Support structure, flexible display panel and flexible display device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a support structure, a flexible display panel and a flexible display device, and belongs to the technical field of display, wherein the support structure is configured to be applied to the flexible display device; the support structure has a folding area and non-folding areas located on both sides of the folding area; the support structure comprises a main support part located in the non-folding area, a bending part located in the folding area and a fixing part located in the folding area and connected with the bending part; the bending part has a hollow pattern; a line connecting a center point of the fixing part and a center point of the folding area extends along the length direction of the folding area; and the fixing part is used for fixedly connecting with a cover plate to be connected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of display, and particularly relates to a support structure, a flexible display panel and a flexible display device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, flexible display devices are applied more and more widely, because OLED flexible display devices are lighter and thinner, have high brightness, low power consumption, fast response, high definition, good flexibility and high luminous efficiency, and can meet new demands of consumers on display technology and have more and more application space in the display field. Terminal manufacturers apply the latest materials and technologies researched by themselves to upgrade the flexible display device experience from aspects of product appearance, performance and thin body, reliability, folding large screen and software experience.

[0003] Among them, the SUS (a general term of stainless steel material) metal piece is used as a support layer inside the flexible terminal. In order to improve the bending performance of the display device with folding function, a hollow pattern needs to be arranged in the folding area of the SUS layer to disperse the stress received in the bending state. However, there is no bonding relationship between the folding area of the SUS layer and the middle frame of the display device, and the hollow pattern is easy to be deformed by impact force, so that the SUS and the module (MDL) are easy to cause reverse arching in the folding area during the whole machine falling of the flexible terminal, thereby causing obvious crack and peeling marks, as shown in Figure 1 SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and provides a support structure, a flexible display panel and a flexible display device.

[0005] In a first aspect, a technical solution adopted to solve the technical problems of the present disclosure is a support structure configured to be applied to a flexible display device; the support structure has a folding area and non-folding areas located on both sides of the folding area;

[0006] The support structure includes a main support part located in the non-folding area, a bending part located in the folding area, and a fixing part located in the folding area and connected with the bending part; the bending part has a hollow pattern;

[0007] A line connecting a center point of the fixing part and a center point of the folding area extends along a length direction of the folding area; the fixing part is used to be fixedly connected with a cover plate to be connected in the flexible display device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fixing part is connected at at least one end in the length direction of the bending part.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fixing part is connected at both ends arranged oppositely in the length direction of the bending part.​

[0010] In some embodiments, the fixing member has a first connecting via hole penetrating through the thickness direction thereof, so that the fixing member is fixedly connected with the cover plate to be connected through a connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixing member and the bending portion have a size ratio in the length direction of the bending portion ranging between 0.5% and 2%.

[0012] The fixing member and the bending portion have a size ratio in the width direction of the bending portion ranging between 0.5% and 2%.

[0013] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a flexible display panel, comprising the support structure and the display module according to any one of the first aspect.

[0014] In some embodiments, the flexible display panel further comprises a first bonding structure located at the non-folding area, and the support structure is connected with the display module through the first bonding structure.

[0015] In the third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a flexible display device, comprising a cover plate and the flexible display panel according to the first aspect arranged on the cover plate; the cover plate is arranged on the side of the support structure away from the display module.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cover plate comprises a middle frame and a back cover located at the side of the middle frame away from the flexible display panel.

[0017] The middle frame comprises a connecting portion and a planar portion; the connecting portion is located at the folding area, and the planar portion extends from the non-folding area to the connecting portion at the folding area.

[0018] The fixing member is fixedly connected with the connecting portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixing member and the connecting portion are fixedly connected through a second bonding structure.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fixing member has a first connecting via hole penetrating through the thickness direction thereof, and the connecting portion has a second connecting via hole penetrating through at least part of the structure in the thickness direction thereof, and the fixing member is fixedly connected with the connecting portion through a connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole and the second connecting via hole.

