Foldable display panel and display device

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a foldable display panel and a display device, which comprise two first display areas and a second display area, the two first display areas rotate around the second display area, and the foldable display panel comprises a flexible substrate, a driving layer and a display layer which are sequentially arranged in layers, the driving layer comprises at least two data driving circuits and a plurality of data lines, the two data driving circuits are arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the flexible substrate at a preset distance along a first direction, the flexible substrate is provided with at least one groove between the two data driving circuits, the data lines are arranged along the inner wall of the groove and connected to the two data driving circuits, and when the second display area is bent or stretched, the data lines are deformed along the groove, so that the tearing effect on the data lines is reduced, and the service life of the data lines is prolonged.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of display, and mainly relates to a foldable display panel and a display device BACKGROUND

[0002] Flexible display panels are widely used in foldable electronic devices, and the foldable electronic devices usually have a folding reliability problem. In the folding process, the stress and deformation of each film layer of the foldable electronic devices will be generated to different degrees, and the stress and deformation will be greater as the bending radius decreases. If cracks or even breaks are generated in the data lines in the folding process, the folding function will be invalid, and serious display defects such as black spots and black screens will be generated.

[0003] Therefore, how to set the data lines in the bending area of the flexible display panel to avoid the problems such as black spots and black screens caused by the breakage of the data lines is an urgent problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above problems of the prior art, the present application provides a foldable display panel and a display device, which are used to improve the anti-tearing ability of the data lines in the bending area, improve the service life of the data lines, and thus reduce the probability of black spots or black screens of the display panel.

[0005] The present application provides a foldable display panel, which includes two first display areas and a second display area. The second display area is arranged between the two first display areas along a first direction. The two first display areas rotate about the second display area. The first display area and the second display area include a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array. Corresponding to the second display area, the foldable display panel includes a flexible substrate, a driving layer and a display layer which are sequentially stacked. The driving layer includes at least two data driving circuits and a plurality of data lines. The two data driving circuits are arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the flexible substrate at a preset distance along the first direction. The flexible substrate is provided with at least one groove between the two driving circuits. The data lines are arranged along the inner wall of the groove and connected to the two data driving circuits. The data lines are used to transmit data signals provided by the data driving circuits to the pixel units arranged in the display layer, so as to drive the pixel units to perform image display.

[0006] Optionally, the pixel unit is connected to the first data line and the second data line. The pixel unit includes a selection module which is electrically connected to the first data line, the second data line and a data signal input end. The selection module is used to control the first data line or the second data line to transmit the data signal to the data signal input end. When the first data line is abnormal, the selection module controls the second data line to continue transmitting the data signal to the data signal input end.

[0007] Optionally, the pixel unit further comprises a driving module, a first control module, a second control module and a first node, the first control module is electrically connected to the data signal input end and the driving module, the driving module is electrically connected to the second control module and the first node, the first control module is configured to receive the data signal from the data signal input end and transmit the data signal to the first node through the driving module and the second control module, and charge the first node to a preset potential.

[0008] Optionally, the pixel unit further comprises a first light emitting control module, a second light emitting control module and a light emitting module, the first light emitting control module is electrically connected to the driving voltage end, the light emitting control end and the driving module; the second light emitting control module is electrically connected to the driving module, the light emitting module and the light emitting control end; the first light emitting control module is configured to receive the driving voltage from the driving voltage end and transmit the driving voltage to the driving module under the control of the control end, the driving module controls the driving voltage to be transmitted to the second light emitting control module according to the data signal, and the second light emitting control module is configured to transmit the driving voltage to the light emitting module under the control of the light emitting control end, so as to drive the light emitting module to emit light.

[0009] Optionally, the driving layer further comprises a plurality of scanning lines arranged in sequence along a first direction and extending along a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction; the selection module comprises a first switch tube and a first capacitor, a control end of the first switch tube being electrically connected to the i-xth scanning line and the first data line, a first conductive end of the first switch tube being electrically connected to the second data line, a second conductive end of the first switch tube being electrically connected to the data signal input end, and the first capacitor being electrically connected between the control end and the ground end of the first switch tube, wherein i>x≥1, and i and x are integers; the first switch tube is configured to be turned on under the control of the scanning signal output by the i-xth scanning line, and be turned on when the first data line stops transmitting the data signal, so as to control the second data line to be electrically connected to the data signal input end; when the first data line transmits the data signal, the first switch tube is turned off, so as to control the second data line to be electrically disconnected from the data signal input end.

