Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed, the display device comprising: a first device frame and a second device frame arranged close to each other; a panel arranged on the first device frame and the second device frame; and a folding hinge unit arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame. The folding hinge unit comprises: a plurality of chain hinges arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame, the plurality of chain hinges being configured to fold the first device frame and the second device frame inwardly and outwardly; and an X-hinge comprising a first connection link and a second connection link coupled to the chain hinge and configured to control a folding trajectory of the chain hinge.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application entitled “Display Device” and application number 201911148162.9. Patent application 201911148162.9 is an invention patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 21, 2019 in accordance with the Patent Cooperation Treaty in accordance with the Paris Treaty.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0151948, filed on November 30, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a foldable display device. Background Art

[0004] Recently, in an information-oriented society, the importance of display devices as visual information transmission media has been highlighted, and in order to occupy a major position in the future, display devices should meet requirements such as low power consumption, thin thickness, light weight, high definition, etc.

[0005] Displays are divided into: self-luminous light-emitting displays, such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), electroluminescent (EL) elements, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), field emission displays (FEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs); and non-luminous displays that are not self-luminous, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

[0006] With the advancement of technology, flexible display devices are manufactured using flexible materials such as plastic instead of non-flexible glass substrates applied to conventional displays and thus can maintain their display performance even when bent like paper, and are rapidly developed as next-generation display devices.

[0007] Flexible display devices may be classified into unbreakable type displays having high durability using a plastic thin film transistor substrate instead of glass, bendable type displays that can be bent without cracking, rollable type displays that can be rolled up, foldable type displays, etc. These flexible display devices may have advantages such as space utilization and internal design advantages, and may be applied to various fields.

[0008] In particular, in order to achieve large-scale as well as ultrathinness, light weight, and miniaturization, research on a foldable display device that is portable in a folded state and displays an image in an unfolded state is being vigorously conducted.

[0009] The foldable display device may be applied to various fields, for example, not only to mobile devices including mobile phones, ultra-mobile PCs, e-books, and e-papers, but also to televisions, monitors, and the like.

[0010] The foldable display device includes a hinge mechanism that enables the foldable display device to be folded and unfolded.

[0011] Here, a hinge mechanism generally used is implemented as a multi-link hinge having various structures including a chain or a biaxial folding hinge including two hinge axes and connected to each other through a central body.

[0012] In addition, the hinge mechanism can be divided into an inner folding hinge that is folded when the display panel is located inside the display device and an outer folding hinge that is folded when the display panel is located outside the display device according to the position of the display panel.

[0013] When a foldable display device is implemented using both an inner folding hinge and an outer folding hinge, it is difficult to simultaneously control both the curvature and the trajectory of the folding section, and thus it is difficult to commercialize the inner / outer folding hinge mechanism. Summary of the invention

[0014] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a display device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device having a folding hinge unit which can be used as an inner folding hinge and an outer folding hinge and can control the trajectory of a folding section.

[0016] The additional advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will be described in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art when reviewing the following or can be learned from the practice of the present invention. The purposes and other advantages of the present invention can be realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and its claims and the drawings.

[0017] To achieve these effects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as implemented and broadly described herein, a display device includes: a first device frame and a second device frame arranged close to each other; a panel arranged on the first device frame and the second device frame; and a folding hinge unit arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame, wherein the folding hinge unit includes: a plurality of chain hinges arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame, the plurality of chain hinges being configured to fold the first device frame and the second device frame inwardly and outwardly; and an X-hinge, which includes a first connecting chain and a second connecting chain coupled to the chain hinge and is configured to control a folding trajectory of the chain hinge.

[0018] The central regions of the chain hinges may be connected such that the chain hinges are rotatable relative to each other.

[0019] The chain hinge has a shape with a gradually decreasing width from its convex central region to its tapered upper and lower regions.

[0020] The first connecting link and the second connecting link may have the same length.

[0021] The first connecting chain may include: a first fixing pin fixed to a chain hinge located near a first device frame; a second fixing pin fixed to another chain hinge located near a second device frame; and a first connecting member connected to the first fixing pin and the second fixing pin.

[0022] The second connecting chain may include: a third fixing pin fixed to a chain hinge located near a position of the first device frame; a fourth fixing pin fixed to another chain hinge located near a position of the second device frame; and a second connecting member connected to the third fixing pin and the fourth fixing pin.