[0021] In some embodiments, the flexible display device further comprises a third bonding structure located at the non-folding area, and the support structure is connected with the cover plate through the third bonding structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 45° drop experiment of a whole machine in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a folding screen in the prior art;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the phenomenon of reverse arching of SUS and MDL in the prior art;

[0025] Figure 4a A top view of an exemplary support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4b A side view of an exemplary support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5 A bottom view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 6 A bottom view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 7 A bottom view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 8 A top view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 9 A top view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a flexible display panel provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a flexible display device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Wherein the reference signs are: 1, support structure; 01, folding area; 02, non-folding area; 11, main body support part; 12, bending part; 13, fixing member; X, length direction of the folding area (length direction of the bending part); Y, width direction of the folding area (width direction of the bending part); O1, center point of the fixing member; O2, center point of the folding area; 12-1, first hollow pattern; 12-2, second hollow pattern; 131, first connecting via; 2, display module (MDL); 3, first bonding structure; 4, cover plate; 41, middle frame; 41-1, connecting part; 41-2, planar part; 5, third bonding structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present disclosure generally described and shown in the drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present disclosure, but only represents selected embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present disclosure belongs. The terms "first", "second", and similar terms used in the present disclosure do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "one", "a", or "the" and similar terms do not denote a quantity of quantity limitation, but denote the presence of at least one. The terms "include", "comprise", and similar terms mean that the elements or objects before the term encompass the elements or objects listed after the term and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The terms "connected" or "connected" and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms "up", "down", "left", "right", and the like are only used to represent relative positional relationships, and when the absolute positions of the described objects are changed, the relative positional relationships may also be changed accordingly.

[0037] In the present disclosure, "a plurality of or several" refers to two or more. The term "and / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0038] Figure 2 The partial structure diagram of the folding screen in the prior art is as follows, Figure 2As shown, the folding screen includes a display module (MDL), a support layer (SUS) and a middle frame 41. In order to improve the bending performance of the display device with folding function, in addition to the hollow pattern provided in the folding area of the support layer (SUS), there is no adhesive relationship between the support layer (SUS) and the middle frame 41 in the folding area, and the gap between the two facilitates bending. It is because that there is no adhesive relationship between the folding area of the support layer (SUS) and the middle frame 41 of the display device, so that the support layer (SUS) and the display module (MDL) are easy to cause reverse arching (such as Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the reverse arching phenomenon of the SUS and the MDL in the prior art), thereby generating obvious cracks (crack) and peeling marks (such as Figure 1 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the 45° drop test of the whole machine in the prior art).

[0039] In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a support structure, a flexible display panel and a flexible display device, which substantially eliminate one or more of the problems caused by the limitations and defects of the related art.

[0040] In a first aspect, the support structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a flexible display device; the support structure includes a main support part located in a non-folding area, a bending part located in a folding area, and a fixing part located in the folding area and connected with the bending part; the bending part has a hollow pattern; a line connecting a center point of the fixing part and a center point of the folding area extends along the length direction of the folding area; the fixing part is used for fixedly connecting with a cover plate to be connected.

[0041] The support structure provided by the present disclosure includes a fixing part, the fixing part is located in the folding area, and a line connecting a center point of the fixing part and a center point of the folding area extends along the length direction of the folding area. In the folded state of the support structure, the position of the folding line (that is, a straight line passing through the center point of the folding area along the length direction of the folding area) hardly changes. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure arrange the fixing part on the folding line of the folding area, which does not affect the bending performance of the support structure. At the same time, when the support structure is applied to a flexible display device, the support structure enhances the connection strength between the hollow pattern located in the folding area and the cover plate by means of the fixing part on the support structure and the connection with the cover plate, thereby improving the deformation degree of the hollow pattern in the whole machine drop process of the flexible terminal, improving the reverse arching phenomenon of the support structure, and further improving the reverse arching phenomenon of the display module in the flexible display device, thereby protecting the flexible display device.