[0010] Optionally, the driving module comprises a second switch tube and a second capacitor, the first control module comprises a third switch tube, the second control module comprises a fourth switch tube, the control end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the first node, the first conductive end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the third switch tube, and the second conductive end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the fourth switch tube; the control end of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, the first conductive end of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the data signal input end, and the second conductive end of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the first conductive end of the second switch tube; the control end of the fourth switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, the first conductive end of the fourth switch tube is electrically connected to the second conductive end of the second switch tube; the second switch tube is turned on under the control of the first node, and the third switch tube and the fourth switch tube are turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line, so as to control the data signal to be transmitted to the first node through the third switch tube, the second switch tube and the fourth switch tube in turn, for charging the first node to a preset potential, and the second capacitor is used for maintaining the voltage of the first node.

[0011] Optionally, the first light-emitting control module comprises a fifth switch tube, and the second light-emitting control module comprises a sixth switch tube; the control end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end, the first conductive end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the driving voltage end, the second conductive end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the first conductive end of the second switch tube, the control end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end, the first conductive end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the second conductive end of the second switch tube, and the second conductive end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting module; the fifth switch tube and the sixth switch tube are used for being turned on under the control of the light-emitting control end, so that the driving voltage end transmits the driving voltage to the light-emitting module through the fifth switch tube, the second switch tube and the sixth switch tube, to drive the light-emitting module to emit light.

[0012] Optionally, the pixel unit further comprises a first reset module and a second reset module, the first reset module comprises a seventh switch tube, the second reset module comprises an eighth switch tube, the control end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the i-xth scan line, the first conductive end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the first voltage end, and the second conductive end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the first node; the seventh switch tube is used for being turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-xth scan line, so as to control the first voltage end to initialize and adjust the second switch tube and pre-charge the first node; the control end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, the first conductive end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the second voltage end, and the second conductive end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting module; the eighth switch tube is used for being turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line, so as to control the second voltage end to initialize and adjust the light-emitting module.

[0013] Optionally, the pixel unit per frame image display process includes a continuous first period, a second period and a third period, the first period is an initialization stage, in the first period, the first switch tube and the seventh switch tube are turned on, the second data line is electrically connected to the data signal input end through the first switch tube, the first voltage end outputs a first voltage signal to the first node and the control end of the second switch tube through the seventh switch tube, for initializing and adjusting the second switch tube and pre-charging the first node; the second period is a data writing stage, in the second period, the second switch tube, the third switch tube, the fourth switch tube and the eighth switch tube are turned on, the fifth switch tube, the sixth switch tube and the seventh switch tube are turned off, the data signal output by the data signal input end is transmitted to the first node through the third switch tube, the second switch tube and the fourth switch tube, for pulling up the first node to a preset potential, and the second voltage end initializes and adjusts the light-emitting module through the eighth switch tube. The third period is a light-emitting stage, in the third period, the fifth switch tube and the sixth switch tube are turned on under the control of the light-emitting control end, the third switch tube, the fourth switch tube and the eighth switch tube are turned off, and the driving voltage output by the driving voltage end is transmitted to the light-emitting module through the fifth switch tube, the second switch tube and the sixth switch tube in sequence, so as to control the light-emitting module to emit light.

[0014] The application further provides a display device, comprising a cover plate, a host and the foldable display panel, the foldable display panel is arranged between the cover plate and the host, the foldable display panel comprises a light-emitting side and a backlight side, the cover plate covers the light-emitting side of the foldable display panel, and the host is arranged at the backlight side of the foldable display panel, and the host is used for controlling the foldable display panel to display images.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, by arranging the grooves on the flexible substrate, arranging the corresponding two data driving circuits at the two ends of the grooves respectively, and laying the data lines in the grooves, the "island-chain" structure is formed between the data driving circuit and the data line, when the second display area is bent or stretched, the data line is deformed by bending along the groove, the tearing effect on the data line is effectively reduced, the service life of the data line is improved, and for each pixel unit, an auxiliary data line, i.e., a second data line, is arranged, so that when the first data line is abnormal, the second data line can be used to transmit the data signal, thereby further reducing the problem of black spots or black screen of the second display area caused by the abnormal data line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the planar layout of the foldable display panel corresponding to the first display area;

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the bending structure of the second display area in the related art;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the layout of the data driving circuit in the second display area in the related art;

[0021] Figure 5 An embodiment of the present application provides a Figure 1 A schematic top view of the second display area;

[0022] Figure 6 An embodiment of the present application provides a Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the second display area along the AA' direction;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the equivalent circuit of the pixel unit;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Middle signal output timing diagram.

