Folding display device

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a foldable display device. The foldable display device includes a first folding center line. The foldable display device includes a display panel, a support plate, and a middle frame. The middle frame includes a fixing unit. The support plate includes a plurality of first openings. Each first opening is provided at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line. The fixing unit is provided in the first opening. When in the folded state, the distance between the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line is less than the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line when in the flattened state. By providing openings and fixing units at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line, the present invention enables the foldable display device to be folded and also stretch the support plate and the display panel when in the flattened state, which is beneficial to flatten the crease, thereby reducing the crease degree, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the foldable display device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of displays, and particularly to a foldable display device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, foldable display devices have become increasingly popular among consumers. However, with the increase in the number of bends, the creases of foldable display devices become more obvious, the viewing experience drops significantly, and there is even a risk of abnormal display, affecting the service life of foldable display devices.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a foldable display device to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a foldable display device, which can alleviate the technical problem of obvious creases in current foldable display devices.

[0005] The present invention provides a foldable display device, including a first folding center line, and the foldable display device includes:

[0006] A display panel;

[0007] A support plate, located on one side of the display panel and connected to the display panel;

[0008] A middle frame, located on the side of the support plate away from the display panel;

[0009] Wherein, the middle frame includes a frame body and a plurality of fixing units located on the frame body. The support plate includes a plurality of first openings, and each first opening is arranged at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line. The fixing units are arranged in the first openings. When the foldable display device is in a folded state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line is a first length. When the foldable display device is in a flattened state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line is a second length, and the second length is greater than the first length.

[0010] Preferably, the foldable display device includes a cover plate located on the side of the display panel away from the support plate, and the cover plate is connected to the display panel. Wherein, the cover plate includes a plurality of second openings, and one second opening is correspondingly arranged with one first opening. The first opening penetrates through the support plate, and the extending direction of the first opening is parallel to the extending direction of the corresponding second opening. The fixing unit passes through the first opening and extends into the second opening.

[0011] Preferably, the depth of the second opening is less than the thickness of the cover plate.

[0012] Preferably, the foldable display device further includes a first buffer unit disposed around the fixing unit; wherein, the first buffer unit is disposed between the support plate and the cover plate.

[0013] Preferably, the foldable display device further includes a second buffer unit disposed around the fixing unit; wherein, the second buffer unit is disposed within the first opening. Or / and the second buffer unit is disposed within the second opening.

[0014] Preferably, the foldable display device includes a display area and a non-display area located outside the display area, and each of the first openings is located within the non-display area.

[0015] Preferably, the non-display area includes a fan-out routing area at one end of the display panel, and each of the first openings is located outside the fan-out routing area.

[0016] Preferably, the foldable display device includes a bonding area on the back of the display panel, and the first folding center line is located outside the bonding area.

[0017] Preferably, the extending direction of the first opening is not perpendicular to the support plate.

[0018] Preferably, the difference between the second length and the first length is the stretching length, and the ratio of the stretching length to the first length is 0.3% to 1%.

[0019] Advantages of the present invention: By providing openings and fixing units at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line, and having fixing units within the openings, the foldable display device can not only be folded but also stretch the support plate and the display panel in the flattened state, which is beneficial to flatten the creases, thereby reducing the degree of creases, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the foldable display device. Description of the Drawings

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is the first structural schematic diagram of the foldable display device provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is the schematic diagram of the folding and unfolding states of the foldable display device provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 The first structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 1 The second structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 1 The third structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 1 The fourth structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 1 The fifth structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0028] Figure 8 is Figure 1 The sixth structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0029] Figure 9 is Figure 1 The seventh structural schematic diagram along the C1-C2 section;

[0030] Figure 10 is the second structural schematic diagram of the foldable display device provided by the embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 11 is the third structural schematic diagram of the foldable display device provided by the embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 12 is the assembly schematic diagram of the foldable display device provided by the embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 13 is the experimental characterization diagram provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present invention, and are not used to limit the present invention. In the present invention, unless otherwise stated, the orientation words such as "upper" and "lower" usually refer to the upper and lower in the actual use or working state of the device, specifically the drawing direction in the accompanying drawings; and "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0035] In recent years, foldable display devices have become increasingly popular among consumers. However, as the number of bending times increases, the creases of the foldable display device become more obvious, the viewing experience drops significantly, and there is even a risk of abnormal display, affecting the service life of the foldable display device.