[0042] A support structure 1 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0043] The support structure 1 is configured to be applied to a flexible display device, for example, a folding screen (i.e., a folding screen terminal); the folding screen includes a foldable part and two planar parts 41-2 located on both sides of the foldable part; when the display surface of the foldable part is coplanar with the display surface of the two planar parts 41-2, the folding screen is in an unfolded state; when the display surfaces of the two planar parts 41-2 form a preset angle, the folding screen is in a folded state.

[0044] Figure 4a An exemplary top view of a support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 4b An exemplary side view of a support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 4a An exemplary Figure 4b As shown in and

[0045] The support structure 1 has a folding area 01 and two non-folding areas 02 located on both sides of the folding area 01; the support structure 1 includes a main support part 11 located in the non-folding area 02, a bending part 12 located in the folding area 01, and a fixing part 13 located in the folding area 01. Since the non-folding area 02 is located on both sides of the folding area 01, the main support part 11 located in the non-folding area 02 includes two.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4a and Figure 4b The line L1 connecting the center point O1 of the fixing part 13 and the center point O2 of the folding area 01 extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01; the fixing part 13 is used to be fixedly connected with the cover plate 4 to be connected (for specific connection relationship, see the following Figure 10 ).

[0047] Exemplarily, Figure 5 A bottom view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 5 As shown in

[0048] The center point of the present disclosure can be understood as the geometric center of the corresponding structure. For example, the center point O1 of the fixing part 13 is the geometric center of the fixing part 13. The center point O2 of the folding area 01 is the geometric center of the folding area 01.

[0049] Exemplarily, Figure 6 A bottom view of another support structure provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 6As shown, the fixing member 13 includes two, and the line connecting the center point O1 of one fixing member 13 and the center point O1 of the other fixing member 13 passes through the center point O2 of the folding area 01, and the line L2 connecting the three center points extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. Taking the example that the support structure 1 includes two fixing members 13, the two fixing members 13 can be connected at any position of the folding line of the bending part 12. The folding line of the bending part 12 can be understood as the intersection line of the two planar parts 41-2 when the folding screen is in the folded state, that is, the intersection line of the two main body support parts 11 when the support structure 1 is applied in the folded state.

[0050] As shown in the example, Figure 7 Another bottom view of the support structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 6. Figure 7 As shown, the fixing member 13 includes three, and the center points O1 of the three fixing members 13 are connected as a straight line L3, and the straight line passes through the center point O2 of the folding area 01, and the straight line extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. Taking the example that the support structure 1 includes three fixing members 13, the three fixing members 13 can be connected at any position of the folding line of the bending part 12, in order to improve the connection strength with the cover plate 4 to be connected in the application stage, the three fixing members 13 can be uniformly distributed on the folding line along the length direction X of the folding area 01 and connected with the bending part 12. For example, the first fixing member 13-1, the second fixing member 13-2 and the third fixing member 13-3 are sequentially arranged along the length direction X of the folding area 01, wherein the second fixing member 13-1 is connected at the center position of the bending part 12, which can be understood as the center of the folding area 01. The distance between the first fixing member 13-1 and the third fixing member 13-3 and the second fixing member 13-3 is equal.

