Display device and electronic device

Abstract

The present application discloses a display device and an electronic device. The display device includes at least one bendable display area that can be bent along a bending axis, and a plurality of non-bendable display areas. At least one bendable display area divides the display device into a plurality of non-bendable display areas. The display device includes: a flexible display module and a support module. The support module includes a first support layer, and the first support layer is disposed on the backlight side of the flexible display module. The first support layer is an ultra-thin glass. According to the embodiments provided by the present application, the display device and the electronic device provided by the present application can ensure the support of the support module for the display module, and reduce the weight ratio of the support module in the entire display device, thereby reducing the weight of the display device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display devices, and particularly to a display device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of technology, electronic devices have been evolving towards larger display areas, thinner, lighter, and more portable forms. For flexible display modules, currently, with the widespread application of borderless technology, the screen-to-body ratio of electronic devices has approached its limit. To achieve a larger screen display area, electronic devices would need to have a larger volume. To break through the limitation of the electronic device volume on the screen display area, a foldable display device is a preferable solution. In the solutions of related technologies, a foldable display device can have a large display area when the screen is unfolded and a small carrying volume when the screen is folded up.

[0003] In existing foldable display devices, a support layer is prepared from stainless steel material to support the flexible display module by utilizing the hardness of the stainless steel material. However, the support layer made of stainless steel material has a large weight proportion in the entire display device, increasing the weight of the display device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a display device and an electronic device, aiming to ensure the support of the support layer for the display module, and reduce the weight proportion of the support layer in the entire display device, thereby reducing the weight of the display device.

[0005] An embodiment of the first aspect of the present application provides a display device. The display device includes at least one bendable display area that can be bent along a bending axis, and a plurality of non-bendable display areas. At least one bendable display area divides the display device into a plurality of non-bendable display areas. The display device includes:

[0006] A flexible display module;

[0007] A support module, including a first support layer. The first support layer is disposed on the backlight side of the flexible display module, and the first support layer is an ultra-thin glass.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the first support layer includes a non-bendable support portion located in the non-bendable display area and a bendable support portion located in the bendable display area. The bendable support portion includes a plurality of support sub-portions. When the display device is in a flat state, the plurality of support sub-portions are spaced apart along a first direction, and the first direction intersects with the bending axis.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, when the display device is in a flat state, the thickness of the non-bendable support portion along the thickness direction of the display device is H1, and the thickness of the bendable support portion along the thickness direction of the display device is H2, where H1 > H2.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the support module further includes a second support layer, and the second support layer is disposed on a side of the first support layer away from the flexible display module.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the second support layer is an elastomer.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, a first concave portion is provided on a side of the bending support portion facing away from the flexible display module, and the second support layer includes a convex portion adapted to the first concave portion, and the convex portion is inserted into the first concave portion.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, when the display device is in a flat state, a surface of the second support layer facing away from the first support layer is a plane.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the display device further includes a buffer layer, and the buffer layer is disposed on a side of the first support layer close to the flexible display module.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, a second concave portion is provided on a side of the bending support portion close to the flexible display module, and a part of the buffer layer fills the second concave portion.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, when the display device is in a flat state, a surface of the buffer layer facing away from the first support layer is a plane.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the display device further includes an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer bonds the support module and the flexible display module.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application, the adhesive layer is a light-shielding layer.

[0019] An embodiment of the second aspect of the present application provides an electronic device, including:

[0020] The display device provided as in the first aspect.

[0021] In the display device and the electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application, by providing the first support layer made of ultra-thin glass, the first support layer can reinforce the structure of the display device, ensure the bending form of the flexible display module, reduce the weight ratio of the support layer in the entire display device, and reduce the weight of the display device. Description of the Drawings

[0022] By reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features, objects, and advantages of the present application will become more apparent, wherein the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar features, and the drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a display device in a flat state provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a display device in a folded state provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a display device provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a partial planar structural diagram of a first support layer provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another display device provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another display device provided by an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application.

[0029] Description of the reference numerals:

[0030] 100, display device; L, bending axis; 20, bent display area; 20, non-bent display area;

[0031] 1, flexible display module; 2, support module; 21, first support layer; 211, non-bent support portion; 212, bent support portion; 212a, support sub-portion; 213, first recess; 214, second recess; 22, second support layer; 23, buffer layer; 3, adhesive layer. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] The features and exemplary embodiments of each aspect of the present application will be described in detail below. In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present application and are not configured to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is only to provide a better understanding of the present application by showing examples of the present application.

[0033] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as first and second are only used 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 "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0034] It should be understood that when describing the structure of a component, when a layer or a region is referred to as being "above" or "over" another layer or another region, it may mean directly above the other layer or another region, or there may be other layers or regions between it and the other layer or another region. And if the component is flipped, this layer or region will be "below" or "beneath" the other layer or region.

