A support assembly and display device

Abstract

The application discloses a support assembly and a display device, which comprise a support component and a driving mechanism, the support component at least comprises a first support plate and a second support plate, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the support component to switch between a first state and a second state, in the first state, the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate, and in the second state, the second support plate is located on one side of the first support plate and is arranged in intersection with the first support plate. Based on this, when the flexible display panel is in a non-outward bending state, the support component can be in the first state, so that the first support plate and the second support plate jointly provide a supporting force to the non-bending area, when the flexible display panel is in an outward bending state, the support component can be in the second state, so that the first support plate provides a supporting force to the non-bending area, and the second support plate provides a supporting force to the bending area at the same time, thereby the creases of the bending area of the flexible display panel can be reduced, and the use effect of the display device is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of display, in particular to a support assembly and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of display technology, foldable display devices are widely welcomed due to their advantages of providing larger screen and being easier to store. The foldable display device usually comprises a flexible display panel and a support assembly located at the back of the flexible display panel. Although the support assembly can provide support force to the non-bending area of the flexible display panel when the display device is unfolded or folded, under the structural limitation of the support assembly, obvious creases will appear in the bending area of the flexible display panel after being folded for many times, which affects the use effect of the foldable display device. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application discloses a support assembly and a display device to reduce the creases in the bending area of the flexible display panel.

[0004] The present application discloses a support assembly, comprising: a support component, the support component comprising at least a first support plate and a second support plate; a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being used to drive the support component to switch between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate; in the second state, the second support plate is located on one side of the first support plate, and the second support plate is arranged intersecting with the first support plate.

[0005] Since the driving component can drive the support component to switch between the first state and the second state, when the flexible display panel is in the non-outward bending state, the driving component can be used to drive the support component to switch to the first state, so that the first support plate and the second support plate jointly provide support force to the non-bending area of the flexible display panel; when the flexible display panel is in the outward bending state, the driving component can be used to drive the support component to switch to the second state, so that the second support plate is located on the side of the first support plate close to the bending area, and the first support plate provides support force to the non-bending area while the second support plate provides support force to the bending area, thereby reducing the creases in the bending area of the flexible display panel and improving the use effect of the display device.

[0006] Preferably, the driving mechanism comprises a telescopic component and a driving component; the telescopic component connects the first support plate and the second support plate; the driving component is used to drive the telescopic component to extend or compress, so as to realize the automatic switching of the support component between the first state and the second state.

[0007] Preferably, during the extension of the telescopic component, the telescopic component drives at least one end of the second support plate to move or rotate away from the first support plate, so as to convert the support component from the first state to the second state; during the compression of the telescopic component, the telescopic component drives at least one end of the second support plate to move or rotate towards the first support plate, so as to convert the support component from the second state to the first state, so as to change the relative position relationship between the first support plate and the second support plate while the relative position relationship between the first support plate and the non-bending area of the flexible display panel remains unchanged.

[0008] Preferably, the telescopic component comprises at least a first support rod and a second support rod, the first support rod is nested in the second support rod, so as to realize the extension or compression of the telescopic component through the at least two support rods.

[0009] Preferably, during the extension of the telescopic component, the first support rod moves to the outside of the second support rod; during the compression of the telescopic component, the first support rod moves to the inside of the second support rod, so as to realize the extension or compression of the telescopic component through the length change of the first support rod and the second support rod.

[0010] Preferably, at least one telescopic component is located between the first support plate and the second support plate, and / or at least one telescopic component is located on the same side of the first support plate and the second support plate, and a plurality of telescopic components are respectively located on opposite sides of the first support plate and the second support plate, so as to realize the switching of the relative position relationship between the first support plate and the second support plate through at least one telescopic component, and then realize the switching of the first state and the second state.

[0011] Preferably, the driving component comprises an electromagnetic driving component, which drives the telescopic component to extend or compress through magnetic force, so as to realize the automatic extension or compression of the telescopic component.

[0012] Preferably, the support assembly further comprises first limiting devices for controlling the synchronous movement of a plurality of telescopic components, so as to ensure the stability of the movement of the second support plate.

[0013] Preferably, in the first state, the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate along a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the first support plate is located, so that the first support plate and the second support plate jointly provide support force to the non-bending area, or the second support plate is located on one side of the first support plate, and the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate along a direction parallel to the plane in which the first support plate is located, so that the first support plate provides support force to the non-bending area, and the second support plate provides support force to the bending area.

