Support assembly and display device

Abstract

A support assembly and a display device. The support assembly is used to support a flexible display panel (1), and comprises a plurality of first support members (2) and a plurality of second support members (3). The plurality of first support members (2) and the plurality of second support members (3) are arranged alternately in a first direction (y direction). The first support member (2) comprises a curved surface which is away from the side of the flexible display panel (1) and convex in a direction away from the flexible display panel (1). The first support member (2) and the second support member (3) can be brought close to each other so that the side surface of the second support member (3) can be in contact with the curved surface of the adjacent first support member (2), so that the support assembly is curled along the first direction (y direction); the first support member (2) and the second support member (3) can be separated from each other so that the side surface of the second support member (3) can be separated from the curved surface of the adjacent first support member (2), so that the support assembly is stretched along the first direction (y direction). Finally, the curling and stretching of the flexible display panel (1) are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Flexible display screens can adopt a scroll-like curling design, which allows the display screen to be pulled out, thereby saving the display screen's usage space to the maximum extent and completely changing the appearance of traditional display screens, providing customers with an unprecedented experience and achieving diversified development of product categories.

[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 the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a supporting assembly and a display device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a supporting assembly for supporting a flexible display panel, wherein the supporting assembly comprises:

[0006] A plurality of first support members, each of the first support members comprising a curved surface that is away from the flexible display panel and convex in a direction away from the flexible display panel;

[0007] A plurality of second support members, wherein the plurality of first support members and the plurality of second support members are alternately arranged in sequence in a first direction;

[0008] Among them, the first support member and the second support member can be brought close to each other so that the side surface of the second support member can be in contact with the arc surface of the adjacent first support member, and the support assembly is in a curled state in the first direction; the first support member and the second support member can be separated from each other so that the side surface of the second support member can be separated from the arc surface of the adjacent first support member, and the support assembly is in an extended state in the first direction.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support member includes a plurality of first arc surfaces, a plurality of first planes, and two first side surfaces connected to the first planes, each of the first arc surfaces and the first planes are alternately arranged in a second direction, and the second direction intersects with the first direction;

[0010] The second support member includes a plurality of second arc surfaces, a plurality of second planes, and two second side surfaces connected to the second planes, and each of the second arc surfaces and the second planes are alternately arranged in the second direction;

[0011] In the first direction, each of the first curved surfaces and the second planes are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of the first planes and the second curved surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the width of the second plane in the second direction is smaller than the spacing between the two first planes on both sides of the corresponding first curved surface; the width of the first plane in the second direction is smaller than the spacing between the two second planes on both sides of the corresponding second curved surface.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arc surface and the second arc surface are both parts of a cylindrical surface, and the axes of the first arc surface and the second arc surface both extend along the second direction.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance from the first plane to the flexible display panel and a distance from the second plane to the flexible display panel are both greater than or equal to a maximum distance from the first curved surface to the flexible display panel, and also greater than or equal to a maximum distance from the second curved surface to the flexible display panel.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support member and the second support member each include a first end and a second end, and the first ends of the first support member and the second support member are located on the same side, and the second ends of the first support member and the second support member are located on the same side;

[0015] The first end of the first support member is a first plane, which is a first end plane, and the second end is a first arc surface, which is a first end arc surface;

[0016] The first end of the second support member is a second arc surface, which is a second end arc surface, and the second end of the second surface is a second plane, which is a second end plane;

[0017] The support assembly also includes:

[0018] A plurality of first moving members, each of which is located on a side of a first end plane of the first supporting member away from the flexible display panel, and a side wall of the first moving member matches a second side surface of an adjacent second supporting member;

[0019] The first movable member can move along the second direction toward the center of the first supporting member under the first force until at least part of the side wall of the first movable member is in contact with the second side surfaces of the second supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel is stretched; or can move along the second direction away from the center of the first supporting member under the second force until the side wall of the first movable member is separated from the second side surfaces of the second supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel is curled.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a slot extending along the second direction is provided on the first end plane, a snap-fitting portion is provided on the surface of the first movable member facing the first end plane, the snap-fitting portion of the first movable member is located in the slot and can move along the second direction in the slot on the first end plane.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first limiting groove extending along the second direction is provided on at least one second side surface of the second support member connected to the second end arc surface; a first sliding member is provided on at least one side wall of the first movable member, and when the first movable member moves relative to the first support member, the first sliding member of the first movable member can move in the first limiting groove of the second support member.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the support assembly further comprises:

[0023] a plurality of second moving members, each of the second moving members being located on a side of a second end plane of the second supporting member away from the flexible display panel, and a side wall of the second moving member being matched with a first side surface of an adjacent first supporting member;

