Display module and display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a display module and a display device, the display module comprises a display panel, the display panel comprises a display area, a binding area and a bending area located between the display area and the binding area, and the bending area is bent to enable the binding area to be located on the backlight side of the display area; the supporting layer is arranged on the backlight side of the display area, the supporting layer comprises a first face far away from the display panel and a second face close to the display panel, and the first face and / or the second face are / is half-etched to form a first pattern structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of display product manufacturing, and in particular, to a display module and a display device. Background Art

[0002] The change in the size of mobile phones always evolves with technological progress. When the size of mobile phones reaches the limit of being holdable with one hand as the screen size increases, it will be difficult to maintain the convenience of one-handed operation and portability while continuing to increase the screen size. At this time, the emergence of folding screen mobile phones not only brings an innovative appearance but also solves the contradiction between the screen size and the convenience of one-handed operation and portability. Different folding methods can meet the needs of people who value screen size or focus on portability, bringing more personalized choices to users and promoting folding screen mobile phones to become a new direction of industry development. And weight reduction and thickness reduction of folding are the most important trends, which can not only improve portability but also further enhance the user experience.

[0003] Folding screen mobile phones are an emerging trend in the smartphone market in recent years. Their unique innovation and personalized appearance not only relieve the aesthetic fatigue of consumers towards traditional straight mobile phones, but also different folding methods (left - right fold, up - down fold, inside - outside fold, etc.) bring new experiences to consumers.

[0004] However, the weight and thickness of folding screens are generally greater than those of traditional straight mobile phones. If folding screen mobile phones can achieve better weight reduction and thickness reduction, their portability will be further improved, and the user experience will be enhanced synchronously. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above - mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a display module and a display device.

[0006] In order to achieve the above - mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present invention is: a display module, comprising:

[0007] A display panel, including a display area, a bonding area, and a bending area located between the display area and the bonding area, the bending area is bent so that the bonding area is located on the backlight side of the display area;

[0008] A support layer, disposed on the backlight side of the display area, the support layer includes a first surface disposed away from the display panel and a second surface disposed close to the display panel, and a first pattern structure is formed by semi - etching on the first surface and / or the second surface.

[0009] Optionally, it further includes a flexible printed circuit board, located on the backlight side of the display area, and one end is bonded and connected to the bonding area;

[0010] The first pattern structure includes a first groove provided on the first surface, and at least a part of the flexible circuit portion is embedded in the first groove.

[0011] Optionally, a spacer is provided between the display area and the bonding area. Along the direction from the bonding area to the bending area, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer and a second sub-spacer arranged at intervals;

[0012] The bonding area includes a first area overlapping with the first sub-spacer and a second area overlapping with the second sub-spacer. The second area is arranged close to the bending area, and a driving IC is arranged on the side of the first area away from the display panel;

[0013] In the light-emitting direction of the display panel, the thickness of the first sub-spacer is less than the thickness of the second sub-spacer.

[0014] Optionally, a spacer is provided between the display area and the bonding area. Along the direction from the bonding area to the bending area, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer and a second sub-spacer arranged at intervals;

[0015] The bonding area includes a first area overlapping with the first sub-spacer and a second area overlapping with the second sub-spacer. The second area is arranged close to the bending area, and a driving IC is arranged on the side of the first area away from the display panel;

[0016] The first pattern structure includes a second groove and a third groove provided on the first surface. The first sub-spacer is embedded in the second groove, and the second sub-spacer is embedded in the third groove.

[0017] Optionally, the depth of the second groove is greater than the depth of the third groove.

[0018] Optionally, in the light-emitting direction of the display panel, the thickness of the first sub-spacer is less than the thickness of the second sub-spacer.

[0019] Optionally, the display area includes a bending area, and a first flat area and a second flat area located on opposite sides of the bending area in a first direction. The second flat area is arranged close to the bending area. The display module is folded and unfolded through the bending area, and the first direction is parallel to the direction from the display area to the bending area;

[0020] The first flat area is semi-etched or hollowed out to form a second pattern structure, and the first pattern structure is arranged on the second flat area.

[0021] Optionally, the second pattern structure includes at least one fourth groove, and the extending direction of the fourth groove is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0022] Optionally, the fourth groove is filled with a first filling material, and the first filling material is made of a different material from that of the support layer, so as to reduce the weight of the support layer.

