Attaching method and attaching device

Abstract

A fitting method and a fitting device are used for fitting a flexible display panel with a support layer, the support layer comprising a bendable area and non-bendable areas located on opposite sides of the bendable area, and a portion of the support layer located in the bendable area having a hollow part; the fitting method comprising: attaching the support layer to the flexible display panel by using an adhesive layer to form a folding display assembly, the folding display assembly being located on a bearing table; on a side of the folding display assembly away from the bearing table, applying pressure to positions of the folding display assembly corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable areas; wherein the process of applying pressure to the positions of the folding display assembly corresponding to the bendable area comprises: using a pressing jig to press the positions of the folding display assembly corresponding to the bendable area.

Description

bonding method and bonding device Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and more specifically to a bonding method and bonding device. Background Technology

[0002] Foldable displays rely on the flexibility of flexible displays, allowing users to fold or unfold them, making them a growing trend in electronic device development. When folded, foldable displays are small and easy to carry; when unfolded, they offer a larger display area and a better visual experience.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a bonding method and a bonding apparatus.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides a bonding method for bonding a flexible display panel to a support layer, wherein the support layer includes a bendable area and non-bendable areas located on opposite sides of the bendable area, and the portion of the support layer located in the bendable area has a cutout portion;

[0006] The bonding method includes:

[0007] The support layer is attached to the flexible display panel using an adhesive layer to form a foldable display assembly, which is located on a support platform.

[0008] On the side of the foldable display assembly away from the support platform, pressure is applied to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area; wherein, the process of applying pressure to the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area includes:

[0009] The folding display component is pressed into place at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture.

[0010] In some embodiments, the surface of the folding display component away from the support platform has a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area;

[0011] The process of applying pressure to the folded display assembly at a location corresponding to the non-bending area includes:

[0012] The drive roller rolls on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the folded display assembly at the location corresponding to the non-bending area.

[0013] In some embodiments, the step of pressing the foldable display component at a position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture is performed before the step of the drive roller rolling on the first sub-surface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the step of applying pressure to the folded display component at a location corresponding to a non-bending area includes:

[0015] The pressing fixture is used to press the folding display component at the position corresponding to the non-bending area.

[0016] In some embodiments, the pressing fixture includes a pressing surface, and in the step of pressing the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area using the pressing fixture, the orthographic projection of the pressing surface on the support platform covers the orthographic projection of the bendable area on the support platform.

[0017] In some embodiments, the pressing fixture includes a pressing surface having a plurality of protrusions, the height of which is less than or equal to the depth of the hollow portion;

[0018] In the step of pressing the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform, and the protrusion is located in the hollow portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform, and the support layer is provided with alignment marks, and there is a predetermined distance between the alignment marks and the bendable area;

[0020] Before the step of pressing the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the method further includes:

[0021] Detect the position of the alignment mark;

[0022] The pressing fixture is aligned with the bendable area according to the position of the alignment mark.

[0023] In some embodiments, after applying pressure to the foldable display assembly at locations corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area, the bonding method further includes:

[0024] Apply adhesive to the hollowed-out section.

[0025] This disclosure also provides a bonding device for bonding a flexible display panel to a support layer, the support layer including a bendable area and non-bendable areas located on opposite sides of the bendable area, the portion of the support layer located in the bendable area having a cutout portion;

[0026] The bonding device includes:

[0027] An attachment fixture is configured to attach the support layer to the flexible display panel using an adhesive layer to form a foldable display assembly;

[0028] A support platform is configured to support the folding display assembly;

[0029] The force application module is configured to apply pressure to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area on the side of the foldable display assembly away from the support platform;

[0030] The force application module includes a drive mechanism and a pressing fixture. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the pressing fixture to press the folding display component at the position corresponding to the bending area.

[0031] In some embodiments, the surface of the folding display assembly away from the support platform includes a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area; the force application module also includes rollers;

[0032] The drive module is also configured to drive the roller to roll on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the folded display component at a position corresponding to the non-bending area.