[0024] The second movable member can move along the second direction toward the center of the second supporting member under the third force until at least part of the side walls of the second movable member are in contact with the first side surfaces of the first supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel stretches; or can move along the second direction toward the direction away from the center of the second supporting member under the fourth force until the side walls of the second movable member are separated from the first side surfaces of the first supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel curls.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a slot extending along the second direction is provided on the second end plane, a snap-fitting portion is provided on the surface of the second movable member facing the second end plane, the snap-fitting portion of the second movable member is located in the slot and can move along the second direction in the slot on the second end plane.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first limiting groove extending along the second direction is provided on at least one first side surface of the first support member connected to the first end arc surface; a first sliding member is provided on at least one side wall of the second movable member, and when the second movable member moves relative to the second support member, the first sliding member of the second movable member can move in the first limiting groove of the first support member.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance from the first end plane to the flexible display panel is greater than or equal to a maximum distance from the first curved surface connected thereto to the flexible display panel, and is less than a distance from the second plane of the second support member to the flexible display panel;

[0028] The distance from the second end plane to the flexible display panel is greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the second curved surface connected thereto to the flexible display panel, and is less than the distance from the first plane of the first support member to the flexible display panel.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the widths of the first planes in the first support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal, and the widths of the first arc surfaces in the first support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal;

[0030] The widths of the second planes in the second support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal, and the widths of the second arc surfaces in the second support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a display device, including:

[0032] Flexible display panels;

[0033] The supporting assembly mentioned above is used to support the flexible display panel;

[0034] Wherein, the flexible display panel is located on a side of the first support member and the second support member away from the curved surface.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes:

[0036] The shell is cylindrical, and the side wall of the shell has an axial opening, and the support assembly and the flexible display panel can extend into or out of the shell from the opening.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, second sliding members are provided at both ends of the first support member and the second support member, and spiral second limiting grooves are provided on opposite sides of the inner wall of the shell, and the second sliding members of the first support member and the second support member can move in the second limiting grooves of the inner wall of the shell.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the support assembly includes the first moving member and the second moving member, a guide column is provided on a side of the first moving member facing away from the first supporting member and a side of the second moving member facing away from the second supporting member;

[0039] Two guide grooves are arranged on the inner wall of the shell near the opening and facing the support assembly, one of the guide grooves extends along the third direction, and the other guide groove extends along the fourth direction, and the third direction, the fourth direction, the first direction, and the second direction are all different; the closer to the outside of the opening, the smaller the distance between the two guide grooves, and the closer to the inside of the shell, the larger the distance between the two guide grooves;

[0040] Among them, the two guide grooves correspond to the first movable member and the second movable member respectively; when the support assembly and the flexible display panel extend into or out of the opening of the shell, the guide column can move under the constraint of the corresponding guide groove, so that the first movable member can move along the second direction relative to the first support member, and the second movable member can move along the second direction relative to the second support member.

[0041] 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 present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification 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 accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without creative work.

[0043] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a support assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a support assembly when curled;

[0045] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the support assembly when extended;

[0046] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of another supporting assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of another supporting assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a first supporting member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of a second supporting member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the combination of the first supporting member and the first moving member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Fig. 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of a first end plane of a first support member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Fig.10 It is a structural schematic diagram of a first moving member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a state of a combination of a first end plane and a first moving member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of another state of the combination of the first end plane and the first moving member in the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of a combination of a plurality of first supporting members and a plurality of first moving members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0057] Fig.15 is another structural schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0058] Fig.16 is a schematic structural diagram of a housing in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0059] Fig.17 4 is a cross-sectional view of a housing in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Description of reference numerals:

[0061] 1. flexible display panel; 2. first support member; 20. curved surface; 21. first surface; 201. first curved surface; 202. first plane; 203. first side surface; 2011. first end curved surface; 2021. first end plane; 3. second support member; 31. second surface; 301. second curved surface; 302. second plane; 303. second side surface; 3011. second end curved surface; 3021. second end plane; 4. first moving member; 5. second moving member; 61. slot; 601. limiting member; 62. clamping part; 71. first limiting groove; 72. first sliding member; 8. housing; 81. opening; 821. second limiting groove; 822. second sliding member; 831. guide groove; 832. guide column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be comprehensive and complete and fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and thus their detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0063] Although relative terms such as "upper" and "lower" are used in this specification to describe the relative relationship of one component of the illustration to another component, these terms are used in this specification only for convenience, such as according to the orientation of the examples described in the drawings. It is understood that if the device of the illustration is turned upside down, the component described as "upper" will become the component "lower". When a structure is "on" other structures, it may mean that the structure is formed integrally on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" disposed on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" disposed on the other structure through another structure.

[0064] 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 an open-ended inclusive meaning and mean that additional elements / components / etc. may exist in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.; the terms "first", "second" and "third" etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to limit the quantity of their objects.

[0065] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a supporting assembly for supporting a flexible display panel so as to enable the flexible display panel to be curled and stretched.

[0066] refer to Figure 1 , the x direction in the figure is the second direction, and the y direction is the first direction. The flexible display panel 1 to be supported has a first side extending along the x direction and a second side extending along the y direction.

[0067] The support assembly includes a plurality of first support members 2 and a plurality of second support members 3. The plurality of first support members 2 extend along the x direction and are arranged along the y direction. The first support member 2 includes a curved surface 20 that is away from the flexible display panel 1 and convex in a direction away from the flexible display panel 1, and the axis of the curved surface 20 extends in the x direction. The plurality of second support members 3 extend along the x direction and are arranged along the y direction. The plurality of first support members 2 and the plurality of second support members 3 are alternately arranged in sequence in the y direction.

