Display module, display device and preparation method of display module

Abstract

The application discloses a display module, a display device and a preparation method of the display module. The display module has a bending area and a non-bending area located on one side of the bending area, and comprises a support substrate, a display panel and a first protective film. The display panel comprises a first screen body, a bending part and a second screen body, and the bending part connects the first screen body and the second screen body. The first protective film comprises a first subpart and a second subpart, the first subpart is located on one side of the first screen body away from the support substrate, and the second subpart is located on one side of the second screen body away from the support substrate. The first subpart and the second subpart are both located in the non-bending area and are arranged at intervals, that is, the first protective film is not arranged in the bending area, so that the stress received by the bending part during bending is reduced, the first protective film does not cover the bending part, the problem that the bending part of the display panel receives a large stress during bending of the display panel and fails is avoided, and the use performance of the display product is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display, specifically to a display module, a display device, and a method for manufacturing the display module. Background Technology

[0002] Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and flat panel displays based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in various consumer electronics products such as mobile phones, televisions, laptops, and desktop computers due to their advantages such as high image quality, energy saving, thin body, and wide range of applications, becoming the mainstream of display devices.

[0003] However, the performance of current OLED display products needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a display module, a display device, and a method for manufacturing the display module, aiming to improve the performance of OLED display products.

[0005] A first aspect of this application provides a display module having a bending area and a non-bending area adjacent to the bending area. The display module includes: a support substrate; a display panel located on one side of the support substrate, the display panel including a first screen body, a bending portion and a second screen body, the bending portion being located on both sides of the first screen body in a first direction and located in the bending area, the first screen body and the second screen body being located in the non-bending area, the second screen body being located on the side of the bending portion away from the first screen body, and the bending portion being connected between the first screen body and the second screen body; and a first protective film located on the side of the display panel away from the support substrate, the first protective film including a first sub-part and a second sub-part spaced apart, the first sub-part being located on the side of the first screen body away from the support substrate, the second sub-part being located on the side of the second screen body away from the support substrate, and the first sub-part and the second sub-part being located in the non-bending area.

[0006] According to the first aspect of this application, there are two bent portions, which are respectively located on both sides of the first screen body in the first direction.

[0007] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, there are two second screens, each of which is located on the side of the bending portion away from the first screen.

[0008] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the two bent portions are symmetrically arranged about the first screen body.

[0009] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the first screen body and the second screen body are disposed opposite to each other in the second direction, the second screen body is located on the side of the support substrate away from the first screen body, at least a portion of the bent portion is bent and connected between the first screen body and the second screen body, and the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0010] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, it further includes: a support portion, at least a portion of which is located between the support substrate and the bent portion.

[0011] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the support portion includes a first portion located between the support substrate and the bending portion.

[0012] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the support portion further includes a second portion located between the support substrate and the second screen body.

[0013] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, it further includes: a second protective film located between the first sub-part and the second sub-part and in the bending region, the second protective film being located on the side of the bending portion away from the support substrate.

[0014] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the materials of the first protective film and the second protective film may be the same or different.

[0015] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the first protective film and the second protective film are made of the same material.

[0016] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the dimension of the bending region in the first direction is less than or equal to half the dimension of the support substrate in the second direction.

[0017] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the dimension of the bending area in the first direction is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0018] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of this application, the display module further includes a driver chip, and a through hole is provided on the second sub-part, with the driver chip located in the through hole and connected to the second screen body.

[0019] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a display device that includes a display module of any of the above embodiments.

[0020] An embodiment of a third aspect of this application provides a method for manufacturing a display module, the display module having a bending region and a non-bending region adjacent to the bending region, the method comprising:

[0021] A display panel is fabricated on a support substrate. The display panel includes a first screen body, a bent portion, and a second screen body. The bent portion is located on both sides of the first screen body in a first direction and is located in the bending area. The first screen body and the second screen body are located in the non-bending area. The second screen body is located on the side of the bent portion away from the first screen body. The bent portion is connected between the first screen body and the second screen body.

[0022] A first protective material layer is prepared on the side of the display panel away from the supporting substrate, and the first protective material layer is patterned to form a first protective film. The first protective film includes a first sub-part and a second sub-part that are spaced apart. The first sub-part is located on the side of the first screen body away from the supporting substrate, and the second sub-part is located on the side of the second screen body away from the supporting substrate. The first sub-part and the second sub-part are located in the non-bending area.

[0023] The support substrate is cut to remove the portion of the support substrate located at the bend and on the second screen side;

[0024] The display panel and the first protective film are bent so that the second screen body and the second sub-part are bent to the side of the support substrate away from the first screen body.

[0025] According to the embodiment of the third aspect of this application, after the step of cutting the support substrate, the method further includes:

[0026] A support portion is provided on at least one side of the support substrate in the first direction.