[0023] Optionally, the bottom of at least one of the first groove and the fourth groove is semi-etched to form a third pattern structure, the third pattern structure includes at least one fifth groove, and the extending direction of the fifth groove is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0024] Optionally, the second pattern structure includes a plurality of through holes, the through holes are filled with a second filling material, and the second filling material is made of a different material from that of the support layer, so as to reduce the weight of the support layer.

[0025] Optionally, the bending area is hollowed out to form a fourth pattern structure, the fourth pattern structure includes multiple columns of hollow structures extending along the second direction, and each column of the hollow structures includes a plurality of hollow holes arranged at intervals, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0026] Optionally, a first transition area is provided between any one of the first flat area and the second flat area and the bending area, the first transition area is semi-etched to form a fifth pattern structure, and the fifth pattern structure includes at least one sixth groove extending along the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0027] Optionally, a second transition area is provided between the first transition area and the bending area, the second transition area is semi-etched to form a sixth pattern structure, and the sixth pattern structure includes at least one seventh groove extending along the second direction. In the first direction, the width of the seventh groove is greater than the width of the sixth groove, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, including the above-mentioned display module.

[0029] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the first pattern structure is formed by semi-etching on the support layer, so that the weight of the support layer can be reduced, and further the overall weight of the display module can be reduced. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the display module in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the display module in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the support layer in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the support layer in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the display module in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the display module in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the display module in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the second pattern structure;

[0038] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the second pattern structure. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the ordinary meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The "first", "second" and similar terms used in the present disclosure do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms such as "a", "an" or "the" do not denote a quantity limitation, but mean that there is at least one. The terms such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before this term cover the elements or objects listed after this term and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms such as "connect" or "couple" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms such as "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" are only used to indicate relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationships may also change accordingly.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, features such as "parallel", "perpendicular", and "identical" used herein include the strictly defined features such as "parallel", "perpendicular", "identical", etc., as well as cases with certain tolerances such as "substantially parallel", "substantially perpendicular", "substantially identical", etc. Considering measurement and tolerances associated with the measurement of a specific quantity (e.g., limitations of the measurement system), it means within an acceptable deviation range for a specific value determined by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, "substantially" can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within 3% or 5% of the value.

[0042] In addition, in this document, unless otherwise defined, the terms "substantially", "essentially", "about", and "approximately" are used to describe and explain small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or situation, these terms can cover the case where the event or situation occurs precisely, as well as the case where the event or situation occurs approximately. For example, when used in conjunction with a numerical value, these terms can include a variation range of less than or equal to 10% of the numerical value, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, less than or equal to ±0.05%. The term "substantially coplanar" can mean that two surfaces are arranged in the same plane within a micron range, for example, arranged in the same plane within 40μm, 30μm, 20μm, 10μm, or 1μm.

[0043] Folding-screen mobile phones are an emerging trend in the smartphone market in recent years. Their unique innovation and personalized appearance not only relieve consumers' aesthetic fatigue with traditional straight-bar mobile phones, but also different folding methods (left-right fold, up-down fold, inside-out fold, etc.) bring new experiences to consumers.

[0044] However, the weight and thickness of folding-screen mobile phones are generally greater than those of traditional straight-bar mobile phones. If folding-screen mobile phones can achieve better weight reduction and thickness reduction, then their portability will be further improved, simultaneously enhancing the user experience.

[0045] Reference Figures 1-9 , in view of the above problems, the present embodiment provides a display module, including:

[0046] A display panel 1, including a display area 11, a bonding area 13, and a bending area 12 located between the display area 11 and the bonding area 13, the bending area 12 being bent such that the bonding area 13 is located on the backlight side of the display area 11;

[0047] A support layer 2, disposed on the backlight side of the display area 11, the support layer 2 including a first surface disposed away from the display panel 1 and a second surface disposed close to the display panel 1, and the first surface and / or the second surface being semi-etched to form a first pattern structure.

[0048] Since the display panel 1 is relatively soft, the support layer 2 can support the display panel 1, thereby improving the support of the display module and protecting the display panel 1 at the same time. In this embodiment, the first surface and / or the second surface of the support layer 2 is semi-etched to form a first pattern structure. The weight of the support layer 2 can be reduced, and further the overall weight of the display module can be reduced.