[0051] As shown in the example, Figure 4aAs shown, the bending part 12 has a hollow pattern. Exemplarily, when the support structure 1 is in a flat state, taking the surface in the bending part 12 perpendicular to the thickness direction thereof as a reference surface, the outer contour shape of the normal projection of the hollow pattern on the reference surface is drop-shaped. The distribution of the hollow pattern in the drop shape on the bending part 12 is different, and the degree of stress concentration that the bending part 12 can disperse when the support structure 1 is folded is also different. For example, the bending part 12 includes a first hollow pattern group and a second hollow pattern group arranged alternately along the length direction X thereof, wherein the first hollow pattern group includes two first hollow patterns 12-1; the opening width of any one of the two first hollow patterns 12-1 along the width direction Y of the bending part 12 gradually increases in the direction away from the other; the two first hollow patterns 12-1 are connected, and the two connected first hollow patterns 12-1 formed by the bending part 12 is a closed pattern. The second hollow pattern group includes two second hollow patterns 12-2; the opening width of any one of the two second hollow patterns 12-2 along the width direction Y of the bending part 12 gradually decreases in the direction away from the other; the two second hollow patterns 12-2 are not connected, and the two unconnected second hollow patterns 12-2 formed by the bending part 12 is a semi-closed pattern. The bending part 12 etched to have the hollow pattern described above can greatly reduce the stress concentration in the folding process of the support structure 1, thereby improving the bending performance.

[0052] Of course, in addition to the hollow pattern in the drop shape described above, other shapes of hollow patterns can also be etched on the bending part 12, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the shape and arrangement of the specific hollow pattern. For example, the hollow pattern can be selected from a circle, a quadrilateral, an ellipse, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc. The hollow pattern can be a pattern formed by a patterning process completely penetrating or partially penetrating the bending part 12 along the thickness direction thereof; the hollow pattern can also be a hollow pattern formed by completely penetrating and / or partially penetrating the bending part 12 along the length direction X thereof, etc.

[0053] In some embodiments, a fixing part 13 is connected to at least one end of the bending part 12 in the length direction X thereof.

[0054] Exemplarily, Figure 8 Another plan view of a support structure provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 6. Figure 8 As shown, the fixing part 13 includes one connected to one end of the bending part 12 in the length direction X thereof, and the line L4 connecting the center point O1 of the fixing part 13 and the center point O2 of the folding area 01 extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. By providing one fixing part 13, a pattern including the fixing part 13, the main support part 11 and the bending part 12 with the hollow pattern can be formed by one patterning process, thereby further improving the process preparation efficiency while not affecting the bending performance of the support structure 1 and improving the reverse arch phenomenon.

[0055] Further, the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X are connected with the fixing parts 13.

[0056] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing part 13 includes two, and is connected to the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X. Figure 4a As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing part 13 includes two, and is connected to the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X. The line L1 connecting the center point O1 of one fixing part 13 and the center point O1 of the other fixing part 13 passes through the center point O2 of the folding area 01, and the line connecting the three center points extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. The two fixing parts 13 are arranged, which improves the connection strength with the cover plate 4 to be connected compared with the above-mentioned one fixing part 13. Meanwhile, the pattern including the two fixing parts 13, the main body support part 11 and the bending part 12 with the hollow pattern can be formed by one patterning process, which further improves the process preparation efficiency while not affecting the bending performance of the support structure 1 and improving the reverse arch phenomenon.

[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing part 13 includes two, and is connected to the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing part 13 includes two, and is connected to the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X. The line L1 connecting the center point O1 of one fixing part 13 and the center point O1 of the other fixing part 13 passes through the center point O2 of the folding area 01, and the line connecting the three center points extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. The two fixing parts 13 are arranged, which improves the connection strength with the cover plate 4 to be connected compared with the above-mentioned one fixing part 13. Meanwhile, the pattern including the two fixing parts 13, the main body support part 11 and the bending part 12 with the hollow pattern can be formed by one patterning process, which further improves the process preparation efficiency while not affecting the bending performance of the support structure 1 and improving the reverse arch phenomenon. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing part 13 includes two, and is connected to the two ends of the bending part 12 arranged oppositely in the length direction X. The line L1 connecting the center point O1 of one fixing part 13 and the center point O1 of the other fixing part 13 passes through the center point O2 of the folding area 01, and the line connecting the three center points extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. The two fixing parts 13 are arranged, which improves the connection strength with the cover plate 4 to be connected compared with the above-mentioned one fixing part 13. Meanwhile, the pattern including the two fixing parts 13, the main body support part 11 and the bending part 12 with the hollow pattern can be formed by one patterning process, which further improves the process preparation efficiency while not affecting the bending performance of the support structure 1 and improving the reverse arch phenomenon.

