Bending device and display device

Abstract

A bending mechanism and a display device relate to the field of display technology. The bending mechanism comprises a support plate (1), a lifting plate (2), a rotating plate (3), a transmission assembly (4), a first elastic member (5) and a driving wheel (6). The support plate (1) has a first surface (110) and a second surface (120) facing each other; the lifting plate (2) is arranged on the side of the first surface (110) facing away from the second surface (120); the rotating plate (3) is arranged on the side of the first surface (110) facing away from the second surface (120); the rotating plate (3) can rotate between a bending position and an unfolding position; the rotating plate (3) can drive the flexible display panel to unfold or bend; the first elastic member (5) is arranged between the lifting plate (2) and the support plate (1); the driving wheel (6) is connected to the rotating plate (3) through the transmission assembly (4); the contour of the driving wheel (6) includes a distal end point and a proximal end point. When the rotating plate (3) rotates from the bent position to the unfolded position, the pushing wheel (6) can push the lifting plate (2) to the supporting position in a direction away from the first surface (110); when the rotating plate (3) rotates from the unfolded position to the bent position, the first elastic member (5) causes the lifting plate (2) to move in a direction close to the first surface (110) to the avoidance position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a bending mechanism and a display device. Background Art

[0002] Bendable flexible display panels are increasingly being used. Users can bend them into a curved state or unfold them into a flat state, transforming their form to suit different usage scenarios. However, conventional techniques typically require a bending device to be installed on the flexible display panel. However, this process can easily lead to wrinkling and damage in the bent area.

[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field.

[0004] Public content

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a bending mechanism and a display device.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bending device is provided for a flexible display panel, the bending device comprising:

[0007] A support plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other;

[0008] a lifting plate, disposed on a side of the first surface facing away from the second surface, with a gap between the lifting plate and the first surface;

[0009] a rotating plate, disposed on a side of the first surface facing away from the second surface and distributed along a first direction on one side of the lifting plate; the rotating plate is rotatably connected to the support plate and can rotate between a bent position and an extended position; in the extended position, the rotating plate and the support plate are coplanar; in the bent position, the rotating plate and the support plate are located in different planes; the rotating plate is used to be attached to the flexible display panel to drive the flexible display panel to be extended or bent;

[0010] a transmission assembly, disposed on the support plate and connected to the rotating plate;

[0011] a first elastic member, disposed between the lifting plate and the support plate, for applying a force to the lifting plate toward the first surface;

[0012] a driving wheel disposed between the lifting plate and the supporting plate and connected to the rotating plate via the transmission assembly; the driving wheel is capable of rotating under the drive of the rotating plate; the contour of the driving wheel includes at least a distal end point and a proximal end point, the distal end point and the proximal end point being at different distances from the rotation axis of the driving wheel;

[0013] During the process of the rotating plate rotating from the bent position to the extended position, the pushing wheel can be driven to push the lifting plate to the supporting position in the direction away from the first surface; during the process of the rotating plate rotating from the extended position to the bent position, the first elastic member causes the lifting plate to move toward the first surface to the avoidance position.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission assembly includes:

[0015] an input gear fixed to the rotating plate, wherein the axial direction of the input gear is a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

[0016] an output gear rotatably connected to the support plate, wherein the rotation axis of the output gear extends along the second direction, and the output gear is coaxially connected to the driving wheel;

[0017] The transmission gear set is meshed between the input gear and the output gear.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission gear set includes:

[0019] a first transmission gear meshing with the input gear;

[0020] a second transmission gear meshing with the output gear;

[0021] The transmission shaft is rotatably connected to the support plate along the second direction, and one end of the transmission shaft is connected to the first transmission gear, and the other end of the transmission shaft is connected to the second transmission gear.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the input gear is a semicircular gear formed on the rotating plate.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the support plate is provided with a mounting hole and a mounting groove extending along a direction perpendicular to the first surface, the pushing wheel is at least partially located in the mounting hole, and the second transmission gear and the output gear are at least partially located in the mounting groove.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating plate is rotatably connected to the supporting plate via a hinge mechanism, and the hinge mechanism includes:

[0025] a fixing portion, fixed to the support plate;

[0026] a rotating portion fixed to the rotating plate and distributed along the second direction with the fixed portion and the input gear; a central axis of the rotating portion and the fixed portion along the second direction is collinear with the central axis of the input gear; a curved sliding groove is provided on a surface of the rotating portion close to the fixed portion;

[0027] A hinge pin, one end of which penetrates the fixing portion and the other end of which is slidably engaged in the sliding groove;

[0028] When the rotating plate rotates between the expanded position and the bent position, the hinge pin slides along the slide groove, and when the rotating plate is in the expanded position, the hinge pin is located at one end of the slide groove, and when the rotating plate is in the bent position, the hinge pin is located at the other end of the slide groove.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge pin includes a pin body and a pin head located at one end of the pin body, wherein the outer periphery of the pin head protrudes from the outer periphery of the pin body; the pin head is slidably engaged in the slide groove, and the end of the pin body facing away from the pin head is located in the fixing portion;

