Display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device, the curvature of which changes in the horizontal direction, comprising: a display module that outputs an image; an inner plate that is arranged on the back of the display module; a cover bottom that is arranged on the back of the inner plate; and an intermediate box that covers the display module, the inner plate and the periphery of the cover bottom and forms a side appearance, the intermediate box comprising: a first intermediate box located at the upper and lower parts of the display module; and a second intermediate box located at the left and right sides of the display module, the display module is fixed to the second intermediate box, and the inner plate and the cover bottom are combined with the second intermediate box in a manner that can slide in the horizontal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device which can be changed into a curved structure and can improve the immersion of users. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the information society, the demand for display devices is also increasing in various forms. In response to this trend, display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), field emission displays (FEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and electroluminescence devices have been developed in recent years.

[0003] A liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal display may include a liquid crystal layer, a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and a color filter substrate facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and may display an image using light provided by a backlight unit.

[0004] Active-matrix organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) are one example of electroluminescent devices currently on the market. Because OLEDs use self-luminous elements, they lack backlights compared to liquid crystal displays. They also offer advantages in response speed and viewing angle, attracting attention as next-generation displays.

[0005] As mentioned above, since organic light-emitting diodes lack backlights, they can bend and deform, enabling the creation of curved display modules. However, while curved display modules can enhance immersion, a flat surface might be more convenient for multiple viewers. Furthermore, there's the issue of space occupation when not in use. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of changing its curvature.

[0007] The present invention provides a display device, the curvature of which changes in the horizontal direction, and is characterized in that it includes: a display module, which outputs an image; an inner plate, which is arranged on the back of the display module; a cover bottom, which is arranged on the back of the inner plate; and an intermediate box, which covers the display module, the inner plate and the periphery of the cover bottom and forms a side appearance, and the intermediate box includes: a first intermediate box, which is located at the upper and lower parts of the display module; and a second intermediate box, which is located at the left and right sides of the display module, the display module is fixed to the second intermediate box, and the inner plate and the cover bottom are combined with the second intermediate box in a manner that can slide in the horizontal direction.

[0008] The present invention may include: a long hole formed in the cover bottom and extending in a lateral direction; and a fastener fastened to the long hole to fasten the cover bottom and the inner panel.

[0009] The long hole may be formed adjacent to end portions of the cover bottom in left and right side directions.

[0010] The second intermediate box body may include: a first fastening groove for inserting the lateral end of the inner plate; and a second fastening groove for inserting the lateral end of the cover bottom. When the curvature of the display device changes, the position of the inner plate in the first fastening groove changes, and the position of the cover bottom in the second fastening groove changes.

[0011] The second intermediate box body may include: a first rib, which is combined with the lateral end of the display module; a second rib, which is located on the back of the first rib and forms the first fastening groove with the first rib; and a third rib, which is located on the back of the second rib and forms the second fastening groove with the second rib. The length of the third rib may be greater than the sliding distance of the cover bottom.

[0012] The third rib may extend to the upper end and the lower end of the second middle case and overlap with the first middle case, and an end portion of the first middle case may include a groove portion having a shape corresponding to the third rib.

[0013] The lateral end portion of the cover bottom may be bent toward the front direction to form a step, and the thickness of the step may correspond to the thickness of the third rib.

[0014] In addition, the present invention may include: a first adhesive tape, located between the display module and the inner panel; and a second adhesive tape, located between the inner panel and the cover bottom, wherein the shapes of the first adhesive tape and the second adhesive tape change accordingly with the sliding amount of the inner panel and the cover bottom according to the curvature of the display device.

[0015] The thickness of the first adhesive tape may be smaller than the thickness of the second adhesive tape.

[0016] In addition, the present invention may also include: a driver IC located on the back of the display module, the inner plate including: a first area protruding from the position of the inner plate corresponding to the driver IC toward the back; and a plurality of first holes formed in the first area, the first holes extending long in the vertical direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

[0017] When the curvature of the display device changes, the interval between the first intermediate housing and the second intermediate housing may change.

[0018] The first intermediate case may be fastened to the inner panel.

[0019] The first intermediate case may include an exposed portion exposed toward a side periphery; and a fastening portion extending inward from the exposed portion and including a first hook, and the upper end portion of the inner panel includes a second hook coupled to the first hook.

[0020] In addition, the present invention may include: a bending module located at the center of the back side of the cover bottom; a pair of connecting members, one end of which is combined with the bending module, and the connecting members extend in the left and right directions; and a connecting member bracket located at the left and right end portions of the cover bottom and connected to the other end of the connecting member. If the angle between the pair of connecting members changes, the curvature of the display module, the inner panel and the cover bottom can change.

[0021] The display module may include an organic light emitting diode panel.

[0022] In the display device of the present invention, the display module can be deformed into a flat state or a curved state, so that the user can use the display device in a desired form.

[0023] By providing the inner panel, it is possible to provide a display device that is bendable while ensuring rigidity and is effective in heat dissipation.

[0024] In particular, a constant size of the frame can be ensured without changing the position of the display module located at the end portion of the display device.

[0025] The effects that can be obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other effects not mentioned from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a block diagram for explaining various components of a display device.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing an example of a display device.

[0028] Figure 3 is a rear view of the display device.

[0029] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the display device.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the display device as viewed from above.

[0031] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional display device.

[0032] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a display device.

[0033] Figure 8 It is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the display device.

[0034] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing an inner panel of a display device.

[0035] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a display device.

[0036] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a display device.

[0037] Figure 12 1 is a diagram illustrating a first fastening method of a second intermediate housing and a display module of a display device.

[0038] Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a second fastening method of the second intermediate housing and the display module of the display device.

[0039] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a method for fastening an inner panel and a cover bottom.

[0040] Figures 15 to 17 It shows Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the display device of an embodiment before and after bending.

[0041] Figure 18 The measurement is shown Figure 12 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a method for displaying curvature matching of a module according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 19 It is shown based on Figure 18 A graph showing the curvature matching measurement results of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and regardless of the figure numbers, the same or similar structural elements will be given the same figure numbers, and their repeated description will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "section" used in the following description for the structural elements are only given or mixed for the convenience of writing the specification, and they themselves do not have different meanings or functions from each other. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that the specific description of the relevant known technology may confuse the main purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, its detailed description will be omitted. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are only for the purpose of making the embodiments disclosed in this specification easy to understand, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited to the drawings, but cover all changes, equivalents and even substitutes included in the ideas and technical scope of the present invention.

[0044] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various structural elements, but the structural elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one structural element from other structural elements.

[0045] If a structural element is mentioned as being “connected” or “coupled” to another structural element, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other structural element, but other structural elements may also exist between them. Conversely, if a structural element is mentioned as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another structural element, it should be understood that there are no other structural elements between them.

[0046] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, an expression in the singular includes an expression in the plural.

[0047] In this application, terms such as "including" or "having" are only used to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, parts or their combinations recorded in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, parts or their combinations.

[0048] On the other hand, the image display devices described in this specification are, for example, intelligent image display devices that incorporate computer support functions in addition to broadcast reception functions. While fully performing broadcast reception functions, they also include Internet functionality, allowing for more user-friendly interfaces such as handwriting input devices, touch screens, or spatial remote controls. Furthermore, by connecting to the Internet and a computer with wired or wireless Internet access, they can also perform functions such as email, web browsing, banking, or gaming. To achieve this diverse functionality, a standardized, general-purpose OS (operating system) can be used.

[0049] Therefore, in the image display device described in the present invention, for example, various applications can be freely added or deleted on a common OS kernel, thereby performing various user-friendly functions. More specifically, the image display device can be, for example, a network TV, HBBTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), smart TV, etc., and can also be applied to smartphones depending on the situation.