[0036] Please refer to Figures 1 to 13 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a foldable display device 100, including a first folding center line 101. The foldable display device 100 includes:

[0037] A display panel 200;

[0038] A support plate 300, located on one side of the display panel 200 and connected to the display panel 200;

[0039] A middle frame 400, located on the side of the support plate 300 away from the display panel 200;

[0040] Wherein, the middle frame 400 includes a frame body 410 and a plurality of fixing units 420 located on the frame body 410. The support plate 300 includes a plurality of first openings 510. Each of the first openings 510 is disposed at both ends of the support plate 300 parallel to the first folding center line 101. The fixing units 420 are disposed in the first openings 510. When the foldable display device 100 is in a folded state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel 200 parallel to the first folding center line 101 to the first folding center line 101 is a first length. When the foldable display device 100 is in a flattened state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel 200 parallel to the first folding center line 101 to the first folding center line 101 is a second length, and the second length is greater than the first length.

[0041] By providing openings and fixing units at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line, and arranging the fixing units within the openings, when the folding display device is folded, the support plate and the display panel can be stretched in the flattened state, which is beneficial to flattening the creases, thereby reducing the degree of creases, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the folding display device.

[0042] The technical solution of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0043] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the folding display device 100 includes a first folding center line 101, and the folding display device 100 includes a display panel 200, a support plate 300 disposed on one side of the display panel 200 and connected to the display panel 200, and a middle frame 400 located on the side of the support plate 300 away from the display panel 200; wherein, the middle frame 400 includes a frame body 410 and a plurality of fixing units 420 located on the frame body 410, the support plate 300 includes a plurality of first openings 510, each of the first openings 510 is disposed at both ends of the support plate 300 parallel to the first folding center line 101, and the fixing units 420 are disposed within the first openings 510. When the folding display device 100 is in a folded state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel 200 parallel to the first folding center line 101 to the first folding center line 101 is a first length. When the folding display device 100 is in a flattened state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel 200 parallel to the first folding center line 101 to the first folding center line 101 is a second length, and the second length is greater than the first length. Among them, Figure 2 Figure (a) in Figure 2 is the folded state,

[0044] The folding display device 100 further includes a hinge, which is connected to the middle frame 400 and is used to fold / unfold the folding display device 100. Through the cooperation of the first opening 510 and the fixing unit 420, when the folding display device 100 moves from the folded state to the unfolded state, the acting force of the fixing unit 420 on the side wall of the first opening 510 away from the first folding center line 101 is greater than the acting force of the fixing unit 420 on the side wall of the first opening 510 close to the first folding center line 101. When changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the fixing unit 420 pulls the support plate 300 through the first opening 510. The support plate 300 is connected to the display panel 200, so as to have a stretching effect on the support plate 300 and the display panel 200, thereby making the crease have an unfolding action, reducing the degree of the crease, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0045] The folding manner of the folding display device 100 can be horizontal folding or vertical folding. Taking the X-axis direction as the horizontal direction and the Y-axis direction as the vertical direction, horizontal folding means that the first folding center line 101 is parallel to the Y-axis direction, and vertical folding means that the first folding center line 101 is parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0046] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 , the depth of at least one of the first openings 510 is less than the thickness of the support plate 300. The depth of the first opening 510 does not penetrate the support plate 300. The material of the support plate 300 is generally a steel plate, etc. In the top view direction of the display panel 200, the setting of the first opening 510 cannot be seen, so that there is no need to provide an object to block the first opening 510.

