Electronic device and display assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device and a display assembly. An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a display unit provided across the first housing and the second housing and bent in response to relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing. The display assembly has a first plate, a second plate, and a flexible display. In the first posture, the bending region of the display forms an arc-shaped bending portion at a position extending from the first end portion and the second end portion, and the bending portion has an outer diameter greater than a stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in a stacking direction thereof. The first plate has a first non-adhesive part in which the first region is not fixed, without providing the first adhesive member within a predetermined range from the first end of the surface thereof. The second plate has a second non-adhesive part in which the second region is not fixed, without providing the second adhesive member within a predetermined range from the second end of the surface of the second plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to electronic equipment and a display assembly. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices such as PCs and smartphones that have touch panel-type liquid crystal displays but no physical keyboards have become rapidly popular. The displays of such electronic devices are expected to be larger when in use, but smaller when not in use. Therefore, an electronic device is proposed that is configured to be able to bend not only the frame but also the display by using a flexible paper-like flexible display (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-166990

[0004] The bent display needs to be able to withstand repeated bending actions, so it needs to be bent at a desired curvature radius during design. On the other hand, the frame is required to be as light and thin as possible. Therefore, such a display sometimes adopts a setting structure in which the bending direction is reversed, as in the structure of Patent Document 1. In this case, for the display, if the curvature radius of the part where the bending direction is reversed is too small, undesirable conditions such as interlayer peeling may occur. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a display module capable of suppressing the occurrence of display failures caused by a folding operation.

[0006] 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a second position, and wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a first position and a second position, wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a second position, and wherein the display assembly is configured to be arranged side by side with the display assembly in a second position. right arrangement; and a flexible display, comprising a first area fixed on the surface of the first plate using a first adhesive member, a second area fixed on the surface of the second plate using a second adhesive member, and a bending area configured between the first area and the second area in a manner spanning the gap, wherein in the first posture, the bending area of ​​the display forms an arc-shaped bending portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the bending portion has an outer diameter larger than the stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in the stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, the first plate does not have the first adhesive member provided within a specified range from the first end on its surface, and has a first non-adhesive portion to which the first area is not fixed, and the second plate does not have the second adhesive member provided within a specified range from the second end on its surface, and has a second non-adhesive portion to which the second area is not fixed.

[0007] 19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the first and second frames are arranged in a left-right direction and arranged in a right-left direction relative to each other, and the second and third frames are arranged in a left-right direction relative to each other, and the first and second frames are arranged in a right-left direction relative to each other, and the second and third frames are arranged in a left-right direction relative to each other, and the display assembly is arranged between the first and second frames and arranged in a right-left direction relative to each other, and the display assembly comprises: a first plate having a first end portion and being fixed to the first frame; a second plate having a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween and being fixed to the second frame so as to overlap with the first plate in the first position in the face direction. The flexible display comprises a first area fixed to the surface of the first plate, a second area fixed to the surface of the second plate, and a bending area arranged between the first area and the second area in a manner spanning the gap. In the first area, the bending area of ​​the display forms an arc-shaped bending portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the bending portion has an outer diameter larger than the stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in the stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, a gap is provided between the display and the surface of the first plate within a specified range from the first end, and a gap is provided between the display and the surface of the second plate within a specified range from the second end.

[0008] The electronic device involved in the third mode of the present invention comprises: a first frame; a second frame adjacent to the first frame and connected to the first frame in a manner that can rotate relative to the first frame between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is a posture in which the panels are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other, and the second posture is a posture in which the panels are arranged in a left-right arrangement in the plane direction of each other; and a display assembly, which is arranged across the first frame and the second frame and is bent according to the relative rotation of the first frame and the second frame, and the display assembly comprises: a first plate having a first end portion and fixed to the first frame; a second plate having a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween, and being fixed to the second frame so that in the first posture, the panels are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other, and in the second posture, the panels are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other. , arranged left and right with respect to the surface direction of the first plate; and a flexible display, comprising a first area fixed to the surface of the first plate, a second area fixed to the surface of the second plate, and a bending area arranged between the first area and the second area in a manner spanning the gap, wherein in the first posture, the bending area of ​​the display forms an arc-shaped bending portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the bending portion has an outer diameter larger than the stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in the stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, and in the first posture, the display forms a reverse bending portion bent in a direction opposite to the bending portion at a position overlapping with the surface of the first plate within a specified range from the first end, and at a position overlapping with the surface of the second plate within a specified range from the second end.

[0009] A display assembly according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: a first plate having a first end; a second plate having a second end opposed to the first end with a predetermined gap therebetween and arranged in parallel with the first plate; and a flexible display having a first region fixed to a surface of the first plate using a first adhesive member, a second region fixed to a surface of the second plate using a second adhesive member, and a bending region arranged between the first region and the second region in a manner spanning the gap, wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected via the display so as to be able to rotate relative to each other between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is that the plates are stacked in a manner overlapping each other in the direction of their surfaces. The second posture is a posture in which the surfaces of the two plates are arranged in a left-right arrangement. In the first posture, the bending area of ​​the display forms an arc-shaped bending portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the bending portion has an outer diameter larger than the stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in the stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate. The first plate does not have the first adhesive component provided within a specified range from the first end on its surface, but has a first non-adhesive portion to which the first area is not fixed. The second plate does not have the second adhesive component provided within a specified range from the second end on its surface, but has a second non-adhesive portion to which the second area is not fixed.