[0068] refer to Figure 2When the flexible display panel 1 needs to be rolled up, the second support members 3 on both sides gradually move closer to the first support member 2 in the middle. Since the surface of the first support member 2 is a curved surface, the side surface of the second support member 3 can be attached to the curved surface of the adjacent first support member 2. The entire support assembly is rolled up along the y direction, and the flexible display panel 1 can be rolled up along the y direction. Figure 3 When the flexible display panel 1 needs to be stretched, the second support members 3 on both sides gradually move away from the first support member 2 in the middle, and the side surfaces of the second support members 3 are separated from the arc surface of the adjacent first support member 2. The entire support assembly is stretched along the y direction, and the flexible display panel 1 can be stretched along the y direction. Therefore, the present disclosure can be rolled and stretched by using the surface morphology of the support member, which is simpler than the mechanical connection forms such as hinges in the prior art.

[0069] In the present disclosure, the side surface of the second support member 3 can be in contact with the arc surface of the adjacent first support member 2, which means that the side surface of the second support member 3 can contact the arc surface of the first support member 2, and can contact only one point or a surface. However, since the second support member 3 needs to be able to rotate relative to the first support member 2, its side wall should not be in a shape that completely fits the arc surface 20 of the first support member 2, otherwise it will not be able to rotate. Its side wall can specifically be a vertical or inclined plane, or it can be a arc surface similar to the arc surface 20, and so on. As long as it does not affect the folding of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 against each other.

[0070] It should be noted that the side surface of the second support member 3 described in the present disclosure is in contact with or separated from the arc surface of the adjacent first support member 2, which means that the side surface of the second support member 3 is in contact with or separated from the arc surfaces of the first support members 2 on both sides at the same time. In addition, when the support assembly is in an extended state, the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can be in contact with each other, or a proper gap can be left to enable smooth rotation.

[0071] The support assembly of the present disclosure is described in further detail below.

[0072] In some embodiments, Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the first support member 2 includes a first surface 21 away from the flexible display panel 1, the first surface 21 of the first support member 2 includes a plurality of first curved surfaces 201 and a plurality of first planes 202, and each first curved surface 201 and the first plane 202 are alternately arranged in the x direction; the second support member 3 includes a second surface 31 away from the flexible display panel 1, the second surface 31 includes a plurality of second curved surfaces 301 and a plurality of second planes 302, and each second curved surface 301 and the second plane 302 are alternately arranged in the x direction; the second curved surface 301 protrudes away from the flexible display panel 1 and the axis extends in the x direction, that is, the second curved surface 301 is similar in shape to the first curved surface 201. In the y direction, each first curved surface 201 and the second plane 302 are arranged one by one, and each first plane 202 and the second curved surface 301 are arranged one by one, that is, each curved surface and the plane are staggered in the x direction and the y direction, and the overall structure is as shown in the figure.

[0073] Thus, in the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 adjacent in the y direction, when the second support member 3 rotates, its second plane 302 can be attached to or separated from the first curved surface 201 of the first support member 2, and when the first support member 2 rotates, its first plane 202 can also be attached to or separated from the second curved surface 301 of the second support member 3. Each curved surface and plane of the entire support assembly can be attached to or separated from each other, making the structure of the entire support assembly more precise. At the same time, the design of the first plane 202 and the second plane 302 can make the surface of the entire support assembly smoother, more beautiful when stretched out, and less likely to affect the structure of the adjacent layers after curling.

[0074] Obviously, in order to make the first plane 202 and the second curved surface 301 close to each other, and the second plane 302 and the first curved surface 201 close to each other, the width of the second plane 302 in the x direction should be smaller than the spacing between the two first planes on both sides of the first curved surface corresponding to it. The width of the first plane in the x direction should be smaller than the spacing between the two second planes on both sides of the second curved surface corresponding to it. For example, the spacing between two adjacent planes can be 1.05 times, 1.1 times, 1.2 times, etc. of the width of the corresponding first plane. The specific dimensional relationship can be designed according to the support strength of the support assembly and the allowable error range during curling, and the present disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0075] In this embodiment, reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the first curved surface and the second curved surface are both parts of a cylindrical surface, and the axes of the first curved surface and the second curved surface extend along the x direction. Since the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 need to be able to be folded in the y direction, the axes of the first curved surface and the second curved surface extend along the x direction. Of course, in other embodiments, the first curved surface and the second curved surface can also be parts of the surface of a sphere or an ellipsoid.

[0076] In this embodiment, reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the distance from the first plane 202 to the flexible display panel 1 and the distance from the second plane 302 to the flexible display panel 1 are both greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the first curved surface 201 to the flexible display panel 1, and are also greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the second curved surface 301 to the flexible display panel 1, that is, the first plane 202 and the second plane 302 are both at the same height as the first curved surface 201 and the second curved surface 301 or higher than the first curved surface 201 and the second curved surface 301, so that the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can achieve the largest possible folding angle when curling and folding, and the radius of the flexible display panel 1 after curling is smaller, and the occupied space is smaller.