[0014] Preferably, one side of the first support plate has a notch, and the second support plate is embedded in the notch in the first state, so that the second support plate and the first support plate are located in the same plane away from the side surface of the flexible display panel in the first state.

[0015] Preferably, the second support plate comprises a first surface, the first surface is a curved surface, and the first surface is a side surface of the second support plate away from the first support plate in the second state, so that the second support plate provides more uniform support force distribution, thereby reducing the problem of local stress concentration, avoiding concentrated stress damage to the bending area, and further improving the support effect of the support assembly.

[0016] Preferably, the curved surface comprises an elliptical surface or a semi-elliptical surface, so that the second support plate provides more uniform support force distribution, thereby reducing the problem of local stress concentration, avoiding concentrated stress damage to the bending area, and further improving the support effect of the support assembly.

[0017] Preferably, the support assembly further comprises second limiting devices, and the second limiting devices are located at at least one end of the second support plate; the second limiting devices are used to limit the contact position of at least one end of the second support plate with the first support plate in the first state, so as to ensure the positioning accuracy of the second support plate and the first support plate.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application discloses a display device, comprising a flexible display panel and a plurality of support assemblies, the support assemblies comprising any one of the support assemblies described above; the flexible display panel comprises a plurality of non-bending areas and at least one bending area, the bending area being located between two adjacent non-bending areas; the plurality of support assemblies are respectively arranged on the back of the plurality of non-bending areas; the support assemblies on both sides of the same bending area are symmetrically arranged; when the flexible display panel is in a non-outward bending state, the support components are in a first state, and the first support plate and the second support plate provide support force to the non-bending area; when the flexible display panel is in an outward bending state, the support components are in a second state, the second support plate is located on the side of the first support plate close to the bending area, the first support plate provides support force to the non-bending area, and the second support plate provides support force to the bending area, thereby reducing the creases of the bending area of the flexible display panel and improving the use effect of the display device.

[0019] Preferably, the display device further comprises a bending detection component for detecting whether the flexible display panel is in an outer bending state, and sending a driving signal to the driving mechanism to switch the support component between the first state and the second state to reduce the creases of the bending area of the flexible display panel and improve the use effect of the display device when the flexible display panel switches between the non-outer bending state and the outer bending state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present application or the background art will be described below.

[0021] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of a display device in an inner bending state;

[0022] Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of a display device in an outer bending state;

[0023] Figure 3 is a structural schematic view of a display device in a flat state;

[0024] Figure 4 is a structural schematic view of a display device in an outer bending state after being bent for many times;

[0025] Figure 5 is a top view structural schematic view of a support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 6 is a side view structural schematic view of a support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a first state;

[0027] Figure 7 is a side view structural schematic view of a support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a second state;

[0028] Figure 8 is a side view structural schematic view of another support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a first state;

[0029] Figure 9 is a side view structural schematic view of another support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a second state;

[0030] Figure 10 is a side view structural schematic view of another support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a second state;

[0031] Figure 11 is a side view structural schematic view of another support assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present application in a second state;

[0032] Figure 12 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0033] Figure 13 A structure schematic diagram of the bending area of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the second state;

[0034] Figure 14 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0035] Figure 15 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0036] Figure 16 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0037] Figure 17 A structure schematic diagram of the bending area of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the second state;

[0038] Figure 18 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0039] Figure 19 A structure schematic diagram of the bending area of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the second state;

[0040] Figure 20 A side view structural schematic diagram of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the first state;

[0041] Figure 21 A structure schematic diagram of the bending area of another support assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the second state;

[0042] Figure 22 A side view structural schematic diagram of a display device disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state;

[0043] Figure 23 A side view structural schematic diagram of another display device disclosed by the embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] With reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of the present application.

[0045] At present, foldable display devices generally include display devices that can be folded by 180 degrees and display devices that can be folded by 360 degrees. Among them, the display device that can be folded by 360 degrees is widely concerned because it has folding states such as inner bending and outer bending, and can better meet the experience of users with different preferences.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device that can be folded by 360 degrees includes a flexible display panel 10 and a support assembly 11 located at the back of the flexible display panel 10. Since the support assembly 11 is only arranged at the back of the non-bending area 10A of the flexible display panel 10 and is not arranged at the back of the bending area 10B of the flexible display panel 10, under the structural restriction of the support assembly 11, the flexible display panel 10 bent inward presents a water drop type as shown in Figure 1 , and the flexible display panel 10 bent outward presents a U type as shown in Figure 2 .