[0027] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the third aspect of this application, the support portion includes a first portion located between the support substrate and the bending portion.

[0028] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the third aspect of this application, the support portion further includes a second portion located between the support substrate and the second screen body.

[0029] According to an embodiment of this application, the display module has a bending area and a non-bending area located on one side of the bending area. The display module includes a supporting substrate, a display panel, and a first protective film. The display panel includes a first screen body, a bending portion, and a second screen body. The bending portion connects the first screen body and the second screen body. The display panel can be bent at the bending portion, causing the first screen body and the second screen body to move closer together, thereby reducing the bezel of the display panel and achieving a narrow bezel design. The first protective film includes a first sub-part and a second sub-part. The first sub-part is located on the side of the first screen body away from the supporting substrate, protecting the first screen body. The second sub-part is located on the side of the second screen body away from the supporting substrate, protecting the second screen body. Both the first sub-part and the second sub-part are located in the non-bending area and are spaced apart, meaning the first protective film is not provided in the bending area. This reduces the stress on the bending portion during bending and prevents the first protective film from covering the bending portion, which could cause the bending portion of the display panel to experience excessive stress and risk failure when the display panel is bent, thus improving the performance of the display product. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar features, and the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in the first aspect embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in yet another embodiment;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment;

[0038] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display module according to the first aspect of this application;

[0039] Figures 9 to 14This is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing a display module provided in the first aspect of this application.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0041] 10. Display module; 11. Non-bending area; 12. Bending area;

[0042] 100. Supporting substrate;

[0043] 200. Display panel; 210. First screen; 220. Second screen; 230. Bending section;

[0044] 300, First protective film; 310, First sub-part; 320, Second sub-part; 321, Through hole; 330, Third sub-part; 331, Groove;

[0045] 400. Support section; 410. First section; 420. Second section;

[0046] 500, Second protective film;

[0047] 600. Driver chip;

[0048] X, the first direction; Y, the second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain this application and are not configured to limit this application. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples of this application.

[0050] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0051] It should be understood that when describing the structure of a component, when referring to a layer or region as being "above" or "on top of" another layer or region, it can mean that it is directly above the other layer or region, or that it contains other layers or regions between it and the other layer or region. Furthermore, if the component is flipped over, that layer or region will be located "below" or "under" the other layer or region.

[0052] Flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, characterized by active light emission, wide viewing angles, broad color gamut, high brightness, fast response time, and low power consumption, are gradually becoming the mainstream in the market. Furthermore, due to their flexible and foldable structure, they can be used to fabricate various forms of electronic devices. For example, they can be used in foldable screen phones, allowing for the storage of large screens through folding, thus meeting users' demands for large screens and portability.

[0053] With the development of display technology, display panels are being used more and more widely, and the requirements for narrow bezels are becoming increasingly stringent. To achieve a narrow bezel effect, the non-display area of ​​the flexible screen is typically bent to the back of the display panel, using the smallest possible bending radius.

[0054] In flexible panel module packaging technology, to make better use of space and increase the screen-to-body ratio, the chip and screen are bent together to the back of the phone panel, thus achieving a narrow bezel. However, in the screen bending process, when the bending radius is small, it is inevitable that the internal stress of the screen in the bending area will increase, leading to problems such as breakage of internal metal traces or failure of the inner film layer. Therefore, avoiding excessive stress in the bending area of ​​the screen is an important design consideration.

[0055] When the bending radius decreases, the stress does not increase linearly. Instead, when the bending radius is below a certain threshold, the stress increases much faster than linearly. However, the trend towards thinner and lighter mobile phone panels is to address screen failure issues while reducing the bending radius.

[0056] Therefore, in order to solve the screen failure problem, this application provides a display module, a display device, and a method for manufacturing the display module. The following will describe various embodiments of the display module, display device, and method for manufacturing the display module with reference to the accompanying drawings. The display module can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display module.

[0057] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in the first aspect of this application.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, a first aspect embodiment of this application provides a display module 10. The display module 10 has a bending region 12 and a non-bending region 11 adjacent to the bending region 12. The display module 10 includes: a support substrate 100; and a display panel 200 located on one side of the support substrate 100. The display panel 200 includes a first screen 210, a bending portion 230, and a second screen 220. The bending portion 230 is located on both sides of the first screen 210 in a first direction X and is located in the bending region 12. The first screen 210 and the second screen 220 are located in the non-bending region 11. The second screen 220 is located in the non-bending region 11. The bending portion 230 is located on the side of the display panel 200 away from the first screen body 210, and the bending portion 230 is connected between the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220; the first protective film 300 is located on the side of the display panel 200 away from the support substrate 100, and the first protective film 300 includes a first sub-part 310 and a second sub-part 320 spaced apart, the first sub-part 310 is located on the side of the first screen body 210 away from the support substrate 100, the second sub-part 320 is located on the side of the second screen body 220 away from the support substrate 100, and the first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 are located in the non-bending area 11.

