the folded portion FBP and the main portion MP are connected to each other by a distance d3 greater than or equal to 0.15 mm. By having such a spacing distance, the second back film BF2 can be made more resistant to strain and stress caused by bending.

[0054] See again Figure 2 In some embodiments, the stacking structure also includes a first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1 between the first back film BF1 and the main supporting layer SUSm, the first optically transparent adhesive layer OCA1 bonding the first back film BF1 and the main supporting layer SUSm together; a polarizer PL, which is located on the side of the display part DP away from the first back film BF1; a second optically transparent adhesive layer OCA2, which is located on the side of the polarizer PL away from the display part DP; and a cover CG, which is located on the side of the second optically transparent adhesive layer OCA2 away from the polarizer PL.

[0055] In some embodiments, the display device further includes a coating layer CL covering a back surface of the bending portion BP opposite to a side directly surrounding the bending cavity BC.

[0056] On the other hand, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a display device. In some embodiments, the method includes setting a display panel; bending the display panel to form a bending portion, a display portion and a connecting portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connecting portion; setting a main support layer; setting an auxiliary support layer, wherein the auxiliary support layer includes a main body portion and a folded back portion as an integral structure, wherein the folded back portion is connected to the main body portion; setting the main support layer and the auxiliary support layer between the connecting portion and the display portion to form a stacked structure in an edge portion of the display device, wherein the stacked structure includes the connecting portion; the folded back portion on the connecting portion; at least a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded back portion away from the connecting portion; a portion of the main support layer located on a side of the main body portion away from the folded back portion; and a portion of the display portion located on a side of the main support layer away from the main body portion; and bending the multiple layers of the stacked structure toward the back of the display device, wherein the back of the display device is opposite to the light-emitting surface of the display device.

[0057] In some embodiments, the method also includes setting an original supporting layer; folding the original supporting layer to form the folded back portion and the main body portion, the folded back portion and a portion of the main body portion forming a double-layer structure; and at least pressing the double-layer structure to achieve a curvature that matches the curvature of the main supporting layer.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method further includes bending the plurality of layers of the stacked structure, including pressing an edge portion of the display device using a profile press. Figure 7 A process of bending an edge portion of a display device using a profile press according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0059] The first back film and the second back film can be made using various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods. For example, a flexible organic polymer material can be used to form the first back film and the second back film. Examples of suitable flexible organic polymer materials include, but are not limited to, polyimide, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyarylate, and fiber reinforced plastic.

[0060] Can use various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods to make coating.For example, UV curable adhesive material can be used to form coating.The example of UV curable adhesive comprises UV curable adhesive material, and it comprises the photoinitiator that produces free radical and the compound (for example acrylate, methacrylate or vinyl group) with multiple unsaturated groups, such as, oligomer with multiple unsaturated groups and monomer with multiple unsaturated groups optionally.The specific example of the photoinitiator that produces free radical comprises, for example, I type or II type photoinitiator, such as benzoin ether, 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-ketone or benzophenone etc.The specific example of the oligomer with multiple unsaturated groups comprises acrylate oligomer, such as epoxy acrylate (for example bisphenol-A-epoxy acrylate), aliphatic amino ester acrylate (for example IPDI base aliphatic amino ester acrylate), aromatic amino ester acrylate, polyether acrylate, polyester acrylate, aminated acrylate and acrylate (acrylic acrylates). Specific examples of monomers include monofunctional monomers, difunctional monomers and trifunctional monomers, such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, isodecyl acrylate, ethoxylated phenyl acrylate and 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, etc. Other examples of UV curable adhesives include UV curable adhesive materials containing cationic photoinitiators and epoxides. Specific examples of cationic photoinitiators include onium salts, such as aryl sulfonium and aryl iodonium salts. Specific examples of epoxy compounds include alicyclic epoxy compounds and aromatic epoxy compounds, such as 3,4-epoxy-cyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxy-cyclohexane-carboxylate and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, as well as polysiloxanes having epoxy groups, etc.

[0061] The optically clear adhesive layer can be prepared using a variety of suitable materials and a variety of suitable manufacturing methods. Examples of suitable optically clear adhesive materials include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acids, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); cyclic olefin copolymers; polycarbonates; epoxy resins; silicone-based optically clear adhesive materials; or combinations thereof.