[0010] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions in the display due to the folding operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing a state where the electronic device according to one embodiment is closed and in a 0-degree posture.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a schematic representation of Figure 1 The electronic device shown is a perspective view of a state in which it is opened to a 180-degree posture.

[0013] Figure 3 It is schematically indicated Figure 2 A top view of the internal structure of the electronic device shown.

[0014] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0015] Figure 5 It means to make Figure 4 The electronic device shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the electronic device is in a 0 degree posture.

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a display assembly.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view of the display.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the display assembly is in a 0-degree posture.

[0019] Fig. 9 It is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the display module according to the comparative example is in a 0-degree posture.

[0020] Fig.10 It is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the display module is in a 0-degree posture in a structure without a support plate.

[0021] Fig.11 It is a schematic representation of Fig.10 A side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a display assembly according to a comparative example of the illustrated structural example is in a 0-degree posture.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 10…electronic device; 12A…first frame; 12B…second frame; 16…display; 16c…bend portion; 16d, 16e…outer bend portion; 20A…first plate; 20B…second plate; 22A…first supporting plate; 22B…second supporting plate; 23, 50, 51…display assembly; 40A…first adhesive member; 40B…second adhesive member; 41A…first non-adhesive portion; 41B…second non-adhesive portion; 42…display body; 44…sheet member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be listed and the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing a state where the electronic device 10 according to one embodiment is closed and in a 0-degree posture. Figure 2 It is a schematic representation of Figure 1 The electronic device 10 is shown in a perspective view in a state where it is opened at 180 degrees. Figure 3 It is schematically indicated Figure 2 A top view of the internal structure of the electronic device 10 is shown.

[0026] like Figure 1 to Figure 3As shown, the electronic device 10 includes a first housing 12A and a second housing 12B, a hinge device 14, and a display 16. The electronic device 10 of this embodiment is exemplified by a tablet PC or a notebook PC that can be folded like a book. The electronic device 10 may also be a smartphone or a portable game console.

[0027] The housings 12A and 12B are disposed adjacent to each other. The housings 12A and 12B are equipped with various electronic components such as a motherboard on which a CPU is mounted, a battery device, an antenna module, and a communication module as appropriate.

[0028] The first frame 12A includes a frame member 17A and a cover member 18A. The frame member 17A is a rectangular frame member having vertical walls formed on three sides other than the adjacent end 12Aa adjacent to the second frame 12B. The cover member 18A is a plate-shaped member that closes the back opening of the frame member 17A (see also Figure 4 Similarly, the second frame 12B includes a frame member 17B having vertical walls formed on three sides other than the adjacent end 12Ba adjacent to the first frame 12A, and a cover member 18B that closes the back opening of the frame member 17B. The surface openings of the frame members 17A and 17B are closed by the display 16.

[0029] Each of the members 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B is made of, for example, a metal member such as stainless steel, magnesium, or aluminum, or a fiber-reinforced resin plate containing reinforcing fibers such as carbon fibers.

[0030] The hinge device 14 connects the frames 12A and 12B so that they can rotate relative to each other between a 0-degree posture and a 180-degree posture. Figure 1 The gap between the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba formed in the 0-degree posture shown functions as a book spine. The display 16 extends across the frame bodies 12A and 12B.

[0031] In the following description of the electronic device 10, the direction in which the frames 12A and 12B are arranged is referred to as the X direction, the direction along the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba perpendicular thereto is referred to as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the frames 12A and 12B is referred to as the Z direction. In addition, regarding the angle posture between the frames 12A and 12B, the state in which the frames 12A and 12B are stacked in the plane direction is referred to as the 0 degree posture (see Figure 1 ), the state in which the two sides are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane direction (X direction) is called a 180-degree posture (refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3) is explained. The posture between 0 degrees and 180 degrees can be appropriately labeled with angles, for example, the state where the plane directions of the frames 12A and 12B are orthogonal to each other is a 90-degree posture. These angles are for convenience of explanation, and in actual products, of course, there will be angle positions that are slightly deviated from the correct angle positions represented by the angle numbers.

[0032] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 It means to make Figure 4 The electronic device 10 shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the electronic device 10 is in a 0 degree posture.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the 0-degree posture shown, the housings 12A and 12B are folded in half. The display 16 is, for example, a paper-like flexible display formed of an organic EL. In the 0-degree posture, the display 16 is configured as Figure 2 The region R1 on the first frame body 12A side and the region R2 on the second frame body 12B side are opposite to each other, and the boundary region between the regions R1 and R2, that is, the bending region R3, is bent into an arc shape. Figure 2 In the 180-degree posture shown, the frames 12A and 12B are arranged side by side. At this time, the regions R1, R2 and the bending region R3 of the display 16 are arranged on the XY plane, forming a flat plate shape as a whole (see also FIG. Figure 4 ).