[0049] The material of the support layer 2 can be a material such as metal that can play a supporting role. Among them, the metal material can be stainless steel or shape memory alloy, etc. In some preferred embodiments, in order to reduce the thickness of the support layer 2, the material is titanium alloy (Ti). In some embodiments, the thickness of the support layer 2 is 120 um, but it is not limited thereto.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the display module further includes a flexible printed circuit board 3, which is located on the backlight side of the display area 11 and is connected to the bonding area 13 at one end.

[0051] The first pattern structure includes a first groove 21 provided on the first surface, and at least a part of the flexible circuit portion is embedded in the first groove 21.

[0052] The flexible printed circuit board 3 can be connected to the bonding area 13 through a chip-on-film, and the flexible printed circuit board 3 can also be directly bonded to the bonding area 13. At least a part of the flexible printed circuit board 3 is embedded in the first groove 21, that is, a part of the flexible printed circuit board 3 is accommodated in the first groove 21, or the flexible printed circuit board 3 is entirely accommodated in the first groove 21. By adopting the above scheme, the purpose of etching and weight reduction can be achieved, and the Z-direction height at the flexible printed circuit board 3 can be reduced, improving the space of the battery compartment. In some embodiments, the height of the battery compartment can be increased by 60 um, but it is not limited thereto.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board 3 includes a main body area, and the main body area is fixedly connected to the first groove 21 through an adhesive layer. One end of the main body area close to the bonding area 13 is bonded to the bonding area 13 through a chip-on-film; the end of the main body area far from the bonding area 13 is provided with a connection area for bonding to the main circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board 3 as a whole can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. In some embodiments, the main body area is a multi-layer structure, and the connection area is a single-layer structure formed by the extension of the metal layer in the main body area. The connection area can be located inside the first groove 21, and the connection area can be located outside the first groove 21 to facilitate connection to the main circuit board.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, a spacer is disposed between the display area 11 and the bonding area 13. Along the direction from the bonding area 13 to the bending area 12, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer 51 and a second sub-spacer 52 which are spaced apart;

[0055] The bonding area 13 includes a first area that overlaps with the first sub-spacer 51 and a second area that overlaps with the second sub-spacer 52. The second area is disposed close to the bending area 12, and a driving IC 4 is disposed on a side of the first area away from the display panel 1;

[0056] In the light-emitting direction of the display panel 1, the thickness of the first sub-spacer 51 is less than the thickness of the second sub-spacer 52.

[0057] The setting of the spacer is to ensure the bending radius of the bending area 12. In this embodiment, along the direction from the bonding area 13 to the bending area 12 (refer to the X direction in Figure 1 ), the spacer includes a first sub-spacer 51 and a second sub-spacer 52 which are spaced apart. That is, compared with the conventional technology, the spacer is disposed in a split manner. A driving IC 4 is disposed on the bonding area 13. The setting position of the first sub-spacer 51 overlaps with the driving IC 4, that is, the orthographic projection of the first sub-spacer 51 on the bonding area 13 coincides with the orthographic projection of the driving IC 4 on the bonding area 13. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first sub-spacer 51 is reduced, and the thickness of the second sub-spacer 52 remains unchanged. The second sub-spacer 52 is disposed close to the bending area 12. That is, while ensuring the bending radius of the bending area 12, the Z-direction height of the position where the driving IC 4 is located can be reduced, which is beneficial to the overall thinning of the display module.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, a spacer is disposed between the display area 11 and the bonding area 13. Along the direction from the bonding area 13 to the bending area 12, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer 51 and a second sub-spacer 52 which are spaced apart;

[0059] The bonding area 13 includes a first area that overlaps with the first sub-spacer 51 and a second area that overlaps with the second sub-spacer 52. The second area is disposed close to the bending area 12, and a driving IC 4 is disposed on a side of the first area away from the display panel 1;

[0060] The first pattern structure includes a second groove 23 and a third groove 24 disposed on the first surface. The first sub-spacer 51 is embedded in the second groove 23, and the second sub-spacer 52 is embedded in the third groove 24. Refer to Figure 6 .

[0061] Exemplarily, the second groove 23 and the third groove 24 can be connected to form a single groove. The first sub-gasket 51 is embedded in the second groove, and the second sub-gasket 52 is embedded in the third groove 24, which is beneficial to the overall thinning of the display module and can achieve a smaller bending radius. And compared with the conventional technology, when the bending radius remains unchanged, the thickness of the second sub-gasket 52 can be increased at least, which is also greatly beneficial to the improvement of Spacer Peeling for the extreme Bending R (bending radius).