[0059] According to an embodiment of this application, the display module 10 has a bending region 12 and a non-bending region 11 located on one side of the bending region 12. The display module 10 includes a support substrate 100, a display panel 200, and a first protective film 300. The display panel 200 includes a first screen body 210, a bending portion 230, and a second screen body 220. The bending portion 230 connects the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220. The display panel 200 can be bent at the bending portion 230, so that the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220 are close to each other, thereby reducing the bezel of the display panel 200 and realizing a narrow bezel design. The first protective film 300 includes a first sub-part 310 and a second sub-part 320. The first sub-part 310 is located on the side of the first screen body 210 away from the support substrate 100, realizing protection for the first screen body 210. The second sub-part 320 is located on the side of the second screen body 220 away from the support substrate 100, realizing protection for the second screen body 220. The first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 are both located in the non-bending area 11 and are spaced apart. That is, the first protective film 300 is not provided in the bending area 12, which reduces the stress on the bending part 230 when bending. This avoids the first protective film 300 covering the bending part 230, which would cause the bending part 230 of the display panel 200 to be subjected to greater stress when the display panel 200 is bent, thus preventing the risk of failure and improving the performance of the display product.

[0060] Optionally, the display panel 200 is a flexible display panel 200.

[0061] Optionally, the elastic modulus of the bending portion 230 is less than that of the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220, so that the display panel 200 can be bent at the bending portion 230, so that the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220 are brought closer to each other, thereby reducing the bezel of the display panel 200 and realizing a narrow bezel design.

[0062] Optionally, the material of the first protective film 300 may include a flexible material.

[0063] Optionally, the support substrate 100 may include a glass substrate.

[0064] The modulus of elasticity can be considered an indicator of how easily a material undergoes elastic deformation. The higher the value, the greater the stress required to induce a certain elastic deformation, meaning the material is more stiff and, under a given stress, undergoes less elastic deformation. The modulus of elasticity refers to the stress required for a material to produce a unit elastic deformation under external force. It reflects a material's ability to resist elastic deformation, equivalent to the stiffness of a common spring.

[0065] In some optional embodiments, there are two bends 230, located on opposite sides of the first screen body 210 in the first direction X. Optionally, the two bends 230 are symmetrically arranged about the first screen body 210. For example, there is a reference plane perpendicular to the first screen body 210, the first screen body 210 is symmetrical about the reference plane, and the two bends 230 are symmetrical about the reference plane.

[0066] In these optional embodiments, the double-bend portion 230 design allows the first screen 210 to bend simultaneously on both sides, so that the second screen 220 is symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the first screen 210. Compared to the single-bend portion 230, this design can shrink the screen edge in both directions, significantly reducing the physical space occupied by the side bezels, and getting closer to the "zero bezel" target. By symmetrically setting two bend portions 230, the bending stress is evenly distributed to both sides, avoiding the risk of screen breakage or film peeling caused by stress concentration when bending on one side. The local cutting and reverse bonding processes of the double-bend portion 230 can be independently controlled, further reducing the residual stress in the bending area 12 and improving the yield. The double-bend portion 230 design is compatible with the "segmented protective film" scheme proposed in the disclosure document. The first protective film 300 of both bending areas 12 is removed to ensure that the bending operation is not interfered with by the first protective film 300. At the same time, the first protective film 300 of the non-bending area 11 is set in segments at intervals, which protects the main body area of ​​the screen and avoids uneven bonding stress caused by the film covering the bending area 12. When there are two bending parts 230, there are two bending areas 12 corresponding to the bending parts 230, and the two bending areas 12 are located on both sides of the non-bending area 11 corresponding to the first screen 210.

[0067] In some alternative embodiments, there are two second screens 220, each of which is located on the side of each bend 230 away from the first screen 210.

[0068] In these optional embodiments, each bending portion 230 corresponds to an independent second screen body 220, so that when the bending portions 230 on both sides of the first screen body 210 are bent, they can respectively drive the corresponding second screen body 220 to retract in different directions (such as left and right). Compared with single-sided bending, this design further compresses the bezel area that cannot be covered by a single side by bending simultaneously on both sides, maximizing the utilization of the display area. The two second screen bodies 220 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first screen body 210, forming a geometric symmetrical relationship with the two bending portions 230. During the bending process, the tensile / compressive stress on both sides can be canceled out by the symmetrical design, avoiding the risk of screen warping, film peeling or glass substrate breakage caused by stress concentration on one side. The protective film of each second screen body 220 is independently segmented, and the glass substrate in the bending area 12 is precisely removed, further reducing the impact of residual stress on yield.

[0069] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220 are disposed opposite each other in the second direction Y. The second screen body 220 is located on the side of the support substrate 100 away from the first screen body 210. At least a portion of the bent portion 230 is bent and connected between the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220. The first direction X and the second direction Y intersect.