[0077] exist Figure 4 In the structure shown, the widths of the first curved surfaces 201 of the first support member 2 in the x-direction and the y-direction are the same, and the widths of the first planes 202 in the x-direction and the y-direction are also the same; the dimensions of the second curved surfaces 301 of the second support member 3 in the x-direction and the y-direction are the same, and the widths of the second planes 302 in the x-direction and the y-direction are also the same. At the same time, the widths of the first curved surfaces 201 and the second curved surfaces 301 are also the same, and the widths of the first planes 202 and the second planes 302 are also the same. From the perspective of the top view, the curved surfaces and the planes are all rectangular with the same shape and size.

[0078] exist Figure 5 In the structure shown, the width of the first curved surface 201 in the middle of the first support member 2 in the y direction is the same, but the width in the x direction is longer than the first curved surfaces 201 at the two ends, that is, from the perspective of the top view, the first curved surface 201 in the middle is a strip, and the first plane 202 and the other first curved surfaces 201 are rectangular. Similarly, the width of the second plane 302 in the middle of the second support member 3 in the y direction is the same, but the width in the x direction is longer than the second planes 302 at the two ends, that is, from the perspective of the top view, the second plane 302 in the middle is a strip, and the second curved surface 301 and the other second planes 302 are rectangular.

[0079] The first support member 2 may be a solid structure inside, for example, the first plane 202 may be a surface of a cube, and the first curved surface 201 may be a curved surface of a solid semi-cylinder. The first support member 2 may also be a hollow structure inside, for example, the first plane 202 and the side walls on both sides are hollow structures, and the first curved surface 201 is only a curved surface of a hollow semi-cylinder. The first support member 2 and the second support member 3 may be configured so long as the side facing the flexible support panel can provide support to the flexible support panel.

[0080] Regardless of the structure, the first plane 202 and the first curved surface 201 of the first support member 2 can be formed into an integral structure by mechanical processing methods such as stamping and cutting, and the second plane 302 and the second curved surface 301 of the second support member 3 can be formed into an integral structure by mechanical processing methods such as stamping and cutting.

[0081] The following Figure 4 Taking the structure shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the detailed structure is further explained.

[0082] In one embodiment, reference Figure 6 In the present disclosure, the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 both include a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 are located on the same side, and the second ends of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 are located on the same side. The shape of the first end of the first surface 21 of the first support member 2 is a first plane 202, and the first plane 202 is defined as a first end plane 2021. The shape of the second end is a first curved surface 201, and the first curved surface 201 is defined as a first end curved surface 2011. For the convenience of description, the present disclosure only specifically defines the first end plane 2021 and the first end curved surface 2011 located at the end, and the remaining planes and curved surfaces located between the first end plane 2021 and the first end curved surface 2011 are still referred to as the first plane 202 and the first curved surface 201.

[0083] Similarly, reference Figure 7 The shape of the first end of the second surface 31 is a second curved surface 301, and the second curved surface 301 is defined as a second end curved surface 3011. The shape of the second end of the second surface 31 is a second plane 302, and the second plane 302 is defined as a second end plane 3021. For the convenience of description, the present disclosure only specifically defines the second end plane 3021 and the second end curved surface 3011 located at the end, and the remaining planes and curved surfaces located between the second end plane 3021 and the second end curved surface 3011 are still referred to as the second plane 302 and the second curved surface 301.

[0084] The first support member 2 has two first side surfaces 203 connected to the first plane 202 , and the second support member 3 has two second side surfaces 303 connected to the second plane 302 .

[0085] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The shapes of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 are exactly the same, but their placement positions are opposite.

[0086] In one embodiment, reference Figure 4 , Figure 8-Figure 13The support assembly further includes a plurality of first moving members 4, each of which is located on the side of the first end plane 2021 of the first support member 2 away from the flexible display panel 1, that is, located above the first end plane 2021 in the figure. The first moving members 4 are used to keep each of the first support members 2 and the second support members 3 in the extended state when extended, so as to avoid unnecessary curling of the flexible display panel 1. The principle is as follows:

[0087] Under the first force, the first movable member 4 can move along the x direction toward the center of the first support member 2, and the side wall of the first movable member 4 matches the second side surface 303 of the adjacent second support member 3. Therefore, during the movement of the first movable member 4, its side wall gradually fits with the second side surfaces 303 of the second support members 3 on both sides (it should be noted that the second side surfaces are not the second side surfaces adjacent to the second end plane 3021, but the second side surfaces adjacent to the other second planes 302), which is equivalent to the first movable member 4 located above the first support member 2 blocking between the two adjacent second support members 3, so that the second support member 3 cannot be folded relative to the first support member 2, so that the flexible display panel 1 can maintain an extended state.

[0088] On the contrary, under the second force, the first movable member 4 can move along the x direction away from the center of the first support member 2 until the side wall of the first movable member 4 is separated from the second side surfaces 303 of the second support members 3 on both adjacent sides, and the first movable member 4 is no longer blocked between the two adjacent second support members 3. The second support member 3 can continue to be folded relative to the first support member 2, so that the flexible display panel 1 can be curled.

[0089] In the structure of this embodiment, the plurality of first movable members 4 are located at the first ends of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3. By blocking the first ends of the support members, the entire support structure can be fixed.

