Display module and display device

Abstract

The invention discloses a display module and a display device, and relates to the field of display. The protective cover plate is located on the display side of the display panel, a first area of the protective cover plate is a light-transmitting area, a second area of the protective cover plate is a non-light-transmitting area, and the second area surrounds the first area; the first bonding layer is located between the display panel and the protective cover plate, the first bonding layer comprises at least one groove, and the second area of the protective cover plate covers the at least one groove in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located; wherein when the display module is in the bent state, the display module comprises a bent area and a non-bent area, and the groove and the bent area are at least partially overlapped in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located. The probability that the protective cover plate and the display panel in the display module are stripped in the bending area can be reduced, the bending reliability of the display module is improved, and therefore the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly to a display module and a display device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of flexible display technologies, flexible display screens are becoming more and more common in applications and have gradually been applied to various display devices. However, in currently bendable display devices, in the bending area, the flexible film on the display side of the flexible display screen is prone to peeling off from the flexible display screen, which affects the reliability of the display device and thus the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, this application provides a display module and a display device to reduce the probability that the flexible film on the display side of the flexible display screen peels off from the flexible display screen in the bending area of a bendable display device, improve the bending reliability of the display device, and thus improve the user experience. The specific solutions are as follows:

[0004] A display module, comprising:

[0005] A display panel;

[0006] A protective cover plate located on the display side of the display panel, wherein a first area of the protective cover plate is a light-transmitting area and a second area is a non-light-transmitting area, and the second area surrounds the first area;

[0007] A first adhesive layer located between the display panel and the protective cover plate, wherein the first adhesive layer includes at least one groove, and in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the second area of the protective cover plate covers at least one groove;

[0008] Wherein, when the display module is in a bent state, the display module includes a bending area and a non-bending area, and in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove at least partially overlaps with the bending area.

[0009] A display device, comprising the above-mentioned display module.

[0010] During the manufacturing process of the display module, shape defects such as concave points or convex points are likely to occur at the edges of the first adhesive layer. Such defects will become stress concentration points when the display module is bent, generating cracks. During the process of repeated bending, the cracks will extend into the light-transmitting area of the display module in the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located. In the display module and the display device provided by the embodiments of the present application, when the display module is in a bent state, the display module includes a bent area and a non-bent area. The area of the first adhesive layer corresponding to the non-light-transmitting area has at least one groove, and in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove at least partially overlaps with the bent area. Thus, during the bending process of the display module, the groove is used to block the cracks generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module in the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, reducing the probability of peeling of the protective cover plate and the display panel due to the extension of the cracks. At the same time, the cracks in the first adhesive layer will not extend to the light-transmitting area of the display module, affecting the display quality of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module, and further improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In combination with the accompanying drawings and with reference to the following specific embodiments, the above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the original components and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0012] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of the display module when the edge of the optical adhesive layer adopts an inward contraction design;

[0013] Figure 2 Top view of the display and module when in a flattened state;

[0014] Figure 3 Partial cross-sectional view of the display and module when in a bent state;

[0015] Figure 4 Partial cross-sectional view of the display module before assembling the protective film when the edge of the optical adhesive layer adopts an edge integrated cutting design;

[0016] Figure 5 Partial cross-sectional view of the display module after assembling the protective film when the edge of the optical adhesive layer adopts an edge integrated cutting design;

[0017] Figure 6 Top view of the optical adhesive layer when the edge of the optical adhesive layer adopts an edge integrated cutting design;

[0018] Figure 7The top view of the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application in a flattened state;

[0019] Figure 8 The top view of the display module provided by another embodiment of the present application in a flattened state;

[0020] Figure 9 The partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 10 The partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application in a bent state;

[0022] Figure 11 The top view of the display module provided by another embodiment of the present application in a flattened state;

[0023] Figure 12 The top view of the display module provided by yet another embodiment of the present application in a flattened state;

[0024] Figure 13 The top view of the display module provided by still another embodiment of the present application in a flattened state;

[0025] Figure 14 The partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figures 15 - 17 The schematic diagram of the formation process of the first adhesive layer in the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 18 The schematic diagram when the first adhesive layer is formed in the display module provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 19 The partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided by yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 20 The partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided by still another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 21 The partial cross-sectional view of the display panel in the display module provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 22 The schematic diagram of the display device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] The following will clearly and completely describe the embodiments in the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] Without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application, various modifications and variations can be made to the present application, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present application is intended to cover the modifications and variations of the present application that fall within the scope of the corresponding claims (the claimed technical solutions) and their equivalents. It should be noted that the embodiments provided in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0034] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] As described in the background art section, in currently bendable display devices, in the bending area, the flexible film on the display side of the flexible display screen is prone to peeling off from the flexible display screen, affecting the reliability of the display device and thus the user experience.