[0071] In these alternative embodiments, the second screen 220 is bent to the other side of the support substrate 100 (e.g., from the front to the back) through the bending design of the bending portion 230, thereby reducing the bezel width. When there are two bending portions 230 and two screens 220, this design significantly expands the effective display area of ​​the screen compared to unidirectional bending, and the bezel width can be further reduced. The second screen 220 is located on the side of the support substrate 100 away from the first screen 210 (e.g., the back of the support substrate 100), and the three-dimensional stacking of the screens is achieved through the bent portion 230. This design breaks through the limitations of traditional planar layouts, providing a more compact mechanical structure for terminal devices (such as foldable phones and surround-screen TVs), while meeting the needs of multiple scenarios (such as dual-sided display or 360° surround screen).

[0072] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in yet another embodiment; Figure 4This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment.

[0073] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, optionally, the first protective film 300 further includes a third portion, which is disposed in the bending area 12 and located on the side of the bending portion 230 away from the supporting substrate 100. The elastic modulus of the third portion is less than that of the first portion 410 and the second portion 420. The third portion has greater elasticity, which can reduce the stress on the bending area 12 when bending and form protection for the bending portion 230.

[0074] Optionally, the thickness of the third portion is less than that of the first portion 410 and the second portion 420 to increase the elasticity of the third portion and to form protection for the bent portion 230. The smaller thickness of the third portion can reduce the stress on the bent area 12 during bending.

[0075] Optionally, the third section is provided with multiple grooves 331, which can reduce the stress on the bending area 12 during bending.

[0076] like Figure 2 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the display module 10 further includes a support portion 400, at least a portion of which is located between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230.

[0077] Optionally, the material of the support portion 400 includes organic materials, such as optically clear resin (OCR), optically clear adhesive (OCA), etc.

[0078] In these optional embodiments, the support portion 400, as a flexible medium, is embedded between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230, effectively absorbing localized stresses (such as tensile / compressive stresses) generated during bending. Through its elastic deformation characteristics, the support portion 400 evenly distributes stress over a larger area, avoiding screen breakage, film peeling, or microcracks in the glass substrate caused by stress concentration, significantly improving bending reliability. The support portion 400 can precisely cover the cut edges of the support substrate 100, further reducing the impact of residual stress on yield. The support portion 400 provides continuous support for the bending portion 230 by physically filling the gap between the bending portion 230 and the support substrate 100, preventing unexpected deformation or collapse of the screen during bending. The support portion 400 can fix the spatial position of the bending portion 230, ensuring precise alignment of the display panel 200 and the support substrate 100 during bonding, reducing bonding bubbles or warping caused by displacement, and improving process consistency. The support portion 400 forms a physical isolation layer, preventing external mechanical impacts, dust, or moisture from entering sensitive areas. This design not only extends the lifespan of the display module 10, but also reduces the risk of failure due to environmental factors (such as oxidation or delamination), meeting the high durability requirements of consumer electronics products.

[0079] In some alternative embodiments, the support portion 400 includes a first portion 410 located between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230.

[0080] In these optional embodiments, the first portion 410, as a core component of the support portion 400, is precisely positioned in the direct contact area between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230. Utilizing its highly elastic material properties, the first portion 410 can provide directional buffering for high stress concentration areas of the bending portion 230 (such as the cut edge of the support substrate 100), absorbing and dispersing dynamic stresses (such as tensile / shear stresses) during bending. Compared to a uniformly distributed support portion 400, the segmented design of the first portion 410 can more efficiently reduce local stress peaks, avoiding the risk of screen breakage or film peeling. The first portion 410 fills the physical gap between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230, forming a continuous mechanical transmission path. The first portion 410 fixes the bending portion 230 to the support substrate 100 through adhesive bonding, preventing relative displacement or misalignment between the display panel 200 and the support substrate 100 during bending, ensuring bonding accuracy. Meanwhile, its flexible properties allow the bending part 230 to deform freely within a certain range, avoiding screen warping or air bubble problems caused by rigid constraints.

[0081] Optionally, the surface of the first portion 410 facing the bending portion 230 is curved. The curved design ensures that the surface of the first portion 410 closely matches the bending shape of the bending portion 230, significantly increasing the contact area. Compared to planar contact, the curved surface can evenly distribute the tensile / compressive stress generated during bending to a larger area, preventing excessive stress concentration at the edges of the bending portion 230 (such as at the cut point of the support substrate 100), thereby reducing the risk of screen breakage, film peeling, or microcracks in the glass substrate. As a natural guiding structure, the curved surface can guide the bending portion 230 to deform naturally along a preset curvature path during bending. The seamless fit between the curved support portion 400 and the bending portion 230 forms a continuous closed interface, effectively preventing external contaminants such as moisture and dust from intruding into the sensitive structure of the bending area 12.