[0033] In some embodiments, the drive module is specifically configured to first drive the pressing fixture to press, and then drive the roller to roll on the first sub-surface.

[0034] In some embodiments, the driving module is specifically configured to drive the pressing fixture to simultaneously press the folding display component at positions corresponding to the non-bending area and the bendable area.

[0035] In some embodiments, the pressing fixture includes a pressing surface, the orthographic projection of which on the support platform at least covers the orthographic projection of the bendable area on the support platform.

[0036] In some embodiments, the support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform; the pressing fixture includes a pressing surface having a plurality of protrusions; the height of the protrusions is less than or equal to the depth of the cutout portion;

[0037] During the pressing process of pressing the foldable display component at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the protrusion is located in the hollowed-out portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, alignment marks are provided on the support layer, and there is a predetermined distance between the alignment marks and the bendable area;

[0039] The bonding device further includes an alignment mechanism configured to detect the position of the alignment mark;

[0040] The drive mechanism is further configured to align the pressing fixture with the bendable area according to the position of the alignment mark before driving the pressing fixture to press.

[0041] In some embodiments, the bonding device further includes: an adhesive dispensing mechanism;

[0042] The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense adhesive into the cutout portion after the force application module applies pressure to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present disclosure and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the present disclosure, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 is a top view of the support layer being bonded to the flexible display panel as provided in some embodiments.

[0045] Figure 2 is a side view of the support layer being bonded to the flexible display panel as provided in some embodiments.

[0046] Figure 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable area before and after deformation in some embodiments.

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the support layer provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the bonding method provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0049] Figure 6A is a top view of applying pressure to a folding display assembly as provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 6B is a side view of applying pressure to a folding display assembly as provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0051] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a bonding method provided in some other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 8A is a top view of applying pressure to a folding display assembly as provided in some other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0053] Figure 8B is a side view of applying pressure to a folding display assembly as provided in some other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0054] Figure 9 is a partial schematic diagram of the contact between the pressing fixture and the support layer provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0055] Figure 10 is a structural block diagram of the bonding device provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0056] Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of the bonding device provided in some other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0057] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a flexible display panel provided in some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0059] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure should have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0061] As used herein, “parallel” and “perpendicular” include the described situation and situations that are similar to the described situation, within an acceptable range of deviation, which is determined by those skilled in the art taking into account the measurement under discussion and the error associated with the measurement of a particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “parallel” includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, where an acceptable range of deviation for approximate parallelism may be, for example, within 5°; “perpendicular” includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, where an acceptable range of deviation for approximate perpendicularity may also be, for example, within 5°.

[0062] It should be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being on another layer or substrate, it can mean that the layer or element is directly on another layer or substrate, or that there is an intermediate layer between the layer or element and another layer or substrate.

[0063] This document describes exemplary embodiments with reference to sectional views and / or plan views, which are idealized exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions is enlarged for clarity. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the drawings are contemplated due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but rather include shape deviations due to, for example, manufacturing processes. Thus, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to show the actual shapes of the regions of the device, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0064] Foldable display products primarily rely on a support layer (Bracket, BKT) for bending. A foldable display product consists of a flexible display panel and a support layer located on the backlight side of the flexible display panel. The support layer is bonded to the flexible display panel via an adhesive layer. Materials for the support layer mainly include stainless steel (SUS), titanium alloy, or carbon fiber, which are characterized by high modulus and excellent support performance. To achieve the bendability of the support layer, cutouts can be created in the bendable areas of the support layer.

[0065] Figure 1 is a top view of the support layer 20 being bonded to the flexible display panel 10 in some embodiments, and Figure 2 is a side view of the support layer 20 being bonded to the flexible display panel 10 in some embodiments. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, after the support layer 20 is attached to the flexible display panel 10 using the adhesive layer 30, the roller 42 can be used to roll along the surface of the support layer 20 away from the flexible display panel 10 to compress the support layer 20 and ensure the adhesion is firm.

