A flexible display device

Abstract

This invention relates to a flexible display device. The flexible display device includes a display panel and two opposing frames. The display panel includes a bending region and non-bending regions located on opposite sides of the bending region. The two frames are respectively bonded to the two non-bending regions of the display panel by an adhesive layer. Each frame includes a frame body bonded to the adhesive layer and an extension located on the frame body near the bending region. This structure, by configuring the frame as a frame body bonded to the non-bending region of the display panel by an adhesive layer and an extension located on the frame body near the bending region, allows the frame to provide stronger pressure to the adhesive layer (especially the portion of the adhesive near the bending region), resulting in a more secure bond between the frame, the adhesive layer, and the display panel, thus reducing the occurrence of delamination of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of terminal technology, and in particular relates to a flexible display device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the display quality of screens in mobile phones and other electronic devices is receiving increasing attention. However, the size of these devices limits screen dimensions. To achieve a larger screen area on smaller electronic devices, foldable structures can be adopted. Specifically, taking a mobile phone as an example, a phone typically consists of two frames (such as the phone's mid-frame) that can rotate and fold relative to each other around a pivot, with a flexible screen covering the surfaces of both frames. When the two frames rotate and open around the central pivot, the flexible screen unfolds, providing a large display area. When the two frames fold around the central pivot, the flexible screen folds, allowing the entire electronic device to shrink into a smaller structure. These flexible screens are usually multi-layered display panels, including a cover layer, a display layer, and a support layer. During unfolding and folding, the layers of the display panel are prone to separation, affecting the performance of the electronic device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flexible display device is provided, the flexible display device comprising:

[0004] The display panel includes a bent area and non-bent areas located on opposite sides of the bent area;

[0005] Two frames are arranged opposite each other and are respectively bonded to two non-bending areas of the display panel by an adhesive layer. Each frame includes a frame body bonded to the adhesive layer and an extension located on the side of the frame body closer to the bending area.

[0006] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes a connecting area between the bent area and the non-bent area, wherein the size of the extension is greater than or equal to the size of the connecting area in the direction from the non-bent area toward the bent area.

[0007] In some embodiments, the extension is straight, and in the direction from the non-bending area to the bending area, the size of the extension is equal to the size of the connecting area.

[0008] In some embodiments, the corners of the extension near the bending area are chamfered or rounded.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the corner of the extension near the bending area is chamfered, the chamfer size is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; when the corner of the extension near the bending area is rounded, the rounded size is less than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0010] In some embodiments, the extension includes a straight first extension connected to the frame body and a second extension extending from the first extension away from the frame body toward the side away from the display panel; wherein, in the direction from the non-bending area toward the bending area, the size of the first extension is equal to the size of the connecting area.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second extension is a smooth, curved structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second extension is arc-shaped.

[0013] In some embodiments, in the direction from the non-bending region to the bending region, the ratio between the size of the second extension and the size of the bending region is less than or equal to 1 / 3.

[0014] In some embodiments, a terminal component is provided in a portion of the frame body away from the display panel. The terminal component includes at least one of a battery, a fan, and a motherboard. In the direction from the display panel toward the frame, the size of the second extension is less than or equal to the maximum size of the terminal component.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second extension has a dimension of less than or equal to 10 mm in the direction of the display panel toward the frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the frame body and the extension are integrally formed, and the frame is made of aluminum alloy, magnesium-aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel-aluminum composite material or titanium alloy.

[0017] In some embodiments, the flexible display device is a mobile phone, and the frame is a mid-frame.

[0018] In some embodiments, the display panel includes a stacked cover layer, a flexible panel layer, and a support layer, wherein the support layer is located on the side of the flexible panel layer closer to the frame, and the cover layer is located on the side of the flexible panel layer away from the frame.

[0019] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes a touch layer located between the cover plate layer and the flexible panel layer, and an optical adhesive layer located between the touch layer and the cover plate layer.

[0020] The flexible display device provided in this application, by setting the frame as a frame body bonded to the non-bending area of ​​the display panel by an adhesive layer and an extension located on the side of the frame body near the bending area, enables the frame to provide stronger pressure to the adhesive layer (especially the part of the adhesive near the bending area), making the frame bonded more firmly to the adhesive layer and the display panel, which helps to reduce the occurrence of delamination of the display panel.