[0036] Specifically, in actual applications, the flexible film on the display side of the flexible display screen is usually adhesively fixed to the display side of the flexible display screen through an optical adhesive layer. Currently, when using an optical adhesive layer to bond the flexible film and the display side of the flexible display screen, the edge of the optical adhesive layer mainly adopts an inward shrinkage design or an edge integrated cutting design.

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, when the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 adopts an inward shrinkage design, after the flexible film 01 is attached to the surface of the optical adhesive layer 02, the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 is closer to the central area of the flexible display screen 03 than the edge of the flexible display screen 03. The inward shrinkage area of the optical adhesive layer 02 is as shown in the dotted box A part of Figure 1 , but during the attachment process, due to the uneven distribution of the roller pressure applied to the flexible film 01, the edge of the formed optical adhesive layer 02 is prone to form a wavy overflow phenomenon, as shown in Figure 2 . As a result, when the display device 04 is in a bent state, its bending stress is concentrated at the "neck" of the bending area (i.e., the area with the smallest bending radius and the largest tensile stress), as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the dashed box B area, that is, the area near the non-bending area 041 in the bending area 042 of the display device 04, and the stress concentration point thereof is usually located at the peak or valley position of the wavy overflow glue corresponding to this area, resulting in cracks at the peak or valley position. During the repeated bending process, the cracks extend along the direction parallel to the plane of the flexible display screen and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the flexible display screen towards the display area of the display device, causing the flexible film 01 to be easily peeled off from the flexible display screen 03 in the bending area. If it extends to the display area of the display device, it will also affect the display quality of the display device.

[0038] As Figure 4 shown, when the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 adopts an edge integrated cutting design, before the flexible film 01 is attached to the surface of the optical adhesive layer 02, in the direction perpendicular to the plane display area of the flexible display screen 03, a cutting method is used to make the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 flush with the edge of the flexible display screen 03, so as to solve the wavy overflow glue phenomenon that appears at the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 after the flexible film 01 is attached to the surface of the optical adhesive layer 02. However, as Figure 5 shown, during the process of using a laser to cut the optical adhesive layer 02 at the cutting position C to make the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02 flush with the edge of the flexible display screen 03 in the direction perpendicular to the plane display area of the flexible display screen 03, due to the fluctuation of the laser energy, a serrated shape defect will be formed at the edge of the optical adhesive layer 02. As Figure 6 shown, during the bending process of the flexible display screen, this serrated shape defect will become a stress concentration point, generating a crack 04. During the repeated bending process, this crack 04 will extend along the direction parallel to the plane of the flexible display screen and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the flexible display screen towards the display area of the display device, causing the flexible film 01 to be easily peeled off from the flexible display screen 03 in the bending area. If it extends to the display area of the display device, it will also affect the display quality of the display device.

[0039] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a display module, as Figures 7 - 9 shown, the display module includes:

[0040] A display panel 10;

[0041] A protective cover plate 30 located on the display side of the display panel 10. The first area 101 of the protective cover plate 30 is a light-transmitting area, and the second area 102 is a non-light-transmitting area. The second area 102 surrounds the first area 101;

[0042] A first adhesive layer 20 located between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30. The first adhesive layer 20 includes at least one groove 21. In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the display module, the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30 covers at least one groove 21.

[0043] During the manufacturing process of the display module, the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 is prone to shape defects, such as Figure 7 the wavy shape of the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 as shown, or Figure 8 the serrated shape of the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 as shown. The peak or valley position of this shape defect will become a stress concentration point when the display module is bent, generating cracks, and during the repeated bending process, it will extend along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, towards the light-transmitting area (i.e., the first area 101) of the display module. In this embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, when the display module is in a bent state, the display module includes a bent area 104 and a non-bent area 103, as Figures 7 - 9 shown, the area of the first adhesive layer 20 corresponding to the non-light-transmitting area 102 has at least one groove 21. In the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove 21 at least partially overlaps with the bent area 104. Thus, during the bending process of the display module, the groove is used to block the cracks generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 from extending from the non-light-transmitting area (i.e., the second area 102) of the display module to the light-transmitting area (i.e., the first area 101) of the display module, reducing the probability of peeling of the protection cover plate 30 and the display panel 10 due to the extension of this crack. At the same time, the cracks in the first adhesive layer 20 will not extend to the light-transmitting area of the display module, affecting the display quality of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module, and further improving the user experience.