[0062] In this embodiment, along the direction from the bonding area 13 to the bending area 12, the gasket includes a first sub-gasket 51 and a second sub-gasket 52 that are spaced apart, that is, compared with the conventional technology, the gasket is arranged in a split manner. A driving IC 4 is provided on the bonding area 13, and the setting position of the first sub-gasket 51 overlaps with the driving IC 4, that is, the orthographic projection of the first sub-gasket 51 on the bonding area 13 coincides with the orthographic projection of the driving IC 4 on the bonding area 13. In some embodiments of this embodiment, the depth of the second groove 23 is greater than the depth of the third groove 24, so that the distance between the surface of the first sub-gasket 51 away from the support layer 2 and the support layer 2 is less than the distance between the surface of the second sub-gasket 52 away from the support layer 2 and the support layer 2. While ensuring the bending radius of the bending area 12, the Z-direction height of the position where the driving IC 4 is located can be reduced, the space of the battery compartment can be increased, and it is beneficial to the overall thinning setting of the display module.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, in the light-emitting direction of the display panel 1, the thickness of the first sub-gasket 51 is less than the thickness of the second sub-gasket 52.

[0064] It should be noted that on the basis of ensuring the required bending radius of the bending area 12, in order to reduce the Z-direction height of the position where the driving IC 4 is located, the depth of the second groove 23 can be increased, and / or the thickness of the first sub-gasket 51 can be reduced.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the display area 11 includes a bending area 100, and a first flat area 200 and a second flat area 300 that are located on opposite sides of the bending area 100 in a first direction. The second flat area 300 is disposed close to the bending area 12. The display module is folded and unfolded through the bending area 100, and the first direction is parallel to the direction from the display area 11 to the bending area 12;

[0066] The first flat area 200 is semi-etched or hollowed out to form a second pattern structure, and the first pattern structure is disposed on the second flat area 300.

[0067] By adopting the above solution, the overall weight of the display module can be further reduced. Compared with the display module in the traditional technology, the weight can be reduced by about 40%. And by disposing the second pattern structure on the first flat area 200 and the first pattern structure on the second flat area 300, the thickness of the battery compartment can be increased. In an embodiment where the thickness of the support layer 2 is 120 um, compared with the traditional technology, the thickness of the battery compartment can be increased by 60 um, but this is not limited thereto.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the second pattern structure includes at least one fourth groove 22, and the extending direction of the fourth groove 22 is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0069] The second pattern structure may include one fourth groove 22, and the shape of the fourth groove 22 may be the same as or different from the shape of the first flat area 200. For example, if the cross-sectional shape of the first flat area 200 in the direction parallel to the light-emitting surface of the display panel 1 is rectangular, then the cross-sectional shape of the fourth groove 22 in the direction parallel to the light-emitting surface of the display panel 1 is rectangular, but this is not limited thereto.

[0070] The second pattern structure may also include a plurality of fourth grooves 22. The fourth grooves 22 are strip-shaped structures, and the plurality of fourth grooves 22 are arranged side by side with intervals therebetween. The extending direction of the fourth groove 22 is perpendicular to the first direction. The fourth groove 22 may be completely located within the first flat area 200, that is, both ends of the fourth groove 22 in its extending direction are closed, and at least one end of the fourth groove 22 in its extending direction may also penetrate the corresponding side surface of the first flat area 200.

[0071] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, in order to ensure flatness and avoid fitting imprinting, the fourth groove 22 is filled with a first filling material 9, and the first filling material 9 is made of a different material from that of the support layer 2 so as to reduce the weight of the support layer 2.

[0072] It should be noted that Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the fourth groove 22, the second groove 23, and the third groove 24 are all filled with the first filling material 9. However, during assembly, the first filling material 9 in the second groove 23 and the third groove 24 needs to be removed, and the first filling material 9 in the fourth groove 22 can be removed or retained according to actual needs.

[0073] It should be noted that, in order to protect the support layer 2, a protective film layer 10 is further provided on the side of the support layer 2 away from the display panel 1 before assembly, and the protective film layer 10 is to be removed during assembly.

[0074] It should be noted that the first filling material 9 is filled in the fourth groove 22, and the material of the first filling material 9 needs to be different from that of the support layer 2, and it is ensured that the overall weight of the support layer 2 after filling the fourth groove 22 with the first filling material 9 is smaller than the overall weight of the support layer 2 without the fourth groove 22, so as to achieve weight reduction of the support layer 2 and ensure the flatness of the surface of the support layer 2.