[0025] Reference numerals:

[0026] Display device 100, foldable display panel 10, cover 20, host 30, folding radius R, first display area 10A, second display area 10B, first direction X, second direction Y, flexible substrate 101, driving layer 102, display layer 103, m data lines S1 to Sm, n scan lines G1 to Gn, data driving circuit 12, groove 13, pixel unit 15, scan driving circuit 18, selection module 150, first data line S1, second data line S2, data signal input terminal SIN, driving module 151, first control module 152, second control module 153, first light-emitting control module 154, second light-emitting control module Module 155, light-emitting module 156, first reset module 157, second reset module 158, first node Q1, second node Q2, driving voltage terminal VDD, low voltage terminal VSS, ground terminal E, first switch tube T1, second switch tube T2, third switch tube T3, fourth switch tube T4, fifth switch tube T5, sixth switch tube T6, seventh switch tube T7, eighth switch tube T8, light-emitting control terminal EM, i-th scan line Gi, ix-th scan line Gi-x, first capacitor C1, second capacitor C2, first voltage terminal V1, second voltage terminal V2, light-emitting element D, first time period t1, second time period t2, third time period t3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To facilitate understanding of the present application, a more comprehensive description of the present application will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present application.

[0028] The following descriptions of the embodiments are with reference to the attached diagrams to illustrate specific embodiments that the present application can be used to implement. The serial numbers of the components herein, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the objects described and do not have any order or technical meaning. The "connection" and "coupling" mentioned in the present application include direct and indirect connections (couplings) unless otherwise specified. The directional terms mentioned in the present application, such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "side", etc., are only with reference to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer explanation and understanding of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless specifically defined otherwise, the terms "mounting", "connected", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, can be fixedly connected, can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances. It should be noted that the terms "first", "second" and the like in the description of the present application and the claims and drawings are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order.

[0030] In addition, the terms "including", "may include", "comprising", or "may comprise" used in the present application represent the existence of the corresponding functions, operations, elements, etc. disclosed, and do not limit other one or more functions, operations, elements, etc. In addition, the term "including" or "comprising" means the existence of the corresponding features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, and is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present application, "may" is used to represent "one or more embodiments of the present application". And the term "exemplary" is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0032] The embodiments of the present application provide a foldable display device. The display device includes but is not limited to notebook, tablet personal computer, mobile phone, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer, navigation instrument, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device (such as smart watch), augmented reality (AR) device, virtual reality (VR) device, and any product or component with display function. The embodiments of the present application do not specially limit the specific form of the above display device.

[0033] Exemplarily, the display device can be unfolded to an unfolded state, folded to a folded state, or in an intermediate state between the unfolded state and the folded state according to different use requirements. That is, the display device has at least two states, i.e., the unfolded state and the folded state. In some cases, the display device can further include a third state, i.e., an intermediate state between the unfolded state and the folded state. It can be understood that the intermediate state can be any one or more states between the unfolded state and the folded state, rather than a unique state.

[0034] The following embodiments are exemplarily described by taking a mobile phone as an example for convenience of description, which cannot be considered as a specific limitation on the structural form of the display device.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a display device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1 , the display device 100 includes a foldable display panel 10, a cover plate 20, and a host 30. Figure 3 The foldable display panel 10 is arranged between the cover plate 20 and the host 30 in a stacked manner, the foldable display panel 10 includes a light-out side and a backlight side, the cover plate 20 covers the light-out side of the foldable display panel, and the host 30 is arranged at the backlight side of the foldable display panel. The host 30 is used to control the foldable display panel to display images, wherein the host 30 mainly includes a battery, a mainboard, various sensors, and the like.

[0037] The foldable display panel 10 can be a flexible display screen, and the type of the flexible display screen includes various types, which can be selected and arranged according to actual needs. Exemplarily, the flexible display screen can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen. The OLED display screen is a self-luminous display screen, and does not need to be provided with a back light module (BLM), which is beneficial to reduce the thickness and structural complexity of the display device 100.

[0038] The foldable display panel 10 includes a substrate and a film layer stack structure (including but not limited to pixel circuits, light-emitting devices, shift registers, and the like) arranged on the substrate. The substrate can be made of a flexible resin material, which includes but is not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the cover plate 20 can be made of a transparent and flexible material, which includes but is not limited to polyimide. In this way, the substrate and the cover plate 20 have bendability.