[0058] In some embodiments, the plate material of the support structure 1 can be selected as stainless steel SUS, and the pattern of the fixing part 13, the main body support part 11 and the bending part 12 with the hollow pattern can be formed by one patterning process. Since the elastic modulus of SUS is relatively high, it can reduce the crease degree caused by the folding screen under the condition of not folding.

[0059] In some embodiments, in the actual application process, the fixing part 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected can be connected by selecting a suitable connection mode according to the actual situation.

[0060] For example, the fastener 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected can be connected by adhesive bonding; or the fastener 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected can be connected by welding; or the fastener 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected can be connected by a connecting structure.

[0061] For example, the size of the fastener 13 in the thickness direction ranges from 100 μm to 200 μm. Since the thickness of the fastener 13 is small, a fixed connection between the fastener 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected can be achieved by means of a connecting structure.

[0062] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4a As shown, the fastener 13 has a first connecting through hole 131 extending along its thickness direction, so that the fastener 13 is fixedly connected to the cover plate 4 to be connected through a connecting structure passing through the first connecting through hole 131. Here, the first connecting through hole 131 can be, for example, a threaded hole, and the connecting structure can be, for example, a screw that mates with the threaded hole.

[0063] In some embodiments, the ratio of the dimensions of the fastener 13 and the bent portion 12 in the length direction X of the bent portion 12 is between 0.5% and 2%; the ratio of the dimensions of the fastener 13 and the bent portion 12 in the width direction Y of the bent portion 12 is between 0.5% and 2%.

[0064] For example, the ratio of the dimensions of the fastener 13 and the bent portion 12 in the length direction X of the bent portion 12 is 0.7%; the ratio of the dimensions of the fastener 13 and the bent portion 12 in the width direction Y of the bent portion 12 is 0.95%.

[0065] The dimension of the fastener 13 in the length direction X of the bent portion 12 ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm; for example, the dimension of the fastener 13 in the length direction X of the bent portion 12 is 0.5 mm. The dimension of the fastener 13 in the width direction Y of the bent portion 12 ranges from 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm; for example, the dimension of the fastener 13 in the width direction Y of the bent portion 12 is 0.4 mm.

[0066] In this embodiment, the fastener 13 is designed to be as narrow as possible along the width direction Y of the bent portion 12, so that the fastener 13 is located as close as possible to the extension line of the bend, without affecting the bending performance of the support structure 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fastener 13 is designed to be as long as possible along the length direction X of the bent portion 12, so as to enhance the connection strength between the fastener 13 and the cover plate 4 to be connected.

[0067] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a flexible display panel applied to a flexible display device. The flexible display panel includes a support structure 1 and a display module 2 as described in any of the first aspects above. The display module 2 includes at least a light-emitting device and a pixel driving circuit.

[0068] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible display panel provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the display module 2 includes a light-emitting surface and a backlight surface; the support structure 1 is disposed on the backlight surface of the display module 2.

[0069] Because the flexible display panel is thin, a support structure 1 can be set on one side of the backlight side of the flexible display panel to support the flexible display panel and reduce the probability of damage to the flexible display panel during folding.

[0070] Furthermore, the flexible display panel provided in this disclosure is applied to a flexible display device. By means of the fastener 13 on the support structure 1, it is connected to the cover plate 4 to be connected, which enhances the connection strength between the hollow pattern located in the folding area 01 and the cover plate 4, thereby improving the degree of deformation of the hollow pattern during the drop of the flexible terminal, improving the anti-arching phenomenon of the support structure 1, and thus the anti-arching phenomenon of the display module 2, thereby achieving protection of the flexible display panel.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, the flexible display panel has a folded area 01 and non-folded areas 02 located on both sides of the folded area 01. The folded area 01 and non-folded areas 02 here are also the folded area 01 and non-folded area 02 corresponding to the support structure 1.

