Folding mechanism and flexible display panel
By using curved support beams and rotating components in the flexible display panel, the problem of insufficient bending performance is solved, resulting in better screen protection and extended service life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KUNSHAN GO VISIONOX OPTO ELECTRONICS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The bending performance of existing flexible display panels needs improvement, especially in terms of stress concentration and crack formation.
The support beam with an arc design abuts against the screen body, reducing stress concentration, and the stability and flexibility of the support structure are improved through rotating parts and connecting layers.
This effectively reduces stress concentration on the screen during bending and impact, lowers the possibility of screen damage, and improves the quality and lifespan of flexible display panels.
Smart Images
Figure CN117392917B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a folding mechanism and a flexible display panel. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous development and improvement of flexible foldable screens, flexible display panels that can be bent at will will become an important development direction. The current bottleneck of flexible display panels lies in the bending position of the display, and the bending performance of existing flexible display products needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a folding mechanism and a flexible display panel that utilizes a curved surface to reduce the stress applied to the screen by the support structure.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides a folding mechanism, the screen body comprising: a support structure having a bent state and a non-bent state; the support structure including a support beam, the support beam including an arc surface for abutting against the screen body in the bent state.
[0005] Optionally, multiple support beams are provided, arranged along their width direction, and connected by a connecting structure.
[0006] Optionally, the support beam further includes an arc-shaped portion that extends along the length of the support beam and includes the arc surface.
[0007] Optionally, the support beam further includes a stepped portion, the top of which is connected to the arc-shaped portion.
[0008] Optionally, the arc-shaped portion has a semi-circular cross-section along the length direction perpendicular to the support beam.
[0009] Optionally, there is a gap between two adjacent support beams.
[0010] Optionally, the bending state includes a maximum bending state, in which adjacent curved surfaces abut against each other.
[0011] Optionally, the connection structure includes a rotating component, wherein two adjacent support beams are connected by the rotating component.
[0012] Optionally, the connection structure further includes a connection layer, to which the plurality of support beams are connected, and the connection layer is located on the side of the plurality of support beams away from the screen body.
[0013] Optionally, the support structure may include a hard metal material.
[0014] This disclosure also provides a flexible display panel, which includes the above-described folding mechanism and screen body; the screen body is located on the inside of the bend of the support structure.
[0015] As can be seen from the above, the folding mechanism provided in this disclosure includes a support structure for supporting the folding mechanism and enabling bending. The support beam includes an arc surface for contacting the screen body in the bent state. By contacting the screen body with the arc surface, the stress on the screen body during bending or collision is reduced, effectively preventing the generation of cracks. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this disclosure or related technologies, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism in the prior art;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of a folding mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a non-bent state;
[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism of one embodiment of the present disclosure in a bent state;
[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism of one embodiment of the present disclosure in another bending state;
[0021] Figure 5 This is a side view of a folding mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a non-bent state;
[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism in a bent state according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism in a non-bending state according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism in a bent state according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible display panel in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of a flexible display panel in its non-folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] Figure label:
[0028] 100. Folding mechanism; 200. Support structure; 210. Support beam; 211. Arc-shaped part; 212. Stepped part; 213. Arc surface; 300. Connecting structure; 310. Connecting layer; 320. Rotating component; 400. Screen body. Detailed Implementation
[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
[0030] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0031] During the reliability test of the bent products, the technicians found that all the bent products had black spots. These black spots were located at the bending position and were mostly X-shaped. After research, it was found that this was mainly because when the bent product was bent to a certain threshold, the stress concentration caused the film layer stress to reach a certain threshold. The stress was released onto the screen body 400, which led to the generation of cracks, thus forming the aforementioned black spots.
[0032] See Figure 1 In a conventional folding mechanism 100, a portion of the stress originates from a steel sheet used to support the bending area within the bending section. This steel sheet has a cuboid structure with multiple edges. When the steel sheet compresses the screen 400, these edges exert stress on the screen 400, causing stress concentration due to compression. Furthermore, during use, such as in the event of a drop or impact, the edges of the steel sheet can easily damage the screen 400.