[0034] The area R1 of the display 16 is relatively fixed to the first frame 12A, and the area R2 is relatively fixed to the second frame 12B. Specifically, the back surface 16a of the area R1 is fixed to the first frame 12A via the first plate 20A, and the back surface 16a of the area R2 is fixed to the second frame 12B via the second plate 20B. The first plate 20A is adjacent to the first support plate 22A of the hinge device 14, and the second plate 20B is adjacent to the second support plate 22B of the hinge device 14 (see Figure 3 ).

[0035] like Figure 3 to Figure 5 As shown, the plates 20A and 20B are arranged on the left and right with the hinge device 14 sandwiched therebetween, and support the back surface 16a of the display 16 through their respective surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba. With respect to the back surface 16a of the display 16, the region R1 is bonded and fixed to the surface 20Aa of the first plate 20A, and the region R2 is bonded and fixed to the surface 20Ba of the second plate 20B. In this way, the display 16 is mounted on the electronic device 10 as a display assembly 23 integrally assembled with the plates 20A and 20B.

[0036] The plates 20A and 20B are composed of, for example, a substrate 24 and a metal frame 25. The substrate 24 is, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced resin plate obtained by impregnating carbon fibers with a matrix resin such as epoxy resin. The metal frame 25 is formed of, for example, a magnesium alloy and is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the back surface 24a of the substrate 24.

[0037] Plates 20A and 20B are formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, so that high flatness, thinness and lightness can be ensured. However, in carbon fiber reinforced resin, carbon fiber may fall off from the peripheral end face (edge) in a powdered state, and shape processing, thread processing, etc. are also difficult. Therefore, plates 20A and 20B are provided with a metal frame 25 in a manner that surrounds the outer edge of each peripheral end face and the back side 24a. By screwing the screw 27 into the threaded hole 26 formed in the metal frame 25, the plates 20A and 20B are fixed to the frame members 17A and 17B of the frame bodies 12A and 12B. Plates 20A and 20B may also be formed of metal materials or resin materials instead of carbon fiber reinforced resin. In this case, the metal frame 25 may also be omitted.

[0038] The bending region R3 of the display 16 can move relative to the housings 12A and 12B. In the 180-degree posture, the back surface 16a of the bending region R3 is supported by the hinge body 28 and the support plates 22A and 22B (see FIG. Figure 4 In the 0-degree posture, the bending area R3 is bent into an arc shape, a portion of the back surface 16a is supported by the support plates 22A and 22B, and most of it is separated from the hinge device 14 (see Figure 5 ).

[0039] like Figure 3 to Figure 5 As shown, the hinge device 14 of this embodiment includes a hinge body 28, first and second support plates 22A and 22B, first and second link arms 30A and 30B, and first and second brackets 31A and 31B. The hinge device 14 is not limited to the structure exemplified below.

[0040] The hinge body 28 is provided at a position spanning the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba of the frames 12A and 12B, and extends along the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba over substantially the entire length in the Y direction. The hinge body 28 is a block-shaped member formed of a metal material such as aluminum. The hinge body 28 supports two hinge axes 14A and 14B arranged in the X direction at 180 degrees.

[0041] The first end of the first link arm 30A is supported by the first hinge shaft 14A in a manner that can rotate around the axis. The first end of the second link arm 30B is supported by the second hinge shaft 14B in a manner that can rotate around the axis. The link arms 30A and 30B have a dart-like curved shape that gradually approaches the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb of the frame bodies 12A and 12B in a direction away from the hinge shafts 14A and 14B.

[0042] The second end of the first link arm 30A is connected to the first bracket 31A so as to be relatively rotatable using a rotation shaft 34. The first bracket 31A is fixed to the inner surface 12Ab of the first frame body 12A using a screw 27 or the like. The second end of the second link arm 30B is connected to the second bracket 31B so as to be relatively rotatable using a rotation shaft 35. The second bracket 31B is fixed to the inner surface 12Bb of the second frame body 12B using a screw 27 or the like.

[0043] The link arms 30A, 30B and the brackets 31A, 31B are arranged in a plurality along the Y direction which is the long side direction of the hinge body 28 (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the hinge body 28 connects the frames 12A and 12B so that they can rotate relative to each other. The hinge body 28 also includes a gear mechanism for synchronizing the rotation of the frames 12A and 12B, a torque mechanism for applying a predetermined rotation torque to the rotation of the frames 12A and 12B, and the like. Figure 1 as well as Figure 5 As shown, a spine member 36 serving as a decorative cover is mounted on the back side of the hinge body 28 .

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the 180-degree posture shown, the hinge body 28 supports the back surface 16a of the bending region R3 of the display 16 at its surface 28a. At this time, the hinge body 28 is accommodated in the frame 12A, 12B, and is arranged to span the adjacent end portions 12Aa, 12Ba that are close to or abut against each other in the X direction. Figure 5 In the 0-degree posture shown, the hinge body 28 is configured to close the gap between the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba that are widely separated, and form the spine of the electronic device 10 folded like a book. At this time, the spine member 36 is exposed at the outermost side, thereby preventing the appearance of the folded electronic device 10 from being degraded (see Figure 1 ).