[0039] The foldable display panel 10 includes two first display areas 10A and a second display area 10B between the two first display areas 10A. The first display areas 10A and the second display area 10B are arranged alternately along a first direction X, and the second display area 10B extends along a second direction Y, and the folding axis of the second display area 10B is along the second direction Y. The two first display areas 10A are capable of rotating around the second display area 10B, so that the display device 100 can be folded or unfolded. The first direction X and the second direction Y are parallel to the plane in which the foldable display panel 10 is located, and the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the foldable display panel in the first display area 10A is arranged in the same way as the existing OLED display panel, and the present embodiment will not be described here.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 for Figure 1 a schematic view of the planar layout of the foldable display panel corresponding to the first display area 10A.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2 , the first display area 10A is provided with a plurality of arrayed pixel units 15, m data lines S1-Sm and n scan lines G1-Gn, m and n are natural numbers greater than 1.

[0043] The n scan lines G1-Gn extend along the second direction Y and are insulated and arranged in parallel along the first direction X, and the m data lines S1-Sm extend along the first direction X and are insulated and arranged in parallel along the second direction Y, and the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0044] Corresponding to the non-display area of the foldable display panel 10, the foldable display panel 10 further includes a data driving circuit 12 and a scan driving circuit 18 for driving the pixel units to display images.

[0045] The data driving circuit 12 is electrically connected to the m data lines S1-Sm, and is used to transmit the data signal (Data) to be displayed to the plurality of pixel units 15 in the form of data voltage through the m data lines S1-Sm, and the pixel units 15 emit light rays according to the received data signal to display images.

[0046] The scan driver circuit 18 is electrically connected to the n scan lines G1-Gn and outputs scan signals through the n scan lines G1-Gn for controlling when the pixel unit 15 receives data signals. The scan driver circuit 18 outputs scan signals from the n scan lines G1-Gn sequentially according to the scan cycle.

[0047] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the bending structure of the second display area 10B in the related art.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the display device 100 generally includes a foldable display panel 10, a cover plate 20 and a host 30. The thickness of the entire display device 100 is much greater than the thickness of the foldable display panel 10 and the cover plate 20. Therefore, when the display device 100 is bent, whether it is folded inward or outward, in the bending area (second display area 10B), the bending radii R1, R2, and R3 of the host 30, the foldable display panel 10, the cover plate 20 are different. Since the first display areas 10A at both ends are fixed, the foldable display panel 10 will be pulled or squeezed, which will cause damage to the foldable display panel 10.

[0049] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the layout of the driving circuit in the second display area 10B in the related art.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, corresponding to the second display area 10B, the foldable display panel 10 includes at least two data drive circuits 12 and a plurality of data lines S. The two data drive circuits 12 are spaced a predetermined distance apart along a first direction X, and the data lines S are connected between the two data drive circuits 12 for transmitting data signals. The data lines S are arranged in an "S" shape between the two data drive circuits 12 to accommodate the tension or compression applied when the second display area 10B is bent. However, even if the data lines S between the data drive circuits 12 are arranged in an "S" shape, there is still a risk of tearing and damage after multiple bends at the point of maximum bending moment. Furthermore, the "S" shape of the data lines S results in a longer length, which can easily lead to a decrease in resolution.

[0051] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a stretchable and deformable bending area to avoid squeezing the first display areas on both sides, and provides a data line setting method to increase the service life of the data line.

[0052] Please also refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 An embodiment of the present application provides aFigure 1 A schematic top view of the second display area 10B, Figure 6 An embodiment of the present application provides a Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the second display area 10B along the AA' direction.

[0053] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, corresponding to the second display area 10B, the foldable display panel 10 includes a flexible substrate 101, a driving layer 102 and a display layer 103, wherein the driving layer 102 includes at least two data driving circuits 12 and a plurality of data lines S, wherein the two data driving circuits 12 are arranged at a preset distance along the first direction X, and the two data driving circuits 12 are connected by at least one data line S.

[0054] Between the two data driver circuits 12, the flexible substrate 101 further includes a groove 13. The data line S is arranged along the inner wall of the groove 13. In other words, the data line S is laid out in a shape that aligns with the contours of the groove 13. The two data driver circuits 12 and the data line S form an "island-chain" structure. Elastic material can also be filled on the side of the data line S facing away from the inner wall of the groove 13 to flatten the backplane.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the groove 13 can be set according to specific needs, for example, it can be set to an inverted trapezoid, an arc, a semicircle, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0056] In this embodiment, the driving layer 102 is further provided with a plurality of scan lines G, and the display layer 103 is further provided with a plurality of pixel units 15. The pixel unit 15 is connected to at least one scan line G and at least one data line S. The pixel unit 15 is used to receive a scan signal from the corresponding scan line G and receive a data signal from the corresponding data line S under the control of the scan signal, and is used to perform image display according to the data signal.