[0030] The hinge mechanism further comprises:

[0031] The second elastic member is sleeved outside the pin body, with one end abutting against the pin head and the other end abutting against the fixing portion; the second elastic member is in a compressed state along the axial direction of the hinge pin.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface of the pin head facing away from the pin body is a spherical surface, and both ends of the bottom surface of the sliding groove have pits matching the shape of the pin head;

[0033] When the rotating plate is located at the unfolded position, the hinge pin is located in one of the recesses of the slide slot; when the rotating plate is located at the bent position, the hinge pin is located in the other recess of the slide slot.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing portion is provided with a blind hole, and a step is provided in the blind hole; the hinge pin and the second elastic member both extend into the blind hole, and the second elastic member is clamped between the step and the pin head.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the same rotating plate is connected to the supporting plate via two hinge mechanisms, and the two hinge mechanisms share the same fixing portion, and the limiting portions of the two hinge mechanisms are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the fixing portion.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating plate is provided with a reinforcing rib connected between the rotating parts of the two hinge mechanisms, and the hinge pin is located on one side of the reinforcing rib.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving wheel is a cam or an eccentric wheel.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there are two rotating plates, and the two rotating plates are distributed on both sides of the lifting plate along the first direction and can rotate toward or away from each other;

[0039] There are two driving wheels, and each driving wheel is connected to a rotating plate through a transmission assembly.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the two driving wheels are distributed along the axial direction of the driving wheel.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lifting plate includes a bottom plate and a boss located on a surface of the bottom plate close to the first surface, and the first elastic member is connected between the boss and the first surface.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a positioning column is provided on the surface of the lifting plate close to the first surface, the first elastic member is a spring, and the first elastic member is sleeved outside the positioning column and connected to the positioning column.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a support arm extending in a direction away from the first surface is provided on an edge of the first surface, and the support arm is located on one side of the lifting plate;

[0044] When the rotating plate is located at the extended position, the support arm abuts against the surface of the rotating plate close to the first surface; when the rotating plate is located at the bent position, the rotating plate is located between the support arm and the lifting plate.

[0045] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a display device, including:

[0046] A flexible display panel having a light emitting surface and a backlight surface opposite to each other;

[0047] In any one of the above-mentioned bending devices, when the rotating plate is located at the unfolded position, the backlight surface is attached to a surface of the rotating plate facing away from the first surface.

[0048] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0050] Figure 1 1 is an exploded view of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the bending device after unfolding in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of the bending device after bending in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the bending device after bending in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 6 It is a partial top view of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 7 It is a side view of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Partial cross-section of section A in the middle.

[0058] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of .

[0059] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of a support plate of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a lifting plate of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the first elastic member of the bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of a rotating plate of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of a rotating plate and a rotating portion of a bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the hinge pin and the second elastic member of the bending device in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Description of reference numerals:

[0066] 1. Support plate; 11. Support arm; 110. First surface; 120. Second surface; 101. Mounting hole; 102. Mounting slot; 2. Lifting plate; 21. Bottom plate; 22. Boss; 221. Positioning column; 3. Rotating plate; 4. Transmission assembly; 41. Input gear; 42. Output gear; 43. Transmission gear set; 431. Transmission shaft; 432. First transmission gear; 433. Second transmission gear; 5. First elastic member; 6. Push wheel; 7. Articulated mechanism; 71. Fixed part; 711. Blind hole; 712. Step; 72. Rotating part; 721. Slide groove; 722. Pit; 73. Hinge pin; 731. Pin body; 732. Pin head; 74. Second elastic member; 75. Reinforcement rib; 8. Rotating shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals in the figures represent identical or similar structures, and thus their detailed descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, the figures are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0068] Although relative terms such as "upper" and "lower" are used in this specification to describe the relationship of one illustrated component to another, these terms are used herein for convenience only, such as in accordance with the orientation of the illustrations in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that if the illustrated device were flipped upside down, the component described as "upper" would become the component "lower." When a structure is referred to as "on" another structure, this may mean that the structure is integrally formed with the other structure, that the structure is "directly" disposed on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" disposed on the other structure via the other structure.

[0069] The terms "a", "an", "the", "said" and "at least one" are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms "including" and "having" are used to express open-ended inclusion and mean that additional elements / components / etc. may be present in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.; the terms "first" and "second" are used only as labels and do not limit the quantity of their objects.