[0047] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 5 to 9 , the folding display device 100 includes a cover plate 600 located on the side of the display panel 200 away from the support plate 300, and the cover plate 600 is connected to the display panel 200; wherein, the cover plate 600 includes a plurality of second openings 520, and one of the second openings 520 is correspondingly arranged with one of the first openings 510. The first opening 510 penetrates the support plate 300, and the extending direction of the first opening 510 is parallel to the extending direction of the corresponding second opening 520. The fixing unit 420 passes through the first opening 510 and extends into the second opening 520.

[0048] A second opening 520 is provided on the cover plate 600. The second opening 520 is correspondingly arranged with the first opening 510, and the second opening 520 penetrates through correspondingly with the first opening 510. The fixing unit 420 is arranged in the first opening 510 and the second opening 520. During the flattening process of the folding display device 100, the fixing unit 420 simultaneously pulls the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600, so that the support plate 300, the cover plate 600, and the display panel 200 are stretched simultaneously, so that the crease has an unfolding action, reducing the degree of the crease, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0049] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 , the depth of the second opening 520 is less than the thickness of the cover plate 600. The second opening 520 does not completely penetrate the cover plate 600, preventing the fixing unit 420 from protruding from the cover plate 600, reducing the influence of the fixing unit 420 on other film layers on the cover plate 600 or the external environment, preventing the fixing unit 420 from rubbing against other film layers on the cover plate 600 or the external environment, and avoiding affecting the use experience of the folding display device 100.

[0050] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7 , the folding display device 100 further includes a first buffer unit 710 arranged around the fixing unit 420; wherein, the first buffer unit 710 is arranged between the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600.

[0051] The elastic modulus of the first buffer unit 710 is less than the elastic modulus of the support plate 300, and the elastic modulus of the first buffer unit 710 is less than the elastic modulus of the cover plate 600. When the folding display device 100 is folded, the film layers will bend, resulting in a change in the distance between the upper and lower film layers. The first buffer unit 710 can buffer the change in the distance between the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600. Since the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600 in the present application have the characteristic of elongation compared with the prior art, there are no other film layers between the cover plate 600 and the support plate 300 in the surrounding area of the fixing unit 420. Therefore, the first buffer unit 710 is arranged between the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600 to prevent the support plate 300 or / and the cover plate 600 from breaking due to insufficient support during the folding process, so as to improve the folding reliability of the folding display device 100.

[0052] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first buffer unit 710 is less than the distance between the cover plate 600 and the support plate 300.

[0053] The first buffer unit 710 is disposed around the fixing unit 420. There is a fixed limitation on the position in the direction parallel to the display panel 200. In the direction perpendicular to the display panel 200, the position may not be fixed. When the folding display device 100 is folded, the support plate 300 around the fixing unit 420 and the cover plate 600 can have a certain ability to float up and down and bend, so as to avoid peeling between the display panel 200 and the cover plate 600 or / and the support plate 300.

[0054] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 , the second opening 520 penetrates through the cover plate 600. The penetrating setting method is convenient to form and has a low process cost.

[0055] In some embodiments, the fixing unit 420 extends out from the second opening 520. This structure can have the maximum tensile performance.

[0056] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 , the second opening 520 penetrates through the cover plate 600, and the end surface of the fixing unit 420 on the side away from the support plate 300 is flush with the surface of the cover plate 600 on the side away from the support plate 300. The fixing unit 420 corresponds to the depth of the second opening 520 in the second opening 520 of the cover plate 600. While maintaining the maximum tensile performance, it avoids friction between the fixing unit 420 and other film layers on the cover plate 600 or the external environment, and avoids affecting the use experience of the folding display device 100.

[0057] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 , the second opening 520 penetrates through the cover plate 600. The thickness of the fixing unit 420 located in the second opening 520 is less than the depth of the second opening 520. The folding display device 100 further includes a filling unit. The filling unit is disposed in the second opening 520 and on the side of the fixing unit 420 away from the support plate 300. The refractive index of the filling unit is different from that of the cover plate 600.

[0058] By using the fact that the refractive index of the filling unit is different from that of the cover plate 600, the visual observability of the fixing unit 420 is weakened. In the top view direction of the display panel 200, the setting of the fixing unit 420 cannot be seen, improving the appearance of the folding display device 100.