[0075] The first filling material 9 can be a low modulus filler, such as optical glue, or an elastic material such as foam can also be selected to increase the anti-extrusion strength of the weight reduction area and simultaneously improve the die imprint. The first filling material 9 can also be a protective film made of PI or PET material, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] It should be noted that the second pattern structure is not limited to the above, as long as the weight reduction of the support layer 2 is achieved. For example, the second pattern structure can include a plurality of grooves arranged in an array, and the shape of the grooves can be circular, rectangular, etc., refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 .

[0077] refer to Figure 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, in order to further achieve weight reduction of the support layer 2, the bottom of at least one of the second groove 23 and the fourth groove 22 is semi-etched to form a third pattern structure 111, and the third pattern structure 111 includes at least one fifth groove, and the extending direction of the fifth groove is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0078] The third pattern structure 111 can include one fifth groove, and in the direction parallel to the light-emitting surface of the display panel 1, the area of the fifth groove is less than or equal to the area of the corresponding second groove 23 or fourth groove 22, reducing the process difficulty.

[0079] In some embodiments, the third pattern structure 111 includes a plurality of the fifth grooves, and the fifth grooves are strip-shaped structures, arranged side by side and spaced apart. The extending direction of the fifth grooves can be perpendicular or parallel to the first direction, and is not limited herein.

[0080] It should be noted that the shape of the fifth groove can be various, such as circular, rectangular, etc. When the third pattern structure 111 includes a plurality of the fifth grooves, the shape of the fifth groove is not limited to a strip structure, and can also be a block structure distributed in an array, etc. Refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 .

[0081] The second pattern structure can be a groove formed by a semi-etching process or a through-hole provided in a hollowed-out manner. Refer to Figure 7 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second pattern structure includes a plurality of through-holes 25, and a second filling material 112 is filled in the through-holes 25. The second filling material 112 is made of a material different from that of the support layer 2, so as to reduce the weight of the support layer 2.

[0082] In order to avoid fitting imprinting, the second filling material 112 is filled in the through-holes 25. The second filling material 112 is filled in the through-holes 25. The material of the second filling material 112 needs to be different from that of the support layer 2, and it is ensured that the overall weight of the support layer 2 after filling the through-holes 25 with the second filling material 112 is smaller than the overall weight of the support layer 2 without the through-holes provided, so as to achieve the weight reduction of the support layer 2 and ensure the flatness of the surface of the support layer 2.

[0083] The second filling material 112 can be a low modulus filler, such as optical glue, or an elastic material such as foam can also be selected to increase the anti-extrusion strength of the weight reduction area and improve the imprinting synchronously. The second filling material 112 can also be a protective film made of PI or PET material, but it is not limited thereto.

[0084] Exemplarily, when the second pattern structure includes a plurality of the through-holes 25, the distribution manner and shape of the plurality of the through-holes 25 can be various. For example, the plurality of the through-holes 25 can be circular, rectangular, etc., and are arranged in an array in the first flat area 200. The through-holes 25 can also be a strip structure, and its extending direction can be perpendicular or parallel to the first direction, and are arranged at intervals and side by side.

[0085] Refer to Figure 5 . In an exemplary embodiment, the bending area 100 is provided in a hollowed-out manner to form a fourth pattern structure. The fourth pattern structure includes a plurality of columns of hollowed-out structures extending in the second direction. Each column of the hollowed-out structures includes a plurality of hollowed-out holes arranged at intervals. The second direction (refer to Figure 5 the Z direction in

[0086] is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0087] The bending axis of the bending region 100 is perpendicular to the first direction, that is, the extending directions of multiple columns of the hollow structures are parallel to the bending axis of the bending region 100, so as to avoid the fracture of the fourth pattern structure.

[0088] The specific structural form of the fourth pattern structure can be various. In some embodiments, the hollow holes may be strip-shaped through holes extending along the second direction, and the two ends of the strip-shaped through hole along its extending direction may be elliptical ends to reduce stress. The hollow holes in adjacent two columns of the hollow structures are staggeredly arranged.

[0089] Exemplarily, in each column of the hollow structures, the region between two adjacent hollow holes is a solid connection region. Multiple columns of the hollow structures include adjacent first column of hollow structures and second column of hollow structures. The orthographic projection of the solid connection region in the first column of hollow structures on the second column of hollow structures is located on the hollow holes of the second column of hollow structures.