[0023] The first fixing pin may be located closer to the first device frame than the third fixing pin, and the fourth fixing pin may be located closer to the second device frame than the second fixing pin.

[0024] The first to fourth fixing pins may be coupled to upper regions of corresponding chain hinges.

[0025] A sliding section having a length changed by a sliding plate and a spring configured to control sliding may be formed in at least one of the first device frame or the second device frame.

[0026] The chain hinge and the X hinge are formed of metal.

[0027] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an inner folding operation of a folding hinge unit;

[0031] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an unfolding operation of a folding hinge unit;

[0032] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an outer folding operation of a folding hinge unit; and

[0033] Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5 (D) is the indication of Figure 1 View of the trajectory control performed by the folding hinge unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, it should be understood that when a component such as a layer (film), region, pattern or structure is referred to as being "on" or "under" another component such as a substrate, another layer (film), region, pad or pattern, the component may be "directly" located "on" or "under" the other part, or other components may be inserted between the two components. In addition, it should be understood that the criteria for the upward direction or outward direction of each layer are described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0035] For the convenience and clarity of description, the shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the accompanying drawings are enlarged, omitted or schematically shown. In addition, the size of the corresponding element does not fully reflect the actual size of the element. In the following description of the embodiment, the same elements are represented by the same reference numerals, even if they are shown in different drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the inner folding operation of the folding hinge unit, Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the unfolding operation of the folding hinge unit, Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the outer folding operation of the folding hinge unit, and Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5 (D) is the indication of Figure 1 View of the trajectory control performed by the folding hinge unit.

[0037] Reference Figures 1 to 5(D) The display device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the first frame 20 , the second frame 40 , the first device frame 120 , the second device frame 140 , and the folding hinge unit 101 .

[0038] The first frame 20 and the second frame 40 may be arranged close to each other and accommodate the panel 10 so that an inward folding operation and an outward folding operation of the panel 10 can be achieved by the folding hinge unit 101 .

[0039] like Figures 2 to 4 , the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140 may be arranged close to each other and support the lower portion of the panel 10. For example, the first device frame 120 may be located inside the first frame 20, and the second device frame 140 may be located inside the second frame 40.

[0040] The panel 10 includes a display area in which an image is displayed through a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. The display area may include a first display area where the first device frame 120 is located, a second display area where the second device frame 140 is located, and a bending area.

[0041] The first device frame 120 may be arranged close to the second device frame 140, wherein the bending area may be provided between the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140. The bending area may be defined as an area between the first display area and the second display area of ​​the panel 10. The bending area may be spread into a flat surface state or may be bent into a curved surface state having a constant radius of curvature according to folding.

[0042] The first frame 20 may support or accommodate various components corresponding to the first display area of ​​the panel 10 such as a first device frame 120 , and the second frame 40 may support or accommodate various components corresponding to the second display area of ​​the panel 10 such as a second device frame 140 .

[0043] Optionally, the first display area and the second display area may have the same size, but are not limited thereto. In addition, one of the first display area or the second display area may have a larger size than the other display area. In this case, in the folded state of the panel 10, a portion of the display area having a relatively larger size is exposed to the outside, and the exposed portion of the display area can continuously display the date, time, remaining battery level, notifications, etc., even when the display device 1 is turned off.

[0044] Here, the panel 10 may be a flexible organic light emitting display panel, a flexible electrophoretic display panel, a flexible electrowetting display panel, or a flexible quantum dot display panel.

[0045] The panel 10 is located on the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140, and when the panel is folded, it can be located inside (on the inner surface) or outside (on the outer surface) of the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140. Of course, another panel 10 can be located below the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140 as needed. Therefore, in the folded state, the panel 10 can be located on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140, or the panel 10 can be located on one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140.

[0046] Here, folding may be defined as a folding operation or an unfolding operation including a bending area, and may be implemented by folding the hinge unit 101 .

[0047] The folding hinge unit 101 may be disposed between the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140 .

[0048] The folding hinge unit 101 has a structure in which a plurality of chain hinges 100 are continuously connected to form an assembly, and an X hinge is coupled to some segments of the assembly of the chain hinges 100 to be foldable and unfoldable, and both inner and outer folding operations can be achieved.

