Flexible display module and folding terminal

Abstract

The utility model provides a flexible display module and a folding terminal, and belongs to the technical field of terminals. In the folding terminal device, a flexible display module with an SMP material is connected with a first terminal structural member, a second terminal structural member and a rotating shaft in a stacked mode, the first terminal structural member, the second terminal structural member and the rotating shaft are located on the same plane, and the flexible display module with the SMP material is located on the upper surfaces of the terminal structural members and the rotating shaft. The flexible display module comprises a protective film layer, a cover plate layer, a panel layer and a supporting layer. According to the flexible display module provided by the invention, SMP (Shape Memory Polymer) is introduced into the protective film layer, the cover plate layer and the supporting layer, after stimulation is carried out through stimulation methods including heat, light, electricity, magnetism and the like, creases of the display module can be recovered, the problem of the creases is solved when the flexible display terminal is unfolded after being bent, and the service life of the flexible display terminal is prolonged. Therefore, the phenomena of depression and optical distortion in the bending area are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of terminal technology, and in particular to a flexible display module and a foldable terminal. Background Art

[0002] Folding terminals are currently a hot product. While manufacturers are pursuing new forms of folding products, they have also paid attention to the problem that there are always creases in the bending area of ​​folding terminals. In response to this, some manufacturers have introduced ultrathin glass (UTG) in the flexible display module of the folding terminal, and optimized the hinge by transforming from baseball-shaped to water drop-shaped bending, thereby trying to improve the crease problem. Since most of the materials in the flexible display module are polymer materials, the deformation caused by creep after bending of some existing polymer materials is irreversible. The flexible display module of the folding terminal still has residual deformation after being bent and flattened, resulting in creases in the bending area. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to enhance the user experience, this patent proposes a flexible display module for a folding terminal. By adding shape memory polymer (SMP) material to the flexible display module, the module stacking design is optimized to improve the crease problem of the folding terminal.

[0004] On the one hand, the utility model provides a flexible display module, including a protective film layer, a cover layer, a support layer and a display panel layer. Among them, the protective film layer, or the cover layer, or the support layer contains SMP material. The flexible display module with added SMP material is used in a folding terminal. When the folding terminal is bent in the bending area to produce a crease, after being heated by the heating layer, the SMP material is deformed and restored, and at the same time drives the entire flexible display module to realize the crease recovery of the folding terminal. In this way, the deformation caused by the creep of the display module can be restored, effectively improving the problem of creases in the bending area.

[0005] SMP materials include shape-recoverable plastic materials, and the shape-recoverable plastic materials include epoxy, polyurethane, acrylate, polyurethane-acrylate, polyimide and other shape-recoverable plastic materials. This polymer material has significantly improved deformation recovery ability compared to existing polymer materials, and has excellent crease recovery ability after heating.

[0006] The structure of the shape-recoverable plastic material in the flexible display module is a first SMP film and a second SMP film; the first SMP film and the second SMP film include a single-layer film or a composite film. When the first SMP film or the second SMP film formed by the shape-recoverable plastic material is a transparent film, the transparent film should meet the requirements of light transmittance ≥ 88% and thickness ≥ 20μm; the second SMP film formed by the shape-recoverable plastic material can also be an opaque film, and the opaque film should meet the requirements of light transmittance ≤ 50% and thickness ≥ 20μm. Films that meet the above conditions have better deformation recovery capabilities.

[0007] The single-layer film forming process of the shape-recoverable plastic material includes but is not limited to a coating method and a casting method.

[0008] Optionally, the single-layer film formed by the shape-recoverable plastic material may have a hardening coating HC added to the surface of the single-layer film to improve the surface wear resistance.

[0009] A composite film formed of a shape-recoverable plastic material, the methods used include but are not limited to coating, hot pressing, and lamination. By using these methods, a single-layer film is compounded with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or colorless polyimide (CPI), or ultrathin glass (UTG) to form a two-layer composite film.

[0010] The SMP material realizes the crease recovery of the foldable terminal display module, including adopting a thermal stimulation method; the thermal stimulation method can be to plate a transparent heating layer on the side of the transparent film close to the first SMP film and on the side of the supporting film close to the second SMP film, or on the side of the first SMP film and the second SMP film close to the display panel. The composition of this heating layer includes but is not limited to ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide). ITO is connected to the internal power supply of the device and is controlled by methods including the internal software of the terminal device to heat ITO, so that the first SMP film and the second SMP film can better recover the deformation.