[0072] The flexible display panel also includes a first bonding structure 3 located in the non-folding area 02, and the support structure 1 is connected to the display module 2 through the first bonding structure 3.

[0073] For example, the first adhesive structure 3 can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), which is an adhesive that is sensitive to pressure, facilitating the connection between the support structure 1 and the display module 2.

[0074] like Figure 10 As shown, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is located in the non-folding area 02 and is disposed on the side of the support structure 1 near the display module 2. The support structure 1 is connected to the display module 2 through the pressure-sensitive adhesive. It should be noted that the pressure-sensitive adhesive is only located in the non-folding area 02. There is a gap between the support structure 1 and the display module 2 located in the folding area 01. The thickness of the gap can be the thickness of the first adhesive structure 3, ensuring that there is a large gap between the bent part 12 of the support structure 1 and the opposite display module 2, achieving an easy bending effect.

[0075] Of course, the first adhesive structure 3 can also use other adhesives, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0076] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a and Figure 4b The support structure 1 includes a main support part 11 located in the non-folded area 02, a bending part 12 located in the folded area 01, and a fixing part 13 located in the folded area 01 and connected to the bending part 12; the bending part 12 has a hollow pattern; the center line of the fixing part 13 and the center point O2 of the folded area 01 extends along the length direction X of the folded area 01; the fixing part 13 is used for fixedly connecting with the cover plate 4 to be connected.

[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8 At least one end of the bending part 12 in the length direction X is connected with the fixing part 13.

[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a or Figure 9 Both ends of the bending part 12 in the length direction X are connected with the fixing part 13.

[0079] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a The fixing part 13 has a first connecting via hole 131 penetrating through the thickness direction of the fixing part 13, so that the fixing part 13 is fixedly connected with the cover plate 4 to be connected through the connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole 131.

[0080] In some embodiments, the size ratio of the fixing part 13 and the bending part 12 in the length direction X of the bending part 12 is in the range of 0.5% to 2%; the size ratio of the fixing part 13 and the bending part 12 in the width direction Y of the bending part 12 is in the range of 0.5% to 2%.

[0081] The above description of the specific embodiments of the support structure 1 in the flexible display panel can refer to the detailed description of the embodiments of the support structure 1 in the first aspect, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0082] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a flexible display device, Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a flexible display device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 11 The flexible display device includes a cover plate 4 and a flexible display panel arranged on the cover plate 4. Here, the flexible display panel is, for example, the flexible display panel of the second aspect, which includes a display module 2 and a support structure 1 arranged on the back light side of the display module 2. The cover plate 4 is arranged on the side of the support structure 1 away from the display module 2.

[0083] Because the flexible display panel is relatively thin, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a support structure 1 on one side of the backlight surface of the flexible display panel. This support structure 1 supports the flexible display panel, reducing the probability of damage during folding. Furthermore, the support structure 1 provided in this disclosure includes a fixing member 13, which is located in the folding area 01. The line connecting the center point O1 of the fixing member 13 and the center point O2 of the folding area 01 extends along the length direction X of the folding area 01. When the support structure 1 is folded, its position along the fold line (i.e., the straight line passing through the center point of the folding area 01 along the length direction X of the folding area 01) remains almost unchanged. Therefore, by placing the fixing member 13 on the fold line of the folding area 01 in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the bending performance of the support structure 1 is not affected. At the same time, the support structure 1 is connected to the cover plate 4 by means of the fixing part 13 on it, which enhances the connection strength between the hollow pattern in the folding area 01 and the cover plate 4, thereby improving the degree of deformation of the hollow pattern during the drop of the flexible terminal, improving the anti-arching phenomenon of the support structure 1, and further improving the anti-arching phenomenon of the display module 2, thus achieving protection for the flexible display device.

