Display device

Abstract

A display device includes a frame and a flexible display panel. The frame is annular in shape. The flexible display panel includes a display area and a pin bonding area. The display area is disposed on the front surface of the frame. The display area is annular in shape. The pin bonding area connects to the display area. The pin bonding area bends from the front surface of the frame to the outside of the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. Background Art

[0002] With technological advancements, display devices are becoming increasingly common on the market, and various related technologies are constantly emerging. To increase their appeal to consumers, manufacturers are committed to developing free-form display devices. Unlike traditional rectangular displays, free-form display devices offer a variety of appearances that attract consumers' attention.

[0003] A typical display device typically includes a frame, a display panel mounted on the frame, and a circuit board connected to the display panel. Typically, the display panel's circuit board is hidden between the frame and the display panel to prevent it from negatively impacting the display device's visual quality. Currently, many manufacturers are actively researching how to configure the circuit board in special-shaped display devices to prevent this negative impact. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a display device in which the pin bonding area of ​​a flexible display panel is bent from the front surface of a frame to the outside of the frame, thereby preventing other external components from negatively affecting the visual effect of the display device.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a display device. The display device includes a frame and a flexible display panel. The frame is annular in shape. The flexible display panel includes a display area and a pin bonding area. The display area is disposed on a front surface of the frame. The display area is annular in shape. The pin bonding area connects to the display area. The pin bonding area bends from the front surface of the frame to the outside of the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 1B is a schematic side view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 1C It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2A It is along Figure 1A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'.

[0010] Figure 2B It is along Figure 1A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0011] Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3B FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3C It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'.

[0015] Figure 4B It is along Figure 3A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0016] Figure 5A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5B is a schematic side view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5C is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6A It is along Figure 5A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'.

[0020] Figure 6B It is along Figure 5A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a pin bonding area of ​​a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8B is a schematic side view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 10: Display device

[0026] 100:Framework

[0027] 102: First Gap

[0028] 110: Front

[0029] 112: first plane portion

[0030] 114: First curved surface

[0031] 116: Second curved face

[0032] 118: Retaining Wall

[0033] 119: Annular plane

[0034] 120: outside

[0035] 122: first outer plane portion

[0036] 124: First outer curved portion

[0037] 126: Second outer curved surface

[0038] 130: Back

[0039] 140:Inside

[0040] 142: first inner plane portion

[0041] 144: First inner curved surface

[0042] 146: Second inner curved surface

[0043] 200: Flexible display panel

[0044] 210: Display area

[0045] 202: Second Gap

[0046] 212: Second plane portion

[0047] 213: First transition section

[0048] 214: The third curved face

[0049] 215: Second transition section

[0050] 216: The fourth curved face

[0051] 220: Pin bonding area

[0052] 222:Signal line

[0053] 224: pad

[0054] 300: Flexible circuit board

[0055] a-a',b-b': line

[0056] AD: pointer adjustment device

[0057] C: Accommodation space

[0058] D: Horizontal direction

[0059] T: pointer

[0060] t1, t2, t3: thickness DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a schematic side view of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1C It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A It is along Figure 1A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'. Figure 2B It is along Figure 1A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0062] Please refer to Figures 1A to 2B The frame 100 is annular in shape. In this embodiment, the frame 100 is annular and includes a first notch 102, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the frame 100 is a closed annular shape. The frame 100 includes a front surface 110, an outer surface 120, a back surface 130, and an inner surface 140. The thickness t1 of the inner surface 140 of the frame 100 is less than the thickness t2 of the outer surface 120 of the frame 100.

[0063] The front surface 110 of the frame 100 includes a first planar portion 112, a first curved surface portion 114, and a second curved surface portion 116. The first planar portion 112 connects the first curved surface portion 114 and the second curved surface portion 116. In this embodiment, the first planar portion 112 is connected between the first curved surface portion 114 and the second curved surface portion 116. The first planar portion 112, the first curved surface portion 114, and the second curved surface portion 116 surround the accommodation space C on the inner side 140 of the frame 100. The accommodation space C is connected to the first notch 102. The first notch 102 is located between the first curved surface portion 114 and the second curved surface portion 116.

