Composite support structure, display screen, display module, display device and manufacturing method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of display, in particular to a composite support structure, a display screen, a display module, a display device and a manufacturing method, the composite support structure comprising a support layer and an adhesive layer; the support layer is provided with a groove on the side in contact with the adhesive layer, and a gas storage structure with thermal expansion and contraction characteristics is arranged in the groove; the temperature of the gas storage structure before being put into the groove is higher than normal temperature, so that the gas pressure of the space in the groove except the gas storage structure is reduced after the gas storage structure is cooled to normal temperature and encapsulated in the groove by the adhesive layer. The present application can solve the technical problem that the film layers are prone to separation and deformation when the existing display module is bent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a composite support structure, a display screen, a display module, a display device and a manufacturing method. Background Art

[0002] Currently, most flexible screens on the market are foldable, and their folding areas are fixed. Figure 1 As shown, the folding area is generally in the middle of the flexible screen. Currently, the mainstream folding form on the market is an inward bending form. When the flexible screen bends inward, the display panel 11 is located on the inside and the adhesive layer 12 is located on the outside. Peeling is prone to occur at the adhesion between the adhesive layer 12 and the stainless steel sheet 10, especially between the outermost adhesive layer 12 and the stainless steel sheet 10.

[0003] There are two ways to prevent peeling in the prior art:

[0004] The first approach is to reduce the stacking of film layers and reduce the film thickness, thereby reducing the stress difference between different regions. However, as the thickness decreases, the manufacturing cost will inevitably increase, which is not conducive to cost control in mass production.

[0005] The second approach involves adding a mechanical device to the outside of the module to generate tension between the film layers in the folding area of ​​the screen, offsetting the force that would cause the film layers to peel due to bending. However, this approach increases the volume of the entire module and the production cost of the mechanical device, making it unsuitable for mass production.

[0006] The above two methods of preventing the separation of the screen film layers cannot effectively solve the technical problem of separation and deformation of the screen film layers during bending due to high manufacturing costs or impact on the overall structure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present invention provide a composite support structure, display screen, display module, display device and manufacturing method. By digging grooves in the support layer and adding a gas storage structure with thermal expansion and contraction characteristics, the pressure difference inside and outside the groove is caused by the volume change, thereby achieving the purpose of making the support layer and the second adhesive layer tightly attached and difficult to separate. It can solve the technical problem of easy separation and deformation between the film layers when the existing display module is bent.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a composite support structure, comprising a support layer and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is disposed on the support layer;

[0009] The support layer has a groove on the side in contact with the adhesive layer, and a gas storage structure is provided in the groove;

[0010] The temperature of the gas storage structure before being placed in the groove is higher than room temperature. After the gas storage structure is encapsulated in the groove by the adhesive layer, the gas storage structure cools to room temperature and the volume of the gas storage structure shrinks, so that the air pressure in the space outside the gas storage structure in the groove decreases.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the gas storage structure before being placed in the groove is 80-90 degrees; further preferably, the temperature of the gas storage structure before being placed in the groove is 90 degrees.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the groove is at most half of the height of the support layer; further preferably, after the gas storage structure located in the groove is cooled, the gas storage structure occupies 1 / 2-2 / 3 of the volume of the groove.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, there are multiple grooves, which are evenly distributed on the support layer; further preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the groove along the thickness direction of the support layer can be square, circular or oblong.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the support layer is a metal support layer; further preferably, the metal support layer is a stainless steel sheet.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the gas storage structure is a bubble bag, which includes an elastic film and a gas sealed and wrapped by the elastic film. Further preferably, the elastic film is a high-pressure polyethylene bubble film, and the gas is helium.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display screen, comprising a display panel, the above-mentioned composite support structure, and a first adhesive layer disposed therebetween.

[0017] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display module, comprising the above-mentioned display screen, a cover plate, an adhesive layer, and a polarizer; the cover plate is disposed on the outermost layer of the display module and is adhered to the polarizer via the adhesive layer, and the polarizer is adhered to the display panel of the display screen via the adhesive layer.

[0018] More preferably, the display screen further includes a touch layer, which is provided between the polarizer and the display panel.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite support structure, comprising the following steps:

[0020] Processing a plurality of grooves into the support layer;

[0021] Preparing a plurality of gas storage structures, wherein the temperature of the gas storage structures is higher than normal temperature;

[0022] Place the gas storage structure into the groove;

[0023] Laminating the adhesive layer and the support layer to form a closed space in the groove to obtain a composite support structure;

[0024] The composite support structure is left to stand until it reaches room temperature. The gas storage structure in the groove cools and contracts, and the volume of the gas storage structure decreases. The volume of the air in the space outside the gas storage structure in the groove increases and the pressure decreases. A pressure difference is generated between the outside and the inside of the groove, so that the adhesive layer is closely attached to the support layer.