[0047] After long-term research, the inventors found that after repeated reciprocating bending of inner bending-flatting-outer bending, as shown in Figure 3 , the bending area 10B of the flat flexible display panel 10 will form a concave, and then the flexible display panel 10 bent outward will appear a phenomenon of reverse arching of the bending area 10B as shown in Figure 4 , which causes the creases of the bending area 10B of the flexible display panel 10 to be more obvious, affecting the use effect of the foldable display device.

[0048] In order to solve the above problems, the present application discloses a support assembly, the support assembly has at least two states, when the flexible display panel is in a non-outer bending state, the support assembly provides a support force to the non-bending area of the flexible display panel, and when the flexible display panel is in an outer bending state, the support assembly provides a support force to the non-bending area and the bending area together, so as to reduce the creases of the bending area of the flexible display panel and improve the use effect of the display device.

[0049] As an optional implementation of the disclosure, the present application discloses a support assembly, as shown in Figures 5 to 7As shown, the support component 20 is used to support the flexible display panel 10. The flexible display panel 10 includes multiple non-bending areas 10A and at least one bending area 10B. The bending area 10B is located between two adjacent non-bending areas 10A. The multiple support components 20 are respectively disposed on the back side of the multiple non-bending areas 10A. Here, the back side of the non-bending area 10A refers to the non-display surface of the non-bending area 10A.

[0050] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the support assembly 20 includes a support member 201 and a drive mechanism. The support member 201 includes at least a first support plate 2011 and a second support plate 2012. The drive mechanism is used to drive the support member 201 to switch between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the second support plate 2012 is arranged parallel to the first support plate 2011. In the second state, the second support plate 2012 is located on one side of the first support plate 2011, and the second support plate 2012 intersects with the first support plate 2011. Optionally, in the second state, the second support plate 2012 is arranged perpendicular to the first support plate 2011.

[0051] When the flexible display panel 10 is in a non-bent state, such as when it is in Figure 5 The flattened state shown and Figure 6 In the inward bending state shown, the support member 201 is in the first state, and the second support plate 2012 is arranged parallel to the first support plate 2011. The first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012 together provide support force to the non-bending area 10A. When the flexible display panel 10 is in the inward bending state... Figure 7 When the outward bending state is shown, the support member 201 is in the second state, the second support plate 2012 is located on the side of the first support plate 2011 near the bending area 10B, the second support plate 2012 is intersecting with the first support plate 2011, the first support plate 2011 provides support force to the non-bending area 10A, and the second support plate 2012 provides support force to the bending area 10B.

[0052] When the flexible display panel 10 switches between a non-outward bending state and an outward bending state, the driving mechanism drives the support component 201 to switch between a first state and a second state, and drives the second support plate 2012 from a position parallel to the first support plate 2011 to a position intersecting with the first support plate 2011, so that when the flexible display panel 10 is in a non-outward bending state, the support component 201 is in the first state, and when the flexible display panel 10 is in an outward bending state, the support component 201 is in the second state.

[0053] Based on this, when the flexible display panel 10 is switched from the non-outward bending state to the outward bending state, the second support plate 2012 moves towards the direction close to the bending area 10B and provides a support force to the bending area 10B, so as to avoid the reverse arch phenomenon of the bending area 10B, and further reduce the crease of the bending area 10B. When the flexible display panel 10 is switched from the outward bending state to the non-outward bending state, the second support plate 2012 moves away from the bending area 10B, so as to avoid the second support plate 2012 affecting the flattening of the bending area 10B.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 The driving mechanism includes a telescopic component 202 and a driving component (not shown in the figure), the telescopic component 202 connects the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012, and the driving component is used to drive the telescopic component 202 to expand or compress, so as to realize the automatic switching of the support component 201 between the first state and the second state.

[0055] In some embodiments, during the expansion of the telescopic component 202, the telescopic component 202 drives at least one end of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate away from the first support plate 2011, so that the support component 201 is switched from the first state to the second state. During the compression of the telescopic component 202, the telescopic component 202 drives at least one end of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate close to the first support plate 2011, so that the support component 201 is switched from the second state to the first state.