[0062] Various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods can be used to manufacture the cover. Examples of suitable materials for manufacturing the cover include, but are not limited to, polyamines, such as colorless polyamines, thin glass, ultra-thin glass, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and / or combinations thereof. Optionally, the cover has a double-layer structure, the double-layer structure comprising a first sublayer, a second sublayer and an adhesive sublayer bonding the first sublayer and the second sublayer together. Optionally, the first sublayer and the second sublayer are made of colorless polyamine, and the adhesive sublayer is an optically transparent adhesive sublayer. Optionally, the cover further comprises a hard coating sublayer. Optionally, the cover also comprises a protective film.

[0063] The main support layer can be made of various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods. Optionally, the main support layer includes a metal support layer. Various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods can be used to make the metal support layer. For example, a metal material can be used to form a metal support layer. Examples of suitable metal materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and various suitable alloys or laminates. Optionally, the main support layer includes an organic material layer (e.g., a foam layer). For example, an organic polymer material can be used to form an organic material layer (e.g., a foam layer). Examples of suitable organic polymer materials include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate.

[0064] The auxiliary support layer can be made using various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods. Optionally, the auxiliary support layer includes a metal support layer. The metal support layer can be made using various suitable materials and various suitable manufacturing methods. For example, a metal material can be used to form a metal support layer. Examples of suitable metal materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and various suitable alloys or laminates. Optionally, the auxiliary support layer includes an organic material layer (e.g., a foam layer). For example, an organic polymer material can be used to form an organic material layer (e.g., a foam layer). Examples of suitable organic polymer materials include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate.

[0065] For the purpose of illustration and description, the above description of the embodiments of the present invention has been given. It is not exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the present invention to the precise form or exemplary embodiments disclosed. Therefore, the foregoing description should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments are selected and described to explain the principles of the present invention and its best mode practical application, so that those skilled in the art can understand the various embodiments of the present invention and the various modifications suitable for the specific use or implementation under consideration. The scope of the present invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, wherein all terms are meant to have the broadest reasonable meaning unless otherwise stated. Therefore, the term "the present invention" and the like do not necessarily limit the scope of the claims to a specific embodiment, and the reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention does not mean a limitation of the present invention, and such limitation should not be inferred. The present invention is limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, these claims may involve the use of "first", "second", etc., followed by a noun or element. These terms should be understood as nomenclature, and should not be interpreted as limiting the number of elements modified by these nomenclatures, unless a specific number has been given. Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art may make changes to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the elements and assemblies in this disclosure are not intended to be contributed to the public, regardless of whether the element or assembly is clearly described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A display panel having a display portion, a connection portion, and a bending portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connection portion, and the bending portion is bent; a primary support layer; and an auxiliary supporting layer comprising a main body portion as an integral structure and a folded back portion connected to the main body portion; Wherein, the edge portion of the display device includes a stacked structure, and the stacked structure includes: the connecting portion; the folded portion on the connecting portion; at least a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded portion away from the connecting portion; a portion of the primary support layer; and a portion of the display portion located on a side of the portion of the main supporting layer away from the main body portion; wherein the plurality of layers of the stacked structure are bent toward the back side of the display device, and the back side of the display device is opposite to the light emitting surface of the display device; Also included is a flexible printed circuit bonded to the connecting portion; wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a chip portion on the back side of the display device, a bonding portion including a plurality of bonding pads bonded to the connecting portion, and an extending portion connecting the chip portion and the bonding portion; and A first average distance between a surface of the joining portion on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer on a side close to the joining portion is substantially the same as a second average distance between a surface of the extending portion on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer on a side close to the extending portion.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The folded back portion and the main body portion include the same material; A portion of the main body portion and the folded portion form a double-layer structure; as well as The folded-back portion at least partially contacts a rear surface of the main body portion, the rear surface being a surface of the main body portion on a side away from the main supporting layer.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The bent portion is bent to form a bent cavity; as well as A portion of the auxiliary supporting layer located where the folded portion and the main body portion are connected to each other directly adjoins the bending cavity.