[0044] It should be noted that although in the drawings of the present application, the adhesive layer is schematically shown with a wavy shape defect at its edge (as Figure 7 shown) or a serrated shape defect (as Figure 8 shown), the present application does not limit this. In other embodiments of the present application, the edge of the adhesive layer may also have other shapes of shape defects or no shape defects (such as the side surface of the adhesive layer being flat), depending on the specific situation.

[0045] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, continuing as Figure 10 shown, the display module further includes a hinge 60 located on the non-display side of the display panel 10. The hinge 60 is used to assist the display panel 10 to achieve smooth bending and maintain the form of the display panel 10, but the present application does not limit this, depending on the specific situation.

[0046] Based on the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continuing as Figure 10As shown, the bending area 104 of the display module includes a first bending area 1041 close to the non-bending area 103 and a second bending area 1042 located on the side of the first bending area 1041 away from the non-bending area 103. Since when the display module is in a bent state, the stress concentration point is located at the "neck" of the bending area, that is, the first bending area 1041 in the bending area 104 close to the non-bending area 103. Therefore, in an alternative embodiment of the present application, in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove 21 overlaps with the first bending area 1041, so as to further reduce the probability that cracks generated by the shape defect at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 during the bending process of the display module extend from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, reduce the probability that the protective cover plate 30 and the display panel 10 are peeled off due to the extension of the crack, and at the same time prevent the crack in the first adhesive layer 20 from extending to the light-transmitting area of the display module, affecting the display quality of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module, and thus improving the user experience.

[0047] Optionally, on the basis of the above embodiment, in an embodiment of the present application, the first bending area 1041 includes the stress concentration point area when the display module is in a bent state, so as to minimize the probability that cracks generated by the shape defect at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 during the bending process of the display module extend from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, reduce the probability that the protective cover plate 30 and the display panel 10 are peeled off due to the extension of the crack, and at the same time prevent the crack in the first adhesive layer 20 from extending to the light-transmitting area of the display module, affecting the display quality of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module, and thus improving the user experience.

[0048] On the basis of the above embodiment, in an embodiment of the present application, the first bending area 1041 is the stress concentration point area during the bending process of the display module. In another embodiment of the present application, the first bending area 1041 not only includes the stress concentration point area during the bending process of the display module, but also the first bending area 1041 is larger than the stress concentration point area during the bending process of the display module, so as to reduce the difficulty of determining the first bending area 1041. However, the present application does not make any limitations in this regard, as long as the stress in the first bending area 1041 is greater than the stress in the second bending area 1042 when the display module is in a bent state.

[0049] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, along the direction from the first bending region 1041 to the second bending region 1042, the groove 21 penetrates the first bending region 1041, so that regardless of the position of the crack generated by the shape defect at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 during the bending process of the display module in the first bending region 1041, the setting of the groove 21 can block the crack from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module. However, the present application does not limit this. As long as along the direction from the first bending region 1041 to the second bending region 1042, the groove 21 at least penetrates the stress concentration point region of the display module in the bent state.

[0050] It should be noted that in practical applications, the display module may be a single-fold display module, that is, the display module has one bending axis, or it may be a double-fold display module, that is, the display module has two bending axes, or it may be that the display module has more bending axes.

[0051] Therefore, based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, as Figures 7 - 8 and Figures 11 - 12 shown, the display module has at least one bending axis EF. In this embodiment, the extending direction of the bending axis EF is the first direction X, and the extending direction of the groove 21 is the second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y are different, so that the extending direction of the groove 21 intersects with the extending direction of the bending axis EF, thereby facilitating the use of the groove 21 to block the crack generated by the shape defect near the bending axis region of the display module in the first adhesive layer 20 during the bending process of the display module from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, and improving the bending reliability of the display module. Optionally, the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular, so as to reduce the size of the groove 21 along the second direction Y on the basis that the length of the groove 21 along the direction perpendicular to the first direction X remains unchanged, thereby ensuring that the groove is only located in the non-light-transmitting area of the display module and will not extend to the light-transmitting area of the display module.