[0035] In existing foldable display devices, a support layer is prepared from stainless steel material to support the flexible display module by using the hardness of the stainless steel material. However, the support layer made of stainless steel material has a large weight proportion in the entire display device, increasing the weight of the display device.

[0036] Existing solutions cannot well solve the technical problems. To solve the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a display device and an electronic device. The embodiments of the display device and the electronic device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application provides a display device 100. The display device 100 includes at least one bendable display area 20 that can be bent along a bending axis L, and a plurality of non-bendable display areas 10. At least one bendable display area 20 divides the display device 100 into a plurality of non-bendable display areas 10. The display device 100 includes a flexible display module 1 and a support module 2. The support module 2 includes a first support layer 21. The first support layer 21 is disposed on the backlight side of the flexible display module 1, and the first support layer 21 is an ultra-thin glass.

[0038] The display device 100 can be used to display images. The display device 100 has a folded state and a flat state. When the display device 100 is folded, the bent display area 20 is bent at least partially around the bending axis L into an arc shape, and the non-bent display area 10 connected to the bent display area 20 can be stacked, so as to reduce the volume of the flexible display module 1, such as Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, it is a schematic structural diagram of the display device 100 in the folded state. The bent display area 20 is unfolded, so that the bent display area 20 and the non-bent display area 10 connected to the bent display area 20 can be flatly displayed together, so as to obtain a larger display area, such as Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, it is a schematic structural diagram of the display device 100 in the flat state. Optionally, the number of the bent display areas 20 can be one, and the number of the non-bent display areas 10 is two, and the two non-bent display areas 10 are arranged on both sides of the bending axis L.

[0039] The flexible display module 1 is a module with the ability of light-emitting display. The flexible display module 1 may include a flexible substrate 11, a light-emitting device layer 12, and a driving circuit layer 13. The light-emitting device layer 12 includes a plurality of light-emitting units. The side of the light-emitting device layer 12 that emits light outward is the light-emitting side of the flexible display module 1, and the side opposite to the light-emitting side is the backlight side. The driving circuit layer 13 is located on the backlight side of the light-emitting device layer 12, and the driving circuit layer 13 is used to adjust the light-emitting brightness of the light-emitting units.

[0040] The material of the flexible substrate 11 includes flexible materials such as polyimide (PI). The light-emitting device layer 12 includes a pixel definition layer and a plurality of light-emitting units. The pixel definition layer includes a plurality of pixel openings, and the light-emitting units are arranged in the pixel openings. Exemplarily, in the embodiments of the present application, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs for short) can be selected to prepare the above-mentioned respective light-emitting units. Alternatively, the light-emitting units can also be set as micro light-emitting diodes (Micro-LEDs for short) or quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs for short). The driving circuit layer 13 may include a plurality of sub-pixel control units for controlling whether the light-emitting units emit light and the light-emitting duration. The driving circuit layer 13 may include a gate metal layer, a source-drain metal layer, an active layer, etc. The flexible display module 1 of this embodiment may further include an insulating layer, a packaging layer, a planarizing layer, etc., which will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0041] The flexible substrate 11 is a flexible film and cannot fully support each layer structure. The layer structures can be the structures disposed on the flexible substrate 11 in the flexible display module 1 or the structures disposed on the flexible display module 1. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a first support layer 21 with a relatively large hardness to support the flexible display module 1. Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) has characteristics such as ultra-thin, wear-resistant, good light transmittance, high strength, bendable, and good resilience. Therefore, ultra-thin glass is provided as the first support layer 21 to support the flexible display module 1. When the display device 100 is in a folded state, the first support layer 21 and the flexible display module 1 can be bent together. The first support layer 21 can reinforce the structure of the display device 100 and ensure the bending form of the flexible display module 1.

[0042] Compared with the support layer prepared by stainless steel in the related art, the density of the ultra-thin glass of the first support layer 21 provided in this application is 1 / 3 of the density of stainless steel. That is, for support layers with the same structure and size, the first support layer 21 prepared by ultra-thin glass in this application has a smaller mass than the support layer prepared by stainless steel in the related art, thereby reducing the mass ratio of the first support layer 21 in the entire display device 100. Also, since the fatigue durability of ultra-thin glass is stronger than that of stainless steel, after multiple bends, the first support layer 21 provided in this application is not likely to generate creases compared with the support layer prepared by stainless steel in the related art.

[0043] In a verification experiment example, a support layer prepared by ultra-thin glass was used as the experimental example, and a support layer prepared by stainless steel was used as the comparative example. After both the experimental example and the comparative example were bent 200,000 times, it was observed that there were no creases in the support layer of the experimental example, while the support layer of the comparative example had creases of (50 - 100um).