[0049] Here, an assembly formed by continuously connecting the chain hinges 100 may be referred to as a chain hinge assembly, a chain hinge continuum, or the like.

[0050] The chain hinge 100 may be disposed between the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140 .

[0051] Here, the chain hinge 100 is continuously connected to be rotatable, and may thus fold the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140 in the inward and outward directions.

[0052] The chain hinge 100 may have a shape in which its width gradually decreases from its convex central region to its tapered upper and lower regions. For example, each chain hinge 100 may have a first region 102 forming its upper region, a second region 103 forming its central region, and a third region 104 forming its lower region, and the first region 102 and the third region 104 may have symmetrical shapes (for example, the chain hinge 100 has a rhombus shape or a symmetrical trapezoidal shape).

[0053] Here, the central area of ​​the chain hinge 100, that is, the second area 103, may be connected so that the chain hinge 100 is rotatable relative to each other. For example, a pin, a hinge, etc. may be coupled to the central area of ​​the chain hinge 100. Therefore, the chain hinge 100 can rotate, and thus the position of the chain hinge 100 can be changed with a constant rotation radius.

[0054] The above-mentioned chain hinge assembly has a continuous connection structure having a small mechanical height difference, and thus can have a constant rotation radius even if the chain hinge assembly is folded inwardly or outwardly, thereby providing a smooth inward / outward folding requirement of the folding hinge unit 101. In addition, the chain hinge assembly does not need to install an outer edge unit required for controlling the curvature when a configuration in which the curvature radius is changed according to the inward / outward folding operation is applied as in a conventional chain hinge, and thus can have a simple configuration.

[0055] The X hinge may include a first connection link 200 and a second connection link 300 coupled to the chain hinge 100 , and may control a folding trajectory of the chain hinge 100 (more specifically, a chain hinge assembly).

[0056] Here, the first connection link 200 and the second connection link 300 may have the same length. Of course, according to the embodiment, the first connection link 200 and the second connection link 300 may have different lengths.

[0057] The first connection link 200 may include a first fixing pin 210 , a second fixing pin 220 , and a first connection piece 230 , and the second connection link 300 may include a third fixing pin 310 , a fourth fixing pin 320 , and a second connection piece 330 .

[0058] In the first connection chain 200, the first fixing pin 210 may be fixed to one chain hinge 100 located at a position close to the first device frame 120, and the second fixing pin 220 may be fixed to the other chain hinge 100 located at a position close to the second device frame 140. The first connector 230 may be connected to the first fixing pin 210 and the second fixing pin 220.

[0059] In the second connection chain 300, the third fixing pin 310 may be fixed to one chain hinge 100 located at a position close to the first device frame 120, and the fourth fixing pin 320 may be fixed to another chain hinge 100 located at a position close to the second device frame 140. The second connector 330 may be connected to the third fixing pin 310 and the fourth fixing pin 320.

[0060] With respect to the corresponding positions of the first to fourth fixing pins 210, 220, 310 and 320 at the chain hinge 100, the position of the first fixing pin 210 can be closer to the first device frame 120 than the position of the third fixing pin 310, and the position of the fourth fixing pin 320 can be closer to the second device frame 140 than the position of the second fixing pin 220.

[0061] Therefore, the first connector 230 and the second connector 330 can be Figure 2 The folded state shown and Figure 4 In the outer folded state shown, they cross in an X shape and Figure 3 In the shown deployed state they are positioned parallel to one another or overlapping one another.

[0062] Here, the first to fourth fixing pins 210, 220, 310, and 320 of the first and second connecting links 200 and 300 may be coupled to any one of the upper, central, and lower regions of the corresponding chain hinge 100 as needed. Figure 2 Various positions of the first to fourth fixing pins 210, 220, 310, and 320 coupled to the chain hinge 100 are shown, but the first to fourth fixing pins 210, 220, 310, and 320 of the first connecting chain 200 and the second connecting chain 300 may also be as shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The upper regions, namely the first regions 102 , are respectively coupled to the corresponding chain hinges 100 , as exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0063] The chain hinge 100 and the X hinge may be made of plastic, metal, or the like.