[0059] In some embodiments, the fixing unit 420 is made of a transparent material. To reduce the visual observability of the fixing unit 420, the setting of the fixing unit 420 cannot be seen in the top-down direction of the display panel 200, improving the appearance of the folding display device 100.

[0060] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 8 , the folding display device 100 further includes a second buffer unit 720 disposed around the fixing unit 420; wherein, the second buffer unit 720 is disposed within the first opening 510. Or / and the second buffer unit 720 is disposed within the second opening 520.

[0061] The second buffer unit 720 can buffer the acting force of the fixing unit 420 on the support plate 300 or / and the cover plate 600, thereby protecting the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600 and extending the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first buffer unit 710 and the second buffer unit 720 can be frame glue.

[0063] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3 , the folding display device 100 includes a display area A and a non-display area B located outside the display area A, and each of the first openings 510 is located within the non-display area B.

[0064] Both the first opening 510 and the second opening 520 are located within the non-display area B, which can reduce the influence on normal display and ensure the display effect of the folding display device 100.

[0065] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 10 , the non-display area B includes a fan-out routing area D located at one end of the display panel 200, and each of the first openings 510 is located outside the fan-out routing area D.

[0066] The fan-out routing area D is generally located at the lower border position of the folding display device 100. When the folding mode of the folding display device 100 is inward folding, the first opening 510 does not conflict with the fan-out routing area D, facilitating the setting of the first opening 510; when the folding mode of the folding display device 100 is vertical folding, the first opening 510 needs to avoid the fan-out routing area D to reduce the influence of dense routing on the opening and ensure the normal display of the folding display device 100.

[0067] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 11, when the folding mode of the folding display device 100 is horizontal folding, the folding display device 100 includes a bonding area E located on the back of the display panel 200, and the first folding center line 101 is located outside the bonding area E.

[0068] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 , the elastic modulus of the middle frame 400 is greater than that of the support plate 300. When installing the middle frame 400, an installation force needs to be applied to the middle frame 400 to bend it so that the fixing unit 420 is arranged in the first opening 510. When the installation force of the middle frame 400 is released, the middle frame 400 drives the fixing unit 420 to stretch the support plate 300. Therefore, the elastic modulus of the middle frame 400 is greater than that of the support plate 300, which is more conducive to stretching the support plate 300 and the display panel 200, so that the crease has an unfolding action, weakens the crease degree, improves the visual experience, and increases the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0069] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 , the extending direction of the first opening 510 is perpendicular to the support plate 300. This structure facilitates the opening of the hole and makes the fixing unit 420 more regular, facilitating the incoming materials.

[0070] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 , the extending direction of the first opening 510 is not perpendicular to the support plate 300. By adjusting the extending direction of the first opening 510, the inclination direction of the fixing unit 420 is changed. For example, the fixing unit 420 is inclined towards the center of the folding display device 100. This structure is conducive to the alignment and installation of the middle frame 400 and the fixing unit 420 with the first opening 510 of the support plate 300. At the same time, when the folding display device 100 is changed from the folded state to the flattened state, there is a stronger tensile force on the film layer closer to the human eye side, weakening the crease degree, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0071] In some embodiments, the difference between the second length and the first length is the stretching length, and the ratio of the stretching length to the first length is 0.3% to 1%.

[0072] The ratio of the stretching length to the first length should not be too small. If it is too small, the stretching degree of the crease is insufficient and the weakening effect of the crease is not obvious; the ratio of the stretching length to the first length should not be too large. If it is too large, it is easy to break the folding display device 100, affecting the service life of the folding display device 100.

[0073] In some embodiments, taking horizontal folding as an example, the first length is 158 mm and the stretching length is 0.6 mm for experiments. The folding display module is folded multiple times, and the average depth of the creases is measured. The experimental conditions for each experimental group are as follows:

[0074] Experimental group 1: No stretching is performed.

[0075] Experimental group 2: Tension is applied to the support plate 300 for stretching. Correspondingly, there is only the first opening 510. Taking horizontal folding as an example, the first length is 158 mm and the stretching length is 0.6 mm for experiments.

