Image display device

Abstract

To suppress breakage of a bent portion of a touch sensor disposed on the back surface of a flexible display.SOLUTION: An image display device includes a flexible display, a touch sensor overlying on the back surface of the flexible display, and a housing that surrounds the flexible display and the touch sensor and is foldable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at a folding position. The touch sensor has a first detection unit and a second detection unit with the folding position as a boundary. The first detection unit is adhered to the back surface of the flexible display by an adhesive layer, and the second detection unit is not adhered to the back surface of the flexible display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a flexible display is partially adhered to a cover integrally formed with a touch panel for the purpose of preventing damage to the flexible display.

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 is applicable to a configuration in which a touch sensor is disposed on the front surface of a flexible display such as a capacitive type, and cannot be applied to a configuration in which a touch sensor is disposed on the back surface of a flexible display such as an electromagnetic induction type.

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to suppress damage to a bent portion of a touch sensor disposed on the back surface of a flexible display.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an image display device according to an embodiment includes: a flexible display; a touch sensor provided overlapping the back surface of the flexible display; and a housing that surrounds the flexible display and the touch sensor and is bendable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at a bending position, wherein the touch sensor has a first detection portion and a second detection portion with the bending position as a boundary, the first detection portion is adhered to the back surface of the flexible display by an adhesive layer, and the second detection portion is not adhered to the back surface of the flexible display.

[0006] In this book, with respect to touch sensors, flexible displays, and cover components, the side facing the user when the image display device is used is referred to as the "front," and the side opposite the user is referred to as the "back." [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the image display device, damage to the bent portion of the touch sensor located on the back of the flexible display can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] External perspective view of the image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the folding operation of the image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the folding operation of the image display device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image display device according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First Embodiment] (Overview of the image display device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment. The image display device 100 shown in Figure 1 is a foldable terminal device. A flexible display 103 and a touch sensor 104 are mounted on top of each other on the front of the housing 101 of the image display device 100. In the unfolded state shown in Figure 1(a), the image display device 100 can display images using the flexible display 103 and detect touch operations using the touch sensor 104. From the unfolded state shown in Figure 1(a), the image display device 100 can be folded in a valley fold at the folding part 101B at the folding position P1 (intermediate position) as shown in Figure 1(b), resulting in the folded state shown in Figure 1(c). This makes the image display device 100 compact for carrying and storage. For example, the image display device 100 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, game console, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.

[0011] (Configuration of the image display device 100) Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the image display device 100 comprises a housing 101, a cover member 102, a flexible display 103, a touch sensor 104, an adhesive layer 105, an adhesive layer 106, a substrate 107, and a first elastic member 108.

[0012] The housing 101 is a thin, box-shaped component. Inside the housing 101 are the various components of the image display device 100 (flexible display 103, touch sensor 104, substrate 107, and first elastic member 108). An opening 101A is formed on the front of the housing 101. The housing 101 has a bending portion 101B (for example, a hinge) at the bending position P1, and can be folded in half by bending it in a valley fold at the bending portion 101B.

[0013] As an example, the housing 101 may have a bendable portion 101B made of a stretchable material to allow the housing 101 to bend, while the other parts may be made of a highly rigid material to protect the internal structure of the housing 101. Furthermore, in order to make the bendable portion 101B of the housing 101 possible, the bendable portion 101B may be composed of multiple members (e.g., a shaft and bearings).

[0014] Furthermore, the housing 101 encloses at least a portion of the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 so that they can be folded together. For example, the housing 101 is configured to enclose a portion of the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104, which are located inside the opening 101A provided on the front, with the portion surrounding the opening 101A. In this way, the housing 101 only needs to enclose the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 to the extent that they can be folded together.

[0015] The cover member 102 is a flexible, transparent, sheet-like member that closes the opening 101A of the housing 101. The cover member 102 is bonded to the front surface of the flexible display 103 by an adhesive layer 105 (e.g., double-sided tape, adhesive, etc.) provided between the cover member 102 and the flexible display 103, so as to close the opening 101A of the housing 101. In this way, the cover member 102 can protect the front surface of the flexible display 103. For example, the cover member 102 is formed using a thin sheet-like material such as resin or glass.

[0016] The flexible display 103 is a flexible, sheet-like display. The flexible display 103 is installed in an opening 101A formed in the front portion of the housing 101. The flexible display 103 can display various types of information. For example, an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, or the like can be used for the flexible display 103.

[0017] The touch sensor 104 is a flexible, sheet-like sensor that is placed on top of the back of the flexible display 103. The touch sensor 104 detects user touch operations on the flexible display 103. The touch sensor 104 uses a touch sensor (for example, an electromagnetic induction type touch sensor) that can detect user touch operations from the back side of the flexible display 103. The touch sensor 104 has a first detection part 104A on one end of the bending position P1 and a second detection part 104B on the other end of the bending position P1. The first detection part 104A is bonded to the back of the flexible display 103 by an adhesive layer 106 (for example, double-sided tape, adhesive, etc.) provided between it and the flexible display 103. On the other hand, the second detection part 104B is not bonded to the back of the flexible display 103. It is preferable that the entire surface of the first detection unit 104A is adhered to the back surface of the flexible display 103, but it is not limited to this, and a part of it may also be adhered to the back surface of the flexible display 103.

[0018] The circuit board 107 is a rigid, flat plate-shaped component. The circuit board 107 is installed on the bottom surface inside the housing 101. Various electronic components are mounted on the circuit board 107 to form an electronic circuit that controls the operation of the image display device 100 (for example, display by the flexible display 103, detection by the touch sensor 104, wireless communication, etc.).