[0084] For example, a flexible display device may be a terminal with a foldable screen, such as a foldable mobile phone, computer, in-vehicle device, wearable device, etc. Other essential components of the flexible display device are those that should be understood by those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here, nor should they be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

[0085] In some embodiments, the cover plate 4 includes a middle frame 41 and a back cover located on the middle frame 41 away from the flexible display panel; wherein, the material of the middle frame 41 can be aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel-aluminum composite material, or titanium alloy, and the material of the back cover can be glass, metal, plastic, or ceramic, etc. The back cover can be the back shell of the foldable screen terminal. Typically, the back cover has high rigidity, so the middle frame 41, which has lower rigidity, is needed to connect the flexible display panel and the back cover, thereby protecting the flexible display panel and improving the connection stability.

[0086] like Figure 10 As shown, the middle frame 41 includes a connecting portion 41-1 and a flat portion 41-2. The connecting portion 41-1 is located in the folding area 01, and the flat portion 41-2 extends from the non-folding area 02 to the folding area 01 and connects with the connecting portion 41-1. Since the non-folding area 02 is located on both sides of the folding area 01, there are two flat portions 41-2 located in the non-folding area 02. The connecting portion 41-1 is, for example, a hinge, and the two flat portions 41-2 are connected by the hinge and can rotate relative to each other.

[0087] like Figure 10As shown, the fixing member 13 is fixedly connected with the connecting portion 41-1. For example, the fixing member 13 is fixedly connected with a portion of the hinge for defining the pin shaft, so as to be fixedly connected with the connecting portion 41-1. Since the portion of the hinge for defining the pin shaft almost does not change during the folding of the folding screen, the fixing member 13 is fixedly connected with the portion of the hinge for defining the pin shaft, which does not affect the bending performance of the flexible display panel.

[0088] For example, the thickness of the middle frame 41 ranges from 2 mm to 8 mm. The thickness of the back cover ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0089] Of course, the connecting portion 41-1 can adopt other structures capable of achieving connection in addition to the hinge, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make specific limitation thereon.

[0090] In some embodiments, the fixing member 13 and the connecting portion 41-1 can be fixedly connected through a second adhesive structure. The second adhesive structure is specifically arranged on the side of the fixing member 13 close to the cover plate 4, so as to adhere the fixing member 13 and the connecting portion 41-1 of the middle frame 41 on the cover plate 4.

[0091] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a The fixing member 13 has a first connecting through hole 131 penetrating in the thickness direction thereof, the connecting portion 41-1 has a second connecting through hole penetrating at least part of the structure in the thickness direction thereof, and the fixing member 13 is fixedly connected with the connecting portion 41-1 through a connecting structure penetrating the first connecting through hole 131 and the second connecting through hole. Here, the first connecting through hole 131 and the second connecting through hole can be, for example, threaded holes, and the connecting structure can be, for example, a screw matched with the threaded holes.

[0092] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10 The flexible display device further includes a third adhesive structure located in the non-folding area 02, and the support structure 1 is connected with the cover plate 4 through the third adhesive structure, so as to ensure the connection strength between the support structure 1 and the cover plate 4.

[0093] In addition, it should be noted that the third adhesive structure 5 is only located in the non-folding area 02, and there is a gap between the support structure 1 and the cover plate 4 located in the folding area 01, so as to ensure that there is a large-area gap between the bending portion 12 of the support structure 1 and the cover plate 4 opposite thereto, thereby achieving the effect of easy bending.

[0094] The third adhesive structure can adopt any adhesive, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make specific limitation thereon.

