Display device and manufacturing method of display device

Abstract

To provide a display device capable of suppressing a decrease in adhesiveness between a flexible display and a back-face reinforcement material.SOLUTION: A display device 10 includes: a flexible display 25; and a flat back-face reinforcement material 40 adhered to the rear of the flexible display 25. The back-face reinforcement material 40 has a front 40a that faces the rear of the flexible display 25 and a rear 40b that opposes the front 40a, and has a first region T1 and a second region T2 that are adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front 40a. In a cross-section view of the back-face reinforcement material 40 from a second direction d2 that is along the front 40a and is vertical to the first direction d1, a through hole 41 penetrating the back-face reinforcement material 40 in a third direction d3 vertical to both of the first direction d1 and the second direction d2 is provided in the first region T1, and a recess 46 recessed toward the side of the rear 40b from the front 40a is provided in the second region T2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device having flexibility and a method for manufacturing the display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, flexible display devices have been known. As an example of this type of display device, Patent Document 1 discloses a display device including a flexible display and a rear reinforcing material bonded to the flexible display. In this display device, a plurality of through holes (or slits) are formed on the entire surface of the rear reinforcing material, making the rear reinforcing material bendable and allowing the display device to be rolled up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 1,079,831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the flexible display described in Patent Document 1, since through holes are formed on the entire surface of the rear reinforcing material, there is a problem in that the adhesion between the flexible display and the rear reinforcing material decreases.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a display device and the like that can suppress a decrease in adhesion between a flexible display and a rear surface reinforcement material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a flexible display and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement material adhered to the rear surface of the flexible display, the rear reinforcement material having a surface facing the rear surface of the flexible display and a back surface facing away from the surface, and having a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in a first direction along the surface, when the rear reinforcement material is viewed in cross-section from a second direction that is along the surface and perpendicular to the first direction, the first region has a through hole penetrating the rear reinforcement material in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the second region has a recess recessed from the surface toward the rear surface.

[0007] A manufacturing method for a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for a display device including a flexible display and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement material adhered to the rear surface of the flexible display, the method including: forming the rear reinforcement material having a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in a first direction along a surface of the metal plate by etching a metal plate; and adhering the flexible display and the rear reinforcement material, wherein in the forming the rear reinforcement material, a plurality of through holes are formed in the first region by half-etching each of the front and back surfaces of the metal plate, and a plurality of recesses are formed in the second region by half-etching the surface of the metal plate. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the display device and the like of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display and the rear surface reinforcement material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a display device including a display device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the display device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a first comparative example and a display device according to a second comparative example. [Figure 4] 11 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of the display device of Comparative Example 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of a display device of Comparative Example 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic appearance of display devices of Comparative Examples 1 and 2; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] 3 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of the display device in accordance with the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear reinforcement material of the first embodiment as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement material of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing a manufacturing process of the rear reinforcement material of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of a display device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rear reinforcement material according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement material of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display device including a display device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of a display device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. [Figure 21] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rear reinforcement material according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement material of the third embodiment. [Figure 23] 13 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member that constitutes a part of a display device according to Embodiment 4. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rear reinforcement material according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the side. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement material of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Background to this disclosure) The background to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] First, a typical display device and a display device including this display device will be described.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a display device 1 equipped with a display device 110. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the display device 110. Fig. 1(a) shows the flexible display device 110 in a flat, unfolded state, and Fig. 1(b) shows the display device 110 in a rolled-up and stored state.

[0013] 1 is a device that displays images, etc. The display device 1 includes a flexible display device 110 and a pantograph 81 that can be driven to expand and contract.

[0014] 2 includes a display panel 120 having a circular polarizer 123 and a flexible display 125, a rear reinforcing material 140 bonded to the display panel 120, and a rear cover material (not shown) bonded to the rear reinforcing material 140. The display device 110 also includes a COF (Chip On Film) 83 which is a flexible substrate, and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 84 which is a drive substrate.

[0015] The display device 1 is a rollable display device in which a pantograph 81 is driven to expand and contract, and a display device 110 connected to the pantograph 81 is pulled out and wound up.

[0016] The display device 110 is bendable, and can be stored compactly by rolling it up on a roller 85 (see FIG. 1(b)). The display device 110 can be used as a display by pulling out the display device 110 rolled up on the roller 85 and unfolding it into a flat surface (see FIG. 1(a)). To ensure the strength of the display device 110, a rear reinforcement 140 is adhered to the rear surface of the flexible display 125. A plurality of through holes (or slits) are formed in the rear reinforcement 140 so that the rear reinforcement 140 can be easily curved.

[0017] Here, a display device 110A of Comparative Example 1 and a display device 110B of Comparative Example 2 will be described.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the display devices of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. As shown in FIG.

[0019] 3, the display device 110A of Comparative Example 1 includes a circular polarizer 123, a flexible display 125, a rear surface reinforcement material 140A, and a rear surface cover material 160. The circular polarizer 123 and the flexible display 125 are bonded together with an optical adhesive 124. The flexible display 125 and the rear surface reinforcement material 140A are bonded together with an optical adhesive 130. The rear surface cover material 160 is bonded to the rear surface of the rear surface reinforcement material 140A. The display device 110B of Comparative Example 2 is similar.

[0020] 4 is a plan view of a rear surface reinforcement member 140A constituting a part of a display device 110A of Comparative Example 1. In the plan view shown below, areas other than the through holes are hatched to make the through holes easier to see.

[0021] 4, the rear reinforcing material 140A of Comparative Example 1 has through holes 141 formed on the entire surface of the rear reinforcing material 140A (the entire surface of the area where the flexible display 125 is arranged). This reduces the adhesion area between the flexible display 125 and the rear reinforcing material 140A, which causes a problem of poor adhesion between the two. For example, in a rollable display device 1 that is repeatedly bent and stretched, there is a problem that the interface between the flexible display 125 and the rear reinforcing material 140A is easily peeled off.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rear reinforcing member 140B that constitutes a part of a display device 110B of the second comparative example.

