Flexible display module and flexible display device

Abstract

This application discloses a flexible display module and a flexible display device. The flexible display module includes: a flexible display panel, comprising a first part, a bending part, and a second part connected in sequence, the first part and the second part being folded or unfolded via the bending part; wherein the flexible display panel includes an array substrate and a touch layer disposed on the array substrate, the touch layer including touch electrodes; and a support component disposed on the surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer; wherein at least the touch electrodes located in the bending part are magnetic electrodes, and at least the support component located in the bending part includes a magnetic component, the magnetic component having a magnetic force attracting the magnetic electrodes when energized. This application can improve the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers at the bending part by the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic electrodes and the magnetic component when the flexible display panel is folded, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers and improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of flexible display technology, and in particular to flexible display modules and flexible display devices. Background Technology

[0002] OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panels have advantages such as low power consumption, fast response speed, wide operating range, and ease of achieving flexible displays.

[0003] In related technologies, OLED display modules can switch between different screen sizes with a non-planar (e.g., folded) or substantially planar (e.g., unfolded) configuration.

[0004] However, the relevant technologies cannot produce flexible display modules with high reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the above-mentioned or other problems, this application provides the following technical solutions.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the first technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a flexible display module, including: a flexible display panel, including a first part, a bending part and a second part connected in sequence, the first part and the second part being folded or unfolded through the bending part; wherein, the flexible display panel includes an array substrate and a touch layer disposed on the array substrate, the touch layer including touch electrodes; a support component disposed on the surface of the array substrate away from the touch layer; wherein, at least the touch electrodes located in the bending part are magnetic electrodes, and the support component located at least in the bending part includes a magnetic component, the magnetic component having a magnetic force attracting the magnetic electrodes when energized.

[0007] Optionally, the support assembly includes a support plate disposed on the side surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer; wherein, at least the support plate located at the bend includes a magnetic material for forming a magnetic component.

[0008] Optionally, the support plate includes a first support plate and a second support plate stacked together, and an array substrate is disposed on the surface of the first support plate opposite to the second support plate; wherein, at least the first support plate located at the bend is made of magnetic material.

[0009] Optionally, at least the second support plate located at the bend may be made of magnetic shielding material.

[0010] Optionally, the support component includes a hinge disposed on the side surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer and located at the bend; wherein the hinge is a magnetic hinge and is used to form a magnetic component.

[0011] Optionally, the flexible display module includes a mid-frame that surrounds the flexible display panel and exposes the touch layer; wherein the hinge is disposed within the mid-frame.

[0012] Optionally, all touch electrodes are magnetic electrodes, and the support components include magnetic components at the positions corresponding to the touch electrodes.

[0013] Optionally, the material of the magnetic electrode includes an iron-cobalt-vanadium soft magnetic alloy; the material of the magnetic component includes a magnetic alloy.

[0014] Optionally, the magnetic component is energized when there is a preset bending angle between the first and second parts.

[0015] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the second technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a flexible display device, including the above-mentioned flexible display module.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Unlike the prior art, this application provides a flexible display module and a flexible display device. By setting the touch electrode at least in the bending portion of the touch layer as a magnetic electrode, and making the support component at least in the bending portion include a magnetic component, and making the magnetic component have a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic electrode when energized, the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers at the bending portion can be improved by the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic electrode and the magnetic component when the flexible display panel is folded, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers and improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the example description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the flexible display module of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flexible display module in a bent state;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the flexible display module in its unfolded state;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the flexible display module of this application;

[0022] Figure 5This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the third embodiment of the flexible display module of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. The singular forms “a,” “said,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless otherwise clearly indicated above. “Multiple” generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the inclusion of at least one.

[0025] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0026] It should be understood that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations used herein are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0027] In one embodiment, the flexible display panel is formed by stacking film layers. Depending on actual needs, it can be configured as a multi-layer structure including an array substrate, a thin film encapsulation (TFE) layer, a touch panel (TP) layer, and a cover plate. The array layer typically includes a flexible substrate and a thin film transistor (TFT) layer on the flexible substrate. The TFE layer typically includes two inorganic thin films and a planarization layer disposed between the inorganic thin films. However, during the bending process of the flexible display panel, because the inward fold radius is smaller than the outward fold radius, the TFE layer at the bending point experiences greater stress. Over long-term bending, deformation occurs, leading to peeling between the individual film layers within the TFE layer, between the TFE layer and the TP layer above it, and between the TFE layer and the TFT layer below it. This results in black spots and display abnormalities.

[0028] This application provides a flexible display module and a flexible display device, which can solve the problem that the above-mentioned related technologies cannot produce flexible display modules with high reliability.