[0082] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment.

[0083] like Figure 5 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the support portion 400 further includes a second portion 420 located between the support substrate 100 and the second screen body 220.

[0084] In these alternative embodiments, the second portion 420 extends the function of the support portion 400 from the bending region 12 (first portion 410) to the interface between the second screen 220 and the support substrate 100. By forming a partitioned and hierarchical support between the first portion 410 (bending region 12) and the second portion 420 (the area where the second screen 220 is located), the first portion 410 alleviates dynamic bending stress through its curved surface design; the second portion 420 provides a stable base for the second screen 220, reducing micro-displacements caused by static loads or vibrations. The synergistic effect of both ensures a more balanced stress distribution for the display module 10 throughout its entire lifespan (bent state / unfolded state), avoiding localized fatigue damage. The second portion 420 is located between the second screen 220 and the support substrate 100, and through the bonding and filling of OCR material, eliminates the physical gap between the second screen 220 and the support substrate 100. In the bonding process, the second part 420 can fix the spatial position of the second screen 220, preventing the screen from shifting or warping due to gravity or mechanical pressure during bonding, ensuring the precise alignment of the second screen 220 with the support substrate 100, thereby ensuring the realization of the "ultra-narrow bezel" design.

[0085] Optionally, the thickness of the first section 410 is greater than the thickness of the second section 420. As a dynamic stress concentration area, the increased thickness of the first section 410 in the bending section 230 provides greater elastic deformation space, significantly improving the absorption capacity for tensile / compressive stress and reducing the risk of screen breakage or film peeling. The second screen 220 primarily bears static loads; the thinner second section 420 ensures basic support while avoiding redundant material accumulation, reducing the impact on screen thinness. This differentiated design achieves a stress management logic of "strengthening critical areas and simplifying non-critical areas," balancing reliability and lightweight design.

[0086] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment.

[0087] like Figure 6 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the display module 10 further includes a second protective film 500 located between the first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 and in the bending region 12. The second protective film 500 is located on the side of the bending portion 230 opposite to the support substrate 100. Optionally, the material of the second protective film 500 includes a flexible material.

[0088] In these optional embodiments, the second protective film 500 covers the outer side of the bending area 12 (the side facing away from the support substrate 100), directly bearing external mechanical friction or impact during bending, preventing external hard objects from scratching the bending portion 230 during bending. Its flexible deformation absorbs some of the dynamic stress during bending, preventing stress from being directly transmitted to fragile internal structures of the screen (such as the cut edge of the support substrate 100). This design compensates for the lack of protection in the bending area 12 due to the absence of the first protective film 300, forming a synergistic protection system of "static protection of the non-bending area 11 + dynamic protection of the bending area 12".

[0089] Optionally, the second protective film 500 is formed by coating after bending at the bend 230.

[0090] Optionally, the first protective film 300 and the second protective film 500 may be made of the same or different materials.

[0091] In these optional embodiments, the first protective film 300 and the second protective film 500 are made of the same material, allowing them to be prepared using the same process, simplifying the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the identical materials have the same coefficient of thermal expansion, preventing delamination or stress concentration between the first protective film 300, the second protective film 500, and the display panel 200 due to temperature changes. The same adhesive properties ensure stable bonding strength between the first protective film 300, the second protective film 500, the support portion 400, and the display panel 200, reducing issues such as bonding bubbles or warping. For example, using the same substrate (such as polyimide PI) but achieving differentiated performance through surface treatments (such as coatings or plating) balances process simplification and functional optimization.

[0092] The first protective film 300 and the second protective film 500 are made of different materials. For example, the second protective film 500 uses a highly elastic, fatigue-resistant material (such as polyimide PI or elastic OCA) to meet high-frequency bending requirements and reduce the risk of creases and breakage. The first protective film 300 uses a high-hardness, high-transparency material (such as a glass-based protective film or rigid OCA) to improve impact resistance and optical performance. These differentiated materials adapt to the processing requirements of different areas; for example, the bending area 12 uses a low-temperature curing adhesive to avoid damaging the screen. The high heat resistance of the second protective film 500 can withstand the thermal shock of the laser peeling process, protecting the edges of the bending area 12. The elastic modulus of the different materials is adjusted by modifying coating parameters (such as thickness and curing time) to achieve stress balance.

[0093] Optionally, the first protective film 300 is a "rigid layer + flexible bottom layer", and the second protective film 500 is a "pure flexible layer", achieving the partitioning characteristics through a lamination process.