[0033] See Figure 2 and Figure 3In one embodiment of this disclosure, a folding mechanism 100 is provided. The folding mechanism 100 includes a support structure 200, which includes a bent state and a non-bent state. The support structure 200 includes a support beam 210, which includes an arc surface 213 for abutting against the screen body 400 in the bent state.
[0034] During the bending process, the degree of bending gradually increases, and the top of the support beam 210 may come into contact with the screen body 400, or even compress the screen body 400, applying certain stress to it. The part of the support beam 210 that comes into contact with the screen body 400 is designed as an arc surface 213, which can effectively reduce the stress on the screen body 400. When the bent product collides, the impact force of the arc surface 213 on the screen body 400 is smaller, reducing the possibility of stress-induced cracks in the screen body 400 and improving the quality of the screen body 400.
[0035] Specifically, when the folding mechanism 100 is not folded, i.e., the support structure 200 is in a non-bending state, multiple support structures 200 are distributed along a straight line. When the folding mechanism 100 is folded, i.e., the support structure 200 is in a bending state, it rotates around the bending center. The support structures 200 are distributed along a fold line in the width direction, and the center of the fold line is the bending center. The support structures 200 on both sides of the bending center form a certain angle, specifically, the included angle between the support structures 200 on both sides of the bending center is less than 180°. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a is the center of the bend, α is the included angle of the supporting structure, and the line connecting the supporting beams 210 is a broken line.
[0036] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the folding mechanism 100 further includes a connecting structure 300, and the support structure 200 further includes support beams 210. Multiple support beams 210 are arranged along their width direction and connected to each other via the connecting structure 300. The arrangement of multiple support beams 210 ensures bending stability, limiting the bending range of the folding mechanism 100 to its bending capacity and preventing damage due to excessive bending. The width direction of the support beams 210 is as follows: Figure 2 In the X direction, the length direction of the support beam 210 is as follows: Figure 2 Center Y direction.
[0037] Specifically, the extension direction of the support beam 210 is the length direction, and an orientation perpendicular to the length direction is set as the width direction. In the non-bending state, multiple support beams 210 are arranged in the same plane, and the positional relationship between the multiple support beams 210 gradually changes with the degree of bending, and the tops of the multiple support beams 210 gradually move closer together; thus giving the folding mechanism 100 a certain degree of stability in the length direction of the support beams 210.
[0038] It should be noted that the top of the support beam 210 is the side closer to the screen body 400, and the bottom of the support beam 210 is the side farther away from the screen body 400.
[0039] In one embodiment of this disclosure, see Figure 3 and Figure 5 The support beam 210 includes an arc-shaped portion 211, which extends along the length of the support beam 210 and includes an arc surface 213.
[0040] Specifically, the outer surface contour of the arc-shaped part 211 is an arc surface 213, which makes the top of the support beam 210 arched. The arc-shaped part 211 extends with the support beam 210, that is, it extends in the length direction. Therefore, the arc surface 213 is located where the arc-shaped part 211 may abut against the screen body 400. It does not have sharp edges, thus avoiding large compressive stress on the screen body 400.
[0041] In another embodiment, the support beam 210 is a cuboid with chamfered edges and an arc surface 213 formed at the chamfered edges, so that the support beam 210 has no sharp corners, thus preventing the screen 400 from cracking due to the pressure of sharp corners.
[0042] In one embodiment of this disclosure, see Figure 6 and Figure 7 The support beam 210 also includes a stepped portion 212, the top of which is connected to the arc-shaped portion 211. The stepped portion 212 improves the support capacity and stability of the support beam 210. Optionally, the stepped portion 212 and the arc-shaped portion 211 are integrally formed.
[0043] Furthermore, the side structure of the step portion 212 consists of two opposing planes, and the top structure consists of an arc-shaped portion 211, that is, the top of the two opposing planes is connected by an arc surface 213, and the step portion 212 and the arc-shaped portion 211 together constitute a support beam 210.
[0044] Optionally, the opposing outer surfaces of each step 212 gradually taper from the bottom to the top, making the cross-section of the step 212 perpendicular to its length trapezoidal. The gradually tapering outer surfaces provide space between adjacent support beams 210. In the bent state, the positional relationship between adjacent support beams 210 changes, with their tops gradually approaching each other, allowing for greater bending space and reducing the compressive stress between adjacent support beams 210.