[0021] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic diagram of a flexible display device in a folded state in the related technology.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of the flexible display device shown.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram illustrating another flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A simplified schematic diagram of the flexible display device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0029] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should be understood in their ordinary sense by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The words “a” or “one” and similar terms used in this application specification and claims do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. “A plurality” means two or more. The words “comprising” or “including” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding “comprising” or “including” covers the element or object listed following “comprising” or “including” and its equivalents, and does not exclude other elements or objects. The words “connected” or “linked” and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections and can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The words “above” and / or “below” and similar terms are for ease of description only and are not limited to a location or spatial orientation. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application specification and appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0030] Foldable electronic devices typically use flexible OLED screens. These flexible screens are usually multi-layered display panels, including a cover layer, display layer, and support layer. During unfolding or folding, the layers of the display panel are prone to separation, affecting the performance of the electronic device. Please refer to... Figure 1 As shown, some flexible display devices 100' currently have a flexible display panel 10' and a frame 20', which are bonded together with an adhesive. The inventors have discovered that the end of the adhesive near the bending area of ​​this type of folding screen is flush with the end of the frame 20' near the bending area. This causes stress concentration at the bonding point 1001 between the end of the adhesive near the bending area and the end of the frame 20' near the bending area. Furthermore, stress concentration also easily occurs in the middle region 1002 of the bending area, leading to film layer separation of the flexible display panel 10'.

[0031] Therefore, this application provides a flexible display device. The flexible display device includes a display panel and two opposing frames. The display panel includes a bending area and non-bending areas located on opposite sides of the bending area; the two frames are respectively bonded to the two non-bending areas of the display panel by an adhesive layer. Each frame includes a frame body bonded to the adhesive layer and an extension located on the side of the frame body closer to the bending area. By configuring the frame in the above-mentioned flexible display device as a frame body bonded to the non-bending area of ​​the display panel by an adhesive layer and an extension located on the side of the frame body closer to the bending area, the frame can provide stronger pressure to the adhesive layer (especially the portion of the adhesive near the bending area), resulting in a more secure bond between the frame, the adhesive layer, and the display panel, thus helping to reduce the occurrence of delamination of the display panel.

[0032] The flexible display device described in this application can be a foldable electronic terminal such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. Its display panel is an OLED flexible display panel.

[0033] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 2 to 5 The flexible display device provided in this application will be described in detail.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 2 and combine when necessary Figure 3 This application provides a flexible display device 100. The flexible display device 100 includes a display panel 10, two opposing frames 20, and an adhesive layer 30. The display panel 10 has a bending region 102 and non-bending regions 101 located on opposite sides of the bending region 102. The two frames 20 are respectively bonded to the two non-bending regions 101 of the display panel 10 via the adhesive layer 30. Each frame 20 includes a frame body 201 bonded to the adhesive layer 30 and an extension 202 located on the side of the frame body 201 near the bending region 102.

[0035] The display panel 10 here can be an OLED flexible display panel. In some embodiments, the display panel 10 may include a stacked cover layer 11, an optical adhesive layer 12, a touch layer 13, a flexible panel layer 14, and a support layer 15, etc. The display panel 10 is bonded to the adhesive layer 30 through the surface S1 of the support layer 15, so as to bond it together with the frame 20.

[0036] The cover layer 11 can be made of transparent glass or other flexible materials to facilitate bending of the display panel. The optical adhesive layer 12 is a transparent adhesive, such as an adhesive layer formed by OCA optical adhesive. The support layer 15 (also known as the SUS layer) provides strength support for the display panel 10, prevents top printing, and facilitates heat dissipation.

[0037] Of course, in some other embodiments, the display panel may not have a touch layer, and this application does not limit this.

[0038] Each frame body 201 and its corresponding extension 202 can be integrally molded to form an integrally molded frame 20. This simplifies and facilitates the production of the frame 20, helps save production costs, and improves the overall integrity of the frame 20, allowing it to better provide sufficient pressure to the adhesive. Of course, in other embodiments, the frame body and its corresponding extension can also be assembled together by welding or other methods.

[0039] The frame 20 is made of metals such as aluminum alloy, magnesium-aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel-aluminum composite material, or titanium alloy. The specific material of the frame 20 can be set according to specific circumstances. For example, if the display panel 10 requires good support performance, and the frame 20 needs to be designed to be lightweight and easier to mold, the frame 20 can be made of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel-aluminum composite material, titanium alloy, etc. If the weight, cost, and heat dissipation of the frame 20 are considered, the frame 20 can be made of magnesium-aluminum alloy.

[0040] It should be noted that if the flexible display device 100 is a mobile phone, the frame 20 can be understood as the mid-frame of the mobile phone. Correspondingly, if the flexible display device is a tablet computer or other foldable electronic device, the frame has a corresponding structure.

[0041] It should also be noted that the two frames mentioned here can have the same or different structures, and can be set according to the specific situation.

[0042] The adhesive layer 30 here is an adhesive that can bond the display panel 10 and the frame 20 together, such as EMBO adhesive. This adhesive is double-sided. The specific material of the adhesive layer 30 can be selected and set according to specific circumstances. This application does not limit it in this regard.