[0011] Optionally, the thermal stimulation method also includes using external heating, such as contact heating, such as a heating rod, or non-contact heating;

[0012] Optionally, the SMP film may be stimulated by light, electricity and magnetism so that the SMP film drives the display module to restore the crease.

[0013] On the other hand, the utility model provides a foldable terminal, which includes a flexible display module, a first terminal structure, a second terminal structure and a rotating shaft; the first terminal structure, the second terminal structure and the rotating shaft are used to support the flexible display module. The first terminal structure and the second terminal structure are respectively connected to both sides of the rotating shaft and can rotate around the rotating shaft, so as to realize the bending or flattening of the flexible display module.

[0014] In the folding terminal provided in the present application, by adding SMP material to the protective film layer, or the cover layer, or the display module support layer in the flexible display module, a new display module structure is formed. After being stimulated by heat, light, electricity, magnetism, etc., the SMP material is deformed and then recovers, and at the same time, the entire display module is driven to deform and recover, further realizing the crease recovery of the folding terminal, thereby solving the crease problem in the bending area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 4b A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5a A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5b A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 6a It is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6b It is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 7b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] First, some expressions that may appear in this application are explained.

[0029] “First” and “second” and the like are used to distinguish different objects, or to distinguish different processing of the same object, rather than to describe a specific order of objects.

[0030] "At least one" means one or more, while "plurality" means two or more.

[0031] "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three types of relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0032] The character “ / ” generally indicates that the related objects are in an “or” relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B.

[0033] In addition, the terms "include", "comprising", and "having" mentioned in the description of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0034] Below, some terms that appear in this application are briefly described.

[0035] Polymer materials: materials composed of compounds with relatively high molecular weight. Many natural materials are usually composed of polymer materials, such as natural rubber, cotton, human organs, etc. The same is true for synthetic chemical fibers, plastics and rubber. Generally speaking, polymers that are widely used in life and have formed industrial production scales are called general polymer materials, and those with special uses and functions are called functional polymers.

[0036] Crease: After the screen of a folding machine is bent and flattened, the uneven marks that appear in the folding area or the visual folding marks caused by light distortion.

[0037] Bending area / folding area: The part of the flexible display module in a foldable terminal that corresponds to the hinge position.

[0038] Coating method: It is a method of applying liquid materials to a specific surface, usually used to make films or coatings on paper, plastic films, metals, glass, etc.

[0039] Hot pressing method: a composite processing technology in which an adhesive (such as glue) is applied to a plastic film, and then the excess solvent is evaporated through a drying oven, and then the film is pressed together with another plastic film using a hot pressing roller.

[0040] Lamination method: One plastic film is laminated with another plastic film using glue or adhesive film to form a multi-layer structure.

[0041] Casting method: Thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics are prepared into a solution of a certain concentration, which is spread on a continuously rotating substrate (usually a seamless stainless steel belt) at a certain speed through a scraper or a die head, and spread into an unoriented film of a certain thickness. The plastic is heated to separate from the solvent and then solidified, and then peeled off from the substrate to obtain a cast film.

[0042] Terminal: A computer or computer system that allows users to input data and display calculation results. In short, it is a device for human users to interact with computers.

[0043] SMP (Shape Memory Polymer): Shape memory polymer.

[0044] PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Polyethylene terephthalate.

[0045] OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive): optical adhesive.

[0046] UTG (Ultra thin glass): ultra-thin glass.

[0047] CPI (Colorless Polyimide): Transparent polyimide.

[0048] PI (Polyimide): Polyimide.

[0049] HC (Hard coating): hardened coating.

[0050] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the implementation methods of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable terminal provided by the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the foldable terminal 1 includes a flexible display module 10 with SMP material, a first terminal structure 11 , a second terminal structure 12 , and a rotating shaft 13 .

[0052] The terminal structure includes a flexible display module 10 with SMP material, a first terminal structure 11, a second terminal structure 12, and a rotating shaft 13. The first terminal structure 11, the second terminal structure 12, and the rotating shaft 13 are used to support the flexible display module 10; the first terminal structure 11 and the second terminal structure 12 are respectively connected to both sides of the rotating shaft 13 and can rotate around the rotating shaft 13, so as to realize the bending or flattening of the flexible display module 10.

[0053] Figure 2a and Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first flexible display module provided in the embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by coating, hot pressing, or lamination to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 2a As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11 and a display panel layer 12, wherein the protective film layer 10 includes a transparent film with a hardened coating, a first SMP film and OCA1 (Optically Clear Adhesive), and the cover layer 11 includes OCA2 and a film / ultra-thin glass. The transparent film with a hardened coating, the first SMP film, OCA1, the film / ultra-thin glass, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence.