[0066] However, during the rolling of the roller 42 along the surface of the support layer 20, the support layer 20 will be subjected to pressure perpendicular to the direction of the support layer 20, as well as force parallel to the direction of the support layer 20, which will cause the portion of the support layer 20 located in the bendable area 201 to deform. Figure 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable area 201 before and after deformation in some embodiments. Figure 3(a) is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable area 201 before deformation, and Figure 3(b) is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable area 201 after deformation.

[0067] Furthermore, with the continuous development and upgrading of electronic products, the market demands increasingly higher standards for display devices. Foldable display products are trending towards thinner and lighter designs. However, as foldable display products become thinner and lighter, their dustproof, foreign object-proof, and compression-resistant capabilities weaken. Therefore, in some embodiments, adhesive can be applied to the hollowed-out portion V of the support layer 20 to improve the dustproof, foreign object-proof, and compression-resistant capabilities of the foldable display product. However, the adhesive application process requires extremely high positional accuracy for the hollowed-out portion V. When a portion of the bendable area 201 of the support layer 20 deforms due to pressure from the roller 42, it becomes difficult to meet the requirements of the adhesive application process.

[0068] To address the technical problem that the bendable area 201 of the support layer 20 is prone to deformation, this disclosure provides a bonding method for bonding the flexible display panel 10 to the support layer 20. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the support layer 20 provided in some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the support layer 20 includes a bendable area 201 and non-bendable areas 202 located on opposite sides of the bendable area 201. The portion of the support layer 20 located in the bendable area 201 has a cutout V.

[0069] It should be noted that Figure 4 is illustrated with the example of a support layer 20 having one bendable area 201. In other examples, the support layer 20 may also have multiple bendable areas 201, and each bendable area 201 has non-bendable areas 202 on both sides. For example, the support layer 20 may have two bendable areas 201, so that the foldable display product can be folded in two positions.

[0070] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a bonding method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 6A is a top view of applying pressure to the foldable display component 1 provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 6B is a side view of applying pressure to the foldable display component 1 provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a flowchart of a bonding method provided in other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 8A is a top view of applying pressure to the foldable display component 1 provided in other embodiments of the present disclosure; and Figure 8B is a side view of applying pressure to the foldable display component 1 provided in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] Referring to Figures 5 to 8B, the bonding methods include:

[0072] S1. The support layer 20 is attached to the flexible display panel 10 using the adhesive layer 30 to form a folded display assembly 1, which is located on the support platform 50.

[0073] S2. On the side of the folding display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50, apply pressure to the position of the folding display assembly 1 corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202.

[0074] In step S2, the process of applying pressure to the position of the foldable display component 1 corresponding to the bendable area 201 includes: pressing the position of the foldable display component 1 corresponding to the bendable area 201 using the pressing fixture 41, with the pressing direction being from the foldable display component 1 to the support platform 50.

[0075] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when pressure is applied to the bendable area 201 of the foldable display component 1, the pressing is performed using a pressing fixture 41. Compared with the method of pressing with rollers 42, the method of pressing with a pressing fixture 41 prevents the bendable area 201 of the support layer 20 from being subjected to a force parallel to the direction of the support layer 20, thereby preventing the structure of the bendable area 201 in the support layer 20 from deforming, and thus meeting the precision requirements of the subsequent dispensing process.

[0076] The bonding method of the present disclosure embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5 to 6B, the bonding method includes the following steps S1 to S3:

[0078] S1. The support layer 20 is attached to the flexible display panel 10 using the adhesive layer 30 to form a folded display assembly 1, which is located on the support platform 50. The surface of the folded display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50 has a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area 202.

[0079] Specifically, step S1 may include the following steps S11 to S13:

[0080] S11. Place the flexible display panel 10 on the support platform 50.