[0023] In the rear surface reinforcement material 140B of Comparative Example 2, the through holes 141 are not formed on the entire surface of the rear surface reinforcement material 140B, but rather there are provided an area T101 where the through holes 141 are formed and an area T102 where the through holes 141 are not formed. These areas T101 and areas T102 are alternately arranged along the pull-out direction or the rolling direction (see FIG. 1) of the display device 110B.

[0024] As in Comparative Example 2, by providing the region T102 where the through-holes 141 are not formed, it is possible to suppress a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display 125 and the rear reinforcing material 140B. However, the configuration of Comparative Example 2 has another problem in that the appearance of the display device 110B is deteriorated.

[0025] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic appearance of the display devices of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. Fig. 6(a) shows the appearance of the display device 110A of Comparative Example 1, and Fig. 6(b) shows the appearance of the display device 110B of Comparative Example 2. These figures show a state in which the display devices are not driven, that is, a state in which no image is displayed on the flexible display 125.

[0026] In the display device 110A of Comparative Example 1 shown in Fig. 6(a), since a plurality of through holes 141 are regularly formed on the entire surface of the rear reinforcing material 140A, no problem occurs in appearance even if the display device 110A is curved. On the other hand, in the display device 110B of Comparative Example 2 shown in Fig. 6(b), since there exists a region T101 in which the through holes 141 are formed and a region T102 in which the through holes 141 are not formed as described above, when the display device 110B is curved, the degree of bending of the rear reinforcing material 140B is subtly different between the region T101 and the region T102. Therefore, there is a problem that the appearance of the display device 110B is deteriorated.

[0027] In response to this, the display device of the present disclosure has the following configuration in order to prevent a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display and the rear reinforcing material and to prevent a deterioration in appearance.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0029] In each drawing, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and each drawing is a schematic view, and the size ratio of each part is not necessarily strictly represented.

[0030] (Embodiment 1) [Display device configuration] The configuration of the display device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the display device 10 according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the display device 10.

[0032] 7 is a sheet-like device for displaying an image. The display device 10 is used in, for example, tablet terminals, digital televisions, digital signage, smartphones, wearable terminals, and the like.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the display device 10 includes a flexible display panel 20, a rear reinforcing material 40, and a rear cover material 60. The rear reinforcing material 40 and rear cover material 60 are made of a plastic material.

[0034] The display panel 20 is connected to a PCB 84, which is a driving substrate, via a COF 83, which is a flexible substrate (see FIG. 7), and is driven by the PCB 84 to display images.

[0035] The display panel 20 is composed of a circular polarizer 23 and a flexible display 25 attached to the rear surface of the circular polarizer 23. The circular polarizer 23 and the flexible display 25 are attached to each other with an optical adhesive (OCA: Optical Clear Adhesive) 24. The flexible display 25 is formed by laminating a TFT (thin film transistor), an OLED (organic light emitting diode) panel having an organic EL element, and a TFE (thin film encapsulation). In FIG. 8, the circular polarizer 23 is located on the top surface, but is not limited thereto, and a cover window may be provided on the circular polarizer 23, and the cover window and the circular polarizer 23 may be attached to each other with an optical adhesive.

[0036] The rear reinforcement 40 is a plate-like member for reinforcing the strength of the display panel 20. The rear reinforcement 40 is adhered to the rear surface of the display panel 20, i.e., the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40 are adhered to each other by an optical adhesive 30. The rear reinforcement 40 has flexibility and elasticity, and can be bent and deformed when an external force is applied. Examples of the material for the rear reinforcement 40 include stainless steel or Invar (a low-expansion metal containing 36% nickel in iron). The thickness of the rear reinforcement 40 is appropriately selected from the range of 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, for example.

[0037] The rear cover material 60 is a member that covers the rear surface of the rear reinforcement material 40, and is adhered to the rear surface of the rear reinforcement material 40. The rear cover material 60 is adhered to the rear reinforcement material 40 by an adhesive layer formed on the surface. The rear cover material 60 is flexible and can be bent and deformed by the application of an external force.

[0038] The display device 10 is configured so that it can be wound around a roller 85 of the display device 1 and can be unwound from the wound state and laid out in a planar form.

[0039] 7, the direction along the display surface of the display device 10 and drawn out from the display device 1 is called the first direction d1, the direction along the display surface of the display device 10 and perpendicular to the first direction d1 is called the second direction d2, and the direction perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the second direction d2 is called the third direction d3. The third direction d3 is the same direction as the thickness direction of the display device 10.

[0040] For example, the display device 10 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the third direction d3 in a state where it is unfolded in a plane. The display device 10 displays an image toward one side of the third direction d3 (the positive side in the Z-axis direction). The display device 10 is wound up around the roller 85 of the display device 1 by rotating the roller 85 about an axis extending in the second direction d2. The display device 10 is wound up so that the rear reinforcing material 40 and the rear cover material 60 are located outside the display panel 20.

[0041] 7 has a tip portion 51 connected to the tip of the pantograph 81, a display arrangement portion 52 on which the flexible display 25 is arranged, a COF arrangement portion 53 on which the COF 83 is arranged, and a PCB arrangement portion 54 on which the PCB 84 is arranged. Of the tip portion 51, the display arrangement portion 52, the COF arrangement portion 53, and the PCB arrangement portion 54, the portion that is particularly related to the adhesion with the flexible display 25 and the appearance of the display device 10 is the display arrangement portion 52. The following description will focus on the configuration of the rear reinforcement 40 in the display arrangement portion 52.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the rear reinforcement member 40 constituting a part of the display device 10. Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear reinforcement member 40 as viewed from the side. Fig. 11 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement member 40. Fig. 10 shows a cross section taken along line XX shown in Fig. 9.

[0043] The rear surface reinforcement 40 has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a. The rear surface reinforcement 40 also has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a.

[0044] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are provided in a plurality of the rear reinforcing member 40 and are alternately arranged along the first direction d1. In the example shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, ten first region T1 and nine second region T2 are provided in the display arrangement section 52.

[0045] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are each provided along the second direction d2. The length of each of the first region T1 and the second region T2 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the back reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, one rear surface groove portion 42 and a plurality of through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1.