[0050] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram for explaining various structures of the display device 100. The display device 100 may include a broadcast receiving unit 110, an external device interface unit 171, a network interface unit 172, a storage unit 140, a user input interface unit 173, an input unit 130, a control unit 180, a display module 150, an audio output unit 160, and / or a power supply unit 190.

[0051] The broadcast receiving unit 110 may include a tuner 111 and a demodulator 112 .

[0052] On the other hand, unlike the drawings, the display device 100 may include only the external device interface 171 and the network interface 172 among the broadcast receiving unit 110 . That is, the display device 100 may not include the broadcast receiving unit 110 .

[0053] The tuner 111 may select a broadcast signal corresponding to a user-selected channel or all pre-stored channels from broadcast signals received via an antenna (not shown) or a cable (not shown), and may convert the selected broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal or a baseband image or voice signal.

[0054] For example, if the selected broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, the tuner 111 may convert it into a digital IF signal (DIF). If the selected broadcast signal is an analog broadcast signal, the tuner 111 may convert it into an analog baseband video or audio signal (CVBS / SIF). In other words, the tuner 111 can process either a digital broadcast signal or an analog broadcast signal. The analog baseband video or audio signal (CVBS / SIF) output from the tuner 111 may be directly input into the control unit 180.

[0055] On the other hand, the tuner 111 may sequentially select broadcast signals of all broadcast channels stored by the channel memory function from the received broadcast signals, and convert them into intermediate frequency signals or baseband image or audio signals.

[0056] On the other hand, the tuner 111 may include a plurality of tuners to receive broadcast signals of a plurality of channels, or a single tuner to simultaneously receive broadcast signals of a plurality of channels.

[0057] The demodulator 112 receives the digital IF signal (DIF) converted by the tuner 111 and performs demodulation. After performing demodulation and channel decoding, the demodulator 112 outputs a stream signal (TS). The stream signal may be a signal obtained by multiplexing a video signal, a voice signal, or a data signal.

[0058] The stream signal output from the demodulator 112 may be input to the controller 180 . The controller 180 may output the video through the display module 150 and the audio through the audio output unit 160 after performing demultiplexing and video / audio signal processing.

[0059] The sensing unit 120 is a device that senses changes within the display device 100 or senses changes outside the display device 100. For example, the sensing unit 120 may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, a touch sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor), an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., a camera), a voice sensor (e.g., a microphone), a battery gauge, and an environmental sensor (e.g., a hygrometer, a thermometer, etc.).

[0060] The control portion 180 may check the status of the display device 100 based on the information collected by the sensing portion 120 , and when a problem occurs, notify the user of the situation, or control the display device 100 to maintain an optimal status through self-adjustment.

[0061] In addition, the content, quality, size, etc. of the image provided to the display module 150 can be controlled according to the viewer or the surrounding illumination detected by the sensor unit, thereby providing an optimal viewing environment. With the advancement of smart TVs, the number of functions installed in display devices has increased, and the number of sensor units 20 has also increased accordingly.

[0062] The input unit 130 may be provided on one side of the main body of the display device 100. For example, the input unit 130 may include a touchpad, physical buttons, etc. The input unit 130 may receive various user commands related to the operation of the display device 100 and may transmit control signals corresponding to the input commands to the control unit 180.

[0063] Recently, as the size of the frame of the display device 100 decreases, the number of display devices 100 having a form that minimizes the number of button-shaped input units 130 that are physically exposed from the display device 100 is increasing. Instead, a minimum number of physical buttons can be provided on the back or side of the display device 100, and user input can be received through the remote control device 200 via a touch panel or a user input interface unit 173 described later.

[0064] The storage unit 140 may store programs for processing and controlling various signals within the control unit 180, and may also store processed image, audio, or data signals. For example, the storage unit 140 may store application programs designed to perform various tasks that can be processed by the control unit 180, and may selectively provide some of the stored application programs upon request from the control unit 180.

[0065] The programs and the like stored in the storage unit 140 are not particularly limited, as long as they can be executed by the control unit 180. The storage unit 140 can also temporarily store video, audio, or data signals received from an external device via the external device interface unit 171. The storage unit 140 can store information about specified broadcast channels using a channel memory function such as a channel map.

[0066] Although Figure 1 Although the embodiment in which the storage unit 140 and the control unit 180 are provided separately is shown, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the storage unit 140 may be included in the control unit 180 .

[0067] The storage unit 140 may include at least one of a volatile memory (eg, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.) or a non-volatile memory (eg, flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

[0068] The display module 150 may generate a driving signal by converting the image signal, data signal, OSD signal, control signal processed by the control unit 180 or the image signal, data signal, control signal received from the interface unit 171. The display module 150 may include a display panel 181 having a plurality of pixels.

[0069] The plurality of pixels included in the display panel may include RGB sub-pixels. Alternatively, the plurality of pixels included in the display panel may also include RGBW sub-pixels. The display module 150 may convert the image signal, data signal, OSD signal, control signal, etc. processed by the control unit 180 to generate driving signals for the plurality of pixels.

[0070] The display module 150 can be a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), a flexible display, or a 3D display. The 3D display module 150 can be categorized as either a non-glasses type or a glasses type.

[0071] The display device includes a display module occupying most of the front area and a housing covering the back and sides of the display module and encapsulating the display module.

[0072] Recently, the display device 100 may use a flexible display module 150 such as LED (Light Emitting Diodes) or OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) to achieve a curved screen instead of a flat screen.

[0073] LCDs, which are primarily used in existing technologies, are not easily self-luminous, so they receive light through a backlight unit. A backlight unit is a device that evenly distributes the light source and the light it receives to the liquid crystal display (LCD) located in front of it. As backlight units become thinner, thinner LCDs can be achieved. However, there are issues with backlight units being difficult to implement using flexible materials, and when bent, uniform light supply to the liquid crystal is difficult, resulting in variations in screen brightness.

[0074] On the other hand, in the case of LEDs or OLEDs, the elements that make up the pixels each emit their own light, eliminating the need for a backlight unit and enabling curved displays. Furthermore, since each element emits its own light, even if its positional relationship with adjacent elements changes, its own brightness is not affected, making it possible to implement a curved display module 150 using LEDs or OLEDs.

[0075] OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panels officially appeared in mid-2010 and quickly replaced LCDs in the small and medium-sized display market. OLED displays utilize the intrinsic luminescence phenomenon of fluorescent organic compounds when an electric current flows through them. Because OLEDs offer faster image quality than LCDs, they produce virtually no afterimages when playing videos.

[0076] OLED is a light-emitting display product that uses three fluorescent organic compounds with self-luminous properties: red, green, and blue. It utilizes the phenomenon that electrons injected from the cathode and anode combine with positively charged particles within the organic compound to emit light, thereby eliminating the need for a backlight (rear light device) that would reduce color perception.

[0077] LED (Light Emitting Diode) panels use a single LED element as a pixel. This allows for smaller LED element sizes compared to existing technologies, enabling the creation of curved display modules 150. Conventionally, LED TVs used LEDs as the light source for the backlight unit that supplies light to the LCD, but the LEDs themselves did not form the display screen.

[0078] The display module includes a display panel, a bonding magnet located on the back of the display panel, a first power supply unit, and a first signal module. The display panel may include a plurality of pixels (R, G, and B). The plurality of pixels (R, G, and B) may be formed in respective regions where a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines intersect. The plurality of pixels (R, G, and B) may be arranged or configured in a matrix.

[0079] For example, the plurality of pixels R, G, and B may include a red (Red, hereinafter “R”) sub-pixel, a green (Green, “G”) sub-pixel, and a blue (Blue, “B”) sub-pixel. The plurality of pixels R, G, and B may also include a white (White, hereinafter “W”) sub-pixel.