[0081] S12, providing an adhesive layer 30 and a support layer 20 bonded together.

[0082] S13. The adhesive layer 30 and the support layer 20 are attached to the surface of the flexible display panel 10 away from the support stage 50, with the adhesive layer 30 located between the flexible display panel 10 and the support layer 20. For example, the support layer 20 can be adsorbed using an adsorption jig and placed on the flexible display panel 10 so that the adhesive layer 30 and the support layer 20 are attached to the surface of the flexible display panel 10 away from the support stage 50.

[0083] S2. Apply pressure to the foldable display component 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202.

[0084] For example, the support layer 20 is provided with alignment marks 20m. For instance, the alignment marks 20m are located outside the bendable area 201 and have a predetermined distance between them. The alignment marks 20m can be a straight line, a cross shape, a star shape, a ring shape, or other shapes. The alignment marks 20m can be a protrusion or a groove on the surface of the support layer 20.

[0085] Step S2 may include the following steps S20 to S23:

[0086] S20. The pressing fixture 41 is placed on the side of the folding display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50.

[0087] S21. Detect the position of the alignment mark 20m, and align the pressing fixture 41 with the bendable area 201 according to the position of the alignment mark 20m.

[0088] For example, an optical inspection fixture can be used to detect the position of the alignment mark 20m, thereby determining the position of the foldable area based on the position of the alignment mark 20m, and then adjusting the pressing fixture 41 so that the pressing fixture 41 is aligned with the bendable area 201.

[0089] S22. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, on the side of the folding display component 1 away from the support platform 50, the pressing fixture 41 is used to press the folding display component 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201.

[0090] For example, the pressing fixture 41 includes a pressing surface. In step S22, the orthographic projection of the pressing surface on the support platform 50 covers the orthographic projection of the bendable area 201 on the support platform 50, which helps to improve the uniformity of force at each position of the bendable area 201, thereby improving the bonding effect between the support layer 20 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0091] For example, in step S22, the pressing time of the pressing fixture 41 is between 1 and 2 seconds, and the pressing force is between 0.2 and 0.4 MPa, thereby ensuring the bonding effect between the support layer 20 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0092] For example, in step S22, the flexible display panel 10 is located between the support layer 20 and the carrier platform 50, and the pressing fixture 41 presses onto the support layer 20 to prevent the flexible display panel 10 from being damaged.

[0093] Figure 9 is a partial schematic diagram of the contact between the pressing fixture and the support layer provided in some embodiments of this disclosure. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the pressing surface has multiple protrusions 41a, the height of which is less than or equal to the depth of the hollow portion V. In step S22, the protrusions 41a are located within the hollow portion V. In this case, the protrusions 41a can limit the position and size of the hollow portion V, further preventing changes in the position and size of the hollow portion V during the bonding process.

[0094] For example, the size and shape of the protrusion 41a can be adapted to the cutout portion V to improve the limiting effect of the protrusion 41a.

[0095] S23, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the drive roller 42 rolls on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the position of the folding display assembly 1 corresponding to the non-bending area 202.

[0096] In this embodiment, the direction of movement of the roller 42 when it rolls is not limited. In one example, the direction of movement of the roller 42 when it rolls is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the non-bending area 202 and the bending area 201. For example, the roller 42 can move in a direction close to the bending area 201, or it can move in a direction away from the bending area 201.

[0097] In one example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, there are two rollers 42. The two rollers 42 roll in two non-bending areas 202 respectively, moving either towards the bendable area 201 or away from the bendable area 201. Of course, there can also be only one roller 42, which can roll in multiple non-bending areas 202.

[0098] In one example, the extension direction of the roller 42 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the non-bendable area 202 and the bendable area 201, and the length of the roller 42 is greater than or equal to the width of the folding display component 1, thereby improving the pressing efficiency.