[0047] The rear surface groove 42 is formed so as to be recessed from the rear surface 40b toward the front surface 40a. The rear surface groove 42 is formed on the rear surface 40b of the rear surface reinforcement 40 so as to extend along the second direction d2 (see FIG. 11). The length of the rear surface groove 42 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the rear surface reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2.

[0048] The back surface groove 42 has a side surface 42a extending from the back surface 40b toward the front surface 40a, and a bottom surface 42b located closer to the front surface 40a than the back surface 40b and connected to the side surface 42a. The depth from the back surface 40b to the bottom surface 42b is approximately half the thickness of the back surface reinforcement 40. The back surface groove 42 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the back surface reinforcement 40 from the back surface side.

[0049] Each of the plurality of through holes 41 is formed so as to penetrate through the front surface 40a and the bottom surface 42b of the rear surface groove portion 42 in the first region T1.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, each of the multiple through holes 41 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. The length of the through hole 41 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the rear reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2, and is, for example, 1 / 20 to 1 / 5 of the length of the rear reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2. The shape of the through hole 41 may be rectangular or elliptical. The through hole 41 is formed by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear reinforcement 40 from both the front and back sides.

[0051] When the back reinforcement 40 is viewed from a third direction d3 perpendicular to the surface 40a, the through holes 41 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region T1. In other words, the through holes 41 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other. By arranging the through holes 41 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal portions continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the first region T1 can be made flexible.

[0052] 10, when the rear reinforcement 40 is viewed in cross section from a second direction d2 that is a direction along the surface 40a of the rear reinforcement 40 and perpendicular to the first direction d1, the through holes 41 penetrate the rear reinforcement 40 in a third direction d3 perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the second direction d2. In this example, three through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1 along the first direction d1.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the length L1 in the first direction d1 of the bottom surface 42b of the rear surface groove portion 42 is longer than the length (hole width) L41 in the first direction d1 of the through hole 41 (L1>L41). In addition, the length L1 is longer than the distance p41 between two adjacent through holes 41 in the first direction d1 (L1>p41).

[0054] 10, the second region T2 is provided with a plurality of recesses 46. Each of the plurality of recesses 46 is formed on the surface 40a of the rear reinforcement member 40.

[0055] The recess 46 has a side surface 46a extending from the front surface 40a toward the back surface 40b, and a bottom surface 46b located closer to the back surface 40b than the front surface 40a and connected to the side surface 46a. The depth from the front surface 40a to the bottom surface 46b is approximately half the thickness of the rear surface reinforcement member 40. The recess 46 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear surface reinforcement member 40 from the front surface side.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, each of the recesses 46 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. In FIG. 9, a part of the recess 46 is indicated by hatching dots. The length of the recess 46 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the back reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2, and is, for example, 1 / 20 to 1 / 5 of the length of the back reinforcement 40 in the second direction d2. The shape of the recess 46 may be rectangular or elliptical. In this embodiment, the recess 46 and the through hole 41 have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. The width of the recess 46 and the through hole 41 in the first direction d1 is, for example, the same as the thickness of the back reinforcement 40.

[0057] When the back reinforcement 40 is viewed from the third direction d3, the multiple recesses 46 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the second region T2. ​​In other words, the multiple recesses 46 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two recesses 46 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other. By arranging the multiple recesses 46 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal portions continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the second region T2 can be made flexible.

[0058] 10, the recesses 46 are formed so as to recess from the front surface 40a toward the back surface 40b of the rear reinforcement 40 when the rear reinforcement 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, three recesses 46 are formed in the second region T2 along the first direction d1.

[0059] As shown in the figure, the length L2 in the first direction d1 of one of the second regions T2 of the back surface 40b is longer than the length (hole width) L46 in the first direction d1 of the recess 46 (L2>L46). In addition, the length L2 is longer than the distance p46 between two recesses 46 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 (L2>p46).

[0060] In this embodiment, the distance p41 between two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1, the distance p46 between two recesses 46, and the distance p416 between the through hole 41 and the recess 46 are the same. Note that the distances p41, p46, and p416 referred to here are center-to-center distances.

[0061] As described above, the display device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a flexible display 25 and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement member 40 bonded to the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The rear reinforcement member 40 has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a, and has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a. When the rear reinforcement member 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2, the first region T1 is provided with a through hole 41 penetrating the rear reinforcement member 40 in the third direction d3. The second region T2 is provided with a recess 46 recessed from the front surface 40a toward the back surface 40b.

[0062] In this manner, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2 of the rear reinforcement 40, a part of the optical adhesive 30 can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess 46 when the rear reinforcement 40 is adhered to the flexible display 25 (see FIG. 8). This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40. Furthermore, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2, the degree of bending in the second region T2 can be made closer to the degree of bending in the first region T1, making it possible to prevent a deterioration in the appearance of the display device 10.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, the first region T1 is provided with a back surface groove portion 42 recessed from the back surface 40b toward the front surface 40a, and the length L1 in the first direction d1 of the bottom surface 42b of the back surface groove portion 42 is longer than the length L41 in the first direction d1 of the through hole 41.

[0064] According to this, for example, when a metal plate that is the material of the back surface reinforcement material 40 is half-etched from both the front and back surfaces, even if the positions of the through hole 41 and the back surface groove portion 42 are slightly shifted in the first direction d1, the through hole 41 and the back surface groove portion 42 can be connected. This makes it possible to prevent holes that should be through in the first region T1 from becoming non-through, and ensures the flexibility of the back surface reinforcement material 40 in the first region T1.

[0065] [Display Device Manufacturing Method] A method for manufacturing the display device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the display device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0067] First, each member for producing the display device 10 is prepared. Specifically, the circular polarizer 23, the flexible display 25, the rear reinforcing material 40, and the rear cover material 60 are prepared (step S10). Next, the circular polarizer 23, the flexible display 25, the rear reinforcing material 40, and the rear cover material 60 are laminated in this order from the top (step S20). Through these steps S10 and S20, the display device 10 is produced.

[0068] The rear reinforcement member 40 is produced by the manufacturing process described below.

[0069] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the rear reinforcement member 40 of the first embodiment.

[0070] First, a metal plate 90, which is a material to be processed, is prepared (step S11). For example, stainless steel or Invar material is used as the metal plate 90. In this step S11, the metal plate 90 is prepared after being cleaned.