[0052] Based on the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, as Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown, the display module includes N bending axes EF. In this embodiment, N groups of grooves 21 are provided in the first adhesive layer 20. The N groups of grooves 21 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction X. One group of grooves 21 corresponds to one bending axis EF. Among them, one group of grooves 21 includes at least one groove 21, and N is an integer not less than 1. Thus, by respectively providing corresponding grooves 21 for the regions where each bending axis EF is located, when the display module bends in the region where the bending axis is located, the cracks generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 are blocked from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module in a direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located.

[0053] Optionally, continue as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, one group of grooves 21 includes a first groove 211 and a second groove 212 arranged opposite to each other in the second direction. Specifically, the first groove 211 is located on the first side of the light-transmitting area (i.e., the first area 101) of the display module, and the second groove 212 is located on the second side of the light-transmitting area (i.e., the first area 101) of the display module. The second side and the first side are located on opposite sides of the light-transmitting area in the first direction X. When the display module bends in the region where the bending axis is located, the cracks generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer are blocked from both sides of the bending axis from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module in a direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, further improving the bending reliability of the display module.

[0054] In another embodiment of the present application, as Figure 13 shown, the display module includes N bending axes EF, and a group of grooves 21 are provided in the first adhesive layer 20 to use the same group of grooves 21 to block the cracks generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module in a direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located when the display module bends in the regions where each bending axis is located, thereby improving the bending reliability of the display module. However, the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0055] Next, taking the case where the display module includes N bending axes and N groups of grooves are provided in the first adhesive layer 21, and one group of grooves corresponds to one bending axis as an example, the display module provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described.

[0056] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figures 7 - 8 and Figures 11 - 12As shown, the length D of the groove 21 in the third direction Z ≥ 2*D0 + the first process error, where the first process error includes: the process error during the formation of the groove 21, D0 is not less than the length of the first bending region 1041 in the third direction Z, and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X, so that within the allowable range of the manufacturing process error of the display module, the set length of the groove 21 can prevent the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 when the display module is in the bent state from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, thereby improving the bending reliability of the display module.

[0057] Based on the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, the first process error further includes the alignment error during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20 and the assembly error when the display module is assembled into the display device, so that the set length of the groove 21 can prevent the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer when the display module is in the bent state from extending from the non-light-transmitting area of the display module to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, thereby improving the bending reliability of the display module.

[0058] It should be noted that, continuing as Figure 9 shown, when using the first adhesive layer 20 to bond the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30, it is necessary to first form the first adhesive layer 20 on the display side of the display panel 10, and then bond the protective cover plate 30 on the side of the first adhesive layer 20 away from the display panel 10. The starting point of the crack 22 generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 during the bending process of the display module is located on the side of the first adhesive layer 20 facing the display panel 10. Therefore, in an optional embodiment of the present application, the alignment error during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20 includes the alignment error when the first adhesive layer 20 is bonded to the display panel 10, and does not include the alignment error when the first adhesive layer 20 is bonded to the protective cover plate 30. However, the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0059] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the value range of the alignment tolerance during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20 is 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, the value range of the process tolerance during the formation of the groove 21 is about 0.1 mm, and the value range of the assembly tolerance when the display module is assembled into the display device is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. However, the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0060] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the second direction and the first direction may be perpendicular or not perpendicular. If the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular, continuing as Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown, the third direction Z and the second direction Y are in the same direction. If the second direction is not perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is different from the third direction, the third direction correspondingly is the component of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0061] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the value range of the length D of the groove 21 in the third direction Z is 5 mm to 30 mm, so as to avoid the length D of the groove 21 in the third direction Z being too small to completely block the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module during the bending process of the display module, and at the same time avoid the length D of the groove 21 in the third direction Z being too large, which affects the flatness of the first adhesive layer 20. However, the present application does not make any limitation in this regard and it depends on the specific situation.

[0062] Optionally, in the above embodiment, the center of the groove 21 in the third direction Z coincides with the center of the first bending area 1041 in the third direction, so as to ensure that when the display module is in a bent state, the groove 21 can block the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module in a direction parallel to the plane of the display module and a direction perpendicular to the plane of the display module, while reducing the size of the groove 21 in the third direction. However, the present application does not make any limitation in this regard and it depends on the specific situation.