[0099] In one example, step S22 is performed before step S23 to ensure that the portion of the support layer 20 located in the bendable area 201 is firmly bonded to the flexible display panel 10 before the non-bending area 202 is squeezed using the roller 42, thus preventing the portion of the support layer 20 located in the bendable area 201 from being deformed by the roller 42.

[0100] During the execution of step S23, the pressing fixture 41 may keep the portion of the foldable display component 1 corresponding to the bendable area 201 pressed, or it may stop pressing.

[0101] For example, as shown in FIG4, in addition to the bendable region 201 and the non-bendable region 202, the support layer 20 may also include a transition region 203 located between the bendable region 201 and the non-bendable region 202. The surface of the support layer 20 away from the flexible display panel 10 also has a groove SL, which is located in the transition region 203. For example, the groove SL is a strip-shaped groove whose extension direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the non-bendable region 202 and the bendable region 201. By providing the transition region 203, stress concentration at the junction of the bendable region 201 and the non-bendable region 202 can be prevented in the support layer 20.

[0102] In the transition zone 203, pressure can be applied to the folding display assembly 1 by rolling the roller 42 on the surface of the support layer 20; or pressure can be applied to the folding display assembly 1 by vertical pressing.

[0103] S3. Apply adhesive to the cutout section V. By dripping a flexible adhesive into the cutout section V, the compression resistance, dust resistance, and foreign object resistance of the folding display component 1 can be improved.

[0104] In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 7 to 8B, the bonding method includes the following steps S1 and S2:

[0105] S1. The support layer 20 is attached to the flexible display panel 10 using the adhesive layer 30 to form a folded display assembly 1, which is located on the support platform 50. The surface of the folded display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50 has a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area 202.

[0106] Specifically, step S1 may include the following steps S11 to S13:

[0107] S11. Place the flexible display panel 10 on the support platform 50.

[0108] S12, providing an adhesive layer 30 and a support layer 20 bonded together.

[0109] S13. The adhesive layer 30 and the support layer 20 are attached to the surface of the flexible display panel 10 away from the support stage 50, with the adhesive layer 30 located between the flexible display panel 10 and the support layer 20. For example, the support layer 20 can be adsorbed using an adsorption jig and placed on the flexible display panel 10 so that the adhesive layer 30 and the support layer 20 are attached to the surface of the flexible display panel 10 away from the support stage 50.

[0110] S2. Apply pressure to the foldable display assembly 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202. Step S2 includes S20 and S21:

[0111] S20. The pressing fixture 41 is placed on the side of the folding display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50.

[0112] S21. On the side of the folding display component 1 away from the support platform 50, the pressing fixture 41 simultaneously presses the folding display component 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the position not corresponding to the bendable area 202. The pressing time and pressing force can be the same as in step S22.

[0113] For example, in step S21, the orthographic projection of the pressing fixture 41 on the support platform 50 covers the orthographic projection of the entire foldable display assembly 1 on the support platform 50, thereby pressing each position of the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202 simultaneously, ensuring the uniformity of pressure at each position, and thus ensuring the bonding effect between the support layer 20 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0114] S3. Apply adhesive to the cutout section V. By dripping a flexible adhesive into the cutout section V, the compression resistance, dust resistance, and foreign object resistance of the folding display component 1 can be improved.

[0115] This disclosure also provides a bonding device for bonding a foldable display panel 10 and a support layer 20. Figure 10 is a structural block diagram of a bonding device provided in some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 10, the bonding device 100 includes: a bonding fixture 60, a support platform 50, and a force application module.

[0116] The attachment fixture 60 is configured to attach the support layer 20 to the flexible display panel 10 using the adhesive layer 30, forming a folded display assembly 1. For example, the attachment fixture 60 may include a suction cup for adsorbing the support layer 20 and transferring the support layer 20 to one side of the flexible display panel 10 for attachment.

[0117] The support platform 50 is configured to support the folding display component 1.