[0071] Next, a resist 91 is formed on each of the front surface 90a and the back surface 90b of the metal plate 90 (step S12). The resist 91 is formed as a uniform resist film over the entire surfaces of the front surface 90a and the back surface 90b.

[0072] Next, a photomask having a predetermined pattern is formed on both sides of the metal plate 90 on which the resist 91 is formed, and both sides of the metal plate 90 are exposed to light (step S13). The photomask 92a on the front surface 90a side of the metal plate 90 is formed so that openings are provided at positions corresponding to the through holes 41 and the recesses 46, and a light-shielding film is provided at other positions different from the through holes 41 and the recesses 46. The photomask 92b on the back surface 90b side of the metal plate 90 is formed so that openings are provided at positions corresponding to the back surface grooves 42, and a light-shielding film is provided at other positions different from the back surface grooves 42. A degenerated layer of the resist is formed in the exposed area of ​​the resist 91.

[0073] Next, the metal plate 90 with the exposed resist 91 is developed (step S14). By this development, the altered layer of the resist is removed, and a resist pattern layer 91a having a predetermined pattern shape is formed on both sides of the metal plate 90.

[0074] Next, the metal plate 90 with the resist pattern layer 91a is etched with an etching solution (step S15). At this time, the metal plate 90 is half-etched from both the front surface 90a and the back surface 90b of the metal plate 90. This half-etching forms the back surface groove 42, the through hole 41, and the recess 46. Note that a part of the through hole 41 overlaps with the back surface groove 42, and is formed simultaneously with the back surface groove 42.

[0075] Next, the resist pattern layer 91a is peeled off from the etched metal plate 90 (step S16). The region where the rear surface groove portion 42 is formed becomes the first region portion T1, and the region where the rear surface groove portion 42 is not formed becomes the second region portion T2.

[0076] By carrying out these steps S11 to S16, the rear surface reinforcement material 40 is produced. Specifically, the rear surface reinforcement material 40 is produced, which includes a first region T1 having the rear surface groove portion 42 and the through hole 41, and a second region T2 having the recess portion 46.

[0077] According to the above-described manufacturing method, it is possible to manufacture a display device 10 capable of suppressing a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcing member 40. It is also possible to manufacture a display device 10 capable of suppressing a deterioration in appearance.

[0078] (Embodiment 2) The configuration of a display device 10A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16. As for the display device 10A according to embodiment 2, an example will be described in which a through hole 41 is provided in the first region T1 and a rear surface groove portion 42 is not provided.

[0079] The display device 10A of the second embodiment includes a flexible display panel 20, a rear reinforcing material 40A, and a rear cover material 60. The display panel 20 has a flexible property.

[0080] The display panel 20 is connected to a PCB 84, which is a driving substrate, via a COF 83, which is a flexible substrate, and is driven by the PCB 84 to display images.

[0081] The display panel 20 is composed of a circular polarizer 23 and a flexible display 25 attached to the back surface of the circular polarizer 23. The circular polarizer 23 and the flexible display 25 are attached with an optical adhesive 24.

[0082] The rear reinforcement 40A is adhered to the rear surface of the display panel 20, i.e., the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40A are adhered to each other by an optical adhesive 30. The rear reinforcement 40A has flexibility and elasticity, and can be bent and deformed when an external force is applied. For example, stainless steel or Invar material is used as the material of the rear reinforcement 40A. The thickness of the rear reinforcement 40A is appropriately selected from the range of 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, for example.

[0083] The rear cover material 60 is a member that covers the rear surface of the rear reinforcement material 40A, and is adhered to the rear surface of the rear reinforcement material 40A. The rear cover material 60 is adhered to the rear reinforcement material 40A by an adhesive layer formed on the surface. The rear cover material 60 is flexible and can be bent and deformed by the application of an external force.

[0084] The rear surface reinforcement material 40A has a tip portion 51 connected to the tip portion of the pantograph 81, a display arrangement portion 52 on which the flexible display 25 is arranged, a COF arrangement portion 53 on which the COF 83 is arranged, and a PCB arrangement portion 54 on which the PCB 84 is arranged. The following describes the configuration of the rear surface reinforcement material 40A in the display arrangement portion 52 as an example.

[0085] Fig. 14 is a plan view of a rear reinforcement member 40A constituting a part of a display device 10A according to embodiment 2. Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear reinforcement member 40A as viewed from the side. Fig. 16 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement member 40A. Fig. 15 shows a cross section taken along line XV-XV shown in Fig. 14.

[0086] The rear surface reinforcement 40A has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a. The rear surface reinforcement 40A also has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a.

[0087] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are provided in a plurality of the rear reinforcing member 40A and are alternately arranged along the first direction d1. In the example shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 16, ten first regions T1 and nine second regions T2 are provided in the display arrangement section 52.

[0088] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are provided along the second direction d2. The length of each of the first region T1 and the second region T2 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the back reinforcement 40A in the second direction d2.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1.

[0090] Each of the plurality of through holes 41 is formed so as to penetrate from the front surface 40a to the back surface 40b in the first region T1.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 16, each of the multiple through holes 41 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. The length of the through hole 41 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the rear reinforcement 40A in the second direction d2. The shape of the through hole 41 may be rectangular or elliptical. The through hole 41 is formed by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear reinforcement 40A from both the front and back surfaces.

[0092] When the back reinforcement 40A is viewed from a third direction d3 perpendicular to the surface 40a, the through holes 41 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region T1. In other words, the through holes 41 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other. By arranging the through holes 41 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal parts continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the first region T1 can be made flexible.

[0093] 15, the through holes 41 penetrate the rear reinforcement 40A in the third direction d3 when the rear reinforcement 40A is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, three through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1 along the first direction d1.

[0094] 15, the second region T2 is provided with a plurality of recesses 46. Each of the plurality of recesses 46 is formed in the front surface 40a of the rear surface reinforcement material 40A.