[0043] The aforementioned flexible display device 100, by configuring the frame 20 as a frame body 201 bonded to the non-bending area 101 of the display panel 10 by the adhesive layer 30 and an extension 202 located on the side of the frame body 201 near the bending area 102, enables the frame 20 to provide stronger pressure to the adhesive layer 30 (especially the part of the adhesive near the bending area), making the frame 20 bonded more firmly to the adhesive layer 30 and the display panel 10, which helps to reduce the occurrence of delamination of the layers inside the display panel 10.

[0044] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes a connection area 103 connecting the bent area 102 and the non-bent area 101, wherein the size of the extension 202 is greater than or equal to the size of the connection area 103 in the direction from the non-bent area 101 toward the bent area 102.

[0045] It should be noted that in the flexible display device, the non-bending area 101 is fixed to the frame 20 by the adhesive layer 30, and the non-bending area 101 is generally straight. The bending area 102 will bend as the flexible display device is folded. In some products, a transition connecting section, namely a connecting area 103, can be provided at the end of the bending area 102 near the non-bending area 101 to connect the bending area 102 and the straight non-bending area 101, so that the straight non-bending area 101 and the bending area 102 can be better connected during the use of the flexible display device 100. Of course, in some other embodiments, the connecting area 103 can also be part of the bending area near the non-bending area, and this application does not limit this.

[0046] Please combine Figure 3 As shown, the dimension B of the connecting area 103 in the direction from the non-bending area 101 to the bending area 102 can be set to be greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, which can effectively avoid the problem of the adhesive layer 30 overlapping with the bending area 102 due to the adhesion accuracy. Of course, the specific size of the connecting area 103 can be set according to the specific product, and in some products it can even be set to several millimeters, such as 3mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, etc.

[0047] In some embodiments, the extension 202 is straight. In the direction from the non-bending area 101 to the bending area 102, the size B of the extension 202 is equal to the size C of the connecting area 103. Under the condition that the frame 20 can provide sufficient pressure to the adhesive layer 30, it is beneficial to avoid damage to the display panel caused by the bending area colliding with the end of the frame 20 due to improper operation by the installer when the extension 202 is too long.

[0048] The dimension B of the extension 202 mentioned here is equal to the dimension C of the connection area 103. This can be understood as being completely equal or approximately equal (i.e., equal within the allowable error range).

[0049] In some embodiments, the corners of the extension 202 near the bending area 102 are chamfered or rounded to prevent the corners of the extension 202 near the bending area 102 from being too sharp, thereby avoiding edge chipping due to stress concentration, as well as damage caused by bending or folding and collisions with other structures during transportation or during the assembly or use of the flexible display device.

[0050] The corner of the extension 202 near the bending area 102 mentioned here can be understood as follows: Figure 3 One or both of the corners 2023 and 2024 shown.

[0051] For example, in some embodiments, when the corner of the extension 202 near the bending area 102 is chamfered, the size of the chamfer is less than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0052] For example, when the corner of the extension 202 near the bending area 102 is rounded, the size of the rounded corner is less than or equal to 0.5mm.

[0053] It should be noted that the other corners of the extension 202 (e.g., parallel to) Figure 3 The corners of the side facing the paper direction shown (near or away from the bending area 102) can also be chamfered or rounded to avoid adverse effects on the display panel and display device products due to other corners being too sharp.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 4 and combine when necessary Figure 5 As shown, this application also provides a flexible display device 200. This flexible display device 200 has most of the same structure as the flexible display device 100 described above, and the same or similar supports can be referred to the relevant descriptions above. Here, we mainly describe the differences.

[0055] Unlike the flexible display device 100 described above, the extension 202 includes a straight first extension 2021 connected to the frame body 201 and a second extension 2022 extending from the side of the first extension 2021 away from the frame body 201 toward the side away from the display panel 10. In the direction from the non-bending area 101 toward the bending area 102, the size of the first extension 2021 is equal to the size of the connecting area.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second extension 2022 has a smooth, curved structure. For example, with Figure 4 and 5 Taking the perspective shown as an example, the second extension 2022 mentioned here is a smooth, curved structure, which can be understood as the second extension 2022 extending along a line parallel to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cross-section taken along the plane of the paper is smoothly curved. Here, the second extension 2022 is a smoothly curved structure, which can be understood as at least the surface of the second extension 2022 near the bending area 102 being smoothly curved. Of course, the second extension 2022 can also be a curved sheet structure as a whole.

[0057] In some embodiments, the second extension 2022 is arc-shaped. For example... Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the second extension 2022 mentioned here is arc-shaped, which can be understood as the second extension 2022 extending along a line parallel to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cross-section taken along the plane of the paper is arc-shaped. Here, the second extension 2022 is arc-shaped, which can be understood as the cross-section of at least the surface of the second extension 2022 near the bending area 102 being arc-shaped. Of course, the second extension 2022 can also be a thin sheet structure that is curved in an arc shape as a whole.