[0045] The support plates 22A and 22B are plates made of a metal material such as aluminum and have a bilaterally symmetrical shape. The support plates 22A and 22B are provided on the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb of the frames 12A and 12B and extend along the adjacent ends 12Aa and 12Ba over substantially the entire length in the Y direction.

[0046] The first support plate 22A is disposed between the first plate 20A and the hinge body 28. The edge portion 22Aa of the first support plate 22A on the first plate 20A side is connected to the first bracket 31A via the rotation shaft 38 so as to be relatively rotatable. Thus, the first support plate 22A is relatively movable relative to the first plate 20A in a rotational manner. The edge portion 22Ab of the first support plate 22A on the hinge body 28 side is relatively movable relative to the hinge body 28.

[0047] The second support plate 22B is disposed between the second plate 20B and the hinge body 28. The edge portion 22Ba of the second support plate 22B on the second plate 20B side is connected to the second bracket 31B via the rotation shaft 39 so as to be relatively rotatable. Thus, the second support plate 22B is relatively movable with respect to the second plate 20B in a rotational manner. The edge portion 22Bb of the second support plate 22B on the hinge body 28 side is relatively movable with respect to the hinge body 28.

[0048] The support plates 22A and 22B swing with the rotation axes 38 and 39 as the rotation center according to the rotation of the frame bodies 12A and 12B. In the 180-degree posture, the support plates 22A and 22B support the back surface 16a of the bending region R3 of the display 16 through their surfaces 22Ac and 22Bc. In the angle posture other than 180 degrees, the support plates 22A and 22B contact the display 16 with a gap between them or with a small force to the extent that the display 16 is not deformed (see Figure 5 ). In the case of this embodiment, the support plates 22A and 22B support the bending area R3 of the display 16 in the 0-degree posture, and can correct its shape. In this way, the support plates 22A and 22B stably support the bending area R3 of the display 16 in a flat surface when in the 180-degree posture, and on the other hand, do not hinder the bending action of the bending area R3. The support plates 22A and 22B may also be other than the components of the hinge device 14, for example, they may be configured so that the rotation shafts 38 and 39 are directly supported by the frame bodies 12A and 12B.

[0049] exist Figure 4 In the 180-degree posture shown, the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B on the support plates 22A and 22B side and the edge portions 22Aa and 22Ba of the support plates 22A and 22B form a single plane without any height difference. Similarly, the edge portions 22Ab and 22Bb of the support plates 22A and 22B and the hinge body 28 form a single plane without any height difference. Thus, in the 180-degree posture, the electronic device 10 has a structure in which the back surface 16a of the display 16 having a large flat screen is supported by a substantially flat plate. Therefore, product defects such as bending, undulation, poor visual confirmation, or poor display of the display 16 are suppressed.

[0050] Next, a specific configuration example of the display unit 23 will be described.

[0051] Figure 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the display assembly 23. Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view of display 16 . Figure 8 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the display assembly 23 is in a 0-degree posture. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the plates 20A and 20B are simply illustrated as one plate. Figure 8 In the figure, the support plates 22A and 22B are also illustrated together with the display assembly 23.

[0052] like Figure 6 As shown, the display assembly 23 is an assembly in which the display 16 is fixed to the surface 20Aa of the first plate 20A by a first adhesive member 40A in the area R1, and to the surface 20Ba of the second plate 20B by a second adhesive member 40B in the area R2. The adhesive members 40A and 40B are, for example, double-sided tapes or adhesives. Figure 6 In the 180-degree posture shown, the respective ends 20Ab and 20Bb face each other with a predetermined gap C. The gap C is a space where the hinge body 28 and the support plates 22A and 22B are arranged. In the case of this embodiment, the width W of the gap C in the X direction is, for example, 36 mm.

[0053] In this way, the display assembly 23 has a structure in which the two plates 20A and 20B are connected via the flexible display 16. Thus, the display assembly 23 can relatively rotate the plates 20A and 20B via the display 16 between a 0-degree posture and a 180-degree posture.

[0054] The display 16 has a structure in which a sheet member 44 is laminated on the back surface of a display main body 42. The display 16 has flexibility as a whole.

[0055] The display body 42 is, for example, a plastic organic light-emitting diode (POLED). The display body 42 includes an effective area forming a display surface 16b and an ineffective area arranged around the effective area. The effective area is an area where an image is displayed, and is configured with pixels arranged in a matrix. The ineffective area is an area where an image is not displayed, and is configured with, for example, wiring, terminals, and a driving circuit. A surface sheet formed by laminating a polarizing film under a functional film including an anti-fingerprint functional layer, for example, is laminated and bonded to the display surface 16b of the display body 42.

[0056] The sheet member 44 forms the back surface 16a of the display 16. The sheet member 44 is bonded and fixed to the back surface of the display body 42 opposite to the display surface 16b so as to cover the back surface. The sheet member 44 has a certain degree of tension and is used to ensure that the curvature radius of the display body 42 when it is bent is equivalent to the design specification. Depending on the structure and material of the display body 42, the sheet member 44 may be omitted.