[0070] In the related art, a bendable flexible display panel has a light-emitting surface and a backlight surface, and its bending methods include inward folding and outward folding. Outward folding refers to a method in which the backlight surface tends to fit after bending, and inward folding refers to a bending method in which the light-emitting surface tends to fit after bending. In order to support the flexible display panel during bending, it is usually necessary to install the flexible display panel on a bending device. The bending device generally includes two flat plates that can rotate relative to each other and a connecting plate between the two flat plates. By rotating the two flat plates relative to the connecting plate, the flexible display panel can be driven to bend. For a flexible display panel that adopts an inward folding method, during its bending process, the area of ​​the flexible display panel corresponding to the connecting plate needs to be deformed to form a bending area to ensure smooth bending. However, since the connecting plate is fixed against the flexible display panel, the bending area cannot undergo normal bending deformation and is prone to wrinkling, which makes the flexible display panel easily damaged.

[0071] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bending device for a flexible display panel. The flexible display panel may be an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panel, and the flexible display panel has a light-emitting surface and a backlight surface that are opposite to each other.

[0072] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the bending device of the present disclosure may include a support plate 1, a lifting plate 2, a rotating plate 3, a transmission assembly 4, a first elastic member 5 and a driving wheel 6, wherein:

[0073] The support plate 1 has a first surface 110 and a second surface 120 facing each other;

[0074] The lifting plate 2 is disposed on a side of the first surface 110 facing away from the second surface 120 and has a gap between it and the first surface 110;

[0075] The rotating plate 3 is disposed on a side of the first surface 110 facing away from the second surface 120 and is distributed along the first direction on one side of the lifting plate 2. The rotating plate 3 is rotatably connected to the support plate 1 and can rotate between a bent position and an extended position. In the extended position, the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1 are coplanar; in the bent position, the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1 are located in different planes. The rotating plate 3 is used to attach to the flexible display panel to drive the flexible display panel to be extended or bent.

[0076] The transmission assembly 4 is provided on the support plate 1 and connected to the rotating plate 3;

[0077] The first elastic member 5 is provided between the lifting plate 2 and the supporting plate 1 and is used to apply a force toward the first surface 110 to the lifting plate 2;

[0078] A driving wheel 6 is disposed between the lifting plate 2 and the support plate 1 and connected to the rotating plate 3 via the transmission assembly 4; the driving wheel 6 is capable of rotating under the drive of the rotating plate 3; the contour of the driving wheel 6 includes at least a distal end point and a proximal end point, and the distal end point and the proximal end point are at different distances from the rotation axis of the driving wheel 6;

[0079] During the process of rotating the rotating plate 3 from the bent position to the extended position, the driving wheel 6 can be driven to push the lifting plate 2 to the supporting position in the direction away from the first surface 110; during the process of rotating the rotating plate 3 from the extended position to the bent position, the first elastic member 5 causes the lifting plate 2 to move toward the first surface 110 to the avoidance position.

[0080] The bending device of the embodiment of the present disclosure, when in use, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the rotating plate 3 can be in the expanded position, that is, in the same position as the lifting plate 2, and the flexible display panel can be attached to the surface of the rotating plate 3 facing away from the first surface 110. At this time, the flexible display panel is in contact with the rotating plate 3 and the lifting plate 2 at the same time, but there is no need to make a special connection between the flexible display panel and the lifting plate 2 to prevent affecting the normal bending of the flexible display panel; at this time, the pushing wheel 6 supports the lifting plate 2 on the surface of the lifting plate 2 close to the first surface 110, so that the lifting plate 2 is in the supporting position, thereby overcoming the pulling force applied by the first elastic member 5 to the lifting plate 2 toward the first surface 110.

[0081] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, if the flexible display panel needs to be bent, the rotating plate 3 can be rotated manually or with the help of other external forces. Driven by the rotating plate 3, the flexible display panel is bent; at the same time, the pushing wheel 6 rotates, and the lifting plate 2 gradually loses the supporting force of the pushing wheel 6, so that under the action of the first elastic member 5, it moves toward the direction close to the first surface 110 to the avoidance position. Since the lifting plate 2 moves toward the first surface 110, an accommodating space is reserved for the bending area of ​​the flexible display panel, ensuring that the flexible display panel can be bent smoothly, and the lifting plate 2 can always support the flexible display panel during the movement, thereby realizing dynamic support for the bending area.

[0082] During the process of bending and unfolding the flexible display panel, the lifting plate 2 can support the bending area of ​​the flexible display panel to prevent the bending area from being damaged.

[0083] The following is a detailed description of each part of the bending device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure:

[0084] like Figure 1-Figure 5 as well as Figure 10As shown, the support plate 1 is a flat plate structure, and its shape and size are not particularly limited. The support plate 1 has a first surface 110 and a second surface 120 opposite to each other, and the first surface 110 and the second surface 120 can be parallel planes.

[0085] like Figure 1-Figure 5 as well as Figure 11 As shown, the lifting plate 2 can be a flat plate structure, and the rotating plate 3 can be attached to the flexible display panel so that the flexible display panel can be unfolded or bent by the rotation of the rotating plate 3. The lifting plate 2 can be rectangular or in other shapes. For example, the lifting plate 2 is a rectangular flat plate structure, with its width in the width direction being smaller than the width of the support plate 1 and its length in the length direction being longer than the length of the support plate 1.