[0057] By providing a groove 13 in the flexible substrate 101, and respectively providing two corresponding data driving circuits 12 at both ends of the groove 13, and laying the data line S in the groove 13, an "island-chain" structure is formed between the data driving circuit 12 and the data line S. When the second display area 10B is bent or stretched, the data line S follows the bending deformation of the groove 13. Compared with the pulling deformation of the aforementioned S-shaped data line when bending, the tearing effect on the data line S can be effectively reduced, thereby improving the service life of the data line S.

[0058] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the equivalent circuit of the pixel unit.

[0059] like Figure 7As shown, the pixel unit 15 includes a selection module 150, which is electrically connected to the first data line S1, the second data line S2 and the data signal input terminal SIN. The selection module 150 is used to control the first data line S1 or the second data line S2 to transmit the data signal to the data signal input terminal SIN. When the first data line S1 can normally transmit the data signal to the data signal input terminal SIN, the selection module 150 controls the second data line S2 to maintain a state of stopping the transmission of the data signal. When the first data line S1 is broken and cannot normally transmit the data signal to the data driving circuit 12 ( Figure 3 ) is transmitted to the data signal input terminal SIN, the selection module 150 controls the second data line S2 to receive the data signal from the data driving circuit 12 and transmits it to the data signal input terminal SIN.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first data line S1 and the second data line S2 merely represent two data lines connected to the same pixel unit 15 among the plurality of data lines in the second display area 10B, and do not represent a specific arrangement order of the data lines.

[0061] By providing two data lines corresponding to the pixel units 15, when one of the data lines is broken and cannot transmit the data signal, the other data line is controlled to continue transmitting the data signal, thereby avoiding the problem of poor display caused by the data line breaking after multiple bending of the second display area 10B, and further improving the service life of the data lines in the second display area 10B.

[0062] The pixel unit 15 also includes a driving module 151, a first control module 152, a second control module 153 and a first node Q1, wherein the first control module 152 is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal SIN and the driving module 151, the driving module 151 is electrically connected to the second control module 153 and the first node Q1, and the first control module 152 is used to receive a data signal from the data signal input terminal SIN and transmit it to the first node Q1 through the driving module 151 and the second control module 153, so as to charge the first node Q1 to a preset potential.

[0063] The pixel unit 15 also includes a first light-emitting control module 154, a second light-emitting control module 155 and a light-emitting module 156. The first light-emitting control module 154 is electrically connected to the driving voltage terminal VDD, the light-emitting control terminal EM and the driving module 151. The second light-emitting control module 155 is electrically connected to the driving module 151, the light-emitting module 156 and the light-emitting control terminal EM. The first light-emitting control module 154 is used to receive a driving voltage from the driving voltage terminal VDD and transmit it to the driving module 151 under the control of the light-emitting control terminal EM. The driving module 151 controls the driving voltage to be transmitted to the second light-emitting control module 155 according to the data signal. The second light-emitting control module 155 is used to transmit the driving voltage to the light-emitting module 156 under the control of the light-emitting control terminal EM to drive the light-emitting module 156 to emit light.

[0064] The pixel unit 15 further includes a first reset module 157 and a second reset module 158. The first reset module 157 is electrically connected to the first voltage terminal V1 and the first node Q1, and is configured to receive a first voltage signal from the first voltage terminal V1 and transmit it to the first node Q1. The first voltage signal is then transmitted to the driving module 151 via the first node Q1, thereby initializing the first node Q1 and the driving module 151 and precharging the first node Q1. The second reset module 158 is electrically connected to the second voltage terminal V2 and the light-emitting module 156, and is configured to receive a second voltage signal from the second voltage terminal V2 and transmit it to the light-emitting module 156, thereby initializing the light-emitting module 156.

[0065] Specifically, the selection module 150 includes a first switch transistor T1 and a first capacitor C1. The control terminal of the first switch transistor T1 is electrically connected to the sixth scan line Gi-x and the first data line S1. The first conductive terminal of the first switch transistor T1 is electrically connected to the second data line S2. The second conductive terminal of the first switch transistor T1 is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal SIN. The first switch transistor T1 is configured to be turned on under control of a scan signal output by the sixth scan line Gi-x and to be turned on when the first data line S1 stops transmitting a data signal, thereby controlling the second data line S2 to be electrically connected to the data signal input terminal SIN. The first switch transistor T1 is turned off when the first data line S1 transmits a data signal, thereby controlling the second data line S2 to be electrically disconnected from the data signal input terminal SIN. This allows the second data line S2 to transmit data signals when the first data line S1 is disconnected. The first capacitor C1 is electrically connected between the ground terminal E and the control terminal of the first switch transistor T1 to maintain the voltage at the control terminal of the first switch transistor T1.