[0090] It is understandable that when the support assembly needs to be extended, the first moving member 4 only needs to move to the point where its side wall fits with the first second side surface 303 of the second support member 3, and can play a blocking role. Of course, it can also be further moved to fit with the side wall of the next or more central second plane 302.

[0091] In another embodiment, reference Figure 4The support assembly further includes a plurality of second moving members 5, each of which is located on the side of the second end plane 3021 of the second support member 3 away from the flexible display panel 1. The second moving members 5 are also used to keep each of the first support members 2 and the second support members 3 in an extended state when extended, so as to avoid unnecessary curling of the flexible display panel 1. The side wall of the second moving member 5 matches the first side surface 203 of the adjacent first support member 2, and its principle is the same as that of the first moving member 4, and the difference is only in the opposite setting position, so the schematic diagram of the first moving member can be referred to. The specific principle is as follows:

[0092] The second movable member 5 can move in the direction close to the center of the second support member 3 along the x direction under the third force, and the side wall of the second movable member 5 matches the first side surface 203 of the adjacent first support member 2. Therefore, during the movement of the second movable member 5, its side wall gradually sticks to the first side surface 203 of the first support members 2 on both sides (it should be noted that the first side surface is not the first side surface adjacent to the first end plane 2021, but the first side surface 203 adjacent to the other first plane 302), which is equivalent to the second movable member 5 located above the second support member 3 blocking between the two adjacent first support members 2, so that the first support member 2 cannot be folded relative to the second support member 3, and the flexible display panel 1 remains extended; or under the fourth force, it can move in the direction away from the center of the second support member 3 along the x direction until the side wall of the second movable member 5 is separated from the side wall of the second plane 302 of the first support members 2 on both sides, so that the second support member 3 can be folded relative to the first support member 2, and the flexible display panel 1 can be curled.

[0093] On the contrary, under the fourth force, the second movable member 5 can move along the x direction away from the center of the second support member 3 until the side walls of the second movable member 5 are separated from the first side surfaces 203 of the first support members 2 on the adjacent two sides, and the second movable member 5 is no longer blocked between the two adjacent first support members 2. The first support member 2 can continue to be folded relative to the second support member 3, so that the flexible display panel 1 can be curled.

[0094] Under the structure of this embodiment, multiple second movable members 5 block the second ends of each first support member 2 and each second support member 3, and cooperate with multiple first movable members 4 to fix both ends of all support members, so that the structure of the entire support assembly in the extended state can be more stable, thereby improving the flatness of the flexible display panel 1.

[0095] It is understandable that when the support assembly needs to be extended, the second moving member 5 only needs to move to the point where its side wall fits the first side surface 203 of the first support member 2, and can play a blocking role. Of course, it can also be further moved to fit the side wall of the next or more central first plane 202.

[0096] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, since the structures of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 of this embodiment are exactly the same, only the placement positions are opposite, so the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5 are arranged crosswise from left to right. At the same time, in this embodiment, the dimensions of the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5 in the x direction and the y direction are the same as those of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3.

[0097] In another embodiment, the shapes of the two ends of the first support member 2 can both be the first plane 202, and the shapes of the two ends of the second support member 3 can both be the second curved surface 301, thereby, the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5 can be respectively arranged on the first planes 202 at both ends of the first support member 2, and when the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5 move inward at the same time, they can be blocked on the second planes 302 of the second support members 3 on both sides, and can also play a role in preventing the second support member 3 from folding relative to the first support member 2. The specific principle is the same as that of the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In one embodiment, reference Figure 6 , the distance between the first end plane 2021 of the first support member 2 and the flexible display panel 1 is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the first curved surface 201 connected thereto and the flexible display panel 1, that is, the lower surface of the first moving member 4 arranged above the first end plane 2021 is not lower than the first curved surface 201 connected to the first end plane 2021, so that the first moving member 4 can move smoothly inward without being blocked by the first curved surface 201. At the same time, the distance between the first end plane 2021 and the flexible display panel 1 also needs to be smaller than the distance between the second plane 302 of the second support member 3 and the flexible display panel 1, that is, the lower surface of the first moving member 4 is lower than the adjacent second plane 302, so that when the first moving member 4 moves inward, its side wall can block the second plane 302, otherwise the first moving member 4 will not be able to contact the second plane 302.

[0099] Similarly, the distance from the second end plane 3021 to the flexible display panel 1 is greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the second curved surface 301 connected thereto to the flexible display panel 1 , and is less than the distance from the first plane 202 of the first support member 2 to the flexible display panel 1 .

[0100] In one embodiment, reference Figure 9-13 ,in, Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the first support member 2, Fig. 9 (a) is a schematic structural diagram of a side of the first support member 2 that is away from the flexible display panel. Fig. 9 (b) Fig. 9 (a) Schematic diagram of the cross section along AA direction. Fig.10 is a schematic structural diagram of the first moving member 4, Fig.10 (a) is a schematic structural diagram of the first movable member 4 facing away from the first supporting member 2, Fig.10 (b) is a schematic structural diagram of the first moving member 4 facing the first support member 2. A slot 61 extending along the x direction is provided on the first end plane 2021 of the first support member 2, and a clamping portion 62 is provided on the surface of the first moving member 4 facing the first end plane 2021 (i.e., the lower surface in the figure). The clamping portion 62 of the first moving member 4 is located in the slot 61 on the first end plane 2021 and can move along the x direction in the slot 61. The cooperation of the clamping portion 62 and the slot 61 can connect the first moving member 4 and the first support member 2 together on the one hand, and can limit the movement of the first moving member 4 on the other hand, so that it can smoothly enter between two adjacent second support members 3.