[0086] The lifting plate 2 is disposed on the side of the first surface 110 of the support plate 1 facing away from the second surface 120. The lifting plate 2 can be arranged parallel to the first surface 110 with a gap between the first surface 110. The lifting plate 2 can reciprocate between a supporting position and a relief position in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 110, such that the lifting plate 2 remains parallel to the first surface 110 during translation, and the supporting position is located on the side of the relief position facing away from the first surface 110.

[0087] like Figure 1-Figure 5 as well as Figure 12 As shown, the first elastic member 5 can be disposed between the lifting plate 2 and the support plate 1 to apply a force to the lifting plate 2 toward the first surface 110, causing the lifting plate 2 to move to the avoidance position. The first elastic member 5 can be a spring or other elastically deformable device such as a rubber band to apply the aforementioned force to the lifting plate 2. There can be one or more first elastic members 5.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first elastic member 5 is a spring. To facilitate installation of the spring, a positioning post 221 may be provided on the surface of the lifting plate 2 near the first surface 110. The first elastic member 5 may be sleeved around and connected to the positioning post 221. The height of the positioning post 221 is less than the distance between the lifting plate 2 and the first surface 110 when the lifting plate 2 is in the avoidance position.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 11 As shown, the lifting plate 2 may include a bottom plate 21 and a boss 22, wherein:

[0090] The bottom plate 21 is a flat plate structure parallel to the first surface 110;

[0091] The boss 22 is located on the surface of the base plate 21 near the first surface 110. The shape of the boss 22 is not particularly limited herein. The first elastic member 5 can be connected between the boss 22 and the first surface 110. For example, the first elastic member 5 can be a spring. The surface of the boss 22 facing away from the base plate 21, i.e., the surface of the lifting plate 2 near the first surface 110, can be provided with the aforementioned positioning post 221. The first elastic member 5 can be mounted outside the positioning post 221 and connected to the positioning post 221.

[0092] like Figure 1-Figure 5 as well as Figure 13 As shown, the rotating plate 3 can be a flat plate structure, and its shape can be rectangular or other shapes. The rotating plate 3 is arranged on the side of the first surface 110 away from the second surface 120, that is, the rotating plate 3 and the lifting plate 2 are located on the same side of the support plate 1. At the same time, the rotating plate 3 can be distributed on one side of the lifting plate 2 along the first direction, and the rotating plate 3 can be rotatably connected to the support plate 1 and can rotate between a bent position and an unfolded position. The first direction is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 Indicated in the X direction.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating plate 3 and the lifting plate 2 are both rectangular in shape, have the same length, and the width of the rotating plate 3 is greater than the width of the lifting plate 2. The long side of the rotating plate 3 is parallel to the long side of the lifting plate 2.

[0094] The specific implementation manner of realizing the rotation connection between the rotating plate 3 and the supporting plate 1 will be described in detail below.

[0095] When the rotating plate 3 is in the extended position, the rotating plate 3 is coplanar with the support plate 1, that is, the surface of the rotating plate 3 facing away from the first surface 110 and the surface of the support plate 1 facing away from the first surface 110 are in the same plane, that is, the angle between the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1 is 180°. When the rotating plate 3 is in the bent position, the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1 are in different planes, that is, there is a certain angle between the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1, and the angle is greater than 0° and less than 180°. For example, when the rotating plate 3 is in the bent position, the angle between the rotating plate 3 and the support plate 1 is 90°. The rotation angle of the rotating plate 3 disclosed herein is not specifically limited and can be determined according to the maximum bending range that the flexible display panel can withstand.

[0096] In order to limit the rotating plate 3 so that it cannot rotate in the direction close to the support plate 1 after rotating to the unfolded position, thereby maintaining a coplanar state with the lifting plate 2, so that the flexible display panel is flatter after unfolding. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the edge of the first surface 110 of the support plate 1 may be provided with a support arm 11 extending in a direction away from the first surface 110, and the support arm 11 is located on the side of the lifting plate 2. When the rotating plate 3 is in the unfolded position, the support arm 11 abuts against the surface of the rotating plate 3 close to the first surface 110, thereby supporting the rotating plate 3. When the rotating plate 3 is in the bent position, the rotating plate 3 is located between the support arm 11 and the lifting plate 2 to prevent interference with the rotation of the rotating plate 3.