[0025] Further preferably, the preparation method of the gas storage structure is: wrapping gas with an elastic film to form a plurality of gas storage structures, heating the gas storage structures to a temperature higher than room temperature so that the gas storage structures expand due to the heat to form the gas storage structure; or: heating gas to a temperature higher than room temperature, and then wrapping the heated gas with an elastic film to form the gas storage structure;

[0026] Further preferably, the temperature of the gas storage structure or gas after heating is 80-90 degrees;

[0027] Further preferably, after the gas storage structure in the groove is cooled, the gas storage structure occupies 1 / 2-2 / 3 of the volume of the groove.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the composite support structure, display screen, display module, display device and manufacturing method provided by the embodiments of the present invention are provided with a groove in the support layer, and a gas storage structure with thermal expansion and contraction characteristics is provided in the groove. The adhesive layer on the support layer is pressed against the support layer by atmospheric pressure, thereby avoiding peeling between the adhesive layer and the support layer. Since there is no need to reduce the thickness of the film layer or add an additional mechanical structure to tighten the film layer, the manufacturing cost of the display module of the embodiment of the present invention is low and easy to promote and apply. In addition, the grooves can be arranged in a plurality of evenly distributed layout forms, which can make the external air pressure act evenly on the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer with uniform force can better adhere to the support layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a flexible screen in the prior art;

[0031] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of a display module provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 is a top view of a support layer provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4is a schematic diagram of a support layer provided by one embodiment of the present invention having grooves machined therein;

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of placing a gas storage structure in a groove provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a gas storage structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention before it is placed in a static state and contracted;

[0036] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of an air storage structure after static contraction provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 Description of the accompanying drawings: 10. Stainless steel sheet; 11. Display panel;

[0038] Figures 2-7 Description of the accompanying drawings: 11. Cover plate; 12. Glue layer; 13. Polarizer; 14. Touch layer; 15. Display panel; 2. Composite support structure; 21. Support layer; 211. Groove; 212. Gas storage structure; 22. Second adhesive layer; 3. First adhesive layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below. In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the present invention.

[0040] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, the elements defined by the phrase "comprising..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the elements.

[0041] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the display module in this embodiment includes a display screen, a cover plate 11, an adhesive layer 12, and a polarizer (POL) 13; the display screen includes a display panel, a composite support structure 2, and a first adhesive layer 3 disposed therebetween; the display panel includes a display surface and a back surface, and the composite support structure is disposed on the back surface of the display panel to support the display panel. The cover plate is disposed on the outermost layer of the display module and is adhered to the polarizer via an adhesive layer to protect the display module; the polarizer is adhered to the display panel via an adhesive layer to filter light and reduce external interference. It can be understood that the display surface is a side surface that can display an image. The display module disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to fields such as mobile phones, bionic electronics, electronic skin, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, Internet of Things devices, and artificial intelligence devices. For example, it can be applied to display devices such as mobile phones, tablets, PDAs, iPods, and smart watches. Preferably, the display module in this embodiment is a flexible display module.

[0044] The display panel may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display panel, or electronic paper with bending and deformation capabilities.

[0045] Taking an organic light emitting diode display panel as an example, the display panel includes a substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer, an anode, a light emitting layer, a cathode, and an encapsulation layer, which are stacked in sequence.

[0046] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, a touch layer 14 is further provided between the polarizer (POL) 13 and the display panel 15 .

[0047] In this embodiment, the composite support structure includes a support layer 21 and an adhesive layer. Specifically, the adhesive layer is a second adhesive layer 22, which is disposed on the support layer and is used to secure the flexible display module to the display device. The support layer is used to support the display module and ensure sufficient rigidity of the bent portion. The support layer can be a metal support layer.

[0048] In the embodiment, the metal support layer is provided with grooves 211 on the side in contact with the second adhesive layer, and the grooves are provided with gas storage structures 212. The gas storage structures have the characteristic of thermal expansion and contraction. By changing the temperature of the gas storage structures, the volume of the gas storage structures changes, the pressure in the grooves changes, and the second adhesive layer on the metal support layer is tightly attached to the metal support layer. In the embodiment, the temperature of the gas storage structures before being placed in the grooves is higher than the normal temperature. After the gas storage structures are cooled to the normal temperature after being encapsulated in the grooves by the second adhesive layer, the volume of the gas storage structures shrinks, and the pressure in the space in the grooves other than the gas storage structures decreases. In the preferred embodiment, the temperature of the gas storage structures before being placed in the grooves is 80-90 degrees, and preferably 90 degrees. After the gas storage structures are encapsulated in the grooves by the second adhesive layer, the gas storage structures are cooled to the normal temperature (such as 25 degrees).