[0045] In one embodiment of this disclosure, see Figure 5 There is a gap between two adjacent support beams 210. This makes the multiple support beams 210 independent structures, and the gap between adjacent support beams 210 allows for greater bending space and reduces the compressive stress between adjacent support beams 210.
[0046] In one embodiment of this disclosure, there is a gap between two adjacent step portions 212, and the opposite outer surfaces of the same step portion 212 can be perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the step portion 212, so that the cross section of the step portion 212 perpendicular to the length direction is rectangular, and the interval between the support beams 210 provides offset space for the support beams 210 in the bent state.
[0047] In another embodiment, there is no gap between two adjacent support beams 210, but the surfaces on both sides of the support beam 210 are arranged obliquely; in the direction from bottom to top, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the adjacent support beams 210 gradually increases, so that there is a certain space between the adjacent support beams 210. When the support structure 200 bends, the positional relationship between the adjacent support beams 210 changes, and there is space between the tops of the adjacent support beams 210 to accommodate each other.
[0048] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the width of multiple gaps gradually decreases from the direction of the bending center to both sides. Along the width direction of the support beam 210, the support beams 210 on both sides of the bending center are symmetrically distributed, and the gap width of the support beams 210 distributed from the bending center to both sides gradually decreases, that is, the gap closest to the bending center is the largest. When the support structure 200 bends, the top of the support beam 210 will shift to a certain extent during the bending process. The closer the support beam 210 is to the bending center, the greater the degree of shift. Compared with the support beam 210 farther from the bending center, a larger gap is needed to accommodate its shift, which can effectively protect the support structure 200.
[0049] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the bending state includes a maximum bending state, in which adjacent arc surfaces 213 abut against each other.
[0050] Specifically, in the maximum bending state, the adjacent arc surfaces 213 of the adjacent support beams 210 abut against each other and exert stress on each other. Setting the abutting position of the adjacent support beams 210 as the arc surface 213 can effectively reduce the compressive stress.
[0051] It should be noted that the maximum bending state is the maximum degree to which the folding mechanism 100 can be bent. By changing the distance between adjacent support beams 210 and the curvature of the arc surface 213, the bending angle of the folding mechanism 100 when adjacent support beams 210 abut against each other can be adjusted, which is the maximum bending state of the folding mechanism 100. In the maximum bending state, the arc surface 213 of the support structure 200 abuts against the screen body 400. In one specific embodiment, the folding mechanism 100 and the screen body 400 bend together toward the side used for display, with a maximum bending degree of 180 degrees. In the side of the screen body 400 used for display, the portions located at both ends of the folding mechanism 100 are in contact with each other in the maximum bending state. In another specific embodiment, the folding mechanism 100 and the screen body 400 bend together toward the side used for display, with a maximum bending degree of 90 degrees. In the side of the screen body 400 used for display, the portions located at both ends of the folding mechanism 100 are at right angles in the maximum bending degree.
[0052] In one embodiment of this disclosure, see Figure 3 and Figure 5 The arc-shaped part 211 has a semi-circular cross section perpendicular to its length.
[0053] Specifically, the outer surface of the support beam 210 is directly constructed as an arc-shaped part 211, with the bottom edge of the semi-circular cross-section located on the side away from the screen body 400, and the support beam 210 is a protruding cylindrical part.
[0054] In one embodiment of this disclosure, see Figure 8 The connecting structure 300 includes a rotating member 320, and two adjacent support beams are connected by the rotating member 320.
[0055] Specifically, multiple support beams 210 are connected by rotating members 320. In one embodiment, the rotating member 320 connects two adjacent support beams 210, and the multiple rotating members 320 cooperate to form a complete support structure 200. In another embodiment, the rotating member 320 passes through the support beams 210 sequentially, and the support beams 210 are fixed sequentially to the rotating member 320 in the width direction, thus forming a complete support structure 200. By connecting the support beams 210 with rotating members 320, the support beams 210 have a certain degree of freedom of offset, realizing the bending of the support structure 200.
[0056] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the connection structure 300 further includes a connection layer 310, to which a plurality of support beams 210 are connected, and the connection layer 310 is located on the side of the plurality of support beams 210 away from the screen body 400. The connection layer 310 helps to improve the stability of the support beams 210.