[0080] In the display module 150, a side where an image is displayed may be referred to as a front side or a front surface, and a side where an image cannot be viewed when the display module 150 displays an image may be referred to as a rear side or a back surface.

[0081] On the other hand, the display module 150 may be formed of a touch screen, so that it can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0082] The audio output unit 160 receives the voice-processed signal from the control unit 180 and outputs the signal in the form of voice.

[0083] The interface unit 170 functions as a channel between various types of external devices connected to the display device 100. The interface unit may include not only a wired method for transmitting and receiving data via a cable but also a wireless method using an antenna.

[0084] The interface portion 170 may include at least one of a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O (Input / Output) port, a video I / O (Input / Output) port, and a headphone port.

[0085] As an example of a wireless method, the aforementioned broadcast receiving unit 110 may be included, and not only broadcast signals but also mobile communication signals, short-range communication signals, wireless Internet signals, and the like may be included.

[0086] The external device interface unit 171 can transmit and receive data with a connected external device. To this end, the external device interface unit 171 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown).

[0087] The external device interface unit 171 can be connected to external devices such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), Blu-rays, game consoles, cameras, camcorders, computers (laptops), set-top boxes, etc. in a wired / wireless manner, and can perform input / output actions with the external devices.

[0088] Furthermore, the external device interface unit 171 can establish a communication network with various remote control devices 200 , receive control signals related to the operation of the display device 100 from the remote control device 200 , or transmit data related to the operation of the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 .

[0089] The external device interface unit 171 may include a wireless communication unit (not shown) for short-range wireless communication with other electronic devices. Through this wireless communication unit (not shown), the external device interface unit 171 can exchange data with a nearby mobile terminal. In particular, the external device interface unit 171 can receive device information, executed application information, application images, and the like from the mobile terminal in mirroring mode.

[0090] The network interface unit 172 can provide an interface for connecting the display device 100 to a wired / wireless network, including the Internet. For example, the network interface unit 172 can receive content or data provided by the Internet, a content provider, or a network operator via the network. Alternatively, the network interface unit 172 can include a communication module (not shown) for connecting to a wired / wireless network.

[0091] The external device interface unit 171 and / or the network interface unit 172 may include a communication module for short-range communication and a communication module for cellular communication, etc. The communication modules for short-range communication include, for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc., and the communication modules for cellular communication include, for example, LTE (long-term evolution), LTE-A (LTE Advance), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (wideband CDMA), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), etc.

[0092] The user input interface unit 173 can transmit user input signals to the control unit 180, or transmit signals from the control unit 180 to the user. For example, the user input interface unit 173 can transmit and receive user input signals such as power on / off, channel selection, and screen setting to the remote control device 200, or transmit user input signals input from local keys (not shown) such as the power key, channel key, volume key, and setting key to the control unit 180, or transmit user input signals input from a sensor unit (not shown) that senses user gestures to the control unit 180, or transmit signals from the control unit 180 to the sensor unit.

[0093] The control unit 180 may include at least one processor, and the processor included in the control unit 180 may be used to control the overall operation of the display device 100. The processor may be a common processor such as a CPU (central processing unit). Of course, the processor may also be a dedicated device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a processor based on other hardware.

[0094] The control unit 180 may demultiplex a stream input through the tuner 111 or the demodulator 112 or the external device interface 171 or the network interface 172 or process the demultiplexed signal to generate and output a signal for image output or audio output.

[0095] The image signal processed by the control unit 180 can be input to the display module 150 and displayed as an image corresponding to the corresponding image signal. In addition, the image signal processed by the control unit 180 can also be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit 171.

[0096] The voice signal processed by the control unit 180 can be output to the audio output unit 160 in an audible manner. In addition, the voice signal processed by the control unit 180 can be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit 171. Figure 2 However, the control unit 180 may include a demultiplexing unit, an image processing unit, etc. Figure 3 Provide explanation.

[0097] In addition, the control unit 180 may control the overall operation of the display device 100. For example, the control unit 180 may control the tuner 111 to select (Tuning) a broadcast corresponding to a channel selected by a user or a pre-stored channel.

[0098] In addition, the control unit 180 can control the display device 100 according to user instructions input through the user input interface unit 173 or an internal program. On the other hand, the control unit 180 can control the display module 150 to display an image. In this case, the image displayed by the display module 150 can be a still image or a dynamic image, and can be a 2D image or a 3D image.

[0099] On the other hand, the control unit 180 can display a predetermined 2D object in the image displayed on the display module 150. For example, the object can be at least one of a connected web page (newspaper, magazine, etc.), an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), various menus, widgets, icons, still images, moving images, and text.

[0100] Alternatively, the control unit 180 may utilize amplitude shift keying (ASK) to modulate and / or demodulate the signal. ASK modulates the signal by varying the amplitude of the carrier wave according to the data value, or converts an analog signal into a digital data value based on the amplitude of the carrier wave.

[0101] For example, the control unit 180 may modulate the image signal using an amplitude shift keying (ASK) method and transmit the modulated image signal through the wireless communication module.

[0102] For example, the control unit 180 may demodulate and process the image signal received through the wireless communication module using an amplitude shift keying (ASK) method.

[0103] Thus, the display device 100 can simply transmit and receive signals with other adjacently arranged image display devices without using unique identifiers such as MAC addresses (Media Access Control Addresses) or complex communication protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0104] On the other hand, the display device 100 may further include a camera (not shown). The camera can capture images of the user. The camera can be implemented by a single camera, but is not limited thereto and can also be implemented by multiple cameras. On the other hand, the camera can be embedded in the display device 100 or separately configured on the upper portion of the display module 150. The image information captured by the camera can be input into the control unit 180.

[0105] The control unit 180 can identify the user's location based on the image captured by the camera. For example, the control unit 180 can determine the distance (z-axis coordinate) between the user and the display device 100. In addition, the control unit 180 can determine the x-axis coordinate and y-axis coordinate corresponding to the user's location within the display module 150.

[0106] The control unit 180 may sense the user's gesture based on the image captured by the imaging unit or the signals sensed by the sensor unit or a combination thereof.

[0107] The power supply unit 190 can supply power to the entire display device 100. In particular, it can supply power to the control unit 180 which can be implemented as a system on chip (SOC), the display module 150 for image display, and the audio output unit 160 for audio output.

[0108] Specifically, the power supply unit 190 may include a converter (not shown) that converts AC power into DC power and a DC / DC converter (not shown) that converts the level of the DC power.

[0109] On the other hand, the power supply unit 190 receives power from the outside and distributes it to various components. The power supply unit 190 can be directly connected to an external power source and used in an AC power supply mode, or the power supply unit 190 can include a battery and be used in a charging mode.

[0110] In the former case, the device is connected to a wired cable for use, making movement difficult or limiting. In the latter case, the device is free to move, but its weight and volume increase by the amount of the battery, and for charging, it is necessary to connect it directly to a power cable or to a charging station (not shown) that supplies power at predetermined intervals.

[0111] The charging stand can be connected to the display device via terminals exposed to the outside, or the built-in battery can be charged wirelessly when the device is brought close to the charging stand.

[0112] The remote control device 200 can transmit user input to the user input interface unit 173. To this end, the remote control device 200 can utilize Bluetooth, RF (Radio Frequency) communication, infrared (Infrared Radiation) communication, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), ZigBee, and the like. Furthermore, the remote control device 200 can receive video, audio, or data signals output from the user input interface unit 173 and display or output them on the remote control device 200.

[0113] On the other hand, the display device 100 may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving fixed or mobile digital broadcasts.

[0114] on the other hand, Figure 1 The block diagram of the display device 100 shown is only a block diagram for one embodiment of the present invention, and the various structural elements of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the display device 100 actually implemented.