[0097] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the push wheel 6 is disposed between the lifting plate 2 and the support plate 1 and is connected to the rotating plate 3 via a transmission assembly 4 disposed on the support plate 1. The rotation axis of the push wheel 6 is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating plate 3, and the push wheel 6 can rotate under the drive of the rotating plate 3. The profile of the push wheel 6 includes at least a distal end and a proximal end, which are at different distances from the rotation axis of the push wheel 6. This allows the force of the first elastic member 5 to achieve reciprocating translation of the lifting plate 2. Specifically:

[0098] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, during the process of the rotating plate 3 rotating from the bent position to the unfolded position, the driving wheel 6 can be driven to rotate through the transmission assembly 4 until the far end point abuts against the lifting plate 2 (for example, the driving wheel 6 abuts against the surface of the boss 22 close to the first surface 110), thereby pushing the lifting plate 2 in the direction away from the first surface 110 to the support position. The support position is the farthest position that the driving wheel 6 pushes the lifting plate 2 to move away from the first surface 110.

[0099] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, during the process of the rotating plate 3 rotating from the unfolded position to the bent position, the distal end point no longer contacts the lifting plate 2, and the force exerted by the first elastic member 5 on the lifting plate 2 can cause the lifting plate 2 to move toward the first surface 110 until it moves to the avoidance position.

[0100] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lifting platform 2 can abut against the push wheel 6 when in the avoidance position. Specifically, under the tension of the first elastic member 5, the lifting platform 2 moves from the support position toward the first surface 110 to the avoidance position. At this point, the proximal end of the push wheel 6 abuts the lifting platform 2, and the first elastic member 5 remains in a stretched state. In other words, under the tension of the first elastic member 5, the lifting platform 2 is always in contact with the push wheel 6. It is only because the push wheel 6 has a distal end and a proximal end that it can move between the support position and the avoidance position.

[0101] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the lifting platform 2 can be separated from the push wheel 6 when in the avoidance position. Specifically, when the lifting platform 2 moves from the support position toward the first surface 110 to the avoidance position, the force applied by the first elastic member 5 to the lifting platform 2 can cause the lifting platform 2 to move a certain distance toward the first surface 110, but is insufficient to cause the lifting platform 2 to contact the proximal end point of the push wheel 6. Alternatively, before the lifting platform 2 contacts the proximal end point of the push wheel 6, the first elastic member 5 has returned to a free state (neither stretched nor compressed), and the lifting platform 2 stops moving. At this point, the position of the lifting platform 2 is the avoidance position.

[0102] like Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the driving wheel 6 can be a cam, and the point of its profile farthest from the rotation axis is the distal end point, and the point closest to the rotation axis is the proximal end point. The profile of the cam can be an involute or other shape, and its shape is not particularly limited here.

[0103] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the driving wheel 6 can also be an eccentric wheel, whose outline can be circular, but the center of the circle is located outside the rotation axis, the point farthest from the rotation axis is the distal end point, and the point closest to the rotation axis is the proximal end point.

[0104] The transmission component 4 is described below by way of example:

[0105] like Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmission assembly 4 may include multiple gears, which drive the propulsion wheel 6 to rotate step by step through the multiple gears. Specifically, the transmission assembly 4 may include an input gear 41, an output gear 42, and a transmission gear set 43, wherein:

[0106] The input gear 41 is fixed on the rotating plate 3 and can rotate synchronously with the rotating plate 3. At the same time, the axial direction of the input gear 41 is a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction is as follows: Figure 1 Furthermore, the input gear 41 can be a semicircular gear fixed to the surface of the rotating plate 3 near the first surface 110 (when the rotating plate 3 is in the extended position), and the semicircular gear can be integrally formed with the rotating plate 3. Of course, the input gear 41 can also be an independent structure fixed to the rotating plate 3 by means of a snap connection or other means.

[0107] The output gear 42 is rotatably connected to the support plate 1, with its rotation axis being colinear with the rotation axis of the cam along the second direction. The output gear 42 is also coaxially connected to the driving wheel 6. For example, the output gear 42 and the driving wheel 6 are connected via a rotating shaft 8 extending along the second direction. Thus, the output gear 42 can drive the driving wheel 6 to rotate synchronously.

[0108] The transmission gear set 43 can be engaged between the input gear 41 and the output gear 42. When the input gear 41 rotates, the output gear 42 can be driven to rotate. For example, the transmission gear set 43 can include a first transmission gear 432, a second transmission gear 433 and a transmission shaft 431, wherein:

[0109] The transmission shaft 431 is rotatably connected to the support plate 1 .

[0110] The first transmission gear 432 is connected to one end of the transmission shaft 431 and meshes with the input gear 41 .

[0111] The second transmission gear 433 is connected to the other end of the transmission shaft 431 and meshes with the output gear 42 .

[0112] When the rotating plate 3 drives the input gear 41 to rotate, it can drive the first transmission gear 432 to rotate. The first transmission gear 432 can drive the second transmission gear 433 to rotate synchronously through the transmission shaft 431, and the second transmission gear 433 can drive the output gear 42 to rotate, thereby rotating the driving wheel 6.

[0113] Of course, the structure of the transmission assembly 4 is not limited to the above structure. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmission assembly 4 may also adopt other structures as long as the rotating plate 3 can drive the driving wheel 6 to rotate.