[0066] Wherein, i>x, and i and x are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0067] The driving module 151 comprises a second switch tube T2 and a second capacitor C2. The control end of the second switch tube T2 is electrically connected to the first node Q1. The first conductive end of the second switch tube T2 is electrically connected to the first light-emitting control module 154. The second conductive end of the second switch tube T2 is electrically connected to the second light-emitting control module 155. The second switch tube T2 is used to be turned on when the first node Q1 is at a preset potential. The second capacitor C2 is electrically connected between the first node Q1 and the driving voltage end VDD. The second capacitor C2 is used to maintain the voltage of the first node Q1.

[0068] The first control module 152 comprises a third switch tube T3, and the second control module 153 comprises a fourth switch tube T4. The control end of the third switch tube T3 is electrically connected to the i-th scan line Gi. The first conductive end of the third switch tube T3 is electrically connected to the data signal input end VIN. The second conductive end of the third switch tube T3 is electrically connected to the first conductive end of the second switch tube T2. The control end of the fourth switch tube T4 is electrically connected to the i-th scan line Gi. The first conductive end of the fourth switch tube T4 is electrically connected to the second conductive end of the second switch tube T2. The second conductive end of the fourth switch tube T4 is electrically connected to the first node Q1.

[0069] The third switch tube T3 and the fourth switch tube T4 are used to be turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line Gi. The third switch tube T3 is used to receive the data signal from the data signal input end VIN and transmit it to the first node Q1 through the second switch tube T2 and the fourth switch tube T4, so as to charge the first node Q1 to a preset potential.

[0070] The first light-emitting control module 154 comprises a fifth switch tube T5, the second light-emitting control module 155 comprises a sixth switch tube T6, and the light-emitting module 156 comprises a light-emitting element D. The control end of the fifth switch tube T5 is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end EM. The first conductive end of the fifth switch tube T5 is electrically connected to the driving voltage end VDD. The second conductive end of the fifth switch tube T5 is electrically connected to the first conductive end of the second switch tube T2. The control end of the sixth switch tube T6 is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end. The first conductive end of the sixth switch tube T6 is electrically connected to the second conductive end of the second switch tube T2. The second conductive end of the sixth switch tube T6 is electrically connected to the anode of the light-emitting element D. The cathode of the light-emitting element D is electrically connected to the low-voltage end VSS. The fifth switch tube T5 and the sixth switch tube T6 are used to be turned on under the control of the light-emitting control end EM. The fifth switch tube T5 is used to receive the driving voltage from the driving voltage end VDD and transmit it to the light-emitting element D through the second switch tube T2 and the sixth switch tube T6, so as to drive the light-emitting element D to emit light.

[0071] The first reset module 157 comprises a seventh switch tube T7, and the second reset module 158 comprises an eighth switch tube T8. The control end of the seventh switch tube T7 is electrically connected to the i-xth scan line Gi-x. The first conductive end of the seventh switch tube T7 is electrically connected to the first voltage end V1. The second conductive end of the seventh switch tube T7 is electrically connected to the first node Q1. The seventh switch tube T7 is used to be turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-xth scan line, so as to receive the first voltage signal from the first voltage end V1 and transmit the first voltage signal to the second capacitor C2 and the second switch tube T2, so as to initialize the second switch tube T2 and pre-charge the first node Q1 or the second capacitor C2.

[0072] The second reset module 158 comprises an eighth switch tube T8. The control end of the eighth switch tube T8 is electrically connected to the i-th scan line Gi. The first conductive end of the eighth switch tube T8 is electrically connected to the second voltage end V2. The second conductive end of the eighth switch tube T8 is electrically connected to the second node Q2, i.e., the anode of the light emitting element D. The eighth switch tube T8 is used to be turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line Gi, so as to receive the second voltage signal from the second voltage end V2 and transmit the second voltage signal to the second node Q2, so as to initialize and adjust the anode of the light emitting element D.

[0073] In the embodiment, the first switch tube T1 to the eighth switch tube T8 are all P-type transistors, which are used to be turned on under the control of a low-level signal. Of course, the type of the switch tube can also be set according to specific needs, for example, one or more switch tubes can also be set as N-type transistors, which are not limited in the application. The data signal is a high-level signal. When the first data line transmits the data signal, the first switch tube T1 can be controlled to be kept in a cut-off state. When the first data line stops transmitting the data signal, the first switch tube T1 can be controlled to be turned on, so as to control the second data line S2 to be electrically connected to the data signal input end SIN. In addition, the voltage difference between the data signal and the driving voltage is less than the threshold voltage of the second switch tube T2, so the second switch tube T2 can be controlled to be turned on.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 for Figure 7 the signal output timing diagram.