[0115] That is, two or more structural elements can be combined into one structural element, or one structural element can be split into two or more structural elements as needed. In addition, the functions performed in each block are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and the specific actions or devices thereof do not limit the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

[0116] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the display device of the present invention.

[0117] Reference Figure 2 The display device 100 may include a main body 100′ in a rectangular shape, and the main body 100′ may include: a first long side (First Long Side) LS1, a second long side (Second Long Side) LS2 opposite to the first long side LS1, a first short side (First Short Side) SS1 adjacent to the first long side LS1 and the second long side LS2, and a second short side (Second Short Side) SS2 opposite to the first short side SS1.

[0118] Among them, the first short side area SS1 can be called the first side area (First side area), the second short side area SS2 can be called the second side area (Second side area) opposite to the first side area, the first long side area LS1 can be called the third side area (Third side area) adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and located between the first side area and the second side area, and the second long side area LS2 can be called the fourth side area (Fourth side area) adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and located between the first side area and the second side area and opposite to the third side area.

[0119] In addition, for the sake of convenience, the length of the first long side LS1 and the second long side LS2 is shown to be greater than the length of the first short side SS1 and the second short side SS2, but the length of the first long side LS1 and the second long side LS2 can also be approximately the same as the length of the first short side SS1 and the second short side SS2.

[0120] In the following description, the first direction DR1 may be a direction parallel to the long sides LS1 and LS2 of the display device 100, and the second direction DR2 may be a direction parallel to the short sides SS1 and SS2 of the display device 100. The third direction DR3 may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and / or the second direction DR2.

[0121] From another perspective, the side of the display device 100 displaying an image can be referred to as the front or front side. The side where the image cannot be viewed when the display device 100 displays an image can be referred to as the rear or back side. When viewing the display device 100 from the front or front, the side facing the first long side LS1 can be referred to as the upper side or top surface. Similarly, the side facing the second long side LS2 can be referred to as the lower side or bottom surface. Similarly, the side facing the first short side SS1 can be referred to as the right side or right side surface, and the side facing the second short side SS2 can be referred to as the left side or left side surface.

[0122] In addition, the first long side LS1, the second long side LS2, the first short side SS1, and the second short side SS2 may be referred to as edges of the display device 100. In addition, the locations where the first long side LS1, the second long side LS2, the first short side SS1, and the second short side SS2 intersect with each other may be referred to as corners. For example, the location where the first long side LS1 and the first short side SS1 intersect with each other may be a first corner C1, the location where the first long side LS1 and the second short side SS2 intersect with each other may be a second corner C2, the location where the second short side SS2 and the second long side LS2 intersect with each other may be a third corner C3, and the location where the second long side LS2 and the first short side SS1 intersect with each other may be a fourth corner C4.

[0123] The direction from the first short side SS1 to the second short side SS2 or the direction from the second short side SS2 to the first short side SS1 is called the left-right direction LR. The direction from the first long side LS1 to the second long side LS2 or the direction from the second long side LS2 to the first long side LS1 is called the up-down direction UD.

[0124] like Figure 2 (a) or Figure 2 As shown in (b), the display device 100 of the present invention can switch the shape of the display module 150 by using LED or OLED instead of liquid crystal. That is, the backlight unit is omitted, so that the display module 150 can change its shape within a predetermined range. By utilizing such a property, the following can be achieved: Figure 2 The display device 100 is curved as shown in (b).

[0125] The display device 100 of the present invention is a deformable display device 100 whose curvature can be adjusted by the user according to the situation, rather than a curved display in a fixed curved state. The display device 100 of the present invention may further include a curvature adjustment unit capable of changing the curvature of the main body 100 ′ including the display module 150 .

[0126] Figure 3 is a rear view of the display device 100, Figure 4 1 is an exploded perspective view of the display device 100. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The display device 100 may include: a main body 100 ′, a support 260 for placing the main body 100 ′ on the floor, a control unit 180 , and curvature adjustment units 210 , 220 , and 230 .

[0127] The main body 100' including the display module 150 includes a cover bottom 102 covering the back of the display module 150 that outputs images. A heat dissipation structure for dissipating heat generated by the display module 150 and a reinforcement member for increasing rigidity may also be provided on the inner side of the back cover 103.

[0128] The back cover 103 covers the back of the display module 150, reinforcing the rigidity of the display module 150 and protecting the back of the display module 150. In particular, the back cover 103 can cover the display driver IC extending toward the back of the display module 150. A main substrate, which serves as the control unit for controlling the display module 150, can be mounted on the back of the cover base 102. A hole can be formed in the cover base 102 to connect the main substrate and the driver IC of the display module 150.

[0129] A separate bracket 1025 may be included to mount the main substrate and other control unit 180. In the display device 100 of the present invention, in addition to the control unit for controlling the display module 150, a curvature adjustment unit for changing the curvature of the main body 100' may be mounted on the back of the cover bottom 102.

[0130] The curvature adjusting portion may include: a pair of couplings 210 ; a bending module 220 located in the center of the display device 100 and coupled to one end of the pair of couplings 210 ; and a pair of coupling brackets 230 located between the other end of the pair of couplings 210 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0131] Figure 5 1 is a top view of the display device 100 of the present invention as viewed from above. Figure 5 (a) and Figure 5 As shown in (b), the curvature of the display device 100 can be changed according to the angle formed by the pair of coupling members 210. The angle of the pair of coupling members 210 can be adjusted according to the position change of the moving block 221 of the bending module 220.

[0132] The other ends of the pair of couplings 210 can be slidably coupled to the coupling bracket 230. If the other ends of the pair of couplings 210 are fixed to the coupling bracket 230, the curvature of the display module 150 is larger at its end, making it difficult to achieve a natural curved surface.

[0133] Therefore, when the angles of the pair of couplings 210 are adjusted by the bending module 220 , the other ends of the couplings 210 slide accordingly on the coupling brackets 230 , thereby enabling a natural curved surface of the display module 150 to be realized.

[0134] The bending module 220 may include: a moving block 221, which is connected to one end of the connecting member 210 and can move in the front-to-back direction; a guide shaft 222, which guides the moving block 221 to move in the front-to-back direction and not to move in the left-to-right direction; and a module bracket 228, which stores the bending module 220.

[0135] The coupling 210 is rotatably coupled to a coupling fixing portion 215 extending from the bending module 220. The coupling 210 can rotate around a coupling fixing pin 213 fastened to the coupling fixing portion 215, and one end and the other end of the coupling 210 can move in opposite directions.

[0136] If the user pulls the horizontal ends SS1 and SS2 of the main body 100′ toward the front, the other end of the connecting piece 210 located at the horizontal ends SS1 and SS2 of the main body 100′ can move toward the front, the connecting piece 210 rotates around the connecting piece fixing pin 213, and one end of the connecting piece 210 moves toward the back.

[0137] Conversely, if the user pushes the horizontal ends SS1 and SS2 of the main body 100' toward the rear in order to use the main body 100' in a flat manner again, the other end of the coupling 210 can move toward the rear, while the one end of the coupling 210 can move toward the front. The engaging position of the coupling fixing pin 213 with the coupling 210 can be closer to the one end of the coupling 210 than the other end of the coupling 210, and the moving distance of the one end of the coupling 210 is smaller than the moving distance of the other end of the coupling 210.

[0138] As previously described, the user can manually change the curvature of the display device 100 by applying force to the horizontal ends SS1 and SS2 of the main body 100'. In this case, the pair of coupling members 210 are synchronized and move simultaneously via the bending module 220. Therefore, when the user pulls or presses one side SS1 of the main body 100', the other side SS2 of the main body 100' can also move simultaneously.