[0114] like Figure 1-Figure 7 and Figure 10 As shown, in order to facilitate the installation of the above-mentioned transmission assembly 4 and the driving wheel 6, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a mounting hole 101 and a mounting slot 102 may be opened on the support plate 1. The mounting hole 101 and the mounting slot 102 both pass through the support plate 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 110, and the mounting slot 102 may also pass through the support plate 1 in the first direction. The driving wheel 6 is at least partially located in the mounting hole 101, and the lifting plate 2 is directly opposite the mounting hole 101 so that the driving wheel 6 contacts the lifting plate 2. The second transmission gear 433 and the output gear 42 are at least partially located in the mounting slot 102. The rotating shaft 8 connecting the output gear 42 and the driving wheel 6 can pass through the mounting slot 102 into the mounting hole 101 and rotate in conjunction with the support plate 1. The first transmission gear 432 and the input gear 41 can be located outside the support plate 1.

[0115] The following is an exemplary description of the manner in which the rotating plate 3 is rotatably connected to the supporting plate 1:

[0116] like Figure 1 、 Figure 7-Figure 9 as well as Figure 13-15 As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating plate 3 can be rotatably connected to the support plate 1 through a hinge mechanism 7, and the hinge mechanism 7 may include a fixed portion 71, a rotating portion 72 and a hinge pin 73, wherein:

[0117] The fixing portion 71 can be fixed to the support plate 1. For example, if the support plate 1 has two side edges facing each other in the first direction, the fixing portion 71 can be fixed to the side edge of the support plate 1 near the rotating plate 3. The fixing portion 71 can be a separate component fixed to the support plate 1 by snapping or other connection methods, or it can be a protruding structure integrally formed on the support plate 1.

[0118] The rotating portion 72 is fixed to the surface of the rotating plate 3 near the first surface 110 (when the rotating plate 3 is in the extended position) and is arranged along the second direction with the fixed portion 71 and the input gear 41. The central axis of the rotating portion 72 and the fixed portion 71 along the second direction is collinear with the central axis of the input gear 41. A curved groove 721 is provided on the surface of the rotating portion 72 near the fixed portion 71. The center of curvature of the groove 721 is located on the central axis of the rotating portion 72 along the second direction, and the curvature of the groove 721 is the same as that of the input gear 41. The rotating portion 72 can be integrally formed and curved, but other shapes are also possible.

[0119] like Figure 7-Figure 9 As shown, one end of the hinge pin 73 passes through the fixing portion 71 , and the other end is slidably engaged in the sliding groove 721 .

[0120] As the rotating plate 3 rotates between the extended and bent positions, the hinge pin 73 slides along the slide slot 721. When the rotating plate 3 is in the extended position, the hinge pin 73 is located at one end of the slide slot 721, and when the rotating plate 3 is in the bent position, the hinge pin 73 is located at the other end of the slide slot 721. Thus, the slide slot 721 limits the range of rotation of the rotating plate 3. Simultaneously, the hinge pin 73 contacts the inner wall of the slide slot 721. The friction between the hinge pin 73 and the inner wall of the slide slot 721 prevents the rotating plate 3 from rotating freely. When the external force causing the rotating plate 3 to rotate is removed, the rotating plate 3 will not move freely, thereby achieving a stop-and-go function.

[0121] Further, such as Figure 9 and Figure 15 As shown, in order to increase the friction between the slide groove 721 and the hinge pin 73, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the hinge pin 73 includes a pin body 731 and a pin head 732 located at one end of the pin body 731, and the outer periphery of the pin head 732 protrudes from the outer periphery of the pin body 731. For example, the pin head 732 is a spherical structure, the pin body 731 is a cylindrical structure, and the diameter of the pin body 731 is smaller than the diameter of the pin head 732.

[0122] The pin head 732 is slidably engaged in the slide groove 721 and contacts the bottom surface and side walls of the slide groove 721. One end of the pin body 731 facing away from the pin head 732 is located in the fixing portion 71.

[0123] The hinge mechanism 7 also includes a second elastic member 74, which can be sleeved on the outside of the pin body 731, and one end abuts against the surface of the pin head 732 close to the pin body 731, and the other end abuts against the fixing portion 71. Specifically, the fixing portion 71 can be provided with a blind hole 711 at a position corresponding to the pin body 731, and a step 712 is provided in the blind hole 711. The hinge pin 73 and the second elastic member 74 both extend into the blind hole 711, and the second elastic member 74 is clamped between the step 712 and the pin head 732.

[0124] The second elastic member 74 is always in a compressed state along the axial direction of the hinge pin 73, thereby increasing the pressure of the pin head 732 on the bottom surface of the sliding groove 721, increasing the friction force, and further improving the follow-up stopping effect.