[0064] The front surface 110 of the frame 100 has a retaining wall 118 near the inner side 140. The retaining wall 118 protrudes upward to prevent components mounted on the front surface 110 from sliding off. A thickness t3 is defined between the bottom of the retaining wall 118 and the back surface 130 of the frame 100. The height of the retaining wall 118 protruding from the front surface 110 is approximately equal to the thickness t1 minus the thickness t3. The front surface 110 of the frame 100 has an annular flat surface 119 near the outer side 120. The annular flat surface 119 surrounds the first planar portion 112, the first curved surface portion 114, and the second curved surface portion 116.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first curved surface portion 114 and the second curved surface portion 116 are cubic surfaces. For example, the first curved surface portion 114 and the second curved surface portion 116 are each a partial conical surface of the same virtual cone (not shown). The virtual cone is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. In other words, the virtual cone is wider near the annular plane 119 and narrower near the retaining wall 118.

[0066] The outer side 120 of the frame 100 includes a first outer planar portion 122, a first outer curved portion 124, and a second outer curved portion 126. The first outer planar portion 122 connects the first outer curved portion 124 and the second outer curved portion 126. In this embodiment, the first outer planar portion 122, the first outer curved portion 124, and the second outer curved portion 126 connect the annular plane 119 of the front surface 110 and the back surface 130.

[0067] The inner side 140 of the frame 100 includes a first inner planar portion 142, a first inner curved portion 144, and a second inner curved portion 146. The first inner planar portion 142 connects the first inner curved portion 144 and the second inner curved portion 146. In this embodiment, the first inner planar portion 142, the first inner curved portion 144, and the second inner curved portion 146 connect the retaining wall 118 of the front surface 110 and the back surface 130.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first planar portion 112, the first outer planar portion 122, and the first inner planar portion 142 are aligned with each other, the first curved portion 114, the first outer curved portion 124, and the first inner curved portion 144 are aligned with each other, and the second curved portion 116, the second outer curved portion 126, and the second inner curved portion 146 are aligned with each other.

[0069] In some embodiments, the frame 100 is made of metal, polymer, ceramic or other applicable materials. In some embodiments, the frame 100 is made of a rigid material.

[0070] Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3C It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4A It is along Figure 3A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'. Figure 4B It is along Figure 3A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 3A to 4BThe flexible display panel 200 includes a display area 210 and a pin bonding area 220. The display area 210 is annular in shape. In this embodiment, the display area 210 is annular and includes a second notch 202, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the display area 210 is a closed annular shape. The display area 210 includes a second planar portion 212, a first transition portion 213, a third curved portion 214, a second transition portion 215, and a fourth curved portion 216. The second notch 202 is located between the third curved portion 214 and the fourth curved portion 216.

[0072] The first transition portion 213 connects the third curved portion 214 and the second planar portion 212, and is flatter than the third curved portion 214. In other words, the first transition portion 213 can serve as a buffer between the third curved portion 214 and the second planar portion 212, thereby preventing a significant change in curvature between the third curved portion 214 and the second planar portion 212.

[0073] The second transition portion 215 connects between the fourth curved portion 216 and the second planar portion 212, and the second transition portion 215 is flatter than the fourth curved portion 216. In other words, the second transition portion 215 can serve as a buffer between the fourth curved portion 216 and the second planar portion 212, thereby reducing the significant curvature change between the fourth curved portion 216 and the second planar portion 212.

[0074] In some embodiments, the thickness of the flexible display panel 200 is very thin (for example, about 100 microns), and the third curved portion 214 and the fourth curved portion 216 can be regarded as three-dimensional curved surfaces. For example, the third curved portion 214 and the fourth curved portion 216 are each partial conical surfaces of the same virtual cone (not drawn). The aforementioned virtual cone is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. In some embodiments, the first transition portion 213 and the second transition portion 215 can also be regarded as three-dimensional curved surfaces. For example, the first transition portion 213 and the second transition portion 215 are each partial conical surfaces of another virtual cone (not drawn). The aforementioned other virtual cone is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. In some embodiments, the curvature of the first transition portion 213 and the second transition portion 215 is smaller than the curvature of the third curved portion 214 and the fourth curved portion 216.