[0139] However, in the manual driving mode, the user will directly apply force to the display module 150 , which may cause damage. Therefore, the curvature of the display module 150 may be changed by equipping the bending module 220 with a motor.

[0140] For example, the guide shaft 222 may be spirally configured, and a spiral groove corresponding to the spiral of the guide shaft 222 may be formed in the moving block 221. When the motor rotates the guide shaft 222, the moving block 221 may move in the front-rear direction.

[0141] When the moving block 221 of the bending module 220 moves toward the rear, one end of the connecting member 210 coupled to the moving block 221 moves toward the rear, while the other end of the connecting member 210 moves toward the front, thereby changing the angle of the pair of connecting members 210. The bending module 220 guides the angle change of the connecting member 210, allowing the display module 150 to switch between a bent state and a flat state.

[0142] The display device 100 may further include a back cover 103 for covering the bending module 220 and the control unit, and may further include a stand 260 capable of placing the main body 100′ of the display device 100 on the floor. The display device 100 may further include a wall bracket that can be mounted on a wall instead of the stand 260, and the stand 260 and the wall bracket may be combined with the back cover 103.

[0143] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional display device 100 . Figure 6 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional flat display device 100. In consideration of the scale of the drawing, the middle portion is omitted and only the upper end and the lower portion are shown.

[0144] The display module 150 may include a driver IC 155 that sends signals to each pixel for control, and the display module 150 may be connected to the driver IC 155 via a flexible substrate. To reduce the size of the frame, the driver IC 155 may be provided on the back of the display module 150, and a flexible substrate may be used to connect the display module 150 and the driver IC.

[0145] Generally, the driving IC 155 may be located at a lower rear surface of the display module 150 and include an IC, thus being more protruded than the rear surface of the display module 150 .

[0146] Therefore, if Figure 6 As shown in (a), the cover bottom 102 may have a shape in which only the position corresponding to the driver IC 155 protrudes toward the back direction, and the intermediate box 101 extending from the end of the cover bottom 102 toward the front direction and covering the side periphery may be omitted (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0147] The gap between the display module 150 and the cover bottom 102 is relatively narrow, making heat dissipation relatively easy. However, in order to more effectively dissipate the heat of the display module 150 , a heat dissipation member 105 may be interposed between the display module 150 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0148] However, if Figure 6 As shown in (a), the cover bottom 102 with the back and side surfaces connected is difficult to bend, and thus cannot realize a bendable display device 100. In addition, a protrusion is formed on the back of the cover bottom 102 to cover the driver IC, making it difficult to realize a neat design without redundant components on the back.

[0149] In the case of Figure 6In the display device 100 of the design shown in (b), the cover bottom 102 can be positioned in the rear direction to a position protruding due to the driver IC 155, thereby achieving a flat rear surface. By moving the cover bottom 102 to achieve a flat rear surface and additionally providing the intermediate case 101 surrounding the side surfaces, the main body 100′ can be bent and deformed.

[0150] However, the separation distance AG2 between the display module 150 and the cover bottom 102 is greater than Figure 6 The embodiment (a) has a problem that the heat of the display module 150 is not easily discharged due to the distance AG1.

[0151] To dissipate heat, a member with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, must be placed in close proximity to the heat source. However, if there is a large gap, the heat is trapped by the air in the gap, making it difficult to dissipate heat. If heat dissipation is not achieved smoothly, the temperature of the display device 100 will rise, which may cause product failure.

[0152] like Figure 6 As shown in embodiment (a), a heat-dissipating thermal member 105 can be added between the display module 150 and the cover base 102. However, due to the large distance between the display module 150 and the cover base 102, there are problems such as increased material costs and increased weight. In addition, due to the long heat conduction distance, the heat dissipation efficiency is not high, and the thickness makes bending difficult.

[0153] To realize a flexible display device 100 , a cover bottom 102 having a smaller thickness than that of the display device 100 having a flat structure may be used, but there is a problem that the cover bottom 102 weakens the rigidity of the display device 100 .

[0154] In particular, the corners of the display module 150 in the display device 100 are particularly fragile, and therefore must pass a corner bending test, in which a predetermined force is applied to the corners to cause cracks. If the cover bottom 102 is thin, cracks may form under low loads during this corner bending test, thus failing to meet product quality standards.

[0155] Figure 6 (c) is a combination Figure 6 (a) and Figure 6 The embodiment derived from the structure of (b) can be applied Figure 6 The first intermediate box 101 used in the embodiment (b) of Figure 6 As shown in (a), the upper portion of the display device 100 may be configured so that the interval between the display module 150 and the cover bottom 102 is narrow (AG3 <AG2)。

[0156] The portion of the cover bottom 102 corresponding to the lower driver IC 155 protrudes toward the back. Figure 6 The embodiment (a) is exposed to the back, or it can be covered with a back cover.

[0157] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment (c), when a thinner cover bottom 102 is used to be able to bend, Figure 6 The same rigidity problem exists as in the embodiment (b). Figure 6 (a) Similarly, it is not easy to achieve a flat back surface, and since the thickness of the first intermediate case 101 is relatively thin, it is not easy to manufacture and there is a risk of damage.

[0158] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the display device 100 and a diagram showing the inner panel 104 portion. Figure 8 It is an exploded perspective view of the main body 100 ′ of the display device 100 .

[0159] The display device 100 of the present invention may further include an inner plate 104 located between the cover bottom 102 and the display module 150 . By separately providing the intermediate box 101 , heat dissipation and rigidity issues can be resolved while achieving a flat back surface structure.

[0160] In the display device 100, the four sides may have different shapes. In particular, in the case of a bendable form as in the present invention, the four sides may have different structures. However, the left-right structure may be symmetrical, and even if the structure in the upper and lower directions is partially different, the structures may be similar because they bend at the same curvature.

[0161] Since the intermediate boxes constituting the side of the display device 100 are different according to the above-mentioned shape change, they can be divided into a first intermediate box 101 located at the upper and lower parts and a second intermediate box 108 located at the side (refer to FIG. Figure 14 ).

[0162] When the display device 100 is bent, the curvature of the first intermediate housing 101 also changes, while the second intermediate housing 108 does not bend or deform. Therefore, the materials and structures of the first intermediate housing 101 and the second intermediate housing 108 can be different.

[0163] Figures 7 to 11 The description is made based on a vertical cross section of the display device 100 and the first intermediate housing 101 located at the upper portion.

[0164] In order to realize the flexible display device 100 , the display module 150 needs to use a structure without a backlight, such as a flexible LED or OLED, and the structures 102 and 104 covering the back of the display module 150 also need to be flexible.

[0165] The display device 100 of the present invention is characterized in that, in order to realize a bendable and deformable form, the intermediate housing 101 covering the side surfaces and the cover bottom 102 covering the back surface are formed of separate members, and an inner panel 104 is further provided.

[0166] The display device 100 of the present invention may include a display module 150 for outputting images; an inner panel 104 located behind the display module 150; and a cover bottom 102 forming the back of a main body 100′ of the display device 100. Furthermore, the display device 100 may include an intermediate housing 101 located around the sides of the display module 150, inner panel 104, and cover bottom 102, forming the side appearance of the main body 100′.

[0167] like Figure 7 As shown in (a), the inner panel 104 is positioned adjacent to the rear of the display module 150. By reducing the size of the gap AG4, heat retention can be prevented. From the perspective of heat dissipation, it is more advantageous when the gap between the inner panel 104 and the display module 150 is smaller than the gap between the inner panel 104 and the cover base 102.

[0168] In addition, the inner plate 104 is also made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, thereby achieving a heat dissipation effect.