[0057] The sheet member 44 of this embodiment includes parts 44A and 44B covering the regions R1 and R2 and part 44C covering the bending region R3. The bending strength of parts 44A and 44B of the sheet member 44 is greater than the bending strength of part 44C. Here, the bending strength refers to the difficulty of bending when an external force in the out-of-plane direction (Z direction) is applied to the sheet member 44. In other words, it can also be said that the rigidity of parts 44A and 44B is greater than that of part 44C. Or, it can also be said that parts 44A and 44B are harder in material than part 44C.

[0058] The sheet member 44 can be formed of, for example, a perforated metal sheet or a mesh sheet in which a plurality of holes 44a are formed through a stainless steel metal sheet (see Figure 7 ). The sheet-like member 44 can easily change its bending strength by changing the opening ratio of the hole portion 44a in the portions 44A, 44B and the portion 44C. Specifically, the opening ratio of the hole portion 44a in the portions 44A and 44B is smaller than the opening ratio of the hole portion 44a in the portion 44C. Thus, the portions 44A and 44B constitute a hard portion having a greater bending strength than the portion 44C, and conversely, the portion 44C constitutes a soft portion having a smaller bending strength than the portions 44A and 44B. Therefore, with respect to the bending strength of the entire display 16, the regions R1 and R2 to which the portions 44A and 44B are fixed are greater than the bending region R3 to which the portion 44C is fixed.

[0059] The hole 44a may not be provided in the parts 44A and 44B. The cross-sectional shape of the hole 44a may be a rectangle, a polygon, or an oblong slit, in addition to a circle. Figure 6 , the hole 44a is omitted from the illustration. The difference in bending strength between the parts 44A, 44B and the part 44C can also be achieved by a method other than changing the opening ratio of the hole 44a, for example, by increasing the bending strength by making the thickness of the parts 44A, 44B larger than the thickness of the part 44C. Such a change in the bending strength of the sheet-like member 44 is provided for the purpose of the bending ease of the bending region R3, the durability against repeated bending actions, or the suppression of stress concentration of the bending portion 16c in the 0-degree posture. However, the sheet-like member 44 can also be formed to have uniform bending strength as a whole.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown, the first adhesive member 40A is provided on most of the surface 20Aa of the first plate 20A, but is not provided in a range (width W1) specified in the X direction from the end (first end) 20Ab. That is, the first plate 20A has a first non-adhesive portion 41A in which the first adhesive member 40A is not provided within the range of the width W1 along the end 20Ab of the surface 20Aa and the display 16 is not fixed. Similarly, the second adhesive member 40B is provided on most of the surface 20Ba of the second plate 20B, but is not provided in a range (width W2) specified in the X direction from the end (second end) 20Bb. That is, the second plate 20B has a second non-adhesive portion 41B in which the second adhesive member 40B is not provided within the range of the width W2 along the end 20Bb of the surface 20Ba and the display 16 is not fixed. Therefore, it can be said that the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B form gaps G corresponding to the thickness of the adhesive members 40A and 40B between the display 16 and the surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba.

[0061] As will be described in detail later, it is preferred that the widths W1 and W2 of the non-bonded portions 41A and 41B are in a relationship of (0.1≤W1 / W≤0.4) and (0.1≤W2 / W≤0.4) with respect to the width W between the ends 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B, respectively. More preferably, it is preferred that the widths W1 and W2 are in a relationship of (0.15≤W1 / W≤0.25) and (0.15≤W2 / W≤0.25) with respect to the width W. In the case of the present embodiment, the width W is 36 mm, the widths W1 and W2 are set to 7 mm, respectively, and both (W1 / W) and (W2 / W) are approximately 0.19.

[0062] In addition, the width W3 of the portion 44C of the sheet member 44 in the present embodiment in the X direction is set to 39 mm. Therefore, both ends of the portion 44C in the X direction overlap the plates 20A and 20B by 1.5 mm in the Z direction. In other words, the portions 44A and 44B overlap the non-bonded portions 41A and 41B in the Z direction by 5.5 mm in the X direction.

[0063] Next, the operation and effects when the display unit 23 is set to the 0-degree posture will be described.

[0064] If the frames 12A and 12B are folded at a 0-degree position (see Figure 5 ), then the display assembly 23 changes to Figure 8The display 16 is in the form shown in the figure. That is, the plates 20A and 20B are configured to rotate integrally with the frames 12A and 12B and to be stacked on each other. At this time, the positions of the ends 20Ab and 20Bb are roughly consistent in the stacking direction. The stacking height of the plates 20A and 20B in the stacking direction at this time is referred to as the height H. On the other hand, the bending area R3 of the display 16 forms an arc-shaped curved portion 16c at a position extending outward from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb of the stacked plates 20A and 20B. The inner diameter H1 and the outer diameter H2 of the curved portion 16c in the stacking direction of the plates 20A and 20B are both larger than the height H (H

[0065] Thus, in the 0-degree posture, the display 16 of the present embodiment forms a roughly bell-shaped curved portion 16c at a position extending from the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B. Therefore, the display 16 forms outer curved portions 16d and 16e, which are opposite to the curved portion 16c, near the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb, respectively, with respect to the curved portion 16c that bends inwardly so as to include the display surface 16b on the inner side. Here, the inner curve refers to a curve in which the center of the radius of curvature r is located on the inner side (display surface 16b side) of the curved portion 16c. The outer curve refers to a curve in which the center of the radius of curvature r1 is located on the outer side (back surface 16a side) of the curved portion 16c. In addition, in Figure 8 In the figure, only the curvature radius r1 is shown for one outer curved portion 16d, but the other outer curved portion 16e is substantially symmetrical with the outer curved portion 16e, so the curvature radius r1 is omitted. Figures 9 to 11 The same is true.