[0029] The flexible display module provided in this application includes: a flexible display panel, comprising a first portion, a bending portion, and a second portion connected in sequence, wherein the first portion and the second portion are folded or unfolded via the bending portion; wherein the flexible display panel includes an array substrate and a touch layer disposed on the array substrate, the touch layer including touch electrodes; and a support component disposed on the surface of the array substrate facing away from the touch layer; wherein at least the touch electrodes located in the bending portion are magnetic electrodes, and the support component located at least in the bending portion includes a magnetic component, the magnetic component having a magnetic force attracting the magnetic electrodes when energized. By setting the touch electrodes at least in the bending portion of the touch layer as magnetic electrodes, and by making the support component located at least in the bending portion include a magnetic component, and making the magnetic component have a magnetic force attracting the magnetic electrodes when energized, the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers at the bending portion can be improved by the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic electrodes and the magnetic component when the flexible display panel is folded, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers and improving the reliability of the flexible display module.

[0030] To illustrate the specific structure of the flexible display module in this application, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of one embodiment of the flexible display module of this application. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flexible display module in a bent state. Figure 3 yes Figure 1A schematic diagram of the flexible display module in its unfolded state.

[0031] In this embodiment, the flexible display module 100 includes a flexible display panel and a support assembly 30. The flexible display panel includes a first portion 01, a bending portion 03, and a second portion 02 connected in sequence, with the first portion 01 and the second portion 02 folded or unfolded via the bending portion 03. The flexible display panel includes an array substrate 10 and a touch layer 20 disposed on the array substrate 10, the touch layer 20 including touch electrodes 21. The support assembly 30 is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 10 facing away from the touch layer 20. At least the touch electrodes 21 located in the bending portion 01 are magnetic electrodes, and at least the support assembly 30 located in the bending portion 03 includes magnetic components that, when energized, possess a magnetic force attracting the magnetic electrodes.

[0032] In some embodiments, only the touch electrode 21 located at the bend 01 is a magnetic electrode, and only the support assembly 30 located at the bend 03 includes a magnetic component. In other embodiments, all touch electrodes 21 are magnetic electrodes, and the support assembly 30 includes a magnetic component at the position corresponding to the touch electrode 21; this application does not limit the specific embodiments.

[0033] In some embodiments, a thin-film encapsulation layer 40 is disposed between the array substrate 10 and the touch layer 20. In some embodiments, the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 includes a first inorganic layer, a planarization layer, and a second inorganic layer stacked together. In some specific embodiments, the first inorganic layer and the second inorganic layer can be prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

[0034] In some embodiments, the array substrate 10 includes a flexible substrate and a TFT layer located on the surface of the flexible substrate.

[0035] In some embodiments, the touch layer 20 includes a buffer layer 23, touch electrodes 21, an insulating layer 22, and a protective layer 24 stacked together. In some specific embodiments, the touch electrodes 21 located on both sides of the insulating layer 22 are signal transmitting and signal receiving ends, respectively, and the two touch electrodes 21 are electrically connected through vias located on the insulating layer 22.

[0036] In some embodiments, the touch electrode 21 has an integral mesh structure. In some specific embodiments, the touch electrode 21 can be fabricated using physical vapor deposition (PVD).

[0037] In some embodiments, the buffer layer 23, the insulating layer 22, and the protective layer 24 can be a single-layer inorganic material or a multi-layer material. The inorganic material can be silicon nitride (SiNx) and / or silicon oxide (SiOx), and this application does not limit this to any particular material.

[0038] In some embodiments, the magnetic electrode material includes an iron-cobalt-vanadium soft magnetic alloy. In some specific embodiments, the resistivity of the iron-cobalt-vanadium soft magnetic alloy is 2.7 × 10⁻⁶. -7 Ohm Mee.

[0039] In related technologies, touch electrodes are typically titanium-aluminum-titanium (TiAlTi) composite metal layers, where the resistivity of Al is 2.85 × 10⁻⁶. -8 Ohm Me. Compared to related technologies, the resistivity of the magnetic electrode in this application is slightly higher, but it is within an acceptable range and will not affect the touch sensitivity of the touch electrode 21.

[0040] In some implementations, the material of the magnetic component includes a magnetic alloy.

[0041] Understandably, by providing magnetic electrodes and magnetic components on both sides of the thin-film encapsulation layer 40, when the flexible display panel is folded, the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic electrodes and magnetic components can cause the easily peeled film layers located between them to adhere together. This improves the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers inside the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 at the bending portion 03, the adhesion effect of the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the buffer layer 23 in the touch layer 20, and the adhesion effect of the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the TFT layer in the array substrate 10. This prevents peeling between film layers and improves the reliability and yield of the flexible display module 100.

[0042] Continue reading Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the magnetic component is used to conduct electricity when there is a preset bending angle between the first part 01 and the second part 02.

[0043] The preset bending angle is less than 180°.