[0169] The first region 1042 of the inner panel 104, which corresponds to the driver IC 155, may protrude toward the rear surface to avoid interference with the driver IC 155. Alternatively, in the display device 100 of the present invention, the cover bottom 102 is formed as a flat surface and covers the inner panel 104. Therefore, the curved portion of the first region 1042 of the inner panel 104 does not affect the appearance design.

[0170] If the first region 1042 is formed by bending, the rigidity is increased, but there is a problem that it is difficult to bend. Figure 9 As shown, if a plurality of first holes 1041 spaced apart in the horizontal direction are formed in the first region 1042 , the first holes 1041 are widened in accordance with the curvature of the body 100 ′, so that the inner plate 104 can bend.

[0171] The components 150, 101, 102, and 104 can be attached to each other using double-sided adhesive tape 106. Although fasteners such as screws can be used for local fastening, the use of fasteners can be limited to achieve a thin display device 100 with minimal exposed fasteners.

[0172] Since the display module 150 and the inner panel 104 are lightweight, they can be kept in a fitted state by a limited number of fasteners and the adhesive force of the adhesive tape 106 without falling off.

[0173] Adhesive tapes 106 are provided between the display module 150 and the inner panel 104 and between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102. When the curvature changes, the adhesive tapes 106 have a predetermined elasticity and thus can compensate for the slip between the components caused by the difference in curvature radius.

[0174] In the case where the adhesive tape 106 is extended long in the horizontal direction, the error caused by the sliding is accumulated, so that the deformation amount at the end portion increases. Figure 6 As shown, the adhesive tape 106 may be used in a shape that is as long as possible in the vertical direction.

[0175] The adhesive tapes 106 on the front and back sides of the inner panel 104 may be different depending on the separation distance between the inner panel 104 and the display module 150 and the separation distance between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0176] like Figure 7 As shown in (a), except for the location of the driver IC 155, the inner plate 104 can be arranged to be biased toward the display module 150. Therefore, the thickness of the first adhesive tape 106 on the front surface of the inner plate 104 can be smaller than the thickness of the second adhesive tape 106 on the back surface.

[0177] Figure 9 1 is a diagram showing the inner panel 104 of the display device 100. Figure 9 (a) is the inner panel 104 before the adhesive tape 106 is attached. Figure 9 (b) shows a state where the adhesive tape 106 is applied. The inner panel 104 of the present invention can be made of a rigid and lightweight material such as aluminum, and the inner panel 104 ensures rigidity.

[0178] If the cover bottom 102 is thickened to ensure rigidity, it will not be easily bent. However, if the display back structure is composed of two parts, the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102, as in the present invention, it can bend and deform while ensuring rigidity.

[0179] Since the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 are bonded together using the elastic adhesive tape 106 , they can be easily bent while sliding within a predetermined range during bending.

[0180] When the display device 100 is bent, the deformation becomes greater as it approaches the left and right ends, centered on the horizontal center. Therefore, the circuit board serving as the control unit 180, the bending module 220 for bending and deformation, or the support for placing the display device 100 can be combined with the center.

[0181] At this time, by having fasteners fastening the control portion 180 and the bending module 220 penetrate the cover bottom 102 and fasten them to the inner panel 104 , the supporting force can be increased.

[0182] To enhance the rigidity of the second region located in the horizontal center of the inner panel 104, a reinforcing rib 1047 may be formed. Formed by pressing a plate-like member, the reinforcing rib 1047 enhances the rigidity of the inner panel 104. However, if the reinforcing rib 1047 were exposed, it would hinder the design. Since the inner panel 104 is covered by the lid bottom 102, the presence of the reinforcing rib 1047 does not affect the design.

[0183] The left and right ends of the inner panel 104, where deformation is minimal or almost nonexistent, can be bent to enhance rigidity. The bent portions can be fastened to the cover bottom 102 using screws or the like. Since the bent portions of the inner panel 104 are thicker, a thinner adhesive tape 106 can be used than in other areas.

[0184] The left and right portions of the horizontal center (second region) of the inner plate 104 are portions that deform when bent. To compensate for the length difference caused by the difference in curvature radius between the display module 150 and the cover bottom 102 when bent, a plurality of second holes 1044 may be provided.

[0185] The second holes 1044 can be evenly distributed above the first region 1042 to ensure uniform deformation across the entire area of ​​the inner plate 104. The second holes 1044 can be evenly distributed vertically, except in the first region 1042 where the first holes 1041 are already formed. A plurality of second holes 1044 can be arranged horizontally to fully absorb deformation in the horizontal direction.

[0186] The area of ​​the second holes 1044 formed in the horizontal direction may vary according to the size and curvature of the display device 100. The second holes 1044 may be arranged bilaterally symmetrically to balance the deformation on the left and right sides.

[0187] The inner plate 104 may include an opening 1049 for the driver IC 155 located on the front of the first region 1042 and the control unit and connection cables located on the back of the cover bottom 102. The opening 1049 may be located in the center. The cover bottom 102 may also include an opening located in the same position to connect to the control unit located on the back of the cover bottom 102.

[0188] If the first intermediate case 101 is made of a rigid member such as metal, damage and plastic deformation may occur during bending deformation, and therefore, the first intermediate case 101 may be made of an injection molded article that can be deformed within a predetermined range.

[0189] The first intermediate case 101 may include an exposed portion 1011 covering the side periphery and a fastening portion 1012 extending inward. The fastening portion 1012 is a component that is combined with the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 to fix the first intermediate case 101, and may be located between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102, or may be located on the front of the inner panel 104.

[0190] The fastening portion 1012, the inner panel 104, and the cover bottom 102 can be fastened using adhesive tape 106. Furthermore, the fastening force can be enhanced by using a first hook 1013 located at the end of the fastening portion 1012 and a second hook 1046 formed by bending the end of the inner panel 104. When the second hook 1046 is continuously connected, it will hinder the bending of the inner panel 104, so a slit can be formed in the upper portion to facilitate bending.

[0191] like Figure 7 As shown in (a), the upper fastening portion 1012 may be located on the front surface of the inner panel 104, while the lower fastening portion 1012 may be located between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102. When the fastening portion 1012 is located on the front surface of the inner panel 104, the fastening portion 1012 may be fastened to the cover bottom 102 exposed through the upper slit formed in the inner panel 104 using the adhesive tape 106 to ensure fastening force with the cover bottom 102.

[0192] However, if Figure 7 As shown in (a), when the fastening portion 1012 is located on the front surface of the inner panel 104, the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 are both made of metal and have a large thermal expansion coefficient. If the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 expand when the ambient temperature changes, the adhesive tape 106 bonded between the fastening portion 1012, the inner panel 104, and the cover bottom 102 may fall off.

[0193] Figures 10 and 11 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the display device 100. In order to solve the above problems, as Figure 10 As shown, the fastening portion 1012 can be disposed between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102. By placing the injection-molded fastening portion 1012 between the metal inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102, a symmetrical sandwich structure can be formed. This symmetrical structure prevents severe deformation on only one side due to thermal expansion, thereby preventing the adhesive tape 106 from falling off.

[0194] like Figure 11As shown, a third hook 1014 can be formed at the rear end of the exposed portion 1011 of the first intermediate case 101, surrounding the cover bottom 102, to achieve greater fastening force. The third hook is the portion exposed on the back of the main body 100' and can be constructed as a continuous surface. By bending the end of the cover bottom 102 toward the front (the fourth hook 1024) and positioning it between the third hook 1014 and the fastening portion 1012, the cover bottom 102 and the back can be made flush.

[0195] At this time, considering the plastic deformation of the cover bottom 102 , slits may be formed between the bent fourth hooks 1024 , and the slits 1045 between the fourth hooks 1024 are covered by the third hooks 1014 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

[0196] The first intermediate housings 101 located at the upper and lower parts are mainly described above based on the vertical cross section of the display device 100 . The structure in the horizontal direction will be described below.