[0095] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a and Figure 4bAs shown, the support structure 1 comprises a main support part 11 located in the non-folded area 02, a bending part 12 located in the folded area 01, and a fixing part 13 located in the folded area 01 and connected with the bending part 12; the bending part 12 has a hollow pattern; the line connecting the center point O1 of the fixing part 13 and the center point O2 of the folded area 01 extends along the length direction X of the folded area 01; the fixing part 13 is used to be fixedly connected with the cover plate 4 to be connected.

[0096] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8 As shown, at least one end of the bending part 12 in the length direction X is connected with the fixing part 13.

[0097] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a or Figure 9 As shown, both ends of the bending part 12 in the length direction X are connected with the fixing part 13.

[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4a As shown, the fixing part 13 has a first connecting via hole 131 penetrating through the thickness direction thereof, so that the fixing part 13 is fixedly connected with the cover plate 4 to be connected through the connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole 131.

[0099] In some embodiments, the size ratio of the fixing part 13 and the bending part 12 in the length direction X of the bending part 12 ranges between 0.5% and 2%; the size ratio of the fixing part 13 and the bending part 12 in the width direction Y of the bending part 12 ranges between 0.5% and 2%.

[0100] The above description about the specific embodiments of the support structure 1 in the flexible display device can refer to the detailed description about the embodiments of the support structure 1 in the first aspect, and the repeated parts will not be described herein.

[0101] It can be understood that the above embodiments are only exemplary embodiments adopted for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the present disclosure, and these modifications and improvements are also considered as the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A support structure, characterized by The support structure is configured to be applied to a flexible display device; the support structure has a folding area and non-folding areas located on both sides of the folding area; The support structure comprises main body support portions located in the non-folding areas, a bending portion located in the folding area, and a fixing member located in the folding area and connected with the bending portion; the main body support portions, the bending portion, and the fixing member are connected as an integral structure; the bending portion is located between the two main body support portions, and the bending portion has a hollow pattern; the bending portion has no adhesive relationship with a middle frame to be connected; At least one end of the bending portion in the length direction is connected with the fixing member; a line connecting a center point of the fixing member with a center point of the folding area extends along the length direction of the folding area; the fixing member is used to be fixedly connected with a cover plate to be connected in the flexible display device; the cover plate comprises the middle frame.

2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein, Both ends of the bending portion in the length direction are connected with the fixing member.

3. The support structure of claim 1, wherein, The fixing member has a first connecting via hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the fixing member, so that the fixing member is fixedly connected with the cover plate to be connected through a connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole.

4. The support structure of claim 1, wherein, The size ratio of the fixing member and the bending portion in the length direction of the bending portion ranges between 0.5% and 2%; The size ratio of the fixing member and the bending portion in the width direction of the bending portion ranges between 0.5% and 2%.

5. A flexible display panel, characterized by The support structure comprises a display module; the support structure is arranged on the back light surface of the display module.

6. The flexible display panel of claim 5, wherein, The flexible display panel further comprises a first bonding structure located in the non-folding area; the support structure is connected with the display module through the first bonding structure. 7.A flexible display device, characterized by The cover plate comprises a middle frame and a back cover located on the middle frame and away from the flexible display panel. 8.The flexible display device of claim 7, wherein, The middle frame comprises a connecting portion and a planar portion; the connecting portion is located in the folding area, and the planar portion extends from the non-folding area to the connecting portion in the folding area; The fixing member is fixedly connected with the connecting portion. The fixing member and the connecting portion are fixedly connected through a second adhesive structure. 9.The flexible display device of claim 8, wherein, The fixing member has a first connecting via hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the fixing member; the connecting portion has a second connecting via hole penetrating at least part of the structure in the thickness direction of the connecting portion; the fixing member is fixedly connected with the connecting portion through a connecting structure penetrating through the first connecting via hole and the second connecting via hole. 10.The flexible display device of claim 8, wherein, The flexible display device further comprises a third bonding structure located in the non-folding area; the support structure is connected with the cover plate through the third bonding structure. 11.The flexible display device of claim 7, wherein, ​

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