[0064] A sliding section 121 having a length changed by a sliding plate (not shown) and a spring (not shown) for controlling sliding may be formed in at least one of the first device frame 120 or the second device frame 140 to which the folding unit 101 is coupled. In the foldable display device, since a sliding structure implemented by a sliding plate and a spring is known through previously submitted technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] like Figure 2 As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 , since the display device having the folding hinge unit 101 including the above-mentioned elements according to this embodiment is folded in an inner folding state in which the panel 10 is located inside the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140, the chain hinge 100 can be Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5The sequence shown in (D) bends the panel 10 by the operation of the X hinge with a constant curvature and trajectory. Here, the sliding section 121 of the first device frame 120 is changed to the section B having the smallest length.

[0066] In addition, if Figure 3 As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 , when the display device is changed to an unfolded state to unfold the panel 10, the chain hinge 100 can be arranged in parallel by the operation of the X hinge with a constant curvature and trajectory, and the horizontal state of the panel 10 is maintained. Here, the sliding segment 121 in the first device frame 120 is changed to a segment A with an increased length.

[0067] In addition, if Figure 4 As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 , since the display device is folded in the outer folding state in which the panel 10 is located outside the first device frame 120 and the second device frame 140, the chain hinge 100 can bend the panel 10 by the operation of the X hinge with a constant curvature and trajectory. Here, the sliding segment 121 in the first device frame 120 is changed into a segment A+B having a length corresponding to the sum of the length of the segment B in the inner folding state and the length of the segment A in the unfolded state.

[0068] The display device according to the embodiment can control the curvature and trajectory of the folding section using the folding hinge unit 101 including the chain hinge 100 for controlling the curvature and the X hinge for controlling the trajectory, and thus can achieve both the inner folding operation and the outer folding operation.

[0069] The above-described display device according to the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as TV, smart phone, tablet PC, etc.

[0070] In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the display device employing the folding hinge unit 101 according to the embodiment may be applied to other types of folding structures including a sliding plate and a spring.

[0071] As apparent from the above description, the display device according to the present invention controls the curvature and trajectory of the folding section using a folding hinge unit including a chain hinge for controlling curvature and an X hinge for controlling a trajectory, and thus can achieve both inner and outer folding operations.

[0072] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present invention as long as the modifications and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0073] This case provides the following technical solutions:

[0074] Solution 1. A display device, comprising:

[0075] a first device frame and a second device frame arranged proximate to each other;

[0076] a panel disposed on the first device frame and the second device frame; and

[0077] a folding hinge unit arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame,

[0078] The folding hinge unit comprises:

[0079] a plurality of chain hinges disposed between the first device frame and the second device frame, the plurality of chain hinges configured to fold the first device frame and the second device frame inwardly and outwardly; and

[0080] The X hinge includes a first connecting link and a second connecting link coupled to the chain hinge and is configured to control a folding trajectory of the chain hinge.

[0081] Solution 2. The display device according to Solution 1, wherein central areas of the chain hinges are connected so that the chain hinges are rotatable relative to each other.

[0082] Option 3. A display device according to Option 2, wherein the chain hinge has a shape having a gradually decreasing width from its convex central area to its tapered upper and lower areas.

[0083] Solution 4. The display device according to Solution 3, wherein the first connecting link and the second connecting link have the same length.

[0084] Solution 5. The display device according to Solution 4, wherein the first connection chain comprises:

[0085] a first fixing pin fixed to a chain hinge located near the first device frame;

[0086] a second fixing pin fixed to another chain hinge located at a position close to the second device frame; and

[0087] A first connecting member is connected to the first fixing pin and the second fixing pin.

[0088] Solution 6. The display device according to Solution 5, wherein the second connection chain comprises:

[0089] a third fixing pin fixed to a chain hinge located near the first device frame;

[0090] a fourth fixing pin fixed to another chain hinge located at a position close to the second device frame; and

[0091] A second connecting member is connected to the third fixing pin and the fourth fixing pin.

[0092] Option 7. A display device according to Option 6, wherein the position of the first fixing pin is closer to the first device frame than the position of the third fixing pin, and the position of the fourth fixing pin is closer to the second device frame than the position of the second fixing pin.

[0093] Option 8. The display device according to Option 7, wherein the first to fourth fixing pins are coupled to upper regions of corresponding chain hinges.