[0063] Based on the above embodiment, in an embodiment of the present application, D0 is the length of the first bending area 1041 in the third direction Z, so as to ensure that when the display module is in a bent state, the groove 21 can block the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module in a direction parallel to the plane of the display module and a direction perpendicular to the plane of the display module, while further reducing the size of the groove 21 in the third direction. However, the present application does not make any limitation in this regard and it depends on the specific situation.

[0064] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 10As shown in the figure, the non-bending area 103 of the display module includes a first planar display area 1031 and a second planar display area 1032. In the direction parallel to the display surface of the display panel, the bending area 104 is located between the first planar display area 1031 and the second planar display area 1032; the first bending area 1041 includes a first sub-bending area 10411 and a second sub-bending area 10412. The first sub-bending area 10411 is located between the first planar display area 1031 and the second bending area 1042, and the second sub-bending area 10412 is located between the second planar display area 1032 and the second bending area 1042. It should be noted that in this embodiment, neither the first sub-bending area 10411 nor the second sub-bending area 10412 overlaps with the bending axis of the bending area 104; D0 is not less than the distance between the side of the first sub-bending area 10411 far from the second sub-bending area 10412 and the side of the second sub-bending area 10412 far from the first sub-bending area 10411, so that the groove 21 can penetrate the bending area 104 along the direction from the non-bending area 103 to the bending area 104, so that the crack generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer during the bending process of the display module, no matter where it is located in the bending area, the setting of the groove 21 can block the crack from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, but the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0065] It should be noted that during the manufacturing process of the display module, process errors are inevitably present. For example, when the first adhesive layer 20 is formed on the display side of the display panel 10, there will be an alignment error between the first adhesive layer 20 and the display panel 10. Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first adhesive layer 20 already has a groove 21 before being formed on the display side of the display panel 10, that is, the groove 21 is first formed in the first adhesive layer 20, and then it is adhered to the display side of the display panel 10.

[0066] Therefore, on the basis of any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 9As shown, the distance L between the groove 21 and the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 is L≥L0, where L0 is the value of the second process error. The second process error includes the alignment error during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20. Thus, after the first adhesive layer 20 is formed on the display side of the display panel 10, when laser cutting is used to cut the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 at the cutting position C, at least part of the groove 21 will not be cut off. And on the premise that the groove 21 will not be cut off when laser cutting is used to cut the edge of the first adhesive layer 20 at the cutting position C, the probability of the overlap between the position of the groove 21 and the edge of the display panel 10 is reduced, and the phenomenon that the set position of the groove 21 cannot block the crack generated in the overlapping area between the first adhesive layer 20 and the edge of the display panel 10 during the bending process of the display module extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module along the direction parallel to the plane where the display module is located and the direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located is avoided.

[0067] As can be seen from the foregoing, when using the first adhesive layer 20 to bond the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30, it is necessary to first form the first adhesive layer 20 on the display side of the display panel 10, and then bond the protective cover plate 30 on the side of the first adhesive layer 20 away from the display panel 10. And the starting point of the serrated defect 22 of the first adhesive layer 20 is located on the side of the first adhesive layer 20 facing the display panel 10. Therefore, in an alternative embodiment of the present application, the alignment error during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20 includes the alignment error when the first adhesive layer 20 is bonded to the display panel 10, and does not include the alignment error when the first adhesive layer 20 is bonded to the protective cover plate 30. However, the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0068] It should also be noted that there will also be process errors when forming the groove 21 in the first adhesive layer 20. Therefore, on the basis of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, the second process error further includes the process error when the groove 21 is formed, so as to further reduce the probability of the overlap between the position of the groove 21 and the edge of the display panel 10 when the first adhesive layer 20 is formed on the display side of the display panel 10, and avoid the phenomenon that the set position of the groove 21 cannot block the crack generated in the overlapping area between the first adhesive layer 20 and the edge of the display panel 10 during the bending process of the display module extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module.