[0075] As Figure 8As shown, the pixel unit 15 includes a continuous first period t1, a second period t2 and a third period t3 during each frame image display process, wherein the first period t1 is an initialization stage. In the first period t1, the ixth scan line Gi-x outputs a scan signal to control the first switch tube T1 and the seventh switch tube T7 to be turned on, the second data line S2 is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal SIN via the first switch tube T1, and the first voltage terminal V1 outputs a first voltage signal to the first node Q1 and the control terminal of the second switch tube T2 via the seventh switch tube T7, which is used to initialize and adjust the second switch tube T2 and control the second switch tube T2 to be turned on, and to pre-charge the second capacitor C2.

[0076] The second period t2 is the data writing phase. During this period, the i-th scan line Gi outputs a scan signal to turn on the third, fourth, and eighth switches T3, T4, and T8, while turning off the fifth, sixth, and seventh switches T5, T6, and T7. The data signal output by the data signal input terminal SIN is transmitted to the first node Q1 via the third, second, and fourth switches T3, T2, and T4, thereby pulling up the first node Q1 to a predetermined potential and controlling the second switch T2 to remain in an on state. The second capacitor C2 is used to maintain the predetermined potential at the first node Q1. The second voltage terminal V2 initializes and adjusts the second node Q2 via the eighth switch T8.

[0077] The third period t3 is a light-emitting stage. During the third period t3, the light-emitting control terminal EM controls the fifth switch tube T5 and the sixth switch tube T6 to be turned on, and the third switch tube T3, the fourth switch tube T4, and the eighth switch tube T8 to be turned off. The driving voltage output by the driving voltage terminal VDD is transmitted to the light-emitting element D through the fifth switch tube T5, the second switch tube T2, and the sixth switch tube T6 in sequence, so as to drive the light-emitting element D to emit light.

[0078] It should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to the above examples. For those skilled in the art, improvements or changes can be made based on the above description. All these improvements and changes should fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable display panel, characterized in that: The device comprises two first display areas and one second display area, wherein the second display area is arranged between the two first display areas along a first direction, the two first display areas rotate around the second display area as an axis, and the first display area and the second display area include a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array; Corresponding to the second display area, the foldable display panel includes a flexible substrate, a drive layer, and a display layer stacked in sequence. The drive layer includes at least two data drive circuits and a plurality of data lines. The two data drive circuits are arranged at a preset distance along the first direction on opposite sides of the surface of the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate has at least one groove between the two data drive circuits. The data line is arranged along the inner wall of the groove and connects the two data drive circuits. The data line is used to transmit a data signal provided by the data drive circuit to the pixel unit provided in the display layer to drive the pixel unit to perform image display. The pixel unit is connected to a first data line and a second data line. The pixel unit includes a selection module, which is electrically connected to the first data line, the second data line, and a data signal input terminal. The selection module is used to control the first data line or the second data line to transmit the data signal to the data signal input terminal. When the first data line is abnormal, the selection module controls the second data line to continue transmitting the data signal to the data signal input terminal.

2. The foldable display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The pixel unit also includes a driving module, a first control module, a second control module and a first node, the first control module is electrically connected to the data signal input end and the driving module, the driving module is electrically connected to the second control module and the first node, the first control module is used to receive the data signal from the data signal input end and transmit it to the first node through the driving module and the second control module, and is used to charge the first node to a preset potential.

3. The foldable display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The pixel unit further includes a first light emitting control module, a second light emitting control module and a light emitting module, wherein the first light emitting control module is electrically connected to the driving voltage terminal, the light emitting control terminal and the driving module; the second light emitting control module is electrically connected to the driving module, the light emitting module and the light emitting control terminal; The first light-emitting control module is used to receive a driving voltage from the driving voltage end and transmit it to the driving module under the control of the control end. The driving module controls the driving voltage to be transmitted to the second light-emitting control module according to the data signal. The second light-emitting control module is used to transmit the driving voltage to the light-emitting module under the control of the light-emitting control end to drive the light-emitting module to emit light.