[0094] like Figure 7 As shown, optionally, the first protective film 300 is perforated within the bending area 12, and a second protective film 500 is disposed within the bending area 12. The second protective film 500 covers the outer side of the bending area 12 (the side facing away from the supporting substrate 100), directly bearing external mechanical friction or impact during bending, preventing external hard objects from scratching the bending portion 230 during bending. Its flexible deformation absorbs some of the dynamic stress during bending, preventing stress from being directly transmitted to fragile internal structures of the screen (such as the cut edge of the supporting substrate 100). This design fills the protection gap of "the bending area 12 not having a first protective film 300," forming a synergistic protection system of "static protection of the non-bending area 11 + dynamic protection of the bending area 12."

[0095] Optionally, the first protective film 300 includes a first sub-part 310 and a second sub-part 320 spaced apart. The first sub-part 310 is located on the side of the first screen 210 facing away from the supporting substrate 100, and the second sub-part 320 is located on the side of the second screen 220 facing away from the supporting substrate 100. The first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 are located in the non-bending area 11. At least a portion of the supporting part 400 is located between the supporting substrate 100 and the bending part 230. The second protective film 500 is located on the side of the bending part 230 facing away from the supporting substrate 100. The first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 of the first protective film 300 respectively cover the non-bending area 11 of the first screen 210 and the second screen 220, providing impact and scratch protection through a high-hardness material (such as rigid OCA or glass-based protective film), while avoiding interference of bonding stress on display performance. The second protective film 500 is located on the outside of the bending area 12 (the side opposite to the supporting substrate 100), and is made of a highly elastic material (such as PI or elastic OCA) to absorb dynamic stress during bending and prevent damage to the screen from external friction or impact. This forms a hierarchical protection system of "rigid protection in the non-bending area 11 + flexible buffering in the bending area 12", which takes into account both static durability and dynamic reliability.

[0096] In some alternative embodiments, the dimension of the bending region 12 in the first direction X is less than or equal to half the dimension of the support substrate 100 in the second direction Y. For example, the ratio of the dimension of the bending region 12 in the first direction X to the dimension of the support substrate 100 in the second direction Y is 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5.

[0097] In these alternative embodiments, the limitation of the bending region 12 size ensures that stress concentration during bending in a smaller area can still be effectively dispersed by the segmented bonding technology of the first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320. Combined with the elastic properties of the support 400, precise control of the bending region 12 size can avoid screen breakage or film peeling due to excessive stretching or compression. The smaller bending region 12 matches the processing precision requirements of laser lift-off (LLO), ensuring precise cutting of the support substrate 100 in local areas, reducing damage to the screen from the heat-affected zone, and improving yield. The reduction in the bending region 12 size directly reduces the physical space required for bending, allowing the screen edge to fit more tightly against the support substrate 100 and achieving a narrower bezel.

[0098] In some alternative embodiments, the dimension of the bending region 12 in the first direction X is less than or equal to 0.2 mm. For example, the dimension of the bending region 12 in the first direction X is 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, or 0.2 mm.

[0099] In these optional embodiments, this technical feature achieves key breakthroughs in areas such as ultra-narrow bezels, stress control, process precision, and terminal form factor innovation by compressing the size of the bending area 12 to less than or equal to 0.2mm. Its deep synergy with the core technologies of this application (segmented bonding + partial LLO + bending of the display module 10) not only verifies the engineering feasibility of the "zero bezel" theory but also provides a mass-producible technical path for the form factor revolution of consumer electronics products (such as bezel-less foldable phones and fully wraparound smartwatches).

[0100] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a display module provided in another embodiment.

[0101] like Figure 7 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the display module 10 further includes a driver chip 600 (Integrated Circuit Chip, IC), and a through hole 321 is provided on the second sub-part 320. The driver chip 600 is located in the through hole 321 and connected to the second screen body 220.

[0102] In these alternative embodiments, by embedding the driver chip 600 within the through-hole 321 of the second sub-part 320, the additional space required for traditional surface mount technology (SMT) or side-mount (COF) is eliminated, significantly reducing module thickness and edge width. The through-hole 321 is located in the second sub-part 320 of the non-bending area 11. After embedding, the driver chip 600 does not participate in the bending action, avoiding direct impact of bending stress on the internal circuitry of the chip. Combined with the "segmented protective film" design of this application (no protective film in the bending area 12), physical isolation between the chip area and the bending area 12 is ensured, reducing the risk of failure. The through-hole 321 structure can serve as a heat dissipation channel, utilizing the material of the supporting substrate 100 (such as metal or a highly thermally conductive composite material) to quickly dissipate the heat generated by the chip, preventing localized temperature rise that could lead to screen aging or decreased driving performance. Optionally, flip-chip or through-silicon via (TSV) technology can be used to vertically integrate the driver chip 600 within the via 321, and connect it to the circuitry of the second screen 220 via microbumps to achieve high-density interconnection. This process works in conjunction with segmented bonding technology to avoid process conflicts when removing the protective film from the chip area.