[0054] If the first SMP film is formed into a separate film by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 2b As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21 and a display panel layer 22. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film with a hardened coating and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a film / ultra-thin glass and OCA2. The first SMP film with a hardened coating, OCA1, the film / ultra-thin glass, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence.

[0055] In this way, by adding the first SMP film to the protective film layer, or using the first SMP film to replace the transparent film with a hardened coating, the crease recovery ability of the flexible display module is improved.

[0056] Figure 3a and Figure 3bis a schematic diagram of the structure of the second flexible display module provided in the embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by coating, hot pressing, or lamination to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 3a As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11 and a display panel layer 12, wherein the protective film layer 10 includes a transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film 1 and OCA1, and the cover layer 11 includes a transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film 2 and OCA2. The transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film 1, OCA1, the transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film 2, OCA2 and the display panel are stacked in sequence.

[0057] If the first SMP film is formed into a separate film by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 3b As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21 and a display panel layer 22. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating and OCA2. The first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating, OCA1, the first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence. In this way, by adding the first SMP film to the protective film layer and the cover layer, or by using the first SMP film to replace the transparent film with a hardened coating, the crease recovery ability of the flexible display module is improved.

[0058] Optional, Figure 4a and Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third flexible display module provided in the embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by coating, hot pressing, or lamination to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 4a As shown. The flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11 and a display panel layer 12, wherein the protective film layer 20 includes a transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film layer 2, OCA2, ultra-thin glass and OCA3. The transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film 1, OCA1, the transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film layer 2, OCA2, ultra-thin glass, OCA3 and the display panel are stacked in sequence.

[0059] If the first SMP film is formed into a separate film by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 4bAs shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21 and a display panel layer 22. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating and OCA2. The first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating, OCA1, the SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence. In this way, by adding the first SMP film to the transparent film and the cover layer, or using the first SMP film instead of the transparent film, the crease recovery ability of the flexible display module is improved.

[0060] Optional, Figure 5a and Figure 5b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth flexible display module provided in the embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film 1 or the first SMP film 2 is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by coating, hot pressing, or laminating to form a two-layer composite film, and the second SMP film is combined with a supporting film material by coating, hot pressing, or laminating to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 5a As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11, a display panel layer 12 and a support layer 13. The protective film layer 10 includes a transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film 1 and OCA1; the cover layer 11 includes a transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, a first SMP film 2, OCA2, UTG and OCA3; the display panel layer includes a display bread and ultra-thin glass; the support layer 13 includes OCA4, a support film material and a second SMP film. The transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film 1 and OCA1, the transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, the first SMP film 2, OCA2, UTG, OCA3, the display panel, the ultra-thin glass, OCA4, the support film material, and the second SMP film are stacked in sequence.

[0061] If the first SMP film and the second SMP film are formed into separate films by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 5b As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21, a display panel layer 22 and a support layer 23. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, OCA2, UTG and OCA3; the support layer 23 includes OCA4 and a second SMP film. The first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating, OCA1, the first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, OCA2, UTG, OCA3, the display panel, OCA4, and the second SMP film are stacked in sequence. In this way, by adding the first SMP film to the transparent film and the cover layer, or replacing the transparent film with the first SMP film, and adding the second SMP film to the support layer, the crease recovery ability of the flexible display module is improved.

[0062] Figure 6a and Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by a coating method, a hot pressing method, or a lamination method to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 6a As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11 and a display panel layer 12, wherein the protective film layer 10 includes a transparent film with a hardened coating, a heating layer, a first SMP film and OCA1 (Optically Clear Adhesive), and the cover layer 11 includes OCA2 and a film / ultra-thin glass. The transparent film with a hardened coating, the heating layer, the first SMP film, OCA1, the film / ultra-thin glass, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence. The heating layer can be an indium tin oxide transparent conductive film glass ITO, which is used to heat the flexible display module by receiving an electrical signal.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the heating layer may be located on a side of the first SMP film close to the display panel layer. This embodiment does not specifically limit the position of the heating layer.