[0075] In some embodiments, the flexible display panel 210 may be, for example, a micro-LED display panel, an organic light-emitting diode display panel, a plasma display panel, or other suitable display panel. In some embodiments, the display area 210 of the flexible display panel 210 is annular (or annular with a notch), and the second planar portion 212, the first transition portion 213, the third curved portion 214, the second transition portion 215, and the fourth curved portion 216 of the flexible display panel 210 all have display functions.

[0076] In some embodiments, the pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel 200 includes a plurality of signal lines (not shown) and bonding pads (not shown) electrically connected to the signal lines. The signal lines are electrically connected to display elements (not shown) in the display area 210 .

[0077] The pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel 200 is connected to the display area 210 .

[0078] Figure 5A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a schematic side view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5C is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6A It is along Figure 5A Schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a'. Figure 6B It is along Figure 5A Schematic cross-sectional view of line bb'.

[0079] Please refer to Figures 5A to 6B ,Will Figures 3A to 4B The display area 210 of the flexible display panel 200 is disposed at Figures 1A to 2B The first notch 102 of the frame 100 overlaps with the second notch 202 of the display area 210 of the flexible display panel 200 .

[0080] In some embodiments, the display area 210 of the flexible display panel 200 is disposed between the retaining wall 118 of the frame 100 and the outer side 120 of the frame 100, and selectively covers or does not cover the annular surface 119. The second planar portion 212 of the display area 210 is disposed above the first planar portion 112 of the front face 110 of the frame 100; the first transition portion 213 and the third curved portion 214 of the display area 210 are disposed above the first curved portion 114 of the front face 110 of the frame 100; and the second transition portion 215 and the fourth curved portion 216 of the display area 210 are disposed above the second curved portion 116 of the front face 110 of the frame 100. In this embodiment, the first transition portion 213 and the second transition portion 215 do not overlap with the first planar portion 112, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first transition portion 213 and the second transition portion 215 partially overlap with the first planar portion 112.

[0081] The pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel 200 is bent from the front surface 110 of the frame 100 to the outer side 120 of the frame 100, thereby preventing the pin bonding area 220 from negatively impacting the visual effects of the display device 10. In some embodiments, the pin bonding area 220 is bent from the front surface 110 of the frame 100 along the outer side 120 of the frame 100 to the back surface 130 of the frame 100. In some embodiments, the pin bonding area 220 extends along the first planar portion 112 of the front surface 110 of the frame 100, the annular plane 119 of the front surface 110, and the first outer planar portion 122 of the outer side 120 to the back surface 130 of the frame 100. The flexible circuit board 300 is connected to the pin bonding area 220. In this embodiment, the flexible circuit board 300 is connected to the pin bonding area 220 located on the outer side 120 of the frame 100. In other embodiments, the pin bonding area 220 is bent to the rear surface 130 of the frame 100 , and the flexible circuit board 300 is connected to the pin bonding area 220 located on the rear surface 130 of the frame 100 .

[0082] Based on the above, the first planar portion 112 , the annular planar portion 119 and the first outer planar portion 122 help prevent the signal lines in the pin bonding area 220 from being broken after being bent due to the curvature of the frame 100 .

[0083] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a pin bonding area of ​​a flexible display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, Figure 7 yes Figures 3A to 4B FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel 200 .

[0084] Please refer to Figure 7 The pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel includes a plurality of signal lines 222 and a plurality of pads 224. The signal lines 222 electrically connect the pads 224 to the display elements (not shown) in the display area 210. In some embodiments, the pin bonding area 220 of the flexible display panel is bent to the frame 100 (see FIG. Figures 5A to 6B ), a flexible circuit board (not shown) or other electronic components are connected to the pads 224 located on the outer side 120 of the frame 100. In other embodiments, after the pin bonding area 220 is bent along the outer side 120 of the frame 100 to the back side 130 of the frame 100, a flexible circuit board (not shown) or other electronic components are connected to the pads 224 located on the back side 130 of the frame 100.

[0085] In this embodiment, after the pin joint area 220 of the flexible display panel is bent along the first planar portion 112 and the annular plane 119 of the front surface 110 of the frame 100 to the first outer planar portion 122 (or further bent to the back surface 130), since the first planar portion 112, the annular plane 119 and the first outer planar portion 122 are planes, the pin joint area 220 of the flexible display panel will not bend in the horizontal direction D, making it less likely that the signal line 222 will have inconsistent stretched length after bending, thereby avoiding the signal line 222 from breaking.