4. The foldable display panel according to claim 3, wherein: The driving layer further includes a plurality of scanning lines sequentially arranged along the first direction and extending along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; The selection module includes a first switch tube and a first capacitor, wherein the control terminal of the first switch tube is electrically connected to the ixth scan line and the first data line, the first conductive terminal of the first switch tube is electrically connected to the second data line, the second conductive terminal of the first switch tube is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal, and the first capacitor is electrically connected between the control terminal of the first switch tube and a ground terminal, wherein i>x≥1, and i and x are integers; The first switching tube is used to be turned on under the control of the scanning signal output by the ixth scanning line, and to be turned on when the first data line stops transmitting the data signal, so as to control the second data line to be electrically connected to the data signal input end. When the first data line transmits the data signal, the first switching tube is turned off to control the second data line to be electrically disconnected from the data signal input end.

5. The foldable display panel according to claim 4, wherein: The driving module includes a second switch tube and a second capacitor, the first control module includes a third switch tube, and the second control module includes a fourth switch tube, the control end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the first node, the first conductive end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the third switch tube, and the second conductive end of the second switch tube is electrically connected to the fourth switch tube; The control terminal of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, the first conductive terminal of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal, the second conductive terminal of the third switch tube is electrically connected to the first conductive terminal of the second switch tube, the control terminal of the fourth switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, and the first conductive terminal of the fourth switch tube is electrically connected to the second conductive terminal of the second switch tube; The second switch tube is turned on under the control of the first node, and the third switch tube and the fourth switch tube are turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line to control the data signal to be transmitted to the first node through the third switch tube, the second switch tube, and the fourth switch tube in sequence, so as to charge the first node to a preset potential. The second capacitor is used to maintain the voltage of the first node.

6. The foldable display panel according to claim 5, wherein: The first light emitting control module includes a fifth switch tube, and the second light emitting control module includes a sixth switch tube; The control end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end, the first conductive end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the driving voltage end, the second conductive end of the fifth switch tube is electrically connected to the first conductive end of the second switch tube, the control end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting control end, the first conductive end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the second conductive end of the second switch tube, and the second conductive end of the sixth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting module. The fifth switch tube and the sixth switch tube are configured to be turned on under the control of the light-emitting control end, so that the driving voltage end transmits the driving voltage to the light-emitting module via the fifth switch tube, the second switch tube, and the sixth switch tube, so as to drive the light-emitting module to emit light.

7. The foldable display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The pixel unit further includes a first reset module and a second reset module, the first reset module includes a seventh switch tube, and the second reset module includes an eighth switch tube, the control end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the ixth scan line, the first conductive end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the first voltage end, and the second conductive end of the seventh switch tube is electrically connected to the first node, and the seventh switch tube is configured to be turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the ixth scan line to control the first voltage end to initialize and adjust the second switch tube, and to pre-charge the first node; The control end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the i-th scan line, the first conductive end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the second voltage end, and the second conductive end of the eighth switch tube is electrically connected to the light-emitting module. The eighth switch tube is configured to be turned on under the control of the scan signal output by the i-th scan line to control the second voltage end to initialize and adjust the light-emitting module.

8. The foldable display panel according to claim 7, wherein: The image display process of each frame of the pixel unit includes a continuous first period, a second period, and a third period. The first period is an initialization stage. During the first period, the first switch tube and the seventh switch tube are turned on, the second data line is electrically connected to the data signal input terminal via the first switch tube, and the first voltage terminal outputs a first voltage signal to the first node and the control terminal of the second switch tube via the seventh switch tube, so as to initialize and adjust the second switch tube and pre-charge the first node. The second period is a data writing phase. During the second period, the second switch tube, the third switch tube, the fourth switch tube, and the eighth switch tube are turned on, and the fifth switch tube, the sixth switch tube, and the seventh switch tube are turned off. The data signal output by the data signal input terminal is transmitted to the first node via the third switch tube, the second switch tube, and the fourth switch tube, so as to pull up the first node to a preset potential. At the same time, the second voltage terminal initializes and adjusts the light-emitting module via the eighth switch tube. The third period is a light-emitting stage. During the third period, the light-emitting control end controls the fifth switch tube and the sixth switch tube to be turned on, and the third switch tube, the fourth switch tube, and the eighth switch tube to be turned off. The driving voltage output by the driving voltage end is sequentially transmitted to the light-emitting module through the fifth switch tube, the second switch tube, and the sixth switch tube to control the light-emitting module to emit light.

9. A display device, characterized in that: It includes a cover plate, a host and a foldable display panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the foldable display panel is stacked between the cover plate and the host, the foldable display panel includes a light-emitting side and a backlight side, the cover plate covers the light-emitting side of the foldable display panel, the host is arranged on the backlight side of the foldable display panel, and the host is used to control the foldable display panel to display images.

Images