[0090] Exemplarily, the lengths of the hollow holes in different columns of the hollow structures in their extending directions may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the lengths of the hollow holes in different columns of the hollow structures in their extending directions are different, so that the solid connection regions in different columns of the hollow structures are staggeredly arranged, enhancing the stability of the bending region 100 and preventing fracture.

[0091] Exemplarily, in the second direction, the support layer 2 has a first side surface and a second side surface which are oppositely arranged. The hollow structure has a first hollow hole arranged close to the first side surface and a second hollow hole arranged close to the second side surface. The first hollow hole penetrates through the first side surface, and the second hollow hole penetrates through the second side surface.

[0092] Exemplarily, the first hollow hole in the first column of hollow structures penetrates through the first side surface, and the first hollow hole in the second column of hollow structures does not penetrate through the first side surface; the second hollow hole in the first column of hollow structures penetrates through the first side surface, and the second hollow hole in the second column of hollow structures does not penetrate through the second side surface.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, a first transition region 400 is arranged between any one of the first flat region 200 and the second flat region 300 and the bending region 100. The first transition region 400 is semi-etched to form a fifth pattern structure. The fifth pattern structure includes at least one sixth groove extending along the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0094] The setting of the fifth pattern structure not only plays a role in weight reduction, but also releases bending stress to avoid stress concentration.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, a second transition region 500 is provided between the first transition region 400 and the bending region 100. The second transition region 500 is semi-etched to form a sixth pattern structure. The sixth pattern structure includes at least one seventh groove extending in a second direction. In the first direction, the width of the seventh groove is greater than the width of the sixth groove, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0096] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a display device, including the above-mentioned display module.

[0097] The display module includes the display panel 1. The light-emitting surface of the display panel 1 includes a stacked polarizer 7 and a cover layer 8. The polarizer 7 and the cover layer 8 are connected by an optical adhesive layer. The backlight layer of the display panel 1 is provided with the support layer 2.

[0098] Wherein, the display substrate includes a flexible substrate, a driving circuit layer and a light-emitting device sequentially stacked on the flexible substrate; the driving circuit layer includes a pixel driving circuit, as well as signal lines such as gate lines and data lines. The pixel driving circuit may include multiple thin-film transistors; the light-emitting device may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), etc.

[0099] The polarizer 7 (Polarizer, abbreviated as POL), the optical adhesive layer and the cover layer 8 are sequentially stacked along the light-emitting direction. The polarizer 7 can transmit the light in the light emitted from the display area 11 of the display panel 1, the vibration direction of which is the same as the transmission axis of the polarizer 7, and absorb the light in the above-mentioned light, the vibration direction of which is perpendicular to the transmission axis of the polarizer 7.

[0100] The cover layer 8 can be made of materials such as transparent polyimide (CPI), ultra-thin glass (UTG) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc., and has the characteristics of being hard and transparent, scratch-resistant and drop-resistant, and can play a protective role for the display module. And the light emitted by each pixel in the display module can be emitted through the cover layer 8. In this way, through the settings of the polarizer 7, the optical adhesive layer and the cover layer 8, the support ability of the display panel 1 is further increased, and the protection of the display panel 1 on the light-emitting side is realized.

[0101] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the thickness of the display module, the cover layer 8 is made of transparent polyimide (CPI). In order to improve the strength of the cover layer 8, a strengthening coating treatment is performed on the side of the cover layer 8 away from the display panel 1.

[0102] A back film 6 (U-Film) is further provided between the display panel 1 and the support layer 2, and an optical adhesive layer is provided between the back film 6 and the support layer 2.

[0103] In some specific embodiments, the thickness of the cover layer 8 is 60 um, the thickness of the optical adhesive layer between the cover layer 8 and the polarizer 7 is 35 um, the thickness of the polarizer 7 can be 46 um, the thickness of the display panel 1 is 38 um, the thickness of the back film 6 is 65 um, the thickness of the optical adhesive layer between the back film 6 and the support layer 2 is 15 um, and the thickness of the support layer 2 (made of titanium alloy) is 120 um, but not limited thereto.

[0104] The display device includes, but is not limited to: components such as a radio frequency unit, a network module, an audio output unit, an input unit, a sensor, a display unit, a user input unit, an interface unit, a memory, a processor, and a power supply. Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the above display device does not constitute a limitation on the display device. The display device may include more or fewer of the above components, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements. In the embodiments of the present invention, the display device includes, but is not limited to, a display, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a wearable electronic device, a navigation display device, etc.