[0076] Experimental group 3: Tension is applied to the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600 for stretching. Correspondingly, there are the first opening 510 and the second opening 520. Taking horizontal folding as an example, the first length is 158 mm and the stretching length is 0.6 mm for experiments.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 13 , in the figure, the curves from top to bottom are the experimental diagrams of Experimental group 1, Experimental group 2, and Experimental group 3 respectively. It can be seen from the figure that compared with Experimental group 1 without stretching, Experimental group 2 with tension applied to the support plate 300 for stretching has an obvious effect of weakening the creases; compared with Experimental group 2 with tension applied to the support plate 300 for stretching, Experimental group 3 with tension applied to the support plate 300 and the cover plate 600 for stretching has a further effect of weakening the creases.

[0078] By providing openings and fixing units at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line in the present invention, and having fixing units arranged in the openings, while the folding display device is being folded, the support plate and the display panel can also be stretched in the flattened state, which is beneficial to flattening the creases, thereby reducing the degree of creases, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the folding display device.

[0079] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a foldable display device. The foldable display device includes a first folding center line. The foldable display device includes a display panel, a support plate, and a middle frame. The middle frame includes a fixing unit. The support plate includes a plurality of first openings. Each first opening is provided at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line. The fixing unit is arranged in the first opening. When in the folded state, the distance between the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line is less than the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line when in the flattened state. By providing openings and fixing units at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line, the present invention enables the foldable display device to be folded and also stretch the support plate and the display panel when in the flattened state, which is beneficial to flatten the crease, thereby reducing the degree of the crease, improving the visual experience, and increasing the service life of the foldable display device.

[0080] The above has introduced in detail a foldable display device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Specific examples are used in this article to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable display device, characterized in that, Including a first folding center line, the foldable display device includes: A display panel; A support plate, located on one side of the display panel and connected to the display panel; A middle frame, located on the side of the support plate away from the display panel; Wherein, the middle frame includes a frame body and a plurality of fixing units located on the frame body, the support plate includes a plurality of first openings, each of the first openings is arranged at both ends of the support plate parallel to the first folding center line, and the fixing units are arranged in the first openings. When the foldable display device is in a folded state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line is a first length. When the foldable display device is in a flattened state, the sum of the distances from the two side edges of the display panel parallel to the first folding center line to the first folding center line is a second length, and the second length is greater than the first length. The foldable display device includes a cover plate located on the side of the display panel away from the support plate, and the cover plate is connected to the display panel; Wherein, the cover plate includes a plurality of second openings, one of the second openings is correspondingly arranged with one of the first openings, the first opening penetrates through the support plate, and the extending direction of the first opening is parallel to the extending direction of the corresponding second opening, and the fixing unit passes through the first opening and extends into the second opening.

2. The foldable display device according to claim 1, wherein The depth of the second opening is less than the thickness of the cover plate.

3. The folding display device according to claim 1, wherein The foldable display device further includes a first buffer unit arranged around the fixing unit; Wherein, the first buffer unit is arranged between the support plate and the cover plate.

4. The foldable display device according to claim 1, wherein The foldable display device further includes a second buffer unit arranged around the fixing unit; Wherein, the second buffer unit is arranged in the first opening; or / and the second buffer unit is arranged in the second opening.

5. The folding display device according to claim 1, wherein The foldable display device includes a display area and a non-display area located outside the display area, and each of the first openings is located in the non-display area.

6. The folding display device according to claim 5, wherein, The non-display area includes a fan-out routing area located at one end of the display panel, and each of the first openings is located outside the fan-out routing area.

7. The foldable display device according to claim 1, wherein The foldable display device includes a bonding area located on the back of the display panel, and the first folding center line is located outside the bonding area.

8. The foldable display device according to claim 1, wherein The extending direction of the first opening is not perpendicular to the support plate.

9. The folding display device according to claim 1, wherein The difference between the second length and the first length is the stretching length, and the ratio of the stretching length to the first length is 0.3% to 1%.

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