[0044] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, when a preset bending angle θ is detected between the first part 01 and the second part 02, the magnetic component located at the bending part 03 is energized and has a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic electrode. Through the magnetic attraction between the magnetic component and the magnetic electrode, the film layers located between the magnetic component and the magnetic electrode are adhered together. In some specific embodiments, when a preset bending angle θ is detected between the first part 01 and the second part 02, the display circuit can be immediately powered down.

[0045] In other implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the first part 01 and the second part 02 are in a roughly plane (with an included angle close to or equal to 180°), the magnetic component located in the bending part 03 is not energized or is immediately de-energized, so as not to affect the display effect of the flexible display module 100.

[0046] In some embodiments, the preset bending angle θ is 0–45°. In other embodiments, the preset bending angle θ is 0–90°. In still other embodiments, the preset bending angle θ is 0–135°. In some specific embodiments, when the preset bending angle θ between the first part 01 and the second part 02 is detected to be 45°, the magnetic component located at the bending portion 03 is energized. In other specific embodiments, when the bending angle θ between the first part 01 and the second part 02 is detected to be 90°, the magnetic component located at the bending portion 03 is energized. In still other specific embodiments, when the preset bending angle between the first part 01 and the second part 02 is detected to be 135°, the magnetic component located at the bending portion 03 is energized.

[0047] When the angle formed between the first part 01 and the second part 02 of the flexible display panel is less than 180°, it indicates that the flexible display panel is in a bent state. If the angle becomes smaller, it indicates that the flexible display panel is in an inward folded state, gradually approaching a folded state; if the angle becomes larger, it indicates that the flexible display panel is in an outward folded state, gradually approaching an unfolded state. Understandably, the larger the range of the preset bending angle θ, the more scenarios in which the magnetic components are energized; the smaller the range of the preset bending angle θ, the fewer scenarios in which the magnetic components are energized.

[0048] Unlike related technologies, this embodiment sets the touch electrode 21 located at least in the bending portion 03 of the touch layer 20 as a magnetic electrode, and makes the support component 30 located at least in the bending portion 03 include a magnetic component, and makes the magnetic component have a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic electrode when energized. When the flexible display panel is folded, the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic electrode and the magnetic component can improve the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers at the bending portion 03, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers and improving the reliability of the flexible display module 100.

[0049] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the second embodiment of the flexible display module of this application.

[0050] In this embodiment, the flexible display module 100 includes a flexible display panel and a support assembly. The flexible display panel includes a first portion 01, a bending portion 03, and a second portion 02 connected in sequence, with the first portion 01 and the second portion 02 folded or unfolded via the bending portion 03. The flexible display panel includes an array substrate 10 and a touch layer 20 disposed on the array substrate 10, the touch layer 20 including touch electrodes 21. The support assembly is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 10 opposite to the touch layer 20.

[0051] A thin-film encapsulation layer 40 is disposed between the array substrate 10 and the touch layer 20. In some embodiments, the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 includes a first inorganic layer, a planarization layer, and a second inorganic layer stacked together.

[0052] The following description only covers the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0053] In this embodiment, the support assembly includes a support plate 31. The support plate 31 is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 10 opposite to the touch layer 20. At least the support plate 31 located at the bend 03 includes a magnetic material used to form a magnetic component.

[0054] In some embodiments, the support plate 31 includes a first support plate 311 and a second support plate 312 stacked together, and the array substrate 10 is disposed on the side surface of the first support plate 311 opposite to the second support plate 312. The first support plate 311, at least at the bend portion 03, is made of a magnetic material, and the second support plate 312, at least at the bend portion 03, is made of a magnetic shielding material.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312 are an integral mesh structure, and their structural pattern is consistent with the pattern of the touch electrode 21.

[0056] In some embodiments, only the first support plate 311 located at the bend 03 is made of magnetic material, and only the second support plate 312 located at the bend 03 is made of magnetic shielding material. In other embodiments, the first support plate 311 is made of magnetic material in all cases, and the second support plate 312 is made of magnetic shielding material in all cases.

[0057] In some specific implementations, the magnetic shielding material can be a soft magnetic alloy or a graphene composite material.

[0058] Understandably, by providing magnetic electrodes and a first support plate 311 with magnetic material on both sides of the thin-film encapsulation layer 40, when the flexible display panel is folded, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic electrodes and the magnetic material allows the easily peeling film layers located between them to adhere together. This improves the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers inside the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 at the bending portion 03, the adhesion effect between the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the buffer layer 23 in the touch layer 20, and the adhesion effect between the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the TFT layer in the array substrate 10, thereby preventing peeling between film layers and improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module 100. Furthermore, by providing a second support plate 312 on the side of the first support plate 311 away from the array substrate 10, when the magnetic material in the first support plate 311 is energized, the magnetic material in the second support plate 312 is shielded by the corresponding magnetic shielding material, thus preventing the magnetic material from affecting other components away from the flexible display panel.