[0049] In some preferred embodiments, the metal support layer is a stainless steel sheet. The stainless steel sheet has good bending strength and bendability, and is suitable for use as a support layer material in a flexible display module. In addition, the metal support layer can also be made of copper, copper alloy, or aluminum, which are commonly used in flexible display modules and have good bendability.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the grooves are provided on the metal support layer. The grooves are provided on the metal support layer to change the pressure in the grooves, so that the second adhesive layer on the metal support layer is tightly attached to the metal support layer. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the grooves are provided on the metal support layer. The grooves are provided on the metal support layer to change the pressure in the grooves, so that the second adhesive layer on the metal support layer is tightly attached to the metal support layer.

[0051] The cross-sectional shape of the grooves along the thickness direction of the display module (i.e., along the thickness direction of the support layer) is square. The square grooves are easy to machine and shape, have low processing difficulty, and are conducive to mass production.

[0052] In further preferred embodiments, the shape of the grooves can also be circular, oval, or other shapes without corners. For example, the grooves can be transitioned by a circular arc, so that the grooves do not have corner positions, and the stress concentration effect on the edges of the grooves when the metal support layer is bent can be reduced.

[0053] In this embodiment, the depth of the groove is at most half the height of the metal support layer, and preferably half the height of the metal support layer. This approach can take into account the original support effect of the metal support layer and avoid the metal support layer from breaking due to being too thin during bending. At the same time, in this embodiment, the volume of the groove after cooling is 1 / 2-2 / 3, preferably 1 / 2. This structural design results in a significant change in volume before and after cooling, resulting in a significant difference between the air pressure in the space within the groove excluding the air storage structure and the external pressure. This results in a greater force exerted by the external air pressure on the adhesive layer, allowing the adhesive layer to better adhere to the support layer.

[0054] In this embodiment, the gas storage structure is a bubble bag, which includes an elastic film and gas sealed and wrapped by the elastic film. The elastic film can be a high-pressure polyethylene bubble film.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the gas inside the gas storage structure before it is placed in the groove is 80-90 degrees, preferably 90 degrees; after the gas storage structure is placed in the groove and encapsulated by the second adhesive layer, it is cooled to room temperature (such as 25 degrees).

[0056] In a further preferred embodiment, the gas may be a gaseous substance such as helium, which has a large molecular distance, low surface tension, and high thermal conductivity. This type of gaseous substance can utilize its own characteristics to maximize the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the groove, thereby increasing the adhesion between the second adhesive layer and the metal support layer, further effectively preventing the occurrence of peeling between the second adhesive layer and the metal support layer.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] Based on the same inventive concept as Example 1, this embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a composite support structure, which is used to manufacture the composite support structure in Example 1. The specific steps are as follows:

[0059] S1, machining a plurality of grooves in the support layer using a machining process;

[0060] S2. Preparing a plurality of gas storage structures, wherein the temperature of the gas storage structures is higher than room temperature, i.e., the gas storage structures are in an expanded state. There are various preparation methods. The plurality of gas storage structures can be formed by first wrapping the gas with an elastic film, and then heating the plurality of gas storage structures to expand the gas storage structures due to the heat, thereby obtaining a plurality of gas storage structures in an expanded state. Alternatively, the gas can be first heated, and then the heated gas can be wrapped with an elastic film to obtain a plurality of gas storage structures in an expanded state. The temperature of the heated gas storage structures or gas is 80-90 degrees Celsius, preferably 90 degrees Celsius.

[0061] S3, such as Figure 5 As shown, the gas storage structure in the expanded state is placed into the groove;

[0062] S4. Finally, the second adhesive layer and the support layer are laminated to form a closed space in the groove to obtain a composite support structure;

[0063] S5. Allow the composite support structure to cool to room temperature, causing the gas storage structure within the groove to cool and shrink, resulting in a smaller volume. The volume of the air in the groove outside the gas storage structure increases and the pressure decreases, creating a pressure difference between the outside and inside the groove. This creates a pressure difference between the outside atmosphere and the inside of the groove, causing the second adhesive layer to be pressed against the support layer. After cooling, the gas storage structure is at room temperature, such as 25 degrees Celsius. After cooling, the gas storage structure within the groove occupies 1 / 2-2 / 3 of the volume of the groove, preferably 1 / 2 of the volume of the groove.

[0064] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the order of execution of the steps in the manufacturing method. While executing step S1, multiple gas storage structures can be prepared simultaneously, that is, step S2 can be executed simultaneously; or step S2 can be executed after step S1 is completed.