[0197] Figure 12 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for fastening the second intermediate housing 108 of the display device 100 and the display module 150 .

[0198] The second intermediate housing 108 may be located at both ends in the horizontal direction of the display device 100. The display device 100 may include a display module 150, an inner panel 104, and a cover bottom 102, and each component may be combined with a predetermined gap.

[0199] The second intermediate housing 108 may include an exposed portion 1084 forming a side appearance, and a plurality of ribs 1081 , 1802 , and 1083 extending vertically from the exposed portion 1084 and overlapping with the display module 150 , the inner panel 104 , and the cover bottom 102 .

[0200] When bending, each component will slip due to the difference in curvature radius. Figure 12 As shown in (b), in the bent state, the length of the display module 150 located inside the bent and deformed display device 100 is smaller than the length of the cover bottom 102 located outside.

[0201] That is, in order to Figure 12 As shown in (b), when the display device 100 is bent, the gap b between the end of the display module 150 and the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate box 108 is minimized. Figure 12 As shown in (a), in a flat state, a gap a is formed between the display module 150 and the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate housing 108 to be large.

[0202] In this case, in a flat state, the size of the border located at the periphery of the display module 150 (the interval from the end of the display module 150 to the end of the display device 100) appears larger, especially the size of the upper border and the size of the left and right side borders are different, thereby failing to provide a uniform appearance.

[0203] like Figure 12 As shown in (a), in a flat state, a step is formed due to the gap between the horizontal end of the display module 150 and the second intermediate housing 108, and the horizontal frame is divided into two, which is more conspicuous.

[0204] To avoid steps, the second intermediate housing 108 may further include front ribs (not shown) covering the lateral ends of the display module 150. However, such a structure has the problem of increasing the size of the frame in the bent state, thus preventing a frameless design.

[0205] Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for fastening the second intermediate housing 108 of the display device 100 and the display module 150 .

[0206] exist Figure 12 In this embodiment, the size of the front frame can be prevented from changing due to the sliding of the display module 150 located on the front of the display device 100. Since the sizes of the left and right frames are constant, an overall uniform appearance can be provided.

[0207] The second intermediate box body 108 may include: an exposed portion 1084, exposed to the outside to form an appearance in the left and right directions; and a plurality of ribs 1081, 1802, 1083, extending from the exposed portion 1084 in a vertical direction and overlapping with the display module 150, the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102.

[0208] The ribs 1081 , 1802 , and 1083 may be arranged so that the first rib 1081 , the second rib 1082 , and the third rib 1083 are spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals 1085 and 1086 from the front direction to the rear direction.

[0209] The display module 150 can be positioned on the front side of the first rib 1081, and the horizontal end of the inner panel 104 can be positioned in the first fastening groove 1085 formed by the gap between the first rib 1081 and the second rib 1082. The horizontal end of the cover bottom 102 can be positioned in the second fastening groove 1086 formed by the second rib 1082 and the third rib 1083.

[0210] By forming the length of the first rib 1081 to be the longest, the fastening force between the second intermediate box 108 and the display module 50 can be ensured, and then the length of the second rib 1082 can be the longest, and since the third rib 1083 is exposed to the outside, the length of the third rib 1083 can be the shortest.

[0211] In this embodiment, the display module 150 is fixed to the second intermediate housing 108. Therefore, the gap c between the display module 150 and the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate housing 108 can be maintained constant regardless of whether the display module 150 is bent or not. Therefore, the display device of this embodiment can maintain constant left and right side frame dimensions in both the flat and bent states.

[0212] The display module 150 may be fixed to the front surface of the first rib 1081 of the second intermediate housing 108 , and the exposed portion 1084 may protrude toward the front surface of the first rib 1081 by a height corresponding to the thickness of the display module 150 .

[0213] However, as described above, the display module 150 , the inner panel 104 , and the cover bottom 102 slide relative to each other when bent, so the positions of the ends are different between the flat state and the bent state.

[0214] If the display module 150, the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 are arranged in a row in a flat state and bent, the inner panel 104 can slide relative to the display module 150 by a size d, and the cover bottom 102 can slide relative to the inner panel 104 by a size e based on the horizontal end.

[0215] like Figure 13 As shown in (a), in the flat state, the display module 150 , the inner panel 104 , and the horizontal ends of the cover bottom 102 are all arranged adjacent to the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate housing 108 .

[0216] In addition, if Figure 13 As shown in (b), in the bent state, the horizontal end of the display module 150 is located at the outermost side, and the ends of the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102 slide in a direction away from the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate housing 108.

[0217] The inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102 are not fixed to the second intermediate box body 108, and can be inserted so as to be able to slide in the first fastening groove 1085 and the second fastening groove 1086 in the horizontal direction. Figure 13 As shown in (b), if the display device 100 is bent, the end of the inner plate 104 is separated from the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate box 108 by a size of d, and the end of the cover bottom 102 is separated from the exposed portion 1084 of the second intermediate box 108 by a size of d+e.

[0218] The length of the third rib 1083 on the back side of the cover bottom 102 may be greater than d+e, which is the sliding amount of the cover bottom 102 , so that the cover bottom 102 and the second intermediate housing 108 remain coupled even in a bent state.

[0219] The horizontal end of the cover bottom 102 can form a step 1023 and bend toward the front direction. The end of the cover bottom 102 can protrude toward the front direction to form a step corresponding to the thickness of the third rib 1083, so that the second intermediate box body 108 and the cover bottom 102 form the same plane in a flat state.

[0220] In order to realize the combination between the display module 150, the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102, adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 can be used to attach the components. Figure 9 As shown in (b), adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 that extend long in the vertical direction may be used instead of adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 that extend long in the horizontal direction to avoid hindering the sliding of the inner panel 104 and the bottom cover 102.

[0221] In addition, if Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 1 , (b) , the adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 may be made of a flexible material that can be deformed within a predetermined range, so that the adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 can be changed according to the sliding amount between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0222] As mentioned above, in order to release the heat generated in the display module 150, it is necessary to reduce the gap between the display module 150 and the inner panel 104. Therefore, the first adhesive tape 1061 located between the display module 150 and the inner panel 104 can use an adhesive tape that is thinner than the second adhesive tape 1062 between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102.

[0223] The cover bottom 102 is made of a metal material and has rigidity. Since it is difficult to ensure bonding strength using only the adhesive tapes 1061 and 1062 , fasteners may be used to enhance the fastening strength between the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0224] The central portion does not slide, so there is no problem. However, the ends in the horizontal direction slide, so a fastening structure 107, 1027 capable of absorbing such sliding is required. Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of fastening the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 according to an embodiment.

[0225] like Figure 14 As shown, it may include: a long hole 1027 located at the end of the cover bottom 102 in the horizontal direction and formed long in the horizontal direction; and a fastener 107 fastened to the long hole 1027 to fasten the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102 .

[0226] like Figure 14 As shown in (a), in the flat state, the fastener is located in the center direction of the display device 100 in the long hole 1027, as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown in (b), in the bent state, the fastener 107 slides and is located outside the long hole 1027. The horizontal length of the long hole 1027 can be formed longer than the vertical length by a length corresponding to the sliding amount e between the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102.

[0227] Figures 15 to 17 It shows Figure 13 1 and 2 show the display device 100 of the embodiment before and after bending. Figure 15 This is an embodiment in which the dividing line between the first intermediate box 101 and the second intermediate box 108 is located on the side. Figure 16 This is an embodiment in which the dividing line is located above.

[0228] Figure 15 (a) and Figure 16 (a) shows a flat state, Figure 15 (b) and Figure 16 (b) shows a bent state. In both the flat state and the bent state, the gap between the end of the display module 150 and the second intermediate housing 108 does not change.