[0103] Optionally, the via 321 can be filled with insulating material (such as epoxy resin) or sealant to prevent moisture and dust from entering the chip circuitry and improve long-term reliability. The optional metallization layer (such as copper plating) around the via 321 can form an electromagnetic shielding structure, reducing interference from external signals to the driver chip 600.

[0104] A second aspect of the present invention also provides a display device including the display module 10 of any of the first aspect embodiments described above. Since the display device provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes the display module 10 of any of the first aspect embodiments described above, the display device provided by the second aspect of the present invention has the beneficial effects of the display module 10 of any of the first aspect embodiments described above, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0105] The display devices in the embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, e-books, televisions, access control systems, smart landline phones, control consoles, and other devices with display functions.

[0106] Please see Figures 8 to 14 , Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a display module according to the first aspect of this application; Figures 9 to 14 This is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing a display module provided in the first aspect of this application.

[0107] like Figures 8 to 14 As shown, an embodiment of the third aspect of this application provides a method for manufacturing a display module 10, the display module 10 having a bending region 12 and a non-bending region 11 adjacent to the bending region 12, the method comprising:

[0108] Step S01: A display panel 200 is fabricated on a support substrate 100. The display panel 200 includes a first screen 210, a bent portion 230, and a second screen 220. The bent portion 230 is located on both sides of the first screen 210 in the first direction X and is located in the bending region 12. The first screen 210 and the second screen 220 are located in the non-bending region 11. The second screen 220 is located on the side of the bent portion 230 away from the first screen 210. The bent portion 230 is connected between the first screen 210 and the second screen 220.

[0109] Step S02: A first protective material layer is prepared on the side of the display panel 200 away from the support substrate 100, and the first protective material layer is patterned to form a first protective film 300. The first protective film 300 includes a first sub-part 310 and a second sub-part 320 spaced apart. The first sub-part 310 is located on the side of the first screen 210 away from the support substrate 100, and the second sub-part 320 is located on the side of the second screen 220 away from the support substrate 100. The first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 are located in the non-bending area 11.

[0110] Step S03: Cut the support substrate 100 to remove the portion of the support substrate 100 located on the side of the bending portion 230 and the second screen body 220.

[0111] Step S04: Bend the display panel 200 and the first protective film 300 so that the second screen body 220 and the second sub-part 320 are bent to the side of the support substrate 100 away from the first screen body 210.

[0112] According to the manufacturing method of the display module 10 of this application embodiment, a display panel 200 is manufactured on a support substrate 100 in step S01. A first protective film 300 is manufactured in step S02. The support substrate 100 is cut in step S03 to facilitate bending of the display panel 200 and the first protective film 300. The display module 10 is bent in step S04. The display panel 200 can be bent at the bending portion 230, so that the first screen body 210 and the second screen body 220 are brought closer to each other, thereby reducing the bezel of the display panel 200 and realizing a narrow bezel design. The first protective film 300 includes a first sub-part 310 and a second sub-part 320. The first sub-part 310 is located on the side of the first screen body 210 away from the support substrate 100, realizing protection of the first screen body 210. The second sub-part 320 is located on the side of the second screen body 220 away from the support substrate 100, realizing protection of the second screen body 220. The first sub-part 310 and the second sub-part 320 are both located in the non-bending area 11 and are spaced apart. That is, the first protective film 300 is not provided in the bending area 12, which reduces the stress on the bending part 230 when bending. This avoids the first protective film 300 covering the bending part 230, which would cause the bending part 230 of the display panel 200 to be subjected to greater stress when the display panel 200 is bent, thus preventing the risk of failure and improving the performance of the display product.

[0113] In some optional embodiments, after step S03, the method further includes:

[0114] A support portion 400 is provided on at least one side of the support substrate 100 in the first direction X.

[0115] In these optional embodiments, the support portion 400, as a flexible medium, is embedded between the support substrate 100 and the bending portion 230, effectively absorbing localized stresses (such as tensile / compressive stresses) generated during bending. Through its elastic deformation characteristics, the support portion 400 evenly distributes stress over a larger area, avoiding screen breakage, film peeling, or microcracks in the glass substrate caused by stress concentration, significantly improving bending reliability. The support portion 400 can precisely cover the cut edges of the support substrate 100, further reducing the impact of residual stress on yield. The support portion 400 provides continuous support for the bending portion 230 by physically filling the gap between the bending portion 230 and the support substrate 100, preventing unexpected deformation or collapse of the screen during bending. The support portion 400 can fix the spatial position of the bending portion 230, ensuring precise alignment of the display panel 200 and the support substrate 100 during bonding, reducing bonding bubbles or warping caused by displacement, and improving process consistency. The support portion 400 forms a physical isolation layer, preventing external mechanical impacts, dust, or moisture from entering sensitive areas. This design not only extends the lifespan of the display module 10, but also reduces the risk of failure due to environmental factors (such as oxidation or delamination), meeting the high durability requirements of consumer electronics products.