[0066] In this case, if the curvature radius r1 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e is too small, shear stress concentrates on the outer curved portions 16d and 16e. As a result, sheet member 44 of display 16 may peel off from display 16 or display main body 42 as a laminate may peel off between layers.

[0067] Therefore, the display assembly 23 of the present embodiment has non-bonding portions 41A and 41B to which the display 16 is not fixed within a predetermined range (width W1 and W2) from the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb on the surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba of the plates 20A and 20B. As a result, when the display 16 is in the 0-degree posture, the display 16 forms the outer curved portions 16d and 16e from the position overlapping with the non-bonding portions 41A and 41B. Therefore, the display 16 is prevented from forming the outer curved portions 16d and 16e sharply from the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb, and the curvature radius r1 thereof is increased, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience.​

[0068] Here, the simulation experiment is Figure 8 The embodiment shown involves a display assembly 23 and Fig. 9 The results of comparison with the display module 50 according to the comparative example shown will be described.

[0069] Fig. 9 The display assembly 50 according to the comparative example shown in the figure is different from the display assembly 50 in that the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B are not provided, and the adhesive members 40A and 40B are provided on the entire surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba of the plates 20A and 20B to fix the display 16. Figure 8 The display assembly 23 involved in the illustrated embodiment is identical.

[0070] First, in Figure 8 In the illustrated structural example, the stacking height H of the plates 20A and 20B is set to 2.2 mm, the curvature radius r of the curved portion 16c is set to 3.0 mm, the inner diameter H1 of the curved portion 16c is set to 6.6 mm, the outer diameter H2 is set to 7.6 mm obtained by adding twice the thickness of the display 16 (for example, 0.5 mm) to H1, and the protruding distance L of the bending region R3 from the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb is 15.8 mm. In this case, the curvature radius r1 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e is 21.0 mm.

[0071] On the other hand, Fig. 9 In the comparative example shown, the stacking height H of the plates 20A and 20B is set to 2.2 mm, the curvature radius r of the curved portion 16c is set to 3.0 mm, the inner diameter H1 of the curved portion 16c is set to 6.6 mm, the outer diameter H2 is set to 7.6 mm, and the extension distance L of the bending region R3 from the end portions 20Ab and 20Bb is set to 15.8 mm. In this case, the curvature radius r2 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e is 15.9 mm.

[0072] As shown in the above experimental results, for the curvature radius of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e, the curvature radius r1 of the embodiment is 21.0 mm, while the curvature radius r2 of the comparative example is 15.9 mm. In other words, the result is that the curvature radius r1 of the embodiment is significantly larger than the curvature radius r2 of the comparative example, which is 15.9 mm. Therefore, it can be seen that the display assembly 23 of the embodiment can suppress the stress concentration at the outer curved portions 16d and 16e compared with the display assembly 50 of the comparative example, and can further suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned defective conditions of the display 16. The reason for this is that the display assembly 50 of the comparative example does not have the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B. As a result, it is believed that this is because the display assembly 50 starts to form the outer curved portions 16d and 16e sharply from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B, and its curvature becomes larger.

[0073] The results of further experiments, Figure 8 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the stress concentration on the display 16 is particularly high at two points, positions P1 and P2, where the stress at position P1 is 7.2 MPa and the stress at position P2 is 7.0 MPa. Fig. 9 In the comparative example, the stress generated in the display 16 due to stress concentration is particularly high at the position P3, which is 17.0 MPa. This also clearly shows that the stress peak of the display 16 in the display assembly 23 of the embodiment is significantly reduced compared with the comparative example. In addition, the offset distances of the positions P1 to P3 from the end 20Ab toward the curved portion 16c side are 0.2 mm at the positions P1 and P3 and 2.8 mm at the position P2.

[0074] As described above, the electronic device 10 and the display assembly 23 of the present embodiment are configured such that the bending region R3 of the display 16 is formed as an arc-shaped curved portion 16c at a position extending outward from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B in the 0-degree posture. Furthermore, the surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba of the plates 20A and 20B have non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B to which the display 16 is not fixed, respectively, within a predetermined range (width W1 and W2) from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb. Therefore, the display 16 can increase the curvature radius r1 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e in which the bending direction is reversed, and can suppress the occurrence of defects such as interlayer peeling.

[0075] In other words, the display assembly 23 provides a gap G between the display 16 and the surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba of the plates 20A and 20B, respectively, within a predetermined range (W1 and W2) from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb. Figure 8 In the 0 degree posture shown, the display 16 can also form the outer curved portions 16d and 16e by utilizing the range (width W1 and W2) offset from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb toward the center of the plates 20A and 20B. As a result, the display 16 can increase the curvature radius r1 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e.