[0059] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the third embodiment of the flexible display module of this application.

[0060] In this embodiment, the flexible display module 100 includes a flexible display panel and a support assembly. The flexible display panel includes a first portion 01, a bending portion 03, and a second portion 02 connected in sequence, with the first portion 01 and the second portion 02 folded or unfolded via the bending portion 03. The flexible display panel includes an array substrate 10 and a touch layer 20 disposed on the array substrate 10, the touch layer 20 including touch electrodes 21. The support assembly is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 10 opposite to the touch layer 20.

[0061] A thin-film encapsulation layer 40 is disposed between the array substrate 10 and the touch layer 20. In some embodiments, the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 includes a first inorganic layer, a planarization layer, and a second inorganic layer stacked together.

[0062] The following description only covers the parts of this embodiment that differ from the embodiments described above.

[0063] In this embodiment, the support assembly includes a support plate 31 and a hinge 32. The support plate 31 is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 10 opposite to the touch layer 20. The hinge 32 is disposed on the surface of the support plate 31 opposite to the array substrate 10 and is located at the bend 03. The hinge 32 is a magnetic hinge, used to form a magnetic component.

[0064] In some embodiments, the flexible display module 100 includes a mid-frame (not shown) that surrounds the flexible display panel and exposes the touch layer 20. A hinge 32 is disposed within the mid-frame.

[0065] Specifically, hinge 32 is a whole-machine bending hinge. By operating hinge 32 at the bending part 03, the flexible display module 100 can be folded and unfolded.

[0066] Understandably, by providing magnetic electrodes and magnetic hinges on both sides of the thin-film encapsulation layer 40, when the flexible display panel is folded, the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic electrodes and magnetic hinges allows the easily peeling film layers located between them to adhere together. This improves the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers inside the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 at the bending portion 03, the adhesion effect between the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the buffer layer 23 in the touch layer 20, and the adhesion effect between the thin-film encapsulation layer 40 and the TFT layer in the array substrate 10, thereby preventing peeling between film layers and improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module 100. Furthermore, since the magnetic hinge is located inside the middle frame, it will not affect the other components of the flexible display module 100.

[0067] Correspondingly, this application provides a flexible display device, including any of the flexible display modules described above.

[0068] Understandably, the flexible display module in the flexible display device provided in this application, by setting magnetic materials on both sides of the thin film encapsulation layer, can effectively improve the adhesion between adjacent film layers inside the thin film encapsulation layer at the bending part and between the thin film encapsulation layer and the outer film layers on both sides by the magnetic adsorption force of the magnetic materials on both sides when the flexible display device is bent, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers and thus improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module and the flexible display device.

[0069] Unlike other embodiments, this application sets the touch electrode at least in the bending portion of the touch layer as a magnetic electrode, and makes the support component at least in the bending portion include a magnetic component, and makes the magnetic component have a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic electrode when energized. When the flexible display panel is folded, the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic electrode and the magnetic component can improve the adhesion effect of adjacent film layers at the bending portion, thereby avoiding peeling between film layers, and thus improving the reliability and yield of the flexible display module and flexible display device.

[0070] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A flexible display module, characterized in that, include: A flexible display panel includes a first part, a bending part, and a second part connected in sequence, wherein the first part and the second part are folded or unfolded through the bending part; wherein the flexible display panel includes an array substrate and a touch layer disposed on the array substrate, the touch layer including touch electrodes; A support component is disposed on the side surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer; Wherein, at least the touch electrode located in the bending portion is a magnetic electrode, and the support component located at least in the bending portion includes a magnetic component, which has a magnetic force that attracts the magnetic electrode when energized; the magnetic component is used to be energized when there is a preset bending angle between the first portion and the second portion, and the preset bending angle is less than 180°.

2. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support component includes a support plate, which is disposed on the side surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer. The support plate, at least located at the bend, comprises a magnetic material used to form the magnetic component.

3. The flexible display module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate includes a first support plate and a second support plate stacked together, and the array substrate is disposed on the side surface of the first support plate opposite to the second support plate; The first support plate located at least in the bent portion is made of the magnetic material.

4. The flexible display module according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least the second support plate located at the bend is made of magnetic shielding material.

5. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support component includes a hinge, which is disposed on the side surface of the array substrate opposite to the touch layer and located at the bend. The hinge is a magnetic hinge, which is used to form the magnetic component.

6. The flexible display module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible display module includes a mid-frame that surrounds the flexible display panel and exposes the touch layer. The hinge is located within the middle frame.

7. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, All touch electrodes are magnetic electrodes, and the support components include magnetic components at positions corresponding to the touch electrodes.

8. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the magnetic electrode includes an iron-cobalt-vanadium soft magnetic alloy; The material of the magnetic component includes magnetic alloys.

9. A flexible display device, characterized in that, Includes the flexible display module as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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