[0101] Similarly, a slot 61 extending along the x-direction is provided on the second end plane 3021 of the second support member 3, and a clamping portion 62 is provided on the surface of the second moving member 5 facing the second end plane 3021. The clamping portion 62 of the second moving member 5 is located in the slot 61 on the second end plane 3021 and can move along the x-direction in the slot 61. The cooperation between the clamping portion 62 and the slot 61 can connect the second moving member 5 and the second support member 3 together on the one hand, and limit the movement of the second moving member 5 on the other hand, so that it can smoothly enter between two adjacent first support members 2.

[0102] Specifically, refer to Fig. 9 (b) and Fig.10(b), the clamping part 62 of the first moving member 4 or the second moving member 5 is a flexible member that can be elastically deformed so that when the clamping part 62 slides in the clamping groove 61, it can be closely fitted with the clamping groove 61. In addition, a limiting member 601 is provided in the clamping groove 61 of the first supporting member 2 or the second supporting member 3. In this embodiment, the limiting member 601 is a convex ring provided on the surface of the clamping groove 61, and a corresponding groove 602 is also provided on the surface of the clamping part 62. When the clamping part 62 slides in the clamping groove 61, when the groove 602 on the surface of the clamping part 62 moves to the convex ring of the limiting member 601, the convex ring is clamped in the groove, and the position of the clamping part 62 is limited. The position limiting member of the present embodiment comprises two convex rings, one for fixing the clamping portion 62 at a position close to the center of the support member, and the other for fixing the clamping portion 62 at a position close to the end of the support member, ensuring that the clamping portion 62 will not escape from the draw-in slot 61, thereby ensuring that the first moving member or the second moving member can be stabilized at two fixed positions, ensuring the blocking effect or releasing the blocking. When the first moving member 4 or the second moving member 5 needs to be moved, it is only necessary to overcome the rebound force of the clamping portion 62. In a specific implementation, the position of the convex ring can be set so that the first moving member 4 moves just half of the size in the x direction when moving inward in the x direction, blocking half of the second supporting member 3, thereby realizing a relatively stable blocking effect. This position limiting structure is only an example, and in other specific embodiments, other position limiting modes can also be adopted to limit the position of the clamping portion in the draw-in slot.

[0103] In one embodiment, reference Figure 9-13 A first limiting groove 71 extending along the x direction is provided on the second side surface 303 of the second end of the second support member 3 . A first sliding member 72 is provided on the first moving member 4 and its two corresponding side walls, and the first sliding member 72 can move in the first limiting groove 71 .

[0104] When the first moving member 4 moves inward, the first sliding member 72 of the first moving member 4 can enter the first limiting groove 71, and then move along the first limiting groove 71. When the first moving member 4 moves outward, the first sliding member 72 of the first moving member 4 can leave the first limiting groove 71, and no longer cause obstruction. Therefore, the first limiting groove 71 must extend to the side of the second side 303 towards the second end cambered surface 3011, so that the first sliding member 72 can enter and exit the first limiting groove 71.

[0105] The cooperation between the first sliding member 72 and the first limiting groove 71 can, on the one hand, enable the first movable member 4 to connect the second supporting members 3 on both sides together, and on the other hand, ensure that the first movable member 4 will not be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the flexible display panel 1, thereby ensuring that the entire supporting assembly structure is more stable.

[0106] In other embodiments, only one pair of the first limiting groove 71 and the first sliding member 72 may be provided, that is, the first limiting groove 71 is provided on only one side wall of the second plane 302, and the first sliding member 72 is provided on a side wall corresponding to the first moving member 4.

[0107] Similarly, in this embodiment, a first limiting groove 71 extending along the x-direction is provided on the first side surface 203 of the first end portion of the first supporting member 2; and a first sliding member 72 is provided on the corresponding side wall of the second moving member 5. The structures of the first sliding member 72 of the second moving member 5 and the first limiting groove 71 on the first supporting member 2 are the same as those of the first moving member 4 and the second supporting member 3, and are not described in detail here.

[0108] The present disclosure also provides a display device, including a flexible display panel 1 and the supporting assembly described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the flexible display panel 1 is located on the side of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 away from the curved surface, that is, the side of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 away from the first surface 21 and the second surface 31, and the two can be fixed by various methods such as bonding, riveting, and welding.

[0109] The present invention does not impose any specific restrictions on the applicability of the display device, which can be any product or component with a flexible display function, such as a television, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable display device, a mobile phone, a car display, a navigation, an e-book, a digital photo frame, an advertising light box, etc.