[0125] like Figure 9 and Figure 14 As shown, in order to limit the rotating plate 3 to the bent position and the unfolded position, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface of the pin head 732 facing away from the pin body 731 is a spherical surface, that is, the pin head 732 can be a spherical segment structure; at the same time, pits 722 matching the shape of the pin head 732 are provided at both ends of the bottom surface of the slide groove 721, that is, the inner surface of the pit 722 is a spherical surface.

[0126] When the rotating plate 3 is in the extended position, the pin head 732 is located in one recess 722 of the slide slot 721. When the rotating plate 3 is in the bent position, the pin head 732 is located in the other recess 722 of the slide slot 721. To slide the pin head 732 out of the recess 722, a large external force needs to be applied to the rotating plate 3, thereby positioning the rotating plate 3 in the extended position and the bent position.

[0127] like Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the same rotating plate 3 can be connected to the support plate 1 via two of the aforementioned hinge mechanisms 7, and the two hinge mechanisms 7 can be distributed along the second direction. Furthermore, the two hinge mechanisms 7 can share a common fixing portion 71, and the limiting portions of the two hinge mechanisms 7 can be symmetrically distributed on both sides of the fixing portion 71, with the central axes of the hinge pins 73 of the two hinge mechanisms 7 collinear. The detailed structure of the hinge mechanism 7 can be referred to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0128] Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 75 may be provided on the rotating plate 3 between the rotating parts 72 of the two hinge mechanisms 7 to support the two rotating parts 72, thereby increasing their strength and preventing them from deforming. The hinge pin 73 is located on one side of the reinforcing rib 75 to avoid interference with the reinforcing rib 75.

[0129] like Figure 1-Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, there may be two rotating plates 3, and the two rotating plates 3 are symmetrically distributed along the first direction on both sides of the lifting plate 2. Both rotating plates 3 are rotatably connected to the support plate 1, so that they can rotate toward or away from each other, but are always located on the side of the first surface 110 of the support plate 1 that is away from the second surface 120. Both rotating plates 3 are rotatably connected to the support plate 1 via the above-mentioned hinge mechanism 7. The hinge mechanism 7 of the two rotating plates 3 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the lifting plate 2, and its specific structure is not further described here.

[0130] Correspondingly, such as Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, there are also two driving wheels 6, each connected to the two rotating plates 3 via a transmission assembly 4 in a one-to-one correspondence. That is, each driving wheel 6 is connected to a rotating plate 3 via a transmission assembly 4. The two transmission assemblies 4 are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the lifting plate 2 along the second direction. The two driving wheels 6 can cooperate with the first elastic member 5 simultaneously or independently to move the lifting plate 2. Furthermore, to prevent interference between the two driving wheels 6 during rotation, they can be arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., along the axial direction of the driving wheels 6, i.e., along the second direction, thereby preventing collision.

[0131] When both rotating plates 3 are in the extended position, the lifting plate 2 is in the supporting position, with the rotating plates 3 and lifting plate 2 coplanar, thus supporting the flexible display panel. When both rotating plates 3 are in the bent position, the lifting plate 2 is in the avoidance position, with the rotating plates 3 and lifting plate 2 forming a certain angle, causing the flexible display panel to bend, with the bent area abutting against the lifting plate 2.

[0132] The present disclosure also provides a display device, which may include a flexible display panel and a bending device, wherein:

[0133] The flexible display panel has a light-emitting surface and a backlight surface facing each other, and can be bent under the action of an external force.

[0134] The bending device is any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and its structure and working principle are described in detail. When the rotating plate 3 is in the unfolded position, the backlight surface is attached to the surface of the rotating plate 3 facing away from the first surface 110 .

[0135] The beneficial effects of the display device disclosed herein can be referred to the beneficial effects of the bending device described above and will not be described in detail here. The display device can be an electronic device with image display function, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a television.

[0136] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bending device for a flexible display panel, wherein: The bending device comprises: A support plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a lifting plate, disposed on a side of the first surface facing away from the second surface, with a gap between the lifting plate and the first surface; a rotating plate, disposed on a side of the first surface facing away from the second surface and distributed along a first direction on one side of the lifting plate; the rotating plate is rotatably connected to the support plate and can rotate between a bent position and an extended position; in the extended position, the rotating plate and the support plate are coplanar; in the bent position, the rotating plate and the support plate are located in different planes; the rotating plate is used to be attached to the flexible display panel to drive the flexible display panel to be extended or bent; a transmission assembly, disposed on the support plate and connected to the rotating plate; a first elastic member, disposed between the lifting plate and the support plate, for applying a force to the lifting plate toward the first surface; a driving wheel disposed between the lifting plate and the supporting plate and connected to the rotating plate via the transmission assembly; the driving wheel is capable of rotating under the drive of the rotating plate; the contour of the driving wheel includes at least a distal end point and a proximal end point, the distal end point and the proximal end point being at different distances from the rotation axis of the driving wheel; During the process of the rotating plate rotating from the bent position to the extended position, the pushing wheel can be driven to push the lifting plate to the supporting position in the direction away from the first surface; during the process of the rotating plate rotating from the extended position to the bent position, the first elastic member causes the lifting plate to move toward the first surface to the avoidance position.