[0086] Figure 8A FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8B 1 is a side view schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It must be noted that Figure 8A and Figure 8B The implementation examples follow Figures 1A to 7 The component numbers and partial contents of the embodiments are the same or similar components, and the description of the same technical contents is omitted. For the description of the omitted parts, please refer to the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8B In this embodiment, the display device further includes a pointer T and a pointer adjustment device AD. The pointer T is disposed in the accommodation space C on the inner side 140 of the frame 100. The pointer T may be, for example, the hour and minute hands of a mechanical watch. In some embodiments, the pointer T may also include the second hand of a mechanical watch. The pointer adjustment device AD ​​is disposed in the first notch 102 of the frame 100. In some embodiments, the pointer adjustment device AD ​​is further disposed in the second notch 202 of the flexible display panel 210. The pointer adjustment device AD ​​is adapted to adjust the pointer T.

[0088] In some embodiments, the image displayed by the flexible display panel 200 can be used in conjunction with a pointer T. For example, the flexible display panel 200 displays numbers on a watch, and the pointer T points to the corresponding time.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: A frame having an annular shape, wherein a front surface of the frame includes a first curved surface portion, a second curved surface portion, an annular plane portion, and a first planar portion, the first planar portion being connected between the first curved surface portion and the second curved surface portion, wherein the front surface of the frame is connected between an inner side of the frame and an outer side of the frame, wherein a back surface of the frame is connected between the inner side of the frame and the outer side of the frame, the front surface of the frame and the back surface of the frame are opposite to each other, the first curved surface portion, the first planar portion, and the second curved surface portion surround a receiving space on the inner side of the frame, wherein the material of the frame includes metal, polymer material, or ceramic material, and the outer side of the frame includes a first outer planar portion; A flexible display panel comprising: a display area disposed on the front surface of the frame, the display area being disposed above the first curved surface portion and the first planar portion, the display area including a third curved surface portion and a second planar portion, wherein the third curved surface portion is disposed above the first curved surface portion, and the second planar portion is disposed above the first planar portion, and both the second planar portion and the third curved surface portion have a display function, wherein the display area is annular in shape when viewing the flexible display panel from above, wherein the display area is located between the inner side of the frame and the outer side of the frame, and between the accommodating space and the outer side of the frame; and a pin bonding area connected to the display area, wherein the pin bonding area is bent from the front surface of the frame to the outer side of the frame, and the pin bonding area extends along the first planar portion of the front surface, the annular plane of the front surface, and the first outer planar portion of the outer side of the frame to the back surface of the frame; The display area also includes a first transition portion, wherein the first transition portion is connected between the third curved portion and the second planar portion, and the first transition portion is flatter than the third curved portion. The first transition portion has a display function, wherein the annular plane is located on the front side of the frame near the outer side, and the annular plane surrounds the first planar portion, the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

2. The display device as described in claim 1, wherein the display area further includes a fourth curved portion and a second transition portion, wherein the second transition portion is connected between the fourth curved portion and the second planar portion, and the second transition portion is flatter than the fourth curved portion, and the fourth curved portion and the second transition portion have a display function.

3. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising: A pointer is disposed in the accommodating space. 4 . The display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer side of the frame comprises a first outer curved portion, wherein the first outer planar portion is connected to the first outer curved portion, and the pin bonding area is bent from the first planar portion to the first outer planar portion. The display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first curved portion comprises a cubic curved surface. The display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a thickness of an inner side of the frame is smaller than a thickness of the outer side of the frame. 7 . The display device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the front surface of the frame has a retaining wall near the inner side, and the display area is disposed between the retaining wall and the outer side of the frame. 8 . The display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a first notch, the accommodating space and the first notch are communicated with each other, and the first notch is located between the first curved surface portion and the second curved surface portion. 9 . The display device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the display area comprises a second notch, and the first notch overlaps the second notch. 10 . The display device as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a pointer adjustment device disposed in the first gap.

11. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising: A flexible circuit board is connected to the pin joint area.

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