[0076] In other words, in the 0-degree posture, the display 16 has reverse curved portions (outer curved portions 16d, 16e) that are curved in the opposite direction to the curved portion 16c at positions overlapping the surfaces 20Aa, 20Ba of the plates 20A, 20B and within a predetermined range (width W1, W2) from the ends 20Ab, 20Bb. Therefore, the display 16 can increase the curvature radius r1 at the outer curved portions 16d, 16e.

[0077] However, even if the widths W1 and W2 are further increased from the above-mentioned 7 mm (for example, 15 mm), there is an advantage that the radius of curvature r1 itself becomes larger and stress concentration can be further alleviated. However, in this case, the display 16 begins to form the outer curved portions 16d and 16e at a position that is quite deep from the ends 20Ab and 20Bb of the plates 20A and 20B. Therefore, the display 16 floats relatively large between the plates 20A and 20B, and there is also a concern that the frame members that may contact each other or be attached to the display surface 16b may be peeled off. On the other hand, if the widths W1 and W2 are too small, the radius of curvature r1 becomes smaller. Therefore, as described above, the display assembly 23 of this embodiment balances the advantages and disadvantages by setting the widths W1 and W2 to the relationship of (0.1≤W1 / W≤0.4) and (0.1≤W2 / W≤0.4) relative to the width W, and more preferably to the relationship of (0.15≤W1 / W≤0.25) and (0.15≤W2 / W≤0.25).

[0078] The display assembly 23 may also be configured to provide a hard portion having a greater bending strength than the portion covering the bending region R3 at the portion overlapping the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B of the display 16 by changing the bending strength of the sheet-like member 44. In this way, the outer curved portions 16d and 16e of the display 16 are prevented from excessively bending or flexing at the position overlapping the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B. As a result, the curved shapes of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e become more gentle, and the curvature radius r1 becomes further increased.

[0079] Fig.10 It is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the display unit 23 is in a 0-degree posture in a structure without the support plates 22A and 22B. Fig.11 It is a schematic representation of Fig.10 A side cross-sectional view of a display assembly 51 according to a comparative example of the illustrated structural example in a state where the display assembly 51 is in a 0-degree posture. Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 In, with Figures 1 to 9 The same reference numerals as those shown in the figures indicate the same or similar structures, and therefore, detailed descriptions of structures having the same or similar functions and effects will be omitted.

[0080] The electronic device 10 described above includes the support plates 22A and 22B, and these support plates 22A and 22B have the function of correcting the shape of the bending region R3 of the display 16 in the 0 degree posture. However, the correction function of the support plates 22A and 22B is not essential.

[0081] That is, Fig.10As shown, the electronic device 10 may be configured not to include a member (support plates 22A, 22B) supporting the display 16 between the curved portion 16c and the end portions 20Ab, 20Bb when in the 0-degree posture. Fig.11 The display assembly 51 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 1 is different from the display assembly 51 in that the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B are not provided, and adhesive members 40A and 40B are provided on the entire surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba of the plates 20A and 20B to fix the display 16. Fig.10 The display assemblies 23 shown are identical.

[0082] exist Fig.10 In the illustrated configuration example, the height of the gap G at the position where the display 16 overlaps the non-adhesive portions 41A and 41B is greater than Figure 8 The structure shown is high. This is because there is no correction function of the display 16 based on the support plates 22A and 22B. As a result, Fig.10 The curvature radius r3 of the outer curved portions 16d and 16e shown is greater than Figure 8 The curvature radius r1 of the outer curved portions 16d, 16e shown is slightly smaller. However, the curvature radius r3 is Fig.11 The curvature radius r4 of the display assembly 51 of the comparative example shown is sufficiently large. Therefore, Fig.10 The display assembly 23 is shown with Fig.11 Compared with the display assembly 51 shown, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions of the display 16 at the outer curved portions 16d and 16e.

[0083] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it is of course possible to freely change it within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0084] In the above, an electronic device 10 that can be folded in half like a book is illustrated, but the present invention can be applied not only to structures in which frames of the same shape are folded in half, but also to various structures such as a split structure in which small frames are foldably connected to the left and right edges of a large frame, an S-shaped folding structure in which frames with different folding directions are connected to the left and right edges of a frame, and a J-shaped folding structure in which small frames are foldably connected to the left and right edges of a large frame. The number of connected frames can be 4 or more.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: have: A first frame; a second frame body adjacent to the first frame body and connected to the first frame body in a manner capable of relatively rotating between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is a posture in which the frames are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other, and the second posture is a posture in which the frames are arranged side by side in the plane direction of each other; and The display assembly is arranged between the first frame and the second frame and is bent according to the relative rotation of the first frame and the second frame. The display assembly has: A first plate having a first end portion and fixed relative to the first frame; The second plate has a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween, and is fixed to the second frame so as to overlap with the first plate in the first posture and to be arranged side by side with the first plate in the second posture; and A flexible display comprises a first region fixed to the surface of the first plate using a first adhesive member, a second region fixed to the surface of the second plate using a second adhesive member, and a bending region arranged between the first region and the second region so as to straddle the gap. In the first posture, the bending region of the display forms an arc-shaped curved portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the curved portion has an outer diameter greater than a stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in a stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, The first plate has a first non-adhesive portion on its surface where the first adhesive member is not provided in a predetermined range from the first end portion and the first region is not fixed. The second plate has a second non-bonded portion on the surface of the second plate to which the second bonding member is not provided within a predetermined range from the second end portion and to which the second region is not fixed.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the width of the gap between the first end and the second end based on the arrangement direction of the first plate and the second plate in the second posture is referred to as W, the width of the first non-bonding portion on the surface of the first plate is referred to as W1, and the width of the second non-bonding portion on the surface of the second plate is referred to as W2, W and W1 are in the relationship of 0.1≤W1 / W≤0.4, W and W2 are in the relationship of 0.1≤W2 / W≤0.