[0044] Therefore, in the display device 100 provided in this application, by providing the first support layer 21 prepared by ultra-thin glass, the first support layer 21 can reinforce the structure of the display device 100, ensure the bending form of the flexible display module 1, reduce the weight ratio of the support layer in the entire display device 100, and reduce the weight of the display device 100.

[0045] The first support layer 21 includes a non-bending support portion 211 located in the non-bending display area 10 and a bending support portion 212 located in the bending display area 20. The bending support portion 212 includes a plurality of support sub-portions 212a. When the display device 100 is in a flat state, the plurality of support sub-portions 212a are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, and the first direction X intersects the bending axis L of the bending display area 20.

[0046] The non-bending support portion 211 located in the non-bending display area 10 is used to support the flexible display module 1 located in the non-bending display area 10, and the bending support portion 212 located in the bending display area 20 is used to support the flexible display module 1 located in the bending display area 20. When the display device 100 is in a bent state, the flexible display module 1 located in the bending display area 20 bends, and the bending support portion 212 bends together with the flexible display module 1. Avoidance gaps are left between the support sub-portions 212a arranged at intervals in sequence, which is beneficial to the bending support portion 212 bending together with the flexible display module 1, and avoiding the bending support portion 212 from cracking due to excessive stress generated by bending.

[0047] The non-bending display area 10 can be located on both sides of the bending axis L of the bending display area 20. The multiple support sub-portions 212a can be arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the bending axis L, and the support sub-portions 212a can extend in the direction of the bending axis L.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 4 In an embodiment, when the display device 100 is in a flat state, the thickness of the non-bending support portion 211 in the thickness direction Y of the display device 100 is H1, and the thickness of the bending support portion 212 in the thickness direction Y of the display device 100 is H2, and H1 > H2.

[0049] Compared with the bending support portion 212, setting the non-bending support portion 211 to have a thicker thickness is beneficial to improving the supportability of the non-bending support portion 211 for the flexible display module 1; compared with the non-bending support portion 211, setting the bending support portion 212 to have a thinner thickness is beneficial to improving the bendability of the bending support portion 212.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 5 In another embodiment, the support module 2 further includes a second support layer 22, and the second support layer 22 is disposed on a side of the first support layer 21 away from the flexible display module 1.

[0051] The second support layer 22 can be a laminated structure formed by copper foil, graphite, foam, etc. The second support layer 22 can support all of the first support layer 21 and the flexible display module 1 to further strengthen the structure of the flexible display module 1.

[0052] The second support layer 22 can be disposed only in the non-bending display area 10, that is, only support the non-bending support portion 211. The second support layer 22 can also be disposed in the non-bending display area 10 and the bending display area 20. The second support layer 22 supports the non-bending support portion 211 and the bending support portion 212. The second support layer 22 located in the bending display area 20 can also bend together with the flexible display module 1 to ensure the bending form of the flexible display module 1.

[0053] In one embodiment, the second support layer 22 is an elastomer. Compared with the first support layer 21, the second support layer 22 has better bendability. The material of the second support layer 22 includes elastic materials with superelastic properties such as elastic rubber. The elastic rubber has good toughness and strong compression or tensile deformation ability, and is prone to deformation when stressed, so that the second support layer 22 has better bendability. Optionally, the second support layer 22 is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU).

[0054] In some embodiments, it can be set that the bending support portion 212 has a groove on the side close to the flexible display module 1, and / or the bending support portion 212 has a groove on the side facing away from the flexible display module 1, so as to make the thickness of the bending support portion 212 less than the thickness of the non-bending support portion 211. In some embodiments, the side of the bending support portion 212 facing away from the flexible display module 1 has a first recess 213, and the second support layer 22 includes a convex portion adapted to the first recess 213, and the convex portion is inserted into the first recess 213.

[0055] By setting the convex portion to be inserted into the first recess 213, the bending support portion 212 can be effectively supported by the convex portion, and the overall support for the flexible display module 1 by the non-bending support portion 211 and the bending support portion 212 is improved.

[0056] When the display device 100 is in a flat state, the surface of the second support layer 22 facing away from the first support layer 21 is a plane.

[0057] By setting the second support layer 22, the first support layer 21 is flattened, which facilitates the assembly of the display device 100 with other components. The non-bending support portion 211 includes a first surface in contact with the second support layer 22, and the bending support portion 212 includes a second surface in contact with the second support layer 22. When the display device 100 is in a flat state, the second surface is closer to the flexible display module 1 relative to the first surface, and the convex portion is in contact with the second surface.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 6 , in another embodiment, the display device 100 further includes a buffer layer 23, and the buffer layer 23 is disposed on the side of the first support layer 21 close to the flexible display module 1.