4. The display device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The return portion and at least a portion of the main body portion have matching curvatures.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The return portion, the main body portion and at least a portion of the primary support layer have matching curvatures.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: Each layer and an adjacent layer of the plurality of layers of the stacked structure have matching curvatures.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The surface of the engagement portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer and the surface of the extension portion located on a side close to the main supporting layer are substantially coplanar.

8. The display device according to claim 1 or 7, wherein: The orthographic projection of the edge of the folded portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer is spaced apart from the orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer by a distance greater than or equal to 0.2 mm; The orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main support layer is spaced apart from the orthographic projection of the edge of the chip portion close to the folded portion on the main support layer by a distance less than 1.0 mm; as well as The orthographic projection of the edge of the folded portion close to the chip portion on the main supporting layer is between the orthographic projection of the edge of the connecting portion close to the chip portion on the main supporting layer and the orthographic projection of the edge of the chip portion close to the folded portion on the main supporting layer.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The stacking structure further comprises: a first backing film covering a back surface of the display portion, the first backing film being located between the display portion and the portion of the main supporting layer; and a second backing film covering a back surface of the connecting portion, the second backing film being located between the connecting portion and the folded back portion; The bent portion does not include the first back film and does not include the second back film.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The orthographic projection of the folded portion on the second backing film does not overlap with a portion of the second backing film, and the portion of the second backing film is a portion extending toward the bent portion and beyond the connection between the folded portion and the main body portion on the auxiliary supporting layer; as well as The edge of the portion of the second backing film is spaced apart from a portion of the auxiliary supporting layer where the folded portion and the main body portion are connected to each other by a distance greater than or equal to 0.15 mm.

11. The display device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The stacking structure further comprises: a first optically clear adhesive layer between the first backing film and the portion of the primary support layer, the first optically clear adhesive layer bonding the first backing film and the primary support layer together; a polarizer, located on a side of the display portion away from the first back film; a second optically transparent adhesive layer located on a side of the polarizer away from the display portion; and A cover is located on a side of the second optically transparent adhesive layer away from the polarizer.

12. The display device according to claim 3 further comprises a coating covering a back side of the bending portion, the back side being opposite to a side of the bending portion directly surrounding the bending cavity.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The main support layer comprises a metal material; and The auxiliary supporting layer includes an organic polymer material.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The main support layer comprises a metal material; and The auxiliary supporting layer includes a metal material.

15. A method for manufacturing a display device, comprising: Set up the display panel; Bending the display panel to form a bending portion, a display portion, and a connecting portion, wherein the bending portion connects the display portion and the connecting portion; Set up the main support layer; Providing an auxiliary supporting layer, the auxiliary supporting layer comprising a main body portion as an integral structure and a folded back portion connected to the main body portion; The main supporting layer and the auxiliary supporting layer are arranged between the connecting portion and the display portion, so as to form a stacked structure at the edge portion of the display device, wherein the stacked structure includes the connecting portion; the folded portion on the connecting portion; at least a portion of the main body portion located on a side of the folded portion away from the connecting portion; the main supporting layer located on a side of the main body portion away from the folded portion; and a portion of the display portion located on a side of the main supporting layer away from the main body portion; and bending the plurality of layers of the stacked structure toward a back surface of the display device, the back surface of the display device being opposite to a light emitting surface of the display device; providing a flexible printed circuit bonded to the connecting portion; wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a chip portion on the back side of the display device, a bonding portion including a plurality of bonding pads bonded to the connecting portion, and an extending portion connecting the chip portion and the bonding portion; and A first average distance between a surface of the joining portion on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer on a side close to the joining portion is substantially the same as a second average distance between a surface of the extending portion on a side close to the main supporting layer and a surface of the main supporting layer on a side close to the extending portion.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: Set the original support layer; Folding the original supporting layer to form the folded portion and the main body portion, wherein the folded portion and a portion of the main body portion form a double-layer structure; as well as At least the double layer structure is pressed to achieve a curvature that matches the curvature of the main support layer.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: Bending the plurality of layers of the stacked structure includes pressing the edge portion of the display device using a profile press.

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