[0118] The force application module is configured to apply pressure to the folding display assembly 1 on the side away from the support platform 50 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202.

[0119] The force application module includes a drive mechanism 43 and a pressing fixture 41. The drive mechanism 43 is configured to drive the pressing fixture 41 to press the folding display component 1 at the position corresponding to the bending area 201.

[0120] In some embodiments, the surface of the folding display assembly 1 away from the support platform 50 includes a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending region 202; the force application module also includes a roller 42. The drive module is further configured to drive the roller 42 to roll on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the position of the folding display assembly 1 corresponding to the non-bending region 20.

[0121] In some embodiments, the drive module is specifically configured to first drive the pressing fixture 41 to press, and then drive the roller 42 to roll on the first sub-surface.

[0122] In some embodiments, the pressing fixture 41 includes a pressing surface, the orthographic projection of the pressing surface on the support platform 50 at least covering the orthographic projection of the bendable area 201 on the support platform 50, thereby making the pressure on each position of the bendable area 201 uniformly distributed and improving the bonding strength between the support layer 20 and the flexible display panel 10.

[0123] In some embodiments, the pressing surface has a plurality of protrusions 41a; the height of the protrusions 41a is less than or equal to the depth of the cutout portion V. During the pressing process of pressing the folding display component 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 using the pressing fixture 41, the protrusions 41a are located in the cutout portion V, thereby preventing the position and size of the cutout portion V from changing during the bonding process.

[0124] In some embodiments, an alignment mark 20m is provided on the support layer 20, and there is a predetermined distance between the alignment mark 20m and the bendable area 201.

[0125] The bonding device also includes an alignment mechanism configured to detect the position of the alignment mark 20m.

[0126] The drive mechanism 43 is also configured to align the pressing fixture 41 with the bendable area 201 according to the position of the alignment mark 20m before the pressing fixture 41 is driven to press.

[0127] In some embodiments, the bonding device further includes an adhesive dispensing mechanism configured to dispense adhesive into the cutout portion V after the force application module applies pressure to the foldable display assembly 1 at the position corresponding to the bendable area 201 and the non-bendable area 202, thereby improving the compression resistance, dustproof and foreign object protection capabilities of the foldable display assembly 1.

[0128] Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of a bonding device provided in some other embodiments of this disclosure. The bonding device shown in Figure 11 is similar to that in Figure 10, except that the roller 42 is not required in the bonding device shown in Figure 11. In this case, the drive mechanism 43 is configured to drive the pressing fixture 41 to simultaneously press the folding display component 1 at the positions corresponding to the non-bending area 202 and the bendable area 201.

[0129] For example, when the pressing fixture 41 presses the folding display assembly 1, the orthographic projection of the pressing surface on the support platform 50 covers the entire orthographic projection of the folding display assembly 1 on the support platform 50.

[0130] In the embodiments described above, the flexible display panel can be an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display panel. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a flexible display panel provided in some embodiments. As shown in Figure 12, the display panel includes: a substrate 11, a driving circuit layer 12 disposed on the substrate 11, a light-emitting structure layer 13 disposed on the driving circuit layer 12, and an encapsulation layer 14 disposed on the light-emitting structure layer 13. The support layer is located on the side of the substrate 11 away from the driving circuit layer 12. In some possible implementations, the display panel 10 may include other film layers, which are not limited herein.

[0131] For example, the substrate 11 may be a flexible substrate.