[0065] The force analysis of the second adhesive layer clinging to the support layer due to the above-mentioned pressure change is as follows:

[0066] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the gas storage structure contracts when it is cooled and left to stand, and the volume of the gas storage structure decreases (from V1 to V2), while the volume of the atmosphere in the groove (the shaded part) increases (from V3 to V4).

[0067] According to the equation PV = nRT (P is pressure, V is volume, T is temperature, n is the amount of substance, and R represents the gas constant, which is the same for all gases), when the gas storage structure cools to room temperature, the temperature inside the groove returns to room temperature, so P0*V3 = P1*V4. Since V3 < V4, P1 < P0, the second adhesive layer will be subjected to a pressure F of the external atmospheric pressure; where P0 is the atmospheric pressure and P1 is the pressure inside the groove. The composite support structure achieves the purpose of tightly adhering the second adhesive layer and the metal support layer to prevent separation through the additional pressure F.

[0068] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and illustrated in the figures. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of known methods is omitted. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and illustrated as examples. However, the method of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and illustrated. Those skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of the steps after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0069] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments described herein describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or devices. However, the present invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above. In other words, the steps may be performed in the order described in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0070] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, modules and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite support structure for use in a display module, characterized in that: It includes a supporting layer and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is arranged on the supporting layer; The support layer has a groove on the side in contact with the adhesive layer, and a gas storage structure is provided in the groove; The temperature of the gas storage structure before being placed in the groove is higher than room temperature. After the gas storage structure is encapsulated in the groove by the adhesive layer, the gas storage structure cools to room temperature and the volume of the gas storage structure shrinks, so that the air pressure in the space outside the gas storage structure in the groove decreases.

2. The composite support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature of the gas storage structure before being placed in the groove is 80-90 degrees.

3. The composite support structure according to claim 2, characterized in that The temperature of the gas storage structure before it is placed in the groove is 90 degrees.

4. The composite support structure according to claim 2, characterized in that The depth of the groove is at most half the height of the supporting layer.

5. The composite support structure according to claim 4, characterized in that After the gas storage structure in the groove is cooled, the gas storage structure occupies 1 / 2-2 / 3 of the volume of the groove.

6. The composite support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: There are multiple grooves, which are evenly distributed on the supporting layer.

7. The composite support structure according to claim 6, characterized in that The cross-sectional shape of the groove along the thickness direction of the support layer is square, circular or oblong.

8. The composite support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The supporting layer is a metal supporting layer.

9. The composite support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that The metal supporting layer is a stainless steel sheet.

10. The composite support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The gas storage structure is a bubble bag, which includes an elastic film and gas sealed and wrapped by the elastic film.

11. The composite support structure according to claim 10, characterized in that The elastic film is a high-pressure polyethylene bubble film, and the gas is helium.

12. A display screen, characterized in that: The composite support structure comprises a display panel, the composite support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a first adhesive layer arranged between the display panel and the composite support structure.

13. A display module, characterized in that: The invention comprises the display screen as claimed in claim 12, as well as a cover plate, an adhesive layer and a polarizer; the cover plate is arranged on the outermost layer of the display module and is adhered to the polarizer through the adhesive layer, and the polarizer is adhered to the display panel of the display screen through the adhesive layer.

14. The display module according to claim 13, wherein: The display module further includes a touch layer, which is arranged between the polarizer and the display panel of the display screen.

15. A display device, characterized in that: Including the display module according to claim 13.

16. A method for manufacturing a composite support structure, wherein the composite support structure is used in a display module, the method comprising the following steps: Processing a plurality of grooves into the support layer; Preparing a plurality of gas storage structures, wherein the temperature of the gas storage structures is higher than normal temperature; Place the gas storage structure into the groove; Laminating the adhesive layer and the support layer to form a closed space in the groove to obtain a composite support structure; When the composite support structure is left to cool to room temperature, the gas storage structure in the groove cools and contracts, the volume of the gas storage structure decreases, the volume of the air in the space outside the groove increases and the pressure decreases, and a pressure difference is generated between the outside and the inside of the groove, so that the adhesive layer is tightly attached to the support layer.

17. The manufacturing method according to claim 16, characterized in that: The preparation method of the gas storage structure is: wrapping the gas with an elastic film to form multiple gas storage structures, heating the gas storage structure to a temperature higher than room temperature, so that the gas storage structure expands due to the heat to form a gas storage structure; or: heating the gas to a temperature higher than room temperature, and then wrapping the heated gas with an elastic film to form a gas storage structure.

18. The manufacturing method according to claim 17, characterized in that: The temperature of the gas storage structure or gas after heating is 80-90 degrees.

19. The manufacturing method according to claim 16, characterized in that: After the gas storage structure in the groove is cooled, the gas storage structure occupies 1 / 2-2 / 3 of the volume of the groove.

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