[0094] Option 9. A display device according to Option 8, wherein a sliding section is formed in at least one of the first device frame or the second device frame, the sliding section having a length changed by a sliding plate and a spring, and the sliding plate and the spring are configured to control sliding.

[0095] Solution 10. The display device according to any one of Solution 1 to Solution 9, wherein the chain hinge and the X hinge are formed of metal.

[0096] Solution 11. A display device having a folding hinge unit that controls both the curvature and trajectory of a folding segment.

[0097] Solution 12. A display device having a folding hinge unit that controls both the curvature and trajectory of a folding section and enables both an inner folding operation and an outer folding operation.

[0098] Option 13. A display device according to Option 11 or 12, wherein the folding hinge unit includes: a plurality of chain hinges configured to control curvature; and an X-hinge including a first connecting chain and a second connecting chain coupled to the chain hinges and configured to control the folding trajectory of the chain hinge.

[0099] Option 14. A display device according to Option 11 or 12, wherein the folding hinge unit includes: a plurality of chain hinges configured to implement both an inner folding operation and an outer folding operation; and an X-hinge including a first connecting chain and a second connecting chain coupled to the chain hinges so that the folding hinge unit has a constant rotation radius.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a first device frame and a second device frame arranged proximate to each other; a panel disposed above and below the first device frame and the second device frame, the panel comprising a display area for displaying an image, the display area comprising a first display area where the first device frame is located, and a second display area where the second device frame is located, wherein the first display area and the second display area have different sizes; and a folding hinge unit arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame, a first frame and a second frame, the first frame and the second frame surrounding the first device frame and the second device frame and the first display area and the second display area of ​​the panel; The folding hinge unit comprises: a plurality of chain hinges arranged between the first device frame and the second device frame, the plurality of chain hinges being configured to fold the first device frame and the second device frame inwardly or outwardly, wherein a portion of each chain hinge overlaps with each other, wherein each of the plurality of chain hinges has a central area of ​​the chain hinge, and the central areas of each chain hinge are connected to each other so that the plurality of chain hinges are rotatable relative to each other; and wherein, when the first device frame and the second device frame are folded inwardly, a first space is formed between one end of the first device frame and one end of the second device frame, and a second space is formed between the other end of the first device frame and the other end of the second device frame, wherein the size of the first space is different from the size of the second space, wherein the panel is located on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the first device frame and the second device frame in the folded state; and A portion of the larger one of the first display area and the second display area is exposed to the outside, and even when the display device is turned off, the exposed portion of one of the first display area and the second display area continuously displays the date, time, remaining battery level, and notifications.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the folding hinge unit further comprises an X-hinge, the X-hinge comprising a first connection link and a second connection link coupled to the same side of the plurality of chain hinges and configured to control a folding trajectory of the hinge. 3 . The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the first connection link and the second connection link are not directly connected to each other. The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the first connection link and the second connection link have the same length.

5. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the first connection chain comprises: a first fixing pin fixed to one of the plurality of chain hinges located at a position close to the first device frame; a second fixing pin fixed to one of the plurality of chain hinges located at a position close to the second device frame; as well as A first connecting member is connected to the first fixing pin and the second fixing pin.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the second connection chain comprises: a third fixing pin fixed to another one of the plurality of chain hinges located at a position close to the first device frame; a fourth fixing pin fixed to another one of the plurality of chain hinges located at a position close to the second device frame; as well as A second connecting member is connected to the third fixing pin and the fourth fixing pin.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the first fixing pin is located closer to the first device frame than the third fixing pin, and the fourth fixing pin is located closer to the second device frame than the second fixing pin. 8 . The display device according to claim 6 , wherein the first to fourth fixing pins are coupled to upper regions of corresponding hinges.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: One of the first device frame and the second device frame includes a sliding section having a variable length when the first device frame and the second device frame are folded inwardly or outwardly. 10 . The display device according to claim 9 , wherein the variable length of the sliding section is changed by a sliding plate and a spring configured to control sliding. 11 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of chain hinges has a shape having a gradually decreasing width from a convex central region thereof to tapered upper and lower regions thereof. 12 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chain hinges are formed of metal.

13. The display device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein: The X-hinge is formed of metal. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a size of the first space is larger than a size of the second space. 15 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein when the first device frame and the second device frame are folded, the first device frame and the second device frame are not parallel to each other.

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