[0056] The first support plate 2011 can be fixed on the back of the non-bending area 10A of the flexible display panel 10. Specifically, the first support plate 2011 can be fixed on the back of the non-bending area 10A by using glue or the like, or can be fixed on the back of the non-bending area 10A by using threads or hinges.

[0057] Based on this, during the expansion or compression of the telescopic component 202, the relative position relationship between the first support plate 2011 and the non-bending area 10A of the flexible display panel 10 remains unchanged, and the relative position relationship between the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012 changes, that is, at least one end of the second support plate 2012 moves or rotates away from the first support plate 2011 or close to the bending area 10B, so as to provide a support force to the bending area 10B by the second support plate 2012.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the telescopic component 202 connects the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011. Based on this, the position of the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 is fixed, the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 moves away from the first support plate 2011, or in other words, the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 rotates around the first end a1. At this time, the telescopic component 202 drives one end of the second support plate 2012, i.e., the second end a2, to move or rotate away from the first support plate 2011. Among them, the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 is the end of the second support plate 2012 away from the bending area 10B in the outer bending state, and the first end a1 is the end opposite to the second end a2.

[0059] Of course, the present application is not limited to this, in other embodiments, the telescopic component 202 connects the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011. Based on this, the position of the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 is fixed, the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 moves away from the first support plate 2011, or in other words, the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 rotates around the second end a2. At this time, the telescopic component 202 drives one end of the second support plate 2012, i.e., the first end a1, to move or rotate away from the first support plate 2011.

[0060] In other embodiments, the number of telescopic components is multiple, the first telescopic component 202 connects the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011, and the second telescopic component 202 connects the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011. Based on this, the first telescopic component 202 drives the first end a1 of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate away from the first support plate 2011, and the second telescopic component 202 drives the second end a2 of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate away from the first support plate 2011.

[0061] And the telescopic length of the first telescopic component 202 is less than the telescopic length of the second telescopic component 202, so that the moving distance of the first end a1 is less than the moving distance of the second end a2. Or, the telescopic length of the second telescopic component 202 is less than the telescopic length of the first telescopic component 202, so that the moving distance of the second end a2 is less than the moving distance of the first end a1.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 9 The telescopic component 202 can at least include a first support rod 2021 and a second support rod 2022, the first support rod 2021 is nested inside the second support rod 2022, so as to realize the expansion or compression of the telescopic component 202 through at least two support rods.

[0063] During the expansion of the telescopic component 202, the first support rod 2021 moves towards the outside of the second support rod 2022, so that the length of the telescopic component 202 is increased, so that the telescopic component 202 drives at least one end of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate in a direction away from the first support plate 2011 or in a direction close to the bending area 10B, so that the support component 201 is converted from the first state to the second state.

[0064] During the compression of the telescopic component 202, the first support rod 2021 moves towards the inside of the second support rod 2022, so that the length of the telescopic component 202 is decreased, so that the telescopic component 202 drives at least one end of the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate in a direction close to the first support plate 2011 or in a direction away from the bending area 10B, so that the support component 201 is converted from the second state to the first state, so as to realize the expansion or compression of the telescopic component through the length change of the first support rod 2021 and the second support rod 2022.

[0065] Of course, the present application is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 10 The telescopic component 202 can also include a rotating shaft 2023 and first and second rotating plates 2024 and 2025 located on both sides of the rotating shaft 2023, the first rotating plate 2024 is fixed on the first support plate 2011, and the second rotating plate 2025 is fixed on the second support plate 2012. The driving component can drive the rotating shaft 2023 to rotate, thereby driving at least one end of the second rotating plate 2025 and the second support plate 2012 to move or rotate in a direction close to or away from the first support plate 2011.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, the driving component includes an electromagnetic driving component that drives the telescopic component 202 to expand or compress through magnetic force to realize the automatic expansion or compression of the telescopic component 202. Alternatively, the electromagnetic driving component includes an electromagnetic sensor that converts electrical power into magnetic force and drives the telescopic component 202 to expand or compress through magnetic force. For example, the first support rod 2021 is a magnetic material, and the electromagnetic sensor drives the first support rod 2021 to move towards the outside or the outside of the second support rod 2022 through magnetic force. Of course, the present application is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, the driving component can also include a spring or other elastic driving component to drive the telescopic component 202 to expand or compress through the expansion or compression of the elastic driving component.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the telescopic components 202 can be located between the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012, and one or more telescopic components 202 can be arranged between the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012. In the embodiments of the present application, if not otherwise specified, the plurality of telescopic components 202 is generally at least two. The plurality of telescopic components 202 can be driven by the same driving component or by different driving components.