[0132] For example, the driving circuit layer 12 may include transistors and storage capacitors constituting pixel circuits. Figure 12 shows only one transistor and one storage capacitor in each pixel circuit. The transistor includes an active layer 122, a gate electrode 121, a source electrode 123, and a drain electrode 124. In some possible implementations, the driving circuit layer 12 of each sub-pixel may include: a buffer layer BFL disposed on a substrate 11, an active layer 122 disposed on the buffer layer BFL, a first gate insulating layer GI1 covering the active layer 122, a gate electrode 121 and a first capacitor electrode 125 disposed on the first gate insulating layer GI1, a second gate insulating layer GI2 covering the gate electrode 121 and the first capacitor electrode 125, a second capacitor electrode 126 disposed on the second gate insulating layer GI2, and an interlayer insulating layer ILD covering the second capacitor electrode 126. A via is formed in the interlayer insulating layer ILD, and the via exposes the active layer 122. Source electrode 123 and drain electrode 124 are disposed on the interlayer insulating layer (ILD), and are connected to the active layer 122 via vias. A planarization layer (PLN) is located on the side of the source electrode 123 and drain electrode 124 away from the substrate 11. A first capacitor electrode 125 and a second capacitor electrode 126 form a storage capacitor. In some possible implementations, the buffer layer (BFL), the first gate insulating layer (GI1), the second gate insulating layer (GI2), and the interlayer insulating layer (ILD) can be any one or more of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), and can be a single layer, multiple layers, or a composite layer. The gate electrode 121, source electrode 123, drain electrode 124, first capacitor electrode 125, and second capacitor electrode 126 can be made of metallic materials, such as any one or more of silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), and molybdenum (Mo), or alloys of the above metals, such as aluminum-neodymium alloy (AlNd) or molybdenum-niobium alloy (MoNb). They can be single-layer structures or multi-layer composite structures, such as Ti / Al / Ti. The active layer 122 can be made of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO), zinc oxynitride (ZnON), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), amorphous silicon (a-Si), polycrystalline silicon (p-Si), hexathiophene, or polythiophene, etc. That is, this disclosure applies to transistors manufactured based on oxide technology, silicon technology, or organic technology. The active layer 122 based on oxide technology can be an oxide containing indium and tin, an oxide containing tungsten and indium, an oxide containing tungsten, indium and zinc, an oxide containing titanium and indium, an oxide containing titanium, indium and tin, an oxide containing indium and zinc, an oxide containing silicon, indium and tin, an oxide containing indium, gallium and zinc, etc.

[0133] For example, the light-emitting structure layer 13 may include an anode 131, a pixel definition layer PDL, an organic light-emitting layer 133, and a cathode 132. The anode 131 is disposed on a planarization layer PLN and is connected to a drain electrode 124 through a via formed in the planarization layer PLN. The pixel definition layer PDL is disposed on the anode 131 and the planarization layer PLN and has a pixel opening that exposes the anode 131. The organic light-emitting layer 133 is disposed within the pixel opening. The cathode 132 is disposed on the organic light-emitting layer 133. The organic light-emitting layer 133 emits light of the corresponding color under the action of a voltage applied to the anode 131 and the cathode 132.

[0134] For example, the organic light-emitting layer 133 may include at least a stacked hole injection layer (HIL), hole transport layer (HTL), emission layer (EML), electron transport layer (ETL), and electron injection layer (EIL). The hole injection layer and hole transport layer may be collectively referred to as the hole layer, and the electron transport layer and electron injection layer may be collectively referred to as the electron layer.

[0135] For example, the encapsulation layer 14 may include a first encapsulation layer 141, a second encapsulation layer 142 and a third encapsulation layer 143 stacked together. The first encapsulation layer 141 and the third encapsulation layer 143 may be made of inorganic materials, while the second encapsulation layer 142 may be made of organic materials. The second encapsulation layer 142 is disposed between the first encapsulation layer 141 and the third encapsulation layer 143, which can ensure that external moisture cannot enter the light-emitting structure layer 13.