[0105] The following points need to be explained:

[0106] (1) The drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure only relate to the structures involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and other structures can refer to the general design.

[0107] (2) For clarity, in the drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of the layer or region is enlarged or reduced, that is, these drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. It can be understood that when an element such as a layer, a film, a region, or a substrate is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, the element can be "directly" on or under the other element or there can be an intermediate element.

[0108] (3) Without conflict, the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0109] It can be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments adopted to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display module, comprising: characterized in that, a display panel, including a display area, a bonding area, and a bending area located between the display area and the bonding area, the bending area being bent so that the bonding area is located on the backlight side of the display area; a support layer, disposed on the backlight side of the display area, the support layer including a first surface disposed away from the display panel and a second surface disposed close to the display panel, and the first surface and / or the second surface being semi-etched to form a first pattern structure.

2. The display module according to claim 1, wherein It further includes a flexible printed circuit board, located on the backlight side of the display area, and one end thereof is bonded and connected to the bonding area; The first pattern structure includes a first groove disposed on the first surface, and at least a part of the flexible printed circuit board is embedded in the first groove.

3. The display module according to claim 1, wherein A spacer is disposed between the display area and the bonding area, and along the direction from the bonding area to the bending area, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer and a second sub-spacer disposed at intervals; The bonding area includes a first area superposed with the first sub-spacer and a second area superposed with the second sub-spacer, the second area is disposed close to the bending area, and a driving IC is disposed on the side of the first area away from the display panel; In the light-emitting direction of the display panel, the thickness of the first sub-spacer is less than the thickness of the second sub-spacer.

4. The display module according to claim 1, wherein A spacer is disposed between the display area and the bonding area, and along the direction from the bonding area to the bending area, the spacer includes a first sub-spacer and a second sub-spacer disposed at intervals; The bonding area includes a first area superposed with the first sub-spacer and a second area superposed with the second sub-spacer, the second area is disposed close to the bending area, and a driving IC is disposed on the side of the first area away from the display panel; The first pattern structure includes a second groove and a third groove disposed on the first surface, the first sub-spacer is embedded in the second groove, and the second sub-spacer is embedded in the third groove.

5. The display module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The depth of the second groove is greater than the depth of the third groove.

6. The display module according to claim 4, characterized in that In the light-emitting direction of the display panel, the thickness of the first sub-spacer is less than the thickness of the second sub-spacer.

7. The display module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The display area includes a bending region, and a first flat region and a second flat region located on opposite sides of the bending region in a first direction, the second flat region is disposed close to the bending area, the display module is folded and unfolded through the bending region, and the first direction is parallel to the direction from the display area to the bending area; The first flat region is semi-etched or hollowed out to form a second pattern structure, and the first pattern structure is disposed on the second flat region.

8. The display module according to claim 7, wherein The second pattern structure includes at least one fourth groove, and the extending direction of the fourth groove is perpendicular to the first direction.

9. The display module according to claim 8, wherein, The fourth groove is filled with a first filling material, and the first filling material is different from the material of the support layer to reduce the weight of the support layer.

10. The display module according to claim 8, wherein, The bottom of at least one of the first groove and the fourth groove is semi-etched to form a third pattern structure, and the third pattern structure includes at least one fifth groove, and the extending direction of the fifth groove is perpendicular to the first direction.

11. The display module according to claim 7, wherein, The second pattern structure includes a plurality of through holes filled with a second filling material, and the second filling material is made of a different material from that of the support layer so as to reduce the weight of the support layer.

12. The display module according to claim 7, wherein, The bending area is hollowed out to form a fourth pattern structure, and the fourth pattern structure includes multiple columns of hollow structures extending along the second direction, and each column of the hollow structures includes a plurality of hollow holes arranged at intervals, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

13. The display module according to claim 7, wherein A first transition area is provided between any one of the first flat area and the second flat area and the bending area, and the first transition area is semi-etched to form a fifth pattern structure, and the fifth pattern structure includes at least one sixth groove extending along the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

14. The display module according to claim 13, wherein A second transition area is provided between the first transition area and the bending area, and the second transition area is semi-etched to form a sixth pattern structure, and the sixth pattern structure includes at least one seventh groove extending along the second direction. In the first direction, the width of the seventh groove is greater than the width of the sixth groove, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

15. A display device, characterized in that, Including the display module according to any one of claims 1-14.

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