[0068] In some embodiments, the support assembly further comprises a first limiting device for controlling the synchronous movement of the plurality of telescopic components 202, such as controlling the synchronous movement of the plurality of telescopic components 202 driven by different driving components, so that the plurality of telescopic components 202 are simultaneously stretched or compressed, thereby ensuring the stability of the movement of the second support plate 2012. Optionally, the first limiting device comprises an electromagnetic limiter, which makes the plurality of telescopic components 202 move synchronously through the principle of electromagnetic limiting.

[0069] Of course, the present application is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the telescopic components 202 can be located on the same side of the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012, i.e., on the same side of the outermost side of the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012. And the same side of the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012 can have one or more telescopic components 202. Among them, the plurality of telescopic components 202 on the same side can be driven by the same driving component or by different driving components. In some embodiments, the first limiting device can be used to make the plurality of telescopic components 202 on the same side move synchronously.

[0070] In addition, as shown in Figure 13 The plurality of telescopic components 202 are respectively located on the opposite two sides of the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012, i.e., on the opposite two sides of the outermost side of the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012, which are the two sides in the extension direction of the second support plate 2012. Among them, the plurality of telescopic components 202 on different sides can be driven by the same driving component or by different driving components. In some embodiments, the first limiting device can also be used to make the plurality of telescopic components 202 on different sides move synchronously, so that the plurality of telescopic components 202 are simultaneously stretched or compressed.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 14As shown, the support assembly further comprises a second limiting device 203, which is located at at least one end of the second support plate 2012, and is used to define the contact position of the at least one end of the second support plate 2012 with the first support plate 2011 in the first state, so as to ensure the positioning accuracy of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011.

[0072] In the first state, the second limiting device 203 on the second support plate 2012 is in positioning contact with the first support plate 2011. In the process of switching from the second state to the first state, after the second limiting device 203 is in positioning contact with the first support plate 2011, the second limiting device 203 sends a stop signal to the driving component, so that the driving component controls the telescopic component 202 to stop compression. Optionally, the second limiting device 203 comprises a limiting sensor or the like.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 14 As shown, the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011 are in square flat plate structures, and in the first state, the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011 are arranged in parallel along a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first support plate 2011 is located. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 14 As shown, one side of the first support plate 2011 has a notch, and in the first state, the second support plate 2012 is embedded in the notch.

[0074] Optionally, the shape of the second support plate 2012 is consistent with the shape of the notch. Of course, the present application is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 15 As shown, the first support plate 2011 can also not have a notch, and in other embodiments, the shape of the second support plate 2012 can also not be consistent with the shape of the notch, which will not be described here.

[0075] Optionally, in the first state, the side surface of the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011 away from the flexible display panel 10 can be located in the same plane, so as to facilitate the assembly of the support assembly with other components outside the flexible display panel 10.

[0076] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, in the first state, the second support plate 2012 is located at one side of the first support plate 2011, such as the side of the first support plate 2011 close to the bending area 10B, and the second support plate 2012 and the first support plate 2011 are arranged in parallel along a direction parallel to the plane where the first support plate 2011 is located. In some embodiments, one side of the first support plate 2011 can also have a notch, and the second support plate 2012 can be embedded in the notch on one side of the first support plate 2011.

[0077] As shown in some embodiments of the present application, Figure 17 The second support plate 2012 includes a first surface S1, which is the side surface of the second support plate 2012 away from the first support plate 2011 in the second state, and the first surface S1 is a plane. However, the present application is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, the first surface S1 is a curved surface. Optionally, the curvature of the curved surface of the first surface S1 is similar to the curvature of the bending area 10B in the outward bending state, so that the support force provided by the second support plate 2012 is more evenly distributed, thereby reducing the problem of local stress concentration, avoiding concentrated stress from damaging the bending area 10B, and thus the support effect of the support assembly can be better.

[0078] As shown in some embodiments of the present application, Figure 18 and Figure 19 The curved surface includes an elliptical surface. In some embodiments, only the first surface S1 of the second support plate 2012 is an elliptical surface, and in other embodiments, both the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 of the second support plate 2012 are elliptical surfaces, and the second surface S2 is the surface opposite to the first surface S1.