[0136] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of this disclosure, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A bonding method for bonding a flexible display panel to a support layer, the support layer including a bendable area and non-bendable areas located on opposite sides of the bendable area, the portion of the support layer located in the bendable area having a cutout portion; wherein The bonding method includes: The support layer is attached to the flexible display panel using an adhesive layer to form a foldable display assembly, which is located on a support platform. On the side of the foldable display assembly away from the support platform, pressure is applied to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area; wherein, the process of applying pressure to the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area includes: The folding display component is pressed into place at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The surface of the folding display component away from the support platform has a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area; The process of applying pressure to the folded display assembly at a location corresponding to the non-bending area includes: The drive roller rolls on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the folded display assembly at the location corresponding to the non-bending area.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The step of pressing the foldable display component at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture is performed before the step of the drive roller rolling on the first sub-surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The step of applying pressure to the folded display assembly at a location corresponding to the non-bending area includes: Using the pressing fixture, the folding display assembly is positioned corresponding to the non-bending area. Line pressing.

5. The conforming method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The pressing fixture includes a pressing surface. In the step of pressing the foldable display component at the position corresponding to the bendable area using the pressing fixture, the orthographic projection of the pressing surface on the support platform covers the orthographic projection of the bendable area on the support platform.

6. The conforming method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The pressing fixture includes a pressing surface, the pressing surface having multiple protrusions, the height of the protrusions being less than or equal to the depth of the hollow portion; In the step of pressing the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform, and the protrusion is located in the hollow portion.

7. The conforming method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform. The support layer is provided with alignment marks, and there is a predetermined distance between the alignment marks and the bendable area. Before the step of pressing the foldable display assembly at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the method further includes: Detect the position of the alignment mark; The pressing fixture is aligned with the bendable area according to the position of the alignment mark.

8. The conforming method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Following the step of applying pressure to the foldable display assembly at locations corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area, the bonding method further includes: Apply adhesive to the hollowed-out section.

9. A bonding device for bonding a flexible display panel to a support layer, the support layer including a bendable area and non-bendable areas located on opposite sides of the bendable area, the portion of the support layer located in the bendable area having a cutout portion; wherein The bonding device includes: An attachment fixture is configured to attach the support layer to the flexible display panel using an adhesive layer to form a foldable display assembly; A support platform is configured to support the folding display assembly; The force application module is configured to apply pressure to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area on the side of the foldable display assembly away from the support platform; The force application module includes a drive mechanism and a pressing fixture. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the pressing fixture to press the folding display component at the position corresponding to the bending area.

10. The application of claim 9, wherein, The surface of the folding display assembly away from the support platform includes a first sub-surface corresponding to the non-bending area; the force application module also includes rollers. The drive module is also configured to drive the roller to roll on the first sub-surface to apply pressure to the folded display component at a position corresponding to the non-bending area.

11. The application of claim 10, wherein, The drive module is specifically configured to first drive the pressing fixture to press, and then drive the roller to roll on the first sub-surface.

12. The application of claim 9, wherein, The driving module is specifically configured to drive the pressing fixture to simultaneously press the folding display component at positions corresponding to the non-bending area and the bendable area.

13. The application of claim 9, wherein, The pressing fixture includes a pressing surface, the orthographic projection of which on the support platform at least covers the orthographic projection of the bendable area on the support platform.

14. The application of claim 9, wherein, The support layer is located on the side of the flexible display panel away from the support platform; the pressing fixture includes a pressing surface with multiple protrusions; the height of the protrusions is less than or equal to the depth of the hollow portion; During the pressing process of pressing the foldable display component at the position corresponding to the bendable area using a pressing fixture, the protrusion is located in the hollowed-out portion.

15. The application device of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, The support layer is provided with alignment marks, and there is a predetermined distance between the alignment marks and the bendable area; The bonding device further includes an alignment mechanism configured to detect the position of the alignment mark; The drive mechanism is further configured to align the pressing fixture with the bendable area according to the position of the alignment mark before driving the pressing fixture to press.

16. The application of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, The bonding device further includes: an adhesive dispensing mechanism; The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense adhesive into the cutout portion after the force application module applies pressure to the foldable display assembly at a position corresponding to the bendable area and the non-bendable area.

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