4.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The above display has: a display body having a display surface for displaying images; and a sheet-like member fixed to the back surface of the display main body opposite to the display surface so as to cover the back surface; The sheet-like member has a hard portion having a greater bending strength than a portion covering the folded region, at portions overlapping the first non-adhesive portion and the second non-adhesive portion.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electronic device also has: a first support plate provided in the gap along the first end portion, moving relative to the first plate as the first frame and the second frame rotate, and pressing the back surface of the display between the curved portion and the first end portion in the first posture; and The second supporting plate is provided in the gap along the second end portion, moves relative to the second plate as the first frame and the second frame rotate, and presses the back surface of the display between the curved portion and the second end portion in the first posture.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A gap is provided between the display and the surface of the first plate at a position overlapping with the first non-adhesive portion. A gap is provided between the display and the surface of the second plate at a position overlapping with the second non-adhesive portion.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the first posture, the display forms reverse curved portions that are curved in a direction opposite to the curved portion at positions overlapping the first non-adhesive portion and the second non-adhesive portion.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that: have: A first frame; a second frame body adjacent to the first frame body and connected to the first frame body in a manner capable of relatively rotating between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is a posture in which the frames are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other, and the second posture is a posture in which the frames are arranged side by side in the plane direction of each other; and The display assembly is arranged between the first frame and the second frame and is bent according to the relative rotation of the first frame and the second frame. The display assembly has: A first plate having a first end portion and fixed relative to the first frame; The second plate has a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween, and is fixed to the second frame so as to overlap with the first plate in the first posture and to be arranged side by side with the first plate in the second posture; and A flexible display having a first area fixed to the surface of the first plate, a second area fixed to the surface of the second plate, and a bending area arranged between the first area and the second area so as to straddle the gap. In the first posture, the bending region of the display forms an arc-shaped curved portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the curved portion has an outer diameter greater than a stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in a stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, A gap is provided between the display and the surface of the first plate within a predetermined range from the first end. A gap is provided between the display and the surface of the second plate within a predetermined range from the second end.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: have: A first frame; a second frame body adjacent to the first frame body and connected to the first frame body in a manner capable of relatively rotating between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is a posture in which the frames are stacked in an overlapping manner in the plane direction of each other, and the second posture is a posture in which the frames are arranged side by side in the plane direction of each other; and The display assembly is arranged between the first frame and the second frame and is bent according to the relative rotation of the first frame and the second frame. The display assembly has: A first plate having a first end portion and fixed relative to the first frame; The second plate has a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween, and is fixed to the second frame so as to overlap with the first plate in the first posture and to be arranged side by side with the first plate in the second posture; and A flexible display having a first area fixed to the surface of the first plate, a second area fixed to the surface of the second plate, and a bending area arranged between the first area and the second area so as to straddle the gap. In the first posture, the bending region of the display forms an arc-shaped curved portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the curved portion has an outer diameter greater than a stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in a stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, In the first posture, the display forms a reverse bending portion that is bent in the opposite direction to the bending portion at a position where the display overlaps with the surface of the first plate within a specified range from the first end, and at a position where the display overlaps with the surface of the second plate within a specified range from the second end.

9. A display assembly, characterized in that: have: a first plate having a first end; A second plate having a second end portion opposed to the first end portion with a predetermined gap therebetween and arranged in parallel with the first plate; as well as A flexible display comprises a first region fixed to the surface of the first plate using a first adhesive member, a second region fixed to the surface of the second plate using a second adhesive member, and a bending region arranged between the first region and the second region so as to straddle the gap. The first plate and the second plate are connected via the display so as to be relatively rotatable between a first posture and a second posture, wherein the first posture is a posture in which the plates are stacked in an overlapping manner in the direction of their surfaces, and the second posture is a posture in which the plates are arranged in a left-right arrangement in the direction of their surfaces. In the first posture, the bending region of the display forms an arc-shaped curved portion at a position extending from the first end and the second end, and the curved portion has an outer diameter greater than a stacking height of the first plate and the second plate in a stacking direction of the first plate and the second plate, The first plate has a first non-adhesive portion on its surface where the first adhesive member is not provided in a predetermined range from the first end portion and the first region is not fixed. The second plate has a second non-bonded portion on the surface of the second plate to which the second bonding member is not provided within a predetermined range from the second end portion and to which the second region is not fixed.

Images