[0229] However, when the display device 100 is bent, the cutting line between the first intermediate housing 101 and the second intermediate housing 108 is separated. Figure 14 As shown in (b), it is formed into an angular concave shape, or as Figure 15 As shown in (b), gaps are generated between the cutting lines.

[0230] To prevent such separation of the incision line, as Figure 17 As shown, by realizing the cutout portion between the first intermediate case 101 and the second intermediate case 108 in a bent form, the cutout portion can be configured to be inconspicuous when viewed from the front.

[0231] like Figure 16 As shown in (b), by extending the third rib 1083 to a position overlapping the first intermediate housing 101, the third rib 1083 can cover the gap between the first intermediate housing 101 and the second intermediate housing 108 in the bent state. In this case, a groove corresponding to the third rib 1083 can be provided on the back side of the end portion of the first intermediate housing 101.

[0232] Figure 18 The measurement is shown Figure 12The following diagram illustrates a method for measuring the curvature matching of a display module 150 according to an embodiment. With the display device 100 curved, a jig corresponding to a specific curvature can be positioned on the front surface, and the gap between the curved display device body 100′ and the jig can be measured. A large gap indicates poor matching with the designed curvature, and the curvature of the central portion of the display device 100 will differ from that of the end portions of the display device 100.

[0233] In order to design the display device 100 to have a uniform curvature as a whole, the display module 150, the inner plate 104 and the cover bottom 102 need to be combined into components that can slide naturally. If the fastening force of each component is too large, the curvature of the display device 100 when bent will be different from the designed curvature.

[0234] Figure 18 1 is a diagram showing the gap between the display device 100 and the jig in a curved state corresponding to a curvature R900. The gap is a result of measuring the gap between the jig and the curved display device 100 at intervals of 50 mm from the center to a distance of 400 mm in the left-right direction.

[0235] The gap is greatest at the left and right ends, and even at the same horizontal position, there may be differences between the upper and lower parts of the display device 100. The gap at L400mm on the left side is a maximum of 5mm, and the gap at R400mm on the right side is a maximum of 4mm.

[0236] Furthermore, the gap deviation in the vertical direction may be the largest at L400 mm, which is the position most distant from the center, and may be 2 mm. Figure 19 It is shown based on Figure 18 The maximum gap shown in the graph represents the maximum value among the gaps measured when the matching degree with the jig is measured using the aforementioned method.

[0237] Examples 1 and 2 have circular fastening holes without the elongated holes 1027, while Examples 3 and 4 employ the elongated holes 1027. The difference between Examples 1 and 2 lies in the shape of the inner plate 104: a reinforcing rib is formed in the center portion of the inner plate 104, and a rigid plate is added, respectively. In either case, the structural change in the center portion does not significantly affect sliding.

[0238] In the application Figure 14 In Examples 3 and 4, where the long holes 1027 are provided in the cover bottom 102, the maximum gap is significantly reduced and the fit is improved. The fastening method using the long holes 1027 has the greatest impact on sliding, allowing the display module 150, the inner panel 104, and the cover bottom 102 to slide freely.

[0239] like Figure 19 As shown, it can be confirmed that, based on R800, in Examples 1 and 2, a large maximum gap of more than 15 mm appears, while in Examples 3 and 4, the maximum gap is reduced to less than 5 mm, and the curvature matching is improved.

[0240] The hook structures 1046 and 1013 relate to the aforementioned connection structure between the first intermediate box 101 and the inner plate 104. Figure 7 As shown in (a), the model 1 of Example 1 and Example 2 refers to a structure in which the inner plate 104 is hooked and connected to the back of the fastening portion of the first intermediate box body 101 using the first hook 1013 and the second hook 1046, and the model 2 is Figure 10 The inner plate 104 is connected to the front of the fastening portion of the first intermediate box body 101. Model 3 shows Figure 11 The first intermediate housing 101 further includes an embodiment of a third hook 1014 covering the back side of the cover bottom 102 .

[0241] Although the fastening structure of the first intermediate box body 101 and the inner panel 104 and the cover bottom 102 affects the improvement of the sliding amount, the difference is not significant. Therefore, the fastening structure of the first intermediate box body 101 and the inner panel 104 can be determined considering the heat dissipation and the fastening force with the inner panel 104 / cover bottom 102.

[0242] As described above, in the display device 100 of the present invention, the display module 150 can be deformed into a flat state or a curved state, so that the user can use it in a desired form.

[0243] By providing the inner panel, it is possible to provide a display device that is bendable while ensuring rigidity and is effective in heat dissipation.

[0244] In particular, a constant size of the frame can be ensured without changing the position of the display module located at the end portion of the display device.

[0245] The detailed description above should not be understood as limiting in all aspects, but should be understood as exemplary. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, wherein the curvature of the display device changes in the horizontal direction, characterized in that: include: Display module, output image; an inner plate, disposed on the back of the display module; a bottom cover, disposed on the back of the inner panel; and The middle box covers the display module, the inner plate and the periphery of the cover bottom and forms the side appearance. The intermediate box includes: a first intermediate box, located above and below the display module; and The second intermediate box is located on the left and right sides of the display module. The display module is fixed to the second intermediate box, and the inner plate and the bottom cover are combined with the second intermediate box in a manner of being able to slide in a horizontal direction.

2. The display device according to claim 1, in, include: a long hole formed in the cover bottom and extending laterally; and A fastener is fastened to the long hole to fasten the cover bottom and the inner plate.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The long hole is formed adjacent to the end portions of the cover bottom in the left and right side directions.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The second intermediate box includes: a first fastening groove for inserting a lateral end portion of the inner panel; and The second fastening groove is for the lateral end of the cover bottom to be inserted into, When the curvature of the display device changes, the position of the inner plate in the first fastening groove changes, and the position of the cover bottom in the second fastening groove changes.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The second intermediate box includes: a first rib coupled to a lateral end portion of the display module; a second rib located on the back side of the first rib and forming the first fastening groove together with the first rib; and a third rib located on the back of the second rib and forming the second fastening groove with the second rib; The length of the third rib is greater than the sliding distance of the cover bottom.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The third rib extends to the upper end and the lower end of the second middle box and overlaps with the first middle box. The end portion of the first intermediate case includes a groove portion having a shape corresponding to the third rib.

7. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The lateral end of the cover bottom is bent toward the front side to form a step. The thickness of the step corresponds to the thickness of the third rib.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein include: a first adhesive tape located between the display module and the inner panel; and A second adhesive tape is located between the inner panel and the bottom cover. The shapes of the first adhesive tape and the second adhesive tape change in accordance with the sliding amount between the inner panel and the cover bottom as the curvature of the display device changes.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein The thickness of the first adhesive tape is smaller than the thickness of the second adhesive tape.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: Driver IC, located on the back of the display module, The inner panel comprises: A first area protrudes from a position of the inner plate corresponding to the driver IC toward the back side; and A plurality of first holes are formed in the first region, The first holes extend long in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein When the curvature of the display device changes, the interval between the first intermediate housing and the second intermediate housing changes along the horizontal direction of the display device.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first intermediate box is fastened to the inner panel.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The first intermediate box includes: an exposed portion, exposed toward the side periphery; and a fastening portion extending inward from the exposed portion and comprising a first hook, The upper end portion of the inner panel includes a second hook coupled to the first hook.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein include: a moving block, located at the center of the back side of the cover bottom; a pair of coupling members, one end of each coupling member being coupled to the moving block and extending in the left-right direction; and The connecting member bracket is located at the left and right ends of the cover bottom and is connected to the other end of the connecting member. If the angle between the pair of coupling members changes, the curvatures of the display module, the inner panel, and the cover bottom change.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display module includes an organic light emitting diode panel.

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