[0064] If the first SMP film is formed into a separate film by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 6b As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21 and a display panel layer 22. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film with a hardened coating, a heating layer, and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a film / ultra-thin glass and OCA2. The first SMP film with a hardened coating, the heating layer, OCA1, the film / ultra-thin glass, OCA2, and the display panel are stacked in sequence.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the heating layer may be located on a side of the first SMP film 1 and the first SMP film 2 close to the display panel layer. This embodiment does not specifically limit the position of the heating layer.

[0066] Figure 7a and Figure 7b 1 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a flexible display module with a heating layer provided in an embodiment of the present application. If the first SMP film 1 or the first SMP film 2 is combined with a transparent film with a hardened coating by coating, hot pressing, or laminating to form a two-layer composite film, and the second SMP film is combined with a supporting film material by coating, hot pressing, or laminating to form a two-layer composite film, then Figure 5aAs shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 10, a cover layer 11, a display panel layer 12 and a support layer 13. The protective film layer 10 includes a transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, a heating layer 1, a first SMP film 1 and OCA1; the cover layer 11 includes a transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, a heating layer 2, a first SMP film 2, OCA2, UTG and OCA3; the display panel layer includes a display bread and ultra-thin glass; the support layer 13 includes OCA4, a support film material, a heating layer 3 and a second SMP film. The transparent film 1 with a hardened coating, the heating layer 1, the first SMP film 1 and OCA1, the transparent film 2 with a hardened coating, the heating layer 2, the first SMP film 2, OCA2, UTG, OCA3, the display panel, the ultra-thin glass, OCA4, the support film material, the heating layer 3, and the second SMP film are stacked in sequence.

[0067] If the first SMP film and the second SMP film are formed into separate films by coating, casting, etc., then Figure 5b As shown, the flexible display module includes a protective film layer 20, a cover layer 21, a display panel layer 22 and a support layer 23. The protective film layer 20 includes a first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating, a heating layer 1 and OCA1; the cover layer 21 includes a first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, a heating layer 2, OCA2, UTG and OCA3; the support layer 23 includes OCA4, a heating layer 3 and a second SMP film. The first SMP film 1 with a hardened coating, the heating layer 1, OCA1, the first SMP film 2 with a hardened coating, the heating layer 2, OCA2, UTG, OCA3, the display panel, OCA4, the heating layer 3, and the second SMP film are stacked in sequence. In this way, by adding the first SMP film to the transparent film and the cover layer, or replacing the transparent film with the first SMP film, and adding the second SMP film to the support layer, the crease recovery ability of the flexible display module is improved. At the same time, by implementing thermal stimulation on the first SMP film and the second SMP film, the crease of the flexible display module can be better restored.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible display module, comprising a protective film layer, a cover layer, a panel layer and a support layer, characterized in that: The flexible display module comprises a shape memory polymer SMP material, and the SMP material is located in at least one of a protective film layer, a cover plate layer and a support layer.

2. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The SMP material is a plastic material; the components of the plastic material are epoxy, polyurethane, acrylate, polyurethane-acrylate, or polyimide.

3. The flexible display module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the SMP material in the flexible display module is an SMP film; the SMP film is a single-layer film, or the SMP film is a composite film.

4. The flexible display module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The SMP film is a transparent film, and the transparent film satisfies a light transmittance of ≥88% and a thickness of ≥20 μm.

5. The flexible display module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transparent film has a thickness of ≥50 μm.

6. The flexible display module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The SMP film is an opaque film, and the opaque film satisfies a light transmittance of ≤50% and a thickness of ≥20 μm.

7. The flexible display module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The composite film includes the single-layer film and at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), transparent polyimide (CPI), and ultra-thin glass (UTG).

8. The flexible display module according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The flexible display module also includes a heating layer, which heats the SMP film; the heating layer is located between the transparent film with a hardened coating and the SMP film or between the support film and the SMP film, and the heating layer is located on the transparent film with a hardened coating or the support film, or the heating layer is located on the side of the SMP film close to the display panel layer, and the heating layer is located on the SMP film.

9. The flexible display module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heating layer may be an indium tin oxide transparent conductive film glass ITO, and the ITO is used to heat the flexible display module by receiving an electrical signal.

10. A foldable terminal, characterized in that: The foldable terminal comprises the flexible display module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a first terminal structure, a second terminal structure and a rotating shaft.

11. The foldable terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first terminal structure member, the second terminal structure member and the rotating shaft are used to support the flexible display module.

12. The foldable terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first terminal structure member and the second terminal structure member are respectively connected to two sides of the rotating shaft and can rotate around the rotating shaft, thereby realizing bending or flattening of the flexible display module.

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