[0095] The recess 46 has a side surface 46a extending from the front surface 40a to the rear surface 40b, and a bottom surface 46b located closer to the rear surface 40b than the front surface 40a and connected to the side surface 46a. The depth from the front surface 40a to the bottom surface 46b is approximately half the thickness of the rear surface reinforcement material 40A. The recess 46 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear surface reinforcement material 40A from the front surface side.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 14, each of the recesses 46 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. In FIG. 14, a part of the recess 46 is indicated by hatched dots. The length of the recess 46 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the back reinforcement 40A in the second direction d2. The shape of the recess 46 may be rectangular or elliptical. In this embodiment, the recess 46 and the through hole 41 have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2.

[0097] When the back reinforcement 40A is viewed from the third direction d3, the multiple recesses 46 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the second region T2. ​​In other words, the multiple recesses 46 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two recesses 46 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 overlap each other. By arranging the multiple recesses 46 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal parts continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the second region T2 can be made flexible.

[0098] 15, the recesses 46 are formed so as to recess from the front surface 40a to the rear surface 40b of the rear reinforcement 40A when the rear reinforcement 40A is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, three recesses 46 are formed along the first direction d1 in the second region T2. ​​The distance p41 between two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1, the distance p46 between the two recesses 46, and the distance p416 between the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 are the same.

[0099] As in the present embodiment, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2 of the rear reinforcement 40A, a part of the optical adhesive 30 can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess 46 when adhering the rear reinforcement 40A to the flexible display 25. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40A. Furthermore, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2, the degree of bending in the second region T2 can be made closer to the degree of bending in the first region T1, making it possible to prevent a deterioration in the appearance of the display device 10A.

[0100] In addition, in the second embodiment, since the back surface groove portion 42 is not formed in the first region T1, it is possible to increase the thickness of the first region T1 except for the through hole 41. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the back surface reinforcement material 40A in the first region T1 compared to the first embodiment.

[0101] (Embodiment 3) A display device 10B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 22. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a display device 1B including the display device 10B is a foldable device.

[0102] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a display device 1B including a display device 10B according to the third embodiment.

[0103] The display device 1B is a device that displays images and the like, and is foldable. The display device 1B is a foldable tablet terminal. The display device 1B may be a digital television, a digital signage, a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or the like.

[0104] As shown in (a) of Fig. 17, the display device 10B has a structure that allows it to be folded at a bent portion 15B located in the center in the first direction d1. By folding the display device 10B at the bent portion 15B, it is possible to fold the display device 10B in half as shown in (b) of Fig. 17.

[0105] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the display device 10B, and Fig. 19 is a plan view of the display device 10B.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 18, the display device 10B includes a display panel 20, a rear reinforcing member 40B, and a housing 70. The display panel 20 is connected to a driving substrate, a PCB 84, via a flexible substrate, a COF 83 (see Fig. 19), and is driven by the PCB 84 to display an image.

[0107] 18, the display panel 20 is composed of a circular polarizer 23 and a flexible display 25 attached to the back surface of the circular polarizer 23. The circular polarizer 23 and the flexible display 25 are attached with an optical adhesive 24.

[0108] The rear reinforcement 40B is adhered to the rear surface of the display panel 20, i.e., the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40B are adhered to each other by an optical adhesive 30. The rear reinforcement 40B has flexibility and elasticity, and can be bent and deformed when an external force is applied. For example, stainless steel or Invar material is used as the material of the rear reinforcement 40B. The thickness of the rear reinforcement 40B is appropriately selected from the range of 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, for example.

[0109] The housing 70 is adhered to the rear reinforcement material 40B with an adhesive 75. The housing 70 has a first housing section 71, a second housing section 72, and a hinge 73. The first housing section 71 is adhered to a part of the rear reinforcement material 40B, and the second housing section 72 is adhered to another part of the rear reinforcement material 40B.

[0110] When the display device 10B is not folded, the first housing unit 71 and the second housing unit 72 are aligned along the first direction d1 when viewed from the third direction d3. The first housing unit 71 and the second housing unit 72 are rotatably connected by a hinge 73. By rotating one of the first housing unit 71 and the second housing unit 72 relative to the other, the housing 70 can be bent and folded (see FIG. 17(b)). By folding the housing 70, the display panel 20, the back reinforcement member 40B, etc. are also folded.

[0111] Fig. 20 is a plan view of a rear reinforcement member 40B constituting a part of the display device 10B. Fig. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear reinforcement member 40B as viewed from the side. Fig. 22 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement member 40B. Fig. 21 shows a cross section taken along line XXI-XXI shown in Fig. 20.

[0112] The rear surface reinforcement 40B has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a. The rear surface reinforcement 40B also has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a.

[0113] In the third embodiment, the first region T1 is disposed so as to be located at the bent portion 15B of the display device 10B. The rear reinforcement 40B has one first region T1 and two second regions T2. In the first direction d1, one first region T1 is provided between two second regions T2. In other words, in the first direction d1, the two second regions T2 are provided on both outer sides of one first region T1. The length of one first region T1 in the first direction d1 is shorter than the length of one second region T2.

[0114] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are provided along the second direction d2. The length of each of the first region T1 and the second region T2 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the back reinforcement 40B in the second direction d2.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 21, one rear surface groove 42 and a plurality of through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1.

[0116] The rear surface groove 42 is formed so as to be recessed from the rear surface 40b toward the front surface 40a. The rear surface groove 42 is formed in the rear surface reinforcement 40B so as to extend along the second direction d2 (see FIG. 22). The length of the rear surface groove 42 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the rear surface reinforcement 40B in the second direction d2.

[0117] The back surface groove 42 has a side surface 42a extending from the back surface 40b toward the front surface 40a, and a bottom surface 42b located closer to the front surface 40a than the back surface 40b and connected to the side surface 42a. The depth from the back surface 40b to the bottom surface 42b is approximately half the thickness of the back surface reinforcement 40B. The back surface groove 42 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the back surface reinforcement 40B from the back surface side.

[0118] Each of the plurality of through holes 41 is formed so as to penetrate through the front surface 40a and the bottom surface 42b of the rear surface groove portion 42 in the first region T1.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 22, each of the multiple through holes 41 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. The length of the through hole 41 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the rear reinforcement 40B in the second direction d2. The shape of the through hole 41 may be rectangular or elliptical. The through hole 41 is formed by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear reinforcement 40B from both the front and back surfaces.