[0069] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the value range of the alignment error during the formation of the first adhesive layer 20 is 0.1mm to 0.2mm, and the value range of the process error when the groove 21 is formed is about 0.1mm. However, the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0070] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 9As shown, in the first direction X, the distance L2 from the groove 21 to the light-transmitting area of the display module (i.e., the first area 101 of the display module) is L2≥L0, where L0 is the value of the second process error. The second process error includes the alignment error when the first adhesive layer 20 is formed. Thus, when the first adhesive layer 20 is formed on the display side of the display panel 10, the probability that the position of the groove 21 overlaps with the display area of the display panel 10 is reduced, avoiding the phenomenon that the crack generated in the overlapping area where the first adhesive layer 20 and the edge of the display panel 10 overlap during the bending process of the display module extends from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, and avoiding the phenomenon that at least part of the groove 21 is located in the light-transmitting area of the display module and is visible to the user.

[0071] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 9 As shown, the width of the overlapping area between the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30 and the first adhesive layer 20 in the first direction X is L1, and L = L1 / 2. On the basis of ensuring that the position of the groove 21 can block the crack generated in the overlapping area where the first adhesive layer 20 and the edge of the display panel 10 overlap during the bending process of the display module from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, the width of the overlapping area between the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30 and the first adhesive layer 20 in the first direction X is reduced, which is beneficial to the realization of a narrow border of the display module.

[0072] It should be noted that the thickness of the first adhesive layer 20 is generally relatively thin. Therefore, based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 9 As shown, the groove 21 penetrates through the first adhesive layer 20. On the basis of ensuring that the position of the groove 21 can block the crack generated in the overlapping area where the first adhesive layer 20 and the edge of the display panel 10 overlap during the bending process of the display module from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, the process difficulty of the groove 21 is reduced, but the present application does not limit this. In other embodiments of the present application, the groove 21 may also not penetrate through the first adhesive layer, as Figure 14 shown, depending on the specific situation.

[0073] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, in the cross-sectional view of the display module, the shape of the groove 21 may be rectangular, continue as Figure 9 shown, or it may be wedge-shaped, continue as Figure 14 shown, or it may also be trapezoidal or other shapes. The present application does not limit this, depending on the specific situation.

[0074] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, the forming process of the groove 21 is a physical cutting process, so as to avoid shape defects at the position of the groove 21 during the formation of the groove 21 in the first adhesive layer 20. Optionally, the forming process of the groove 21 includes a die cutting process, specifically including: as Figure 15 shown, first pull a part of the length of the rolled adhesive 23 from the tail end, so that the rolled adhesive 23 is at least partially in a flat state with its tail end as the starting point; then, as Figure 16 shown, use the first die 24 and the second die 25 to punch the flattened part of the adhesive 23, wherein the first die is used to form the first adhesive layer 20 with a fixed size, and the second die 25 is used to form the groove 21, so as to obtain the first adhesive layer 20 with the groove 21, as Figure 17 shown. After obtaining the first adhesive layer 20 with the groove 21, bond it to the display side of the display panel 10, and then bond the protective cover plate 30 to the side of the first adhesive layer 20 away from the display panel 10.

[0075] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, the display module further includes: a filling layer for filling the groove, and the filling layer contains a crack arrester, so as to enhance the effect of using the groove to block the crack propagation generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer during the bending process of the display module, and further block the crack at the edge of the first adhesive layer from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, and improve the bending reliability of the display module.

[0076] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the crack arrester can be an epoxy-polyamide primer, or a polysulfide sealant, etc. The present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0077] Based on the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, the process of filling the crack arrester in the groove can be carried out simultaneously with the process of forming the groove in the first adhesive layer by using a cutting die. For example, as Figure 18 shown, set the crack arrester 26 in the second die 25, and during the process of punching the adhesive 23 with the second die 25, fill the crack arrester 26 into the groove punched out by the second die 25, so as to avoid increasing the process flow of the display module due to the addition of the crack arrester.

[0078] In another embodiment of the present application, the first adhesive layer 20 is a liquid adhesive layer before being formed on the display side of the display panel 10. In this embodiment, the formation process of the groove 21 includes: first placing a groove jig at the position where the groove 21 is to be formed on the display side of the display panel 10; then coating the first adhesive layer 20 on the display side of the display panel 10 and curing the first adhesive layer 20; after curing the first adhesive layer 20, removing the groove jig located in the first adhesive layer 20 to form the groove 21 in the first adhesive layer 20.