[0079] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 20 and Figure 21 The curved surface includes a semi-elliptical surface. Among them, the first surface S1 of the second support plate 2012 is a semi-elliptical surface, and other surfaces of the second support plate 2012, such as the second surface S2, are planes. Based on this, the side surface of the second support plate 2012 away from the flexible display panel 10 in the first state can be located in the same plane as the first support plate 2011, so as to facilitate the assembly of the support assembly with other components outside the flexible display panel 10, and in addition, the side surface of the second support plate 2012 close to the flexible display panel 10 in the first state can be a curved surface, so as to reduce the pressure of the second support plate 2012 on the inwardly bent flexible display panel 10, resulting in a crease at the junction of the second support plate 2012 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0080] As an optional implementation of the present disclosure, the present embodiment discloses a display device, as shown in Figure 22 which includes a flexible display panel 10 and a plurality of support assemblies 20, and the support assembly 20 includes the support assembly disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0081] Among them, the flexible display panel 10 includes a plurality of non-bending areas 10A and at least one bending area 10B, the bending area 10B is located between two adjacent non-bending areas 10A, and the plurality of support assemblies 20 are respectively arranged on the back of the plurality of non-bending areas 10A.

[0082] The support assembly 20 includes a support member 201 and a drive mechanism. The support member 201 includes at least a first support plate 2011 and a second support plate 2012. The drive mechanism is used to drive the support member 201 to switch between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the second support plate 2012 is arranged parallel to the first support plate 2011. In the second state, the second support plate 2012 is located on one side of the first support plate 2011, and the second support plate 2012 intersects with the first support plate 2011.

[0083] When the flexible display panel 10 is in a non-bent state, such as when it is in Figure 5 The flattened state shown and Figure 6 In the inward bending state shown, the support member 201 is in the first state, and the first support plate 2011 and the second support plate 2012 together provide support force to the non-bending area 10A. When the flexible display panel 10 is in the inward bending state... Figure 7 When the outward bending state is shown, the support member 201 is in the second state, the second support plate 2012 is located on the side of the first support plate 2011 near the bending area 10B, the first support plate 2011 provides support force to the non-bending area 10A, and the second support plate 2012 provides support force to the bending area 10B.

[0084] When the flexible display panel 10 switches between a non-outward bending state and an outward bending state, the driving mechanism drives the support component 201 to switch between a first state and a second state, and drives the second support plate 2012 from a position parallel to the first support plate 2011 to a position intersecting with the first support plate 2011, so that when the flexible display panel 10 is in a non-outward bending state, the support component 201 is in the first state, and when the flexible display panel 10 is in an outward bending state, the support component 201 is in the second state.

[0085] Based on this, when the flexible display panel 10 switches from a non-outward bending state to an outward bending state, the second support plate 2012 moves toward the bending area 10B and provides support to the bending area 10B, thereby preventing the bending area 10B from arching, thus reducing the creases in the bending area 10B and improving the performance of the display device.

[0086] It should be noted that the support components 20 on both sides of the same bending area 10B are symmetrically arranged so that the support components 20 on both sides of the same bending area 10B provide support force to the same bending area 10B in the second state.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present application, the flexible display panel 10 can include a substrate and, in sequence, a display layer, a polarizer, a first optical adhesive, a lower cover plate, a second optical adhesive, and an upper cover plate, etc., wherein the substrate can include a support metal plate and a support film between the support metal plate and the display layer, etc. The first support plate 2011 of the support assembly 20 can be fixed to the side of the substrate away from the display layer, for example, by optical adhesive, etc., to the side of the support metal plate away from the display layer.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 2B, the display device further includes a bending detection component 204 for detecting whether the flexible display panel 10 is in an outer bending state, and sending a driving signal to the driving mechanism to switch the support component 201 between the first state and the second state when the flexible display panel 10 switches between the non-outer bending state and the outer bending state. Figure 23