[0116] In some optional embodiments, after step S04, the method further includes:

[0117] A second protective film 500 is applied to the side of the bent portion 230 that is away from the support substrate 100.

[0118] In these optional embodiments, the second protective film 500 is formed by coating and curing. The second protective film 500 covers the outer side of the bending area 12 (the side facing away from the support substrate 100), and directly bears external mechanical friction or impact during bending, preventing external hard objects from scratching the bending part 230 during bending. Through its flexible deformation, it absorbs part of the dynamic stress during the bending process, avoiding the direct transmission of stress to the fragile internal structure of the screen (such as the cut edge of the support substrate 100). This design makes up for the protection gap of "the bending area 12 not being provided with the first protective film 300", forming a synergistic protection system of "static protection of the non-bending area 11 + dynamic protection of the bending area 12".

[0119] Optionally, a laser peeling process can be used to peel the display panel 200 from the support substrate 100, and a laser cutting process can be used to cut and break the support substrate 100 to remove the portion of the support substrate 100 located on the side of the bending portion 230 and the second screen body 220. This avoids damage to the display panel 200 during cutting, and after cutting, it is easier to bend the bending portion 230 and the second screen body 220 to the back, thereby reducing the bezel of the display module 10.

[0120] The embodiments described above are not exhaustive, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the above description. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of this application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to effectively utilize this application and its modifications. This application is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A display module, characterized in that, The display module has a bent area and a non-bent area adjacent to the bent area, and the display module includes: Support substrate; A display panel is located on one side of the supporting substrate. The display panel includes a first screen body, a bent portion, and a second screen body. The bent portion is located on both sides of the first screen body in a first direction and is located in the bent area. The first screen body and the second screen body are located in the non-bent area. The second screen body is located on the side of the bent portion away from the first screen body. The bent portion is connected between the first screen body and the second screen body. A first protective film is located on the side of the display panel away from the supporting substrate. The first protective film includes a first sub-part and a second sub-part that are spaced apart. The first sub-part is located on the side of the first screen body away from the supporting substrate, and the second sub-part is located on the side of the second screen body away from the supporting substrate. The first sub-part and the second sub-part are located in the non-bending area.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two bending portions, and the two bending portions are respectively located on both sides of the first screen body in the first direction; Preferably, there are two second screens, each of which is located on the side of the bending portion away from the first screen. Preferably, the two bent portions are symmetrically arranged about the first screen body.

3. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first screen and the second screen are disposed opposite each other in a second direction. The second screen is located on the side of the supporting substrate away from the first screen. At least part of the bent portion is bent and connected between the first screen and the second screen. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

4. The display module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The support portion, at least a portion of which is located between the support substrate and the bent portion; Preferably, the support portion includes a first portion, which is located between the support substrate and the bending portion; Preferably, the support portion further includes a second portion, which is located between the support substrate and the second screen body.

5. The display module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: A second protective film is located between the first sub-part and the second sub-part and in the bending area, and the second protective film is located on the side of the bending portion away from the supporting substrate; Preferably, the first protective film and the second protective film are made of the same or different materials; Preferably, the first protective film and the second protective film are made of the same material.

6. The display module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The dimension of the bending area in the first direction is less than or equal to half the dimension of the supporting substrate in the second direction; Preferably, the size of the bending area in the first direction is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

7. The display module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The display module also includes a driver chip, and a through hole is provided on the second sub-part. The driver chip is located in the through hole and connected to the second screen body.

8. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display module as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. A method for manufacturing a display module, characterized in that, The display module has a bent area and a non-bent area adjacent to the bent area, and the method includes: A display panel is fabricated on a support substrate. The display panel includes a first screen body, a bent portion, and a second screen body. The bent portion is located on both sides of the first screen body in a first direction and is located in the bent area. The first screen body and the second screen body are located in the non-bent area. The second screen body is located on the side of the bent portion away from the first screen body. The bent portion is connected between the first screen body and the second screen body. A first protective material layer is prepared on the side of the display panel away from the supporting substrate, and the first protective material layer is patterned to form a first protective film. The first protective film includes a first sub-part and a second sub-part that are spaced apart. The first sub-part is located on the side of the first screen body away from the supporting substrate, and the second sub-part is located on the side of the second screen body away from the supporting substrate. The first sub-part and the second sub-part are located in the non-bending area. The supporting substrate is cut to remove the portion of the supporting substrate located on the bent portion and the second screen body side; The display panel and the first protective film are bent so that the second screen body and the second sub-part are bent to the side of the support substrate away from the first screen body.

10. The preparation method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After the step of cutting the support substrate, the method further includes: A support portion is provided on at least one side of the support substrate in the first direction; Preferably, the support portion includes a first portion, which is located between the support substrate and the bending portion; Preferably, the support portion further includes a second portion, which is located between the support substrate and the second screen body.

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