[0059] The buffer layer 23 has an impact resistance effect, so as to effectively prevent the first support layer 21 from being broken under an external force. The buffer layer 23 can be a silicone material.

[0060] In some embodiments, the side of the bending support portion 212 close to the flexible display module 1 has a second recess 214, and part of the buffer layer 23 fills the second recess 214.

[0061] By arranging a partial buffer layer 23 to fill the second recess 214, the bending support portion 212 can be protected by the buffer layer 23.

[0062] The non-bending support portion 211 includes a third surface in contact with the buffer layer 23, and the bending support portion 212 includes a fourth surface in contact with the buffer layer 23. The display device 100 includes a flat state. When the display device 100 is in the flat state, the third surface is closer to the flexible display module 1 relative to the fourth surface, and the fourth surface is in contact with the buffer layer 23.

[0063] When the display device 100 is in the flat state, the surface of the buffer layer 23 facing away from the first support layer 21 is a plane. By arranging the buffer layer 23, the first support layer 21 is flattened, thereby facilitating the arrangement of other functional layer structures, such as the flexible display module 1, on the side of the buffer layer 23 facing away from the first support layer 21.

[0064] In some embodiments, the display device 100 further includes an adhesive layer 3, and the adhesive layer 3 bonds the support module 2 and the flexible display module 1.

[0065] The adhesive layer 3 can be made of any material with adhesiveness, and the adhesive layer 3 can be an optically clear adhesive (OCA). The adhesive layer 3 is provided to facilitate the preparation of the display device 100.

[0066] The first support layer 21 and the backlight side of the flexible display module 1 can be bonded through the adhesive layer 3; in the case where the buffer layer 23 is provided, the buffer layer 23 and the backlight side of the flexible display module 1 can be bonded through the adhesive layer 3.

[0067] In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 3 is a light-shielding layer. The adhesive layer 3 can be prepared using a black optically clear adhesive. The adhesive layer 3 is set as a light-shielding layer, thereby preventing light beams from passing through the first support layer 21 and entering the backlight side of the flexible display module 1, and improving the display effect of the flexible display module 1.

[0068] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic product can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a handheld computer, etc. having the display device 100, and can also be a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), a teller machine, or a self-service machine, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations.

[0069] In the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application, it has the related structures of the foregoing display device 100. For the display device 100 provided in the foregoing embodiments, reference can be made to the foregoing embodiments, and it has all the beneficial effects of the foregoing display device 100, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0070] In accordance with the embodiments of the present application as described above, these embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the invention to only the specific embodiments. Obviously, many modifications and variations can be made according to the above description. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification in order to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can make good use of the present application and its modifications based on the present application. The present application is only limited by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes at least one bendable display area that can be bent along a bending axis, and a plurality of non-bendable display areas. The at least one bendable display area divides the display device into a plurality of the non-bendable display areas. The display device includes: A flexible display module; A support module, including a first support layer, which is disposed on the backlight side of the flexible display module; Wherein, the first support layer includes a non-bendable support portion located in the non-bendable display area and a bendable support portion located in the bendable display area. The bendable support portion includes a plurality of support sub-portions, and there is a clearance gap between the spaced-apart support sub-portions. The display device includes a flat state. When the display device is in the flat state, the plurality of support sub-portions are spaced apart along a first direction, and the first direction intersects with the bending axis; The support module further includes a second support layer, which is disposed on a side of the first support layer away from the flexible display module. A first concave portion is formed on a side of the bendable support portion away from the flexible display module. The second support layer includes a convex portion adapted to the first concave portion, and the convex portion is inserted into the first concave portion; The display device further includes a buffer layer, which is disposed on a side of the first support layer close to the flexible display module. A second concave portion is formed on a side of the bendable support portion close to the flexible display module. Part of the buffer layer fills the second concave portion, and the first support layer is an ultra-thin glass; 2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the display device is in the flat state, the thickness of the non-bendable support portion along the thickness direction of the display device is H1, and the thickness of the bendable support portion along the thickness direction of the display device is H2, and H1 > H2; 3. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second support layer is an elastomer; 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein When the display device is in the flat state, the surface of the second support layer away from the first support layer is a plane; 5. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the display device is in the flat state, the surface of the buffer layer away from the first support layer is a plane; 6. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display device further includes an adhesive layer, which adhesively bonds the support module and the flexible display module; 7. The display device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adhesive layer is a light-shielding layer; 8. An electronic device, characterized in that, Including: The display device according to any one of claims 1-7.

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