[0089] In some embodiments, the bending detection component 204 is arranged at least on the side of the support assembly 20 facing the bending area 10B, which can determine whether the flexible display panel 10 is in an outer bending state by detecting the relative position relationship between the support assembly 20 and the flexible display panel 10, such as determining that the flexible display panel 10 is in an outer bending state, an inner bending state, or a flat state. Of course, the present application is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the bending detection component 204 can also be arranged between the support assembly 20 and the flexible display panel 10, and determine whether the flexible display panel 10 is in an outer bending state by detecting the pressure between the support assembly 20 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0090] When the bending detection component 204 detects that the flexible display panel 10 is converted from the non-outer bending state to the outer bending state, the first driving signal is sent to the driving mechanism to switch the support component 201 from the first state to the second state; when the bending detection component 204 detects that the flexible display panel 10 is converted from the outer bending state to the non-outer bending state, the second driving signal is sent to the driving mechanism to switch the support component 201 from the second state to the first state.

[0091] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any manner. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described, but as long as the combinations of the technical features do not exist contradictions, they should be considered as the scope of the present application.

[0092] ​The above embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present specification, which are described in a more specific and detailed manner, but cannot be understood as a limitation on the scope of the patent. It should be noted that for ordinary skilled persons in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present specification, which all belong to the protection scope of the present specification. Therefore, the protection scope of the present specification patent should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support assembly, characterized by, The support assembly comprises: a support component, which comprises at least a first support plate and a second support plate; a driving mechanism for driving the support component to switch between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate; in the second state, the second support plate is arranged on one side of the first support plate and intersects with the first support plate; the support assembly is used for supporting a flexible display panel, which comprises a plurality of non-bending areas and at least one bending area between two adjacent non-bending areas; a plurality of support assemblies are arranged on the back of the non-bending areas respectively; and the support assemblies on both sides of the same bending area are arranged symmetrically; when the flexible display panel is in a non-outward bending state, the support component is in the first state, and the first support plate and the second support plate provide support force to the non-bending areas; when the flexible display panel is in an outward bending state, the support component is in the second state, the second support plate is arranged on one side of the first support plate close to the bending area, the first support plate provides support force to the non-bending areas, and the second support plate provides support force to the bending area.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, the driving mechanism comprises a telescopic component and a driving component; the telescopic component connects the first support plate and the second support plate; the driving component is used for driving the telescopic component to extend or compress.

3. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein, during the extension of the telescopic component, at least one end of the second support plate is moved or rotated in a direction away from the first support plate, so that the support component is switched from the first state to the second state; during the compression of the telescopic component, at least one end of the second support plate is moved or rotated in a direction close to the first support plate, so that the support component is switched from the second state to the first state.

4. A support assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, the telescopic component comprises at least a first support rod and a second support rod, and the first support rod is nested in the second support rod.

5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein, during the extension of the telescopic component, the first support rod moves to the outside of the second support rod; during the compression of the telescopic component, the first support rod moves to the inside of the second support rod.

6. The support assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein, at least one telescopic component is located between the first support plate and the second support plate, and / or at least one telescopic component is located on the same side of the first support plate and the second support plate, and a plurality of telescopic components are located on opposite sides of the first support plate and the second support plate respectively.

7. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein, the driving component comprises an electromagnetic driving component, which drives the telescopic component to extend or compress through magnetic force.

8. The support assembly of claim 2, wherein, the support assembly further comprises first limiting devices for controlling the synchronous movement of a plurality of telescopic components.

9. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, In the first state, the second support plate is arranged in parallel with the first support plate in a direction perpendicular to the plane on which the first support plate lies, or the second support plate is arranged on one side of the first support plate and in parallel with the first support plate in a direction parallel to the plane on which the first support plate lies.

10. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, One side of the first support plate has a notch, and in the first state, the second support plate is embedded in the notch.

11. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The second support plate comprises a first surface, which is an arc surface, and the first surface is a side surface of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate in the second state.

12. The support assembly of claim 11, wherein, The arc surface comprises an elliptical surface or a semi-elliptical surface.

13. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The support assembly further comprises second limiting means, which is located at at least one end of the second support plate; the second limiting means is used to define the contact position of at least one end of the second support plate with the first support plate in the first state.

14. A display device comprising: The display device comprises a flexible display panel and a plurality of support assemblies, and each support assembly comprises the support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The display device of claim 14, wherein, The display device further comprises a bending detection component, which is used to detect whether the flexible display panel is in an outer bending state, and when the flexible display panel switches between a non-outer bending state and an outer bending state, sends a driving signal to the driving mechanism to make the support component switch between the first state and the second state.

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