[0120] When the back reinforcement 40B is viewed from a third direction d3 perpendicular to the surface 40a, the through holes 41 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region T1. In other words, the through holes 41 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other. By arranging the through holes 41 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal portions continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the first region T1 can be made flexible.

[0121] 21, the through holes 41 penetrate the rear reinforcement 40B in the third direction d3 when the rear reinforcement 40B is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, five through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1 along the first direction d1.

[0122] As shown in the figure, the length L1 in the first direction d1 of the bottom surface 42b of the rear surface groove portion 42 is longer than the length (hole width) L41 in the first direction d1 of the through hole 41 (L1>L41). In addition, the length L1 is longer than the distance p41 between two adjacent through holes 41 in the first direction d1 (L1>p41).

[0123] 21, the second region T2 is provided with a plurality of recesses 46. Each of the plurality of recesses 46 is formed in the front surface 40a of the rear surface reinforcement member 40B.

[0124] The recess 46 has a side surface 46a extending from the front surface 40a to the rear surface 40b, and a bottom surface 46b located closer to the rear surface 40b than the front surface 40a and connected to the side surface 46a. The depth from the front surface 40a to the bottom surface 46b is approximately half the thickness of the rear surface reinforcement member 40B. The recess 46 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear surface reinforcement member 40B from the front surface side.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 20, each of the recesses 46 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. In FIG. 20, a part of the recess 46 is indicated by hatched dots. The length of the recess 46 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the back reinforcement 40B in the second direction d2. The shape of the recess 46 may be rectangular or elliptical. In this embodiment, the recess 46 and the through hole 41 have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2.

[0126] When the back reinforcement material 40B is viewed from the third direction d3, the recesses 46 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the second region T2. ​​In other words, when viewed from the first direction d1, the recesses 46 are formed such that two recesses 46 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other.

[0127] 21, the recesses 46 are formed so as to recess from the front surface 40a to the back surface 40b of the rear reinforcement 40B when viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, 26 recesses 46 are formed along the first direction d1 in the second region T2. ​​The distance p41 between two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1, the distance p46 between the two recesses 46, and the distance p416 between the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 are the same.

[0128] As in the present embodiment, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2 of the rear reinforcement 40B, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40B. Furthermore, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the appearance of the display device 10B.

[0129] In addition, in this embodiment, the first region T1 is provided with a back surface groove portion 42 recessed from the back surface 40b toward the front surface 40a, and the length L1 in the first direction d1 of the bottom surface 42b of the back surface groove portion 42 is longer than the length L41 in the first direction d1 of the through hole 41.

[0130] According to this, for example, when half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear surface reinforcement material 40B from both the front and rear surfaces, even if the positions of the through hole 41 and the rear surface groove portion 42 are slightly shifted in the first direction d1, the through hole 41 and the rear surface groove portion 42 can be connected. This ensures flexibility in the first region T1 of the rear surface reinforcement material 40B.

[0131] (Embodiment 4) The configuration of a display device 10C according to embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 23 to Fig. 25. In embodiment 4, an example will be described in which the through-hole 41 is provided in the first region T1 in the device configuration of embodiment 3, and the rear surface groove portion 42 is not provided.

[0132] The display device 10C includes a display panel 20, a rear reinforcing member 40C, and a housing .

[0133] The display panel 20 is connected to a PCB 84, which is a driving substrate, via a COF 83, which is a flexible substrate, and is driven by the PCB 84 to display images.

[0134] The display panel 20 is composed of a circular polarizer 23 and a flexible display 25 attached to the back surface of the circular polarizer 23. The circular polarizer 23 and the flexible display 25 are attached with an optical adhesive 24.

[0135] The rear reinforcement 40C is adhered to the rear surface of the display panel 20, i.e., the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40C are adhered to each other by an optical adhesive 30. The rear reinforcement 40C has flexibility and elasticity, and can be bent and deformed when an external force is applied. For example, stainless steel or Invar material is used as the material of the rear reinforcement 40C. The thickness of the rear reinforcement 40C is appropriately selected from the range of 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, for example.

[0136] The housing 70 is adhered to the rear reinforcement material 40C by an adhesive 75. The housing 70 has a first housing section 71, a second housing section 72, and a hinge 73. The first housing section 71 is adhered to a part of the rear reinforcement material 40C, and the second housing section 72 is adhered to another part of the rear reinforcement material 40C.

[0137] Fig. 23 is a plan view of a rear reinforcement member 40C constituting a part of the display device 10C. Fig. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear reinforcement member 40C as viewed from the side. Fig. 25 is a rear view of the rear reinforcement member 40C. Fig. 24 shows a cross section taken along line XXIV-XXIV shown in Fig. 23.

[0138] The rear surface reinforcement 40C has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a. The rear surface reinforcement 40C also has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a.

[0139] In the fourth embodiment, the first region T1 is arranged to be located at a bent portion 15C (see FIG. 17) of the display device 10C. The rear reinforcement 40C has one first region T1 and two second regions T2. In the first direction d1, one first region T1 is provided between two second regions T2. In other words, in the first direction d1, the two second regions T2 are provided on both outsides of one first region T1. The length of one first region T1 in the first direction d1 is shorter than the length of one second region T2.

[0140] The first region T1 and the second region T2 are provided along the second direction d2. The length of each of the first region T1 and the second region T2 in the second direction d2 is the same as the length of the back reinforcement 40C in the second direction d2.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1.

[0142] Each of the plurality of through holes 41 is formed so as to penetrate from the front surface 40a to the back surface 40b in the first region T1.

[0143] As shown in Fig. 23 and Fig. 25, each of the multiple through holes 41 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. The length of the through hole 41 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the rear reinforcement 40C in the second direction d2. The shape of the through hole 41 may be rectangular or elliptical. The through hole 41 is formed by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear reinforcement 40C from both the front and back surfaces.

[0144] When the back reinforcement 40C is viewed from a third direction d3 perpendicular to the surface 40a, the through holes 41 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region T1. In other words, the through holes 41 are formed such that, when viewed from the first direction d1, two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other. By arranging the through holes 41 in a staggered pattern, the distance between the thick metal portions continuing in the first direction d1 is shortened, and the first region T1 can be made flexible.