[0110] In one embodiment, in order to store the rolled flexible display panel 1, the display device further includes a cylindrical housing 8. Fig.14 and Fig.15 The side wall of the housing 8 has an opening 81 along the axial direction, that is, the opening 81 in the y direction in the figure, and the support component and the flexible display panel 1 can extend into or out of the opening 81.

[0111] In one embodiment, reference Figure 8-Figure 13 The second sliding member 822 is disposed at both ends of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3, that is, the outer surface connected to the first end arc surface 2011 and the first end plane 2021 is provided with the second sliding member 822, and the outer surface connected to the second end arc surface 3011 and the second end plane 3021 is also provided with the second sliding member 822. Fig.16 and Fig.17, spiral second limiting grooves 821 are provided on opposite sides of the inner wall of the housing 8, and the second sliding members 822 of the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 can move in the second limiting grooves 821 of the inner wall of the housing 8. Specifically, when the support assembly and the flexible display panel 1 are rolled into the housing 8 together, the second sliding members 822 at both ends of the support assembly move along the second limiting grooves 821 in sequence, so that the flexible display panel 1 is gradually rolled into multiple layers. When the flexible display panel 1 is stretched outward, it is the opposite of when it is rolled up. It should be noted that sufficient spacing should be reserved between the layers to ensure that they do not affect each other.

[0112] In one embodiment, reference Figure 8-Figure 13 When the supporting assembly includes a first movable member 4 and a second movable member 5, a guide column 832 is provided on one side of the first movable member 4 away from the first supporting member 2 and the other side of the second movable member 5 away from the second supporting member 3, namely, the upper surface in the figure.

[0113] refer to Fig.16 and Fig.17 Two guide grooves 831 are provided on the inner wall of the housing near the opening 81 and facing the support assembly, and the guide grooves 831 extend along the z direction in the figure. One guide groove 831 extends along the z direction, and the other guide groove 831 extends along the w direction, and the z direction, w direction, x direction, and y direction are all different. The two guide grooves 831 form an eight-shaped structure as shown in the figure, and the closer to the outside of the opening 81, the smaller the distance between the two guide grooves 831, and the closer to the inside of the housing 8, the larger the distance between the two guide grooves 831.

[0114] The two guide grooves 831 correspond to the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5, respectively. In the process of the support assembly and the flexible display panel 1 extending in or out from the opening 81 of the housing 8, the guide post 832 on the moving member can move under the constraint of the corresponding guide groove 831. Specifically, when the support assembly and the flexible display panel 1 extend from the opening 81 of the housing 8, the guide post 832 on the first moving member 4 can move toward the center direction of the first support member 2 under the constraint of its corresponding guide groove 831, and the guide post 832 on the second moving member 5 can move toward the center direction of the second support member 3 under the constraint of its corresponding guide groove 831, that is, the first moving member 4 and the second moving member 5 move toward the middle at the same time, thereby achieving blocking, so that the flexible display panel 1 remains extended. When the supporting assembly and the flexible display panel 1 extend from the opening 81 of the housing 8, the guide column 832 on the first movable member 4 can move toward the end of the first supporting member 2 under the constraint of its corresponding guide groove 831, and the guide column 832 on the second movable member 5 can move toward the end direction of the second supporting member 3 under the constraint of its corresponding guide groove 831, that is, the first movable member 4 and the second movable member 5 move to the side at the same time, thereby releasing the jam and allowing the flexible display panel 1 to curl.

[0115] In other words, one guide groove 831 can provide the first force and the second force for the first moving member 4, and another guide groove 831 can provide the third force and the fourth force for the second moving member 5. The present invention can drive the moving member to move by setting the guide groove 831 on the inner wall of the housing 8 without using other driving mechanisms, which greatly simplifies the structure of the entire display device.

[0116] 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 modification, use or adaptation of the present disclosure, which follows the general principles of the present disclosure and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support assembly for supporting a flexible display panel, wherein: The support assembly comprises: A plurality of first support members, each of the first support members comprising a curved surface that is away from the flexible display panel and convex in a direction away from the flexible display panel; A plurality of second support members, wherein the plurality of first support members and the plurality of second support members are alternately arranged in sequence in a first direction; The first support member and the second support member can be brought close to each other so that the side surface of the second support member can be in contact with the arc surface of the adjacent first support member, and the support assembly is in a curled state in the first direction; the first support member and the second support member can be separated from each other so that the side surface of the second support member can be separated from the arc surface of the adjacent first support member, and the support assembly is in an extended state in the first direction; The first support member includes a plurality of first curved surfaces and a plurality of first planes facing away from the flexible display panel, wherein the first curved surfaces and the first planes are alternately arranged in a second direction, and the second direction intersects with the first direction; The second supporting member includes a plurality of second curved surfaces and a plurality of second flat surfaces facing away from the flexible display panel, and the second curved surfaces and the second flat surfaces are alternately arranged in the second direction; In the first direction, each of the first curved surfaces and the second planes are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of the first planes and the second curved surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the width of the second plane in the second direction is smaller than the spacing between the two first planes on both sides of the corresponding first curved surface; the width of the first plane in the second direction is smaller than the spacing between the two second planes on both sides of the corresponding second curved surface.

2. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first arc surface and the second arc surface are both parts of a cylindrical surface, and the axes of the first arc surface and the second arc surface both extend along the second direction.

3. The support assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The distance from the first plane to the flexible display panel and the distance from the second plane to the flexible display panel are both greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the first curved surface to the flexible display panel, and also greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the second curved surface to the flexible display panel.

4. The support assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first support member and the second support member each include a first end and a second end, and the first ends of the first support member and the second support member are located on the same side, and the second ends of the first support member and the second support member are located on the same side; the first support member further includes two first side surfaces connected to the first plane, and the second support member further includes two second side surfaces connected to the second plane; The first end of the first support member is a first plane, which is a first end plane, and the second end is a first arc surface, which is a first end arc surface; The first end of the second support member is a second arc surface, which is a second end arc surface; the second end of the second support member is a second plane, which is a second end plane; The support assembly also includes: A plurality of first moving members, each of which is located on a side of a first end plane of the first supporting member away from the flexible display panel, and a side wall of the first moving member matches a second side surface of an adjacent second supporting member; The first movable member can move along the second direction toward the center of the first supporting member under the first force until at least part of the side wall of the first movable member is in contact with the second side surfaces of the second supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel is stretched; or can move along the second direction away from the center of the first supporting member under the second force until the side wall of the first movable member is separated from the second side surfaces of the second supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel is curled.

5. The support assembly according to claim 4, wherein: A slot extending along the second direction is provided on the first end plane, and a snap-fit ​​portion is provided on the surface of the first movable member facing the first end plane. The snap-fit ​​portion of the first movable member is located in the slot and can move along the second direction in the slot on the first end plane.

6. The support assembly according to claim 5, wherein: A first limiting groove extending along the second direction is provided on at least one second side surface of the second support member connected to the second end arc surface; a first sliding member is provided on at least one side wall of the first movable member, and when the first movable member moves relative to the first support member, the first sliding member of the first movable member can move in the first limiting groove of the second support member.

7. The support assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The support assembly also includes: a plurality of second moving members, each of the second moving members being located on a side of a second end plane of the second supporting member away from the flexible display panel, and a side wall of the second moving member being matched with a first side surface of an adjacent first supporting member; The second movable member can move along the second direction toward the center of the second supporting member under the third force until at least part of the side walls of the second movable member are in contact with the first side surfaces of the first supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel stretches; or can move along the second direction toward the direction away from the center of the second supporting member under the fourth force until the side walls of the second movable member are separated from the first side surfaces of the first supporting members on both adjacent sides, so that the flexible display panel curls.

8. The support assembly according to claim 7, wherein: A slot extending along the second direction is provided on the second end plane, and a snap-fit ​​portion is provided on the surface of the second movable member facing the second end plane. The snap-fit ​​portion of the second movable member is located in the slot and can move along the second direction in the slot on the second end plane.

9. The support assembly according to claim 8, wherein: A first limiting groove extending along the second direction is provided on at least one first side surface of the first support member connected to the first end arc surface; a first sliding member is provided on at least one side wall of the second movable member, and when the second movable member moves relative to the second support member, the first sliding member of the second movable member can move in the first limiting groove of the first support member.

10. The support assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The distance between the first end plane and the flexible display panel is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the first curved surface connected thereto and the flexible display panel, and is less than the distance between the second plane of the second support member and the flexible display panel; The distance from the second end plane to the flexible display panel is greater than or equal to the maximum distance from the second curved surface connected thereto to the flexible display panel, and is less than the distance from the first plane of the first support member to the flexible display panel.

11. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The widths of the first planes in the first support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal, and the widths of the first arc surfaces in the first support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal; The widths of the second planes in the second support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal, and the widths of the second arc surfaces in the second support member in the second direction are equal or not completely equal.

12. A display device, wherein: include: Flexible display panels; The supporting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, used to support the flexible display panel; Wherein, the flexible display panel is located on a side of the first support member and the second support member away from the curved surface.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: Also includes: The shell is cylindrical, and the side wall of the shell has an axial opening, and the support assembly and the flexible display panel can extend into or out of the shell from the opening.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: Both ends of the first support member and the second support member are provided with second sliding members, and the opposite sides of the inner wall of the shell are provided with spiral second limiting grooves, and the second sliding members of the first support member and the second support member can move in the second limiting grooves of the inner wall of the shell.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein: When the support assembly includes a first moving member and a second moving member, a guide column is provided on one side of the first moving member away from the first supporting member and on one side of the second moving member away from the second supporting member; Two guide grooves are arranged on the inner wall of the shell near the opening and facing the support assembly, one of the guide grooves extends along the third direction, and the other guide groove extends along the fourth direction, and the third direction, the fourth direction, the first direction, and the second direction are all different; the closer to the outside of the opening, the smaller the distance between the two guide grooves, and the closer to the inside of the shell, the larger the distance between the two guide grooves; Among them, the two guide grooves correspond to the first movable member and the second movable member respectively; when the support assembly and the flexible display panel extend into or out of the opening of the shell, the guide column can move under the constraint of the corresponding guide groove, so that the first movable member can move along the second direction relative to the first support member, and the second movable member can move along the second direction relative to the second support member.

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