[0079] Based on the above embodiment, in an embodiment of the present application, the display module further includes: a filling layer for filling the groove, and the filling layer contains a crack arrester to enhance the effect of using the groove to block the crack propagation generated at the edge of the first adhesive layer during the bending process of the display module, further blocking the crack at the edge of the first adhesive layer from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, and improving the bending reliability of the display module. Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the crack arrester can be an epoxy-polyamide primer or a polysulfide sealant, etc. The formation process of the crack arrester located in the groove can be a filling process, and the present application does not limit this, which depends on the specific situation.

[0080] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, continue as Figure 9 As shown, the protective cover plate 30 includes a transparent film 31 and a light-shielding layer 32 located in a partial area on the side of the transparent film 31 facing the display panel 10. The light-shielding layer 32 corresponds to the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30 to absorb the light incident on the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30, making the second area 102 of the protective cover plate 30 a non-light-transmitting area.

[0081] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the transparent film is a flexible film, such as a transparent polyimide (Colorless Polyimide, CPI) film or other transparent flexible films; the light-shielding layer is an ink layer or other light-absorbing layers, and the present application does not limit this, which depends on the specific situation.

[0082] Based on any of the above embodiments, in an embodiment of the present application, as Figure 19 As shown, the display module includes: a polarizer 40 located between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30 to reduce the light reflection on the display surface of the display module by using the polarizer 40 and improve the display quality of the display module. However, the present application does not limit this. In other embodiments of the present application, there may be no polarizer between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30. Continue as Figure 9 As shown, to reduce the thickness of the display module, which depends on the specific situation.

[0083] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, continue asFigure 19 As shown, the display module includes: a polarizer 40 located between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30. The polarizer 40 is adhered to the protective cover plate 30 through a first adhesive layer 20, and the polarizer 40 is adhered to the display panel 10 through a second adhesive layer 50. In the embodiment of the present application, as Figure 20 shown, the display module includes: a polarizer 40 located between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30. The polarizer 40 is adhered to the protective cover plate 30 through a second adhesive layer 50, and the polarizer 40 is adhered to the display panel 10 through a first adhesive layer 20. The present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0084] It should be noted that when there may be no polarizer between the display panel 10 and the protective cover plate 30, continue as Figure 9 shown, the protective cover plate 30 is directly adhered to the display panel 10 through the first adhesive layer 20.

[0085] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first adhesive layer 20 may be an optical adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer 50 may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. However, the present application does not limit this. In other embodiments of the present application, the first adhesive layer 20 and the second adhesive layer 50 may also both be optical adhesive layers or other adhesive layers, depending on the specific situation.

[0086] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the display panel is an OLED display panel. As Figure 21 shown, the display panel 10 includes: an array substrate 11, a plurality of light-emitting units 12 located on the first side of the array substrate 11, and a planarization layer 13 located on the side of the plurality of light-emitting units 12 away from the array substrate 11. Among them, the array substrate 11 has a control circuit 111, and the control circuit 111 corresponds to the light-emitting unit 12 and is used to control the light-emitting state of its corresponding light-emitting unit 12. The planarization layer 13 is used to provide a flat forming surface for the protective cover plate 30 or the polarizer 40.

[0087] In addition, as Figure 22 shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a display device 100, and the display device includes the display module of any one of the above. Since the related description of the display module has been described in detail in the above embodiments, it will not be repeated here.

[0088] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the display device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, a laptop computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions thereon.

[0089] In summary, for the display module and the display device provided in the embodiments of the present application, when the display module is in a bent state, the display module includes a bent area and a non-bent area. In a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove at least partially overlaps with the bent area. Thus, during the bending process of the display module, the groove is used to prevent the serrated defects formed at the edge of the first adhesive layer during the cutting of the first adhesive layer at the cutting position by laser due to laser energy fluctuations from extending from the non-light-transmitting area to the light-transmitting area of the display module, so that the existence of the serrated defects will not affect the display quality of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module and further enhancing the user experience.

[0090] Moreover, for the display module and the display device provided in the embodiments of the present application, before bonding the protection cover plate to the display side of the display panel using the first adhesive layer, laser is used to cut the first adhesive layer at the cutting position, making the edge of the first adhesive layer flush with the edge of the display panel, that is, the first adhesive layer in the display module adopts an edge integrated cutting design, so as to avoid the phenomenon of wavy glue overflow at the edge of the first adhesive layer and reduce the probability of peeling between the protection cover plate and the display panel due to repeated bending of the display module.