[0145] 24, the through holes 41 penetrate the rear reinforcement 40C in the third direction d3 when the rear reinforcement 40C is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, five through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1 along the first direction d1.

[0146] As shown in Fig. 24, the second region T2 is provided with a plurality of recesses 46. Each of the plurality of recesses 46 is formed in the front surface 40a of the rear surface reinforcement member 40C.

[0147] The recess 46 has a side surface 46a extending from the front surface 40a to the rear surface 40b, and a bottom surface 46b located closer to the rear surface 40b than the front surface 40a and connected to the side surface 46a. The depth from the front surface 40a to the bottom surface 46b is approximately half the thickness of the rear surface reinforcement member 40C. The recess 46 is formed, for example, by half-etching the metal plate that is the material of the rear surface reinforcement member 40C from the front surface side.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 23, each of the recesses 46 has an elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2. In FIG. 23, a part of the recess 46 is indicated by hatched dots. The length of the recess 46 in the second direction d2 is shorter than the length of the back reinforcement 40C in the second direction d2. The shape of the recess 46 may be rectangular or elliptical. In this embodiment, the recess 46 and the through hole 41 have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2.

[0149] When the back reinforcement material 40C is viewed from the third direction d3, the recesses 46 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the second region T2. ​​In other words, when viewed from the first direction d1, the recesses 46 are formed such that two recesses 46 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1 partially overlap each other.

[0150] 24, the recesses 46 are formed so as to recess from the front surface 40a to the back surface 40b of the rear reinforcement 40C when viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In this example, 26 recesses 46 are formed along the first direction d1 in the second region T2. ​​The distance p41 between two through holes 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction d1, the distance p46 between the two recesses 46, and the distance p416 between the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 are the same.

[0151] As in the present embodiment, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2 of the rear reinforcement 40C, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40C. In addition, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the appearance of the display device 10C.

[0152] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, since the rear surface groove portion 42 is not formed, the strength of the rear surface reinforcement material 40C in the first region T1 can be increased compared to the third embodiment.

[0153] (summary) The configuration of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be exemplified below.

[0154] [Example 1] A display device 10 (or 10A, 10B, 10C; the same applies below) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a flexible display 25 and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement member 40 (or 40A, 40B, or 40C; the same applies below) attached to the rear surface of the flexible display 25. The rear reinforcement member 40 has a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a, and has a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a. When the rear reinforcement material 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2, which is a direction along the surface 40a and perpendicular to the first direction d1, the first region T1 has a through hole 41 that penetrates the rear reinforcement material 40 in a third direction d3 that is perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the second direction d2, and the second region T2 has a recess 46 that is recessed from the surface 40a toward the back surface 40b.

[0155] In this manner, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2 of the rear reinforcement 40, when the rear reinforcement 40 is bonded to the flexible display 25 with an optical adhesive, a part of the optical adhesive can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess 46. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement 40. Furthermore, by providing the recess 46 in the second region T2, the degree of bending in the second region T2 can be made closer to the degree of bending in the first region T1, making it possible to prevent a deterioration in the appearance of the display device 10.

[0156] [Example 2] When the rear reinforcement 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2, a plurality of through holes 41 and a plurality of recesses 46 are provided along the first direction d1. The distance p41 between two adjacent through holes 41 in the first direction d1, the distance p46 between two recesses 46, and the distance p416 between the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 are the same.

[0157] In this way, by making the above-mentioned distances p41, p46, and p416 the same, it is possible to arrange the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 regularly. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the appearance of the display device 10. The configuration of Example 2 is applicable to Example 1.

[0158] [Example 3] When the rear reinforcement material 40 is viewed from the third direction d3, the multiple through holes 41 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region T1, and the multiple recesses 46 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the second region T2.

[0159] In this way, by arranging the plurality of through holes 41 and the plurality of recesses 46 in a staggered pattern, it is possible to impart flexibility to the rear surface reinforcement material 40. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the appearance of the display device 10. The configuration of Example 3 is applicable to Example 1 or Example 2.

[0160] [Example 4] The through hole 41 and the recess 46 have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction d1 and a length in the second direction d2.

[0161] In this way, by making the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 have the same elongated hole shape, it is possible to arrange the through holes 41 and the recesses 46 regularly. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the appearance of the display device 10. The configuration of Example 4 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 3.

[0162] [Example 5] The first region T1 has a back surface groove 42 recessed from the back surface 40b toward the front surface 40a. The back surface groove 42 is formed along the second direction d2. The through hole 41 is formed to penetrate the front surface 40a in the first region T1 and the bottom surface 42b of the back surface groove 42.

[0163] In this way, by providing the back surface groove portion 42 in the first region T1, it is possible to increase the flexibility of the back surface reinforcement material 40 in the first region T1. The configuration of Example 5 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 4.

[0164] [Example 6] The length L1 of the bottom surface 42b of the rear surface groove 42 in the first direction d1 is longer than the length L41 of the through hole 41 in the first direction d1.

[0165] According to this, when the metal plate that is the material of the back surface reinforcement 40 is half-etched from both the front and back surfaces, even if the positions of the through hole 41 and the back surface groove 42 are slightly shifted in the first direction d1, the through hole 41 and the back surface groove 42 can be connected. This makes it possible to prevent holes that should be through in the first region T1 from becoming non-through, and ensures flexibility in the first region T1 of the back surface reinforcement 40. The configuration of Example 6 is applicable to Example 5.

[0166] [Example 7] The through hole 41 is formed so as to penetrate from the front surface 40a to the back surface 40b in the first region T1.

[0167] This makes it possible to increase the thickness of the first region T1 except for the through hole 41. This increases the strength of the back reinforcement material 40A in the first region T1. The configuration of Example 7 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 4.

[0168] [Example 8] A plurality of first regions T1 and second regions T2 are provided in the back reinforcement material 40, and are arranged alternately along the first direction d1.

[0169] This allows the first region T1 and the second region T2 to be arranged regularly, thereby preventing deterioration of the appearance of the display device 10. The configuration of Example 8 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 7.