2. The bending device according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission assembly comprises: an input gear fixed to the rotating plate, wherein the axial direction of the input gear is a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; an output gear rotatably connected to the support plate, wherein the rotation axis of the output gear extends along the second direction, and the output gear is coaxially connected to the driving wheel; The transmission gear set is meshed between the input gear and the output gear.

3. The bending device according to claim 2, wherein: The transmission gear set includes: a first transmission gear meshing with the input gear; a second transmission gear meshing with the output gear; The transmission shaft is rotatably connected to the support plate along the second direction, and one end of the transmission shaft is connected to the first transmission gear, and the other end of the transmission shaft is connected to the second transmission gear.

4. The bending device according to claim 2, wherein: The input gear is a semicircular gear formed on the rotating plate.

5. The bending device according to claim 3, wherein: The support plate is provided with a mounting hole and a mounting groove which penetrate through the direction perpendicular to the first surface; the pushing wheel is at least partially located in the mounting hole; and the second transmission gear and the output gear are at least partially located in the mounting groove.

6. The bending device according to claim 2, wherein: The rotating plate is rotatably connected to the supporting plate via a hinge mechanism, and the hinge mechanism includes: a fixing portion, fixed to the support plate; a rotating portion fixed to the rotating plate and distributed along the second direction with the fixed portion and the input gear; a central axis of the rotating portion and the fixed portion along the second direction is collinear with the central axis of the input gear; a curved sliding groove is provided on a surface of the rotating portion close to the fixed portion; A hinge pin, one end of which penetrates the fixing portion and the other end of which is slidably engaged in the sliding groove; When the rotating plate rotates between the expanded position and the bent position, the hinge pin slides along the slide groove, and when the rotating plate is in the expanded position, the hinge pin is located at one end of the slide groove, and when the rotating plate is in the bent position, the hinge pin is located at the other end of the slide groove.

7. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein: The hinge pin includes a pin body and a pin head located at one end of the pin body, wherein the outer periphery of the pin head protrudes from the outer periphery of the pin body; the pin head is slidably engaged in the sliding groove, and the end of the pin body facing away from the pin head is located in the fixing portion; The hinge mechanism further comprises: The second elastic member is sleeved outside the pin body, with one end abutting against the pin head and the other end abutting against the fixing portion; the second elastic member is in a compressed state along the axial direction of the hinge pin.

8. The bending device according to claim 7, wherein: The surface of the pin head facing away from the pin body is a spherical surface, and both ends of the bottom surface of the slide groove have pits matching the shape of the pin head; When the rotating plate is located at the unfolded position, the hinge pin is located in one of the recesses of the slide slot; when the rotating plate is located at the bent position, the hinge pin is located in the other recess of the slide slot.

9. The bending device according to claim 7, wherein: The fixing portion is provided with a blind hole, and a step is provided in the blind hole; the hinge pin and the second elastic member both extend into the blind hole, and the second elastic member is clamped between the step and the pin head.

10. The bending device according to claim 6, wherein: The same rotating plate is connected to the supporting plate via two hinge mechanisms, and the two hinge mechanisms share the same fixing portion, and the limiting portions of the two hinge mechanisms are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the fixing portion.

11. The bending device according to claim 10, wherein: The rotating plate is provided with a reinforcing rib connected between the rotating parts of the two hinge mechanisms, and the hinge pin is located on one side of the reinforcing rib.

12. The bending device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving wheel is a cam or an eccentric wheel.

13. The bending device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: There are two rotating plates, and the two rotating plates are distributed on both sides of the lifting plate along the first direction and can rotate towards or away from each other; There are two driving wheels, and each driving wheel is connected to a rotating plate through a transmission assembly.

14. The bending device according to claim 13, wherein: The two driving wheels are distributed along the axial direction of the driving wheel.

15. The bending device according to claim 1, wherein: The lifting plate includes a bottom plate and a boss located on a surface of the bottom plate close to the first surface, and the first elastic member is connected between the boss and the first surface.

16. The bending device according to claim 1, wherein: A positioning column is provided on the surface of the lifting plate close to the first surface. The first elastic member is a spring. The first elastic member is sleeved outside the positioning column and connected to the positioning column.

17. The bending device according to claim 1, wherein: A support arm is provided on the edge of the first surface and extends in a direction away from the first surface, and the support arm is located on one side of the lifting plate; When the rotating plate is located at the extended position, the support arm abuts against the surface of the rotating plate close to the first surface; when the rotating plate is located at the bent position, the rotating plate is located between the support arm and the lifting plate.

18. A display device, wherein: include: A flexible display panel having a light emitting surface and a backlight surface opposite to each other; According to the bending device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, when the rotating plate is in the expanded position, the backlight surface is attached to the surface of the rotating plate facing away from the first surface.

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