[0091] It can be seen that for the display module and the display device provided in the embodiments of the present application, it can not only reduce the probability of peeling between the protection cover plate and the display panel due to repeated bending of the display module, but also not increase the risk of abnormal display of the display screen of the display module, improving the bending reliability of the display module and thus enhancing the user experience.

[0092] In this specification, the various embodiments are described in a progressive, or parallel, or a combination of progressive and parallel manners. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts among the various embodiments can be referred to each other. For the devices disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description of the method part.

[0093] It should be noted that in the description of this application, it should be understood that the descriptions of the drawings and embodiments are illustrative rather than restrictive. It should also be noted that in this text, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that an article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including one..." does not exclude the existence of another identical element in the article or device including the above element.

[0094] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A display module, characterized in that: include: Display panel; A protective cover plate located on the display side of the display panel, wherein the first area of ​​the protective cover plate is a light-transmitting area, the second area is a non-light-transmitting area, and the second area surrounds the first area; a first adhesive layer located between the display panel and the protective cover plate, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises at least one groove, and in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the second area of ​​the protective cover plate covers the at least one groove; Wherein, when the display module is in a bent state, the display module includes a bent area and a non-bent area, and in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove and the bent area at least partially overlap.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending area of ​​the display module includes a first bending area close to the non-bending area and a second bending area located in the first bending area away from the non-bending area; in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the display module is located, the groove overlaps with the first bending area.

3. The display module according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the display module is in a bent state, the stress in the first bent region of the display module is greater than the stress in the second bent region of the display module.

4. The display module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The display module has at least one bending axis, the extending direction of the bending axis is a first direction, the extending direction of the groove is a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are different.

5. The display module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular.

6. The display module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display module includes N bending axes, and the first adhesive layer is provided with N groups of grooves, one group of grooves corresponds to one bending axis, wherein one group of grooves includes at least one groove, and N is an integer not less than 1.

7. The display module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The length D of the groove in the third direction is ≥ 2*D0+first process error, and the first process error includes: the process error when the groove is formed, D0 is not less than the length of the first bending area in the third direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The display module according to claim 7, characterized in that: A length D of the groove in the third direction ranges from 5 mm to 30 mm, and a center of the groove in the third direction coincides with a center of the first bending region in the third direction.

9. The display module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The non-bending area of ​​the display module includes a first plane display area and a second plane display area, and in a direction parallel to the display surface of the display panel, the bending area is located between the first plane display area and the second plane display area; the first bending area includes a first sub-bending area and a second sub-bending area, the first sub-bending area is located between the first plane display area and the second bending area, and the second sub-bending area is located between the second plane display area and the second bending area; The first sub-bending region and the second sub-bending region have no overlap with the bending axis of the bending region; D0 is not less than the distance between the side of the first sub-bending region away from the second sub-bending region and the side of the second sub-bending region away from the first sub-bending region.

10. The display module according to claim 6, characterized in that: A group of grooves includes a first groove and a second groove, the first groove is located on a first side of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, the second groove is located on a second side of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and the second side and the first side are located on opposite sides of the light-transmitting area in the first direction.

11. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance L between the groove and the edge of the first adhesive layer is greater than or equal to L0, where L0 is a value of a second process error. The second process error includes an alignment error when the first adhesive layer is formed.

12. The display module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The second process error also includes a process error when the groove is formed.

13. The display module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The alignment error when the first adhesive layer is formed includes an alignment error when the first adhesive layer is bonded to the display panel.

14. The display module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The width of the overlapping area of ​​the second area of ​​the protective cover plate and the first adhesive layer in the first direction is L1, L=L1 / 2, and the first direction is the extending direction of the bending axis of the display module.

15. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove is formed by a physical cutting process.

16. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display module further includes: a filling layer filling the groove, wherein the filling layer contains a crack-stopping agent.

17. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cover plate includes a transparent film and a light shielding layer located in a partial area of ​​the transparent film facing the display panel, and the light shielding layer corresponds to the second area of ​​the protective cover plate.

18. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display module further includes: a polarizer located between the display panel and the protective cover plate, and the polarizer is bonded to the protective cover plate through the first adhesive layer or bonded to the display panel through the first adhesive layer.

19. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove penetrates the first adhesive layer.

20. A display device, characterized in that: A display module comprising any one of claims 1-19.

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