[0170] [Example 9] The rear reinforcement member 40B (or 40C) has one first region T1 and two second regions T2. In the first direction d1, one first region T1 is provided between two second regions T2.

[0171] According to this, it becomes possible to open and close two second areas T2 by using one first area T1 as a bending portion 15B (or 15C), and it is possible to realize a foldable device. The configuration of Example 9 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 7.

[0172] [Example 10] The display device further includes a circular polarizer 23 adhered to a surface 40a facing away from the rear surface of the flexible display 25, and a rear cover material 60 adhered to the rear surface of the rear reinforcement material 40.

[0173] This makes it possible to provide a display device including a display panel 20 having a circular polarizer 23 and a flexible display, a rear reinforcing material 40, and a rear cover material 60. The configuration of Example 10 can be applied to any of Examples 1 to 9.

[0174] [Example 11] A manufacturing method of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method of a display device including a flexible display 25 and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement member 40 bonded to the rear surface of the flexible display 25. This manufacturing method includes a step of forming the rear reinforcement member 40 having a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the surface 90a of the metal plate 90 by etching the metal plate 90, and a step of bonding the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcement member 40. In the step of forming the rear reinforcement member 40, a plurality of through holes 41 are formed in the first region T1 by half-etching each of the surface 90a and the back surface 90b of the metal plate 90, and a plurality of recesses 46 are formed in the second region T2 by half-etching the surface 90a of the metal plate 90.

[0175] According to this manufacturing method, it is possible to manufacture a display device 10 that can suppress a decrease in adhesion between the flexible display 25 and the rear reinforcing member 40. It is also possible to manufacture a display device 10 that can suppress a deterioration in appearance.

[0176] (Other embodiments, etc.) Although the display device according to the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and various devices incorporating a display panel according to the present disclosure.

[0177] In the above [Example 1], the configuration of the first region T1 and the second region T2 when the rear reinforcement material 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2 is described, but the configuration of the first region T1 and the second region T2 does not have to be limited to the configuration when the rear reinforcement material 40 is viewed in cross section from the second direction d2. In other words, the display device 10 comprises a flexible display 25 and a plate-shaped rear reinforcement material 40 adhered to the rear surface of the flexible display 25, the rear reinforcement material 40 having a front surface 40a facing the rear surface of the flexible display 25 and a back surface 40b facing away from the front surface 40a, and having a first region T1 and a second region T2 adjacent to each other in a first direction d1 along the front surface 40a, the first region T1 being provided with a through hole 41 penetrating the rear reinforcement material 40 in a third direction d3 perpendicular to both the first direction d1 and the second direction d2, and the second region T2 being provided with a recess 46 recessed from the front surface 40a toward the back surface 40b. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] A display device according to the present disclosure can be used in digital televisions, digital signage, smartphones, tablet terminals, wearable terminals, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1, 1B Display device 10, 10A, 10B, 10C display device 15B, 15C bent part 20 Display Panel 23 Circular polarizer 24 Optical adhesive 25 Flexible Display 30 Optical adhesive 40, 40A, 40B, 40C Back reinforcement material 40a surface 40b Back 41 Through hole 42 Back groove 42a side 42b Bottom 46 Recess 46a side 46b Bottom 51 Tip 52 Display arrangement section 53 COF placement part 54 PCB placement section 60 Back cover material 70 Case 71 First housing section 72 Second housing section 73 Hinge 75 Adhesive 81 Pantograph 83 COF 84 PCB 85 Roller 90 metal plate 90a surface 90b back side 91 Resist 91a Resist pattern layer 92a, 92b Photomask d1 1st direction d2 2nd direction d3 Third direction T1 1st area T2 2nd area part L1, L2, L41, L46 Length p41, p46, p416 distance

Claims

1. A flexible display, A plate-shaped rear reinforcement material bonded to the rear surface of the flexible display; Equipped with the rear surface reinforcement member has a front surface facing the rear surface of the flexible display and a back surface facing away from the front surface, and has a first region portion and a second region portion adjacent to each other in a first direction along the front surface; When the rear reinforcement material is viewed in cross section from a second direction that is a direction along the surface and perpendicular to the first direction, The first region is provided with a through hole penetrating the rear reinforcement material in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, The second region is provided with a recess recessed from the front surface toward the back surface. Display device.

2. When the rear reinforcement material is viewed cross-sectionally from the second direction, The through holes and the recesses are each provided in a plurality of portions along the first direction, The distance between two of the through holes adjacent to each other in the first direction, the distance between two of the recesses, and the distance between the through holes and the recesses are the same. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. When the rear reinforcement member is viewed from the third direction, The through holes are arranged in a staggered pattern in the first region, The recesses are arranged in a staggered manner in the second region. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. The through hole and the recess have the same elongated hole shape with a width in the first direction and a length in the second direction. The display device according to claim 1 .

5. The first region is provided with a back surface groove portion recessed from the back surface toward the front surface side, The rear surface groove portion is formed along the second direction, The through hole is formed to penetrate the front surface of the first region and a bottom surface of the rear surface groove. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The length of the bottom surface of the rear surface groove in the first direction is longer than the length of the through hole in the first direction. The display device according to claim 5 .

7. The through hole is formed to penetrate the front surface and the back surface of the first region. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The first region and the second region are provided in plurality on the rear surface reinforcement member and are alternately arranged along the first direction. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The rear reinforcement member has one of the first regions and two of the second regions, In the first direction, one of the first regions is provided between two of the second regions. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. moreover, a circular polarizer attached to a surface of the flexible display facing away from the rear surface; A back cover material adhered to the back surface of the back reinforcement material; Equipped The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A method for manufacturing a display device including a flexible display and a plate-shaped rear reinforcing material bonded to a rear surface of the flexible display, comprising the steps of: forming the back reinforcement member having a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in a first direction along a surface of the metal plate by etching the metal plate; bonding the flexible display and the rear stiffener; Including, In the step of forming the rear reinforcement material, In the first region, a plurality of through holes are formed by half-etching each of the front surface and the back surface of the metal plate, and In the second region, a surface of the metal plate is half-etched to form a plurality of recesses. A method for manufacturing a display device.

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