[0057] Furthermore, the connecting layer 310 is adhered to the side of the support beam 210 away from the screen body 400 to fix the bottom of the support beam 210 and restrict the positional relationship between the bottoms of multiple support beams 210. Even when bent, the fixed positional relationship is maintained. The specific embodiment of the fixed positional relationship of the bottom of the support beam 210 is as follows: there is no gap between the bottoms of adjacent support beams 210, or the gap size between the bottoms of adjacent support beams 210 is fixed, to ensure the stability of the support structure 200.
[0058] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the support structure 200 includes a rigid metal material. The support structure 200 is used to support the folding mechanism 100 and needs to have certain rigid characteristics to ensure support stability. The rigid metal material can be steel, iron, etc.
[0059] In one embodiment of this disclosure, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a flexible display panel is also provided, including the folding mechanism 100 and the screen body 400 in the above embodiments, wherein the screen body 400 is located on the inside of the bending of the support structure 200.
[0060] When the flexible display panel is bent, the curved surface 213 contacts the screen body 400 on one side of the support structure 200. Compared with the corners of the cuboid, the curved surface 213 exerts less stress on the screen body 400. In the event of a collision or drop of the flexible display panel, the curved surface 213 exerts less impact on the screen body 400 compared with the corners, which can reduce damage to the screen body 400 and increase the service life of the flexible display panel.
[0061] The support structure 200 includes multiple support beams 210, each with an arc surface 213. When the support structure 200 bends, the positions of the multiple support beams 210 arranged on the same plane gradually change with the bend; the bottoms of the support beams 210 bend, and their tops gradually move closer together. The arc surface 213 is used to contact the screen 400 during the bend. As the bending process increases, the upper part of the support beam 210 may contact the screen 400, or even compress the screen 400, applying stress to it. The arc surface 213 is used at the point where the support beam 210 may contact the screen 400, effectively reducing the stress on the screen 400. In the event of a collision during bending, the arc surface 213 exerts less impact on the screen 400, reducing the possibility of stress-induced cracks in the screen 400 and improving the quality of the flexible display panel.
[0062] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the support beam 210 includes an arc-shaped portion 211. The outer surface contour of the arc-shaped portion 211 is an arc surface 213. The arc-shaped portion 211 is located at the top of the support beam 210, making the top of the support beam 210 arched. The arc-shaped portion 211 extends with the support beam 210. Therefore, the top position of the support beam 210 that may abut against the screen body 400 is an arc-shaped portion 211, which does not have sharp edges, thus avoiding large compressive stress on the screen body 400.
[0063] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of this disclosure (including the claims) is limited to these examples; within the framework of this disclosure, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity.
[0064] This disclosure is intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A folding mechanism, characterized by, include: A support structure having a bent state and a non-bent state; The support structure includes a support beam, and the support beam includes an arc surface that abuts against the screen body in the bent state; The support beam further includes an arc-shaped portion that extends along the length of the support beam and includes the arc surface. There is a gap between two adjacent support beams; The positional relationship between multiple support beams gradually changes with the degree of bending, and the tops of the multiple support beams gradually approach each other. The arc-shaped part is located at the top of the support beam. The bending state includes the maximum bending state, in which adjacent arc surfaces abut against each other. The angle of the folding mechanism's maximum bending state can be adjusted by changing the distance between adjacent support beams and the curvature of the arc surface. The arc-shaped portion has a semi-circular cross-section along the length direction perpendicular to the support beam; From the direction of the bending center axis to both sides, the width of multiple gaps gradually decreases.
2. The folding mechanism of claim 1, wherein The support beams are provided in multiple ways, and the multiple support beams are arranged along their width direction and connected by a connecting structure.
3. The folding mechanism of claim 2, wherein, The support beam also includes a stepped portion, the top of which is connected to the arc-shaped portion.
4. The folding mechanism of claim 2, wherein, The connection structure includes: A rotating component is used to connect two adjacent support beams.
5. The folding mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connection structure also includes: A connecting layer, wherein a plurality of the support beams are connected to the connecting layer, and the connecting layer is located on the side of the plurality of support beams away from the screen body.
6. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting structure comprises a hard metal material.
7. A flexible display panel, characterized by, include: The folding mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; The screen body is located on the inside of the bend in the supporting structure.