[0058] In some embodiments, in the direction from the non-bending area 101 toward the bending area 102, the ratio between the size W of the second extension 2022 and the size A of the bending area 102 is less than or equal to 1 / 3, so as to avoid the second extension 2022 posing a collision risk to the bending area 102.

[0059] In some embodiments, terminal components may be disposed on a portion of the frame body 201 facing away from the display panel 10. These may include one or more components such as a battery, a fan, or a motherboard (e.g., a PCB board). Correspondingly, in the direction (i.e., the thickness direction) of the display panel 10 toward the frame 20, the dimension H of the second extension 2022 is less than or equal to the maximum dimension of the terminal component. This means the thickness of the second extension 2022 can be set to be less than or equal to the thickness of the thickest portion of these terminal components, thereby helping to ensure that the overall thickness of the flexible display device does not increase due to the provision of the second extension 2022.

[0060] In some embodiments, the maximum thickness of the terminal components can reach several millimeters, for example, up to 10 mm. Accordingly, in the direction of the display panel 10 toward the frame 20, the dimension H of the second extension 2022 is less than or equal to 10 mm, so as to ensure that the overall thickness of the flexible display device 200 is not too large.

[0061] In some embodiments, the flexible display device further includes a housing and a hinge assembly (not shown) located on the side of the frame opposite to the display panel. The housing has at least two opposing shells, each opposite to one of the two frame structures. Each shell is assembled to a frame on the side opposite to the display panel. Optionally, the two opposing shells are rotatably connected by the hinge assembly, allowing the two shells to rotate relative to the hinge assembly, thereby causing the two frames and the corresponding display panel to rotate relative to the hinge assembly, thus enabling the flexible display device to fold and unfold. When the flexible display device is unfolded to a flat state, the bending area of ​​the display panel can also be in a flat state; when the flexible display device is folded or in a state between folding and unfolding, the bending area of ​​the display panel is in a corresponding bent state.

[0062] In this application, the structural embodiments and method embodiments can complement each other without conflict.

[0063] In this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "multiple" and "several" refer to two or more unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0064] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. The invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0065] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible display device, characterized in that, The flexible display device includes: The display panel includes a bent area and non-bent areas located on opposite sides of the bent area; Two opposing frames are respectively bonded to two non-bending areas of the display panel by an adhesive layer. Each frame includes a frame body bonded to the adhesive layer and an extension located on the side of the frame body closer to the bending area. The extension is not pasted to and does not contact the display panel. The extension is arranged face-to-face with the display panel, and there is a gap between the extension and the display panel. Within the same frame, the frame body and the extension are integrally formed.

2. The flexible display device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a connecting area between the bent area and the non-bent area, wherein the size of the extension is greater than or equal to the size of the connecting area in the direction from the non-bent area to the bent area.

3. The flexible display device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The extension is straight, and in the direction from the non-bending area to the bending area, the size of the extension is equal to the size of the connecting area.

4. The flexible display device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The corners of the extension near the bending area are chamfered or rounded.

5. The flexible display device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When the corner of the extension near the bending area is chamfered, the chamfer size is less than or equal to 0.5mm; when the corner of the extension near the bending area is rounded, the rounded size is less than or equal to 0.5mm.

6. The flexible display device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The extension includes a straight first extension connected to the frame body and a second extension extending from the first extension away from the frame body toward the side away from the display panel; wherein, in the direction from the non-bending area toward the bending area, the size of the first extension is equal to the size of the connecting area.

7. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The second extension has a smooth, curved structure.

8. The flexible display device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second extension is arc-shaped.

9. The flexible display device as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, In the direction from the non-bending area toward the bending area, the ratio between the size of the second extension and the size of the bending area is less than or equal to 1 / 3.

10. The flexible display device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The frame body has terminal components in a portion of its body away from the display panel. The terminal components include at least one of a battery, a fan, and a motherboard. In the direction from the display panel toward the frame, the size of the second extension is less than or equal to the maximum size of the terminal component.

11. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, In the direction of the display panel toward the frame, the size of the second extension is less than or equal to 10 mm.

12. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The main frame and the extension are integrally formed, and the frame is made of aluminum alloy, magnesium-aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel-aluminum composite material or titanium alloy.

13. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible display device is a mobile phone, and the frame is a mid-frame.

14. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel includes a stacked cover layer, a flexible panel layer, and a support layer. The support layer is located on the side of the flexible panel layer closer to the frame, and the cover layer is located on the side of the flexible panel layer away from the frame.

15. The flexible display device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a touch layer located between the cover plate layer and the flexible panel layer, and an optical adhesive layer located between the touch layer and the cover plate layer.

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