[0019] The first elastic member 108 is provided between the end portion 104Ba of the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 and the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. One end of the first elastic member 108 is fixed to the end portion 104Ba of the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104, and the other end is fixed to the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. As illustrated, the wall portion 101C is a surface of the housing 101 surrounding the touch sensor 104 that faces the touch sensor 104, but the wall portion 101C is not limited thereto. The first elastic member 108 pulls the end portion 104Ba of the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101C side of the housing 101. Accordingly, the first elastic member 108 can apply tension to the second detection unit 104B so that the second detection unit 104B, which is not bonded to the flexible display 103, does not become loose. For example, a coil spring is used for the first elastic member 108.

[0020] (Folding Operation of Image Display Device 100) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the folding operation of the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that in FIG. 3, the folding operation of the image display device 100 is described using a part of the image display device 100 (the flexible display 103, the touch sensor 104, and the first elastic member 108).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment can be folded in two by valley-folding at a folding position P1 with the flexible display 100 on the inner side and the touch sensor 104 on the outer side.

[0022] Here, as shown in FIG. 3(b), at the folding position P1, the radius of curvature of the folded portion 104C of the touch sensor 104 is larger than the radius of curvature of the folded portion 103A of the flexible display 103. For this reason, if the entire touch sensor 104 is bonded to the flexible display 103, a stretching load is applied to the folded portion 104C of the touch sensor 104, and there is a possibility that damage such as cracking may occur in the folded portion 104C of the touch sensor 104.

[0023] Therefore, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment is provided with a first detection unit 104A and a second detection unit 104B on the touch sensor 104, with the folding position P1 as the boundary, and uses a configuration in which only the first detection unit 104A is bonded to the back of the flexible display 103 by an adhesive layer 105, while the second detection unit 104B is not bonded to the back of the flexible display 103.

[0024] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(b), when the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment is folded in half, the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 moves toward the folding position P1 relative to the flexible display 103, in accordance with the above-mentioned difference in radius of curvature. As a result, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment can absorb the load applied to the folding portion 104C of the touch sensor 104. Consequently, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment can suppress damage to the folding portion 104C of the touch sensor 104.

[0025] Furthermore, in the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment, since the first detection unit 104A is fixed, only the second detection unit 104B moves. Therefore, in the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment, although the second detection unit 104B is misaligned relative to the flexible display 103, the first detection unit 104A is not misaligned relative to the flexible display 103. For this reason, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment is more suitable for use in a folded state where the first detection unit 104A is mainly used.

[0026] Furthermore, in both the unfolded state shown in Figure 3(a) and the folded state shown in Figure 3(b), the first elastic member 108 of the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment can pull the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. As a result, the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment can apply tension to the second detection portion 104B so that the second detection portion 104B, which is not adhered to the flexible display 103, does not become loose.

[0027] [Second Embodiment] (Configuration of image display device 100-2) Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment. The following describes the changes from the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment regarding the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment. The image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment is similar to the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 can be pulled toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101 by the first elastic member 108.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment differs from the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 are not bonded to the back surface of the flexible display 103 (i.e., they do not have an adhesive layer 106), and further comprises a second elastic member 109.

[0029] The second elastic member 109 is provided between the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104 and the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. One end of the second elastic member 109 is fixed to the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104, and the other end is fixed to the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. The second elastic member 109 pulls the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. As a result, the second elastic member 109 can apply tension to the first detection portion 104A so that the first detection portion 104A, which is not adhered to the flexible display 103, does not become loose. For example, a coil spring can be used for the second elastic member 109.

[0030] (Folding operation of image display device 100-2) Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the folding operation of the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 5, the folding operation of the image display device 100-2 is explained using a part of the image display device 100-2 (flexible display 103, touch sensor 104, first elastic member 108, and second elastic member 109).

[0031] The image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment is configured such that a first detection unit 104A and a second detection unit 104B are provided on the touch sensor 104 with the folding position P1 as the boundary, and neither the first detection unit 104A nor the second detection unit 104B is attached to the back surface of the flexible display 103.

[0032] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(b), when the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment is folded in half, the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 move toward the folding position P1 relative to the flexible display 103, in accordance with the difference in radius of curvature described above. As a result, the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment can absorb the load applied to the folding portion 104C of the touch sensor 104. Therefore, the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment can suppress damage to the folding portion 104C of the touch sensor 104.

[0033] Furthermore, in the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment, the amount of movement L2 of each of the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B is half the amount of movement L1 of the second detection unit 104B in the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, although the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment experiences positional misalignment of each of the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B relative to the flexible display 103, the amount of positional misalignment of each of the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B can be suppressed more than the amount of positional misalignment of the second detection unit 104B in the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment is more suitable for use in a folded state where both the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B are used.

[0034] Furthermore, in the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment, the first elastic member 108 can pull the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101, whether in the unfolded state shown in Figure 5(a) or the folded state shown in Figure 5(b).

[0035] Furthermore, in the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment, whether in the unfolded state shown in Figure 5(a) or the folded state shown in Figure 5(b), the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104 can be pulled toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101 by the first elastic member 108.

[0036] As a result, the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment can apply tension to the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B so that the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B, which are not attached to the flexible display 103, do not become loose.

[0037] [Third Embodiment] (Configuration of image display device 100-3) Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment. The following describes the changes from the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment regarding the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment. The image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment is similar to the image display device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 can be pulled toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101 by the first elastic member 108.

[0038] In the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment, the flexible display 103 has a first display section 103B located at one end of the bending position P1 (bending section 103A) and a second display section 103C located at the other end of the bending position P1 (bending section 103A). The first display section 103B is bonded to the back surface of the cover member 102 by an adhesive layer 105 (for example, double-sided tape, adhesive, etc.) provided between it and the cover member 102. On the other hand, the second display section 103C is not bonded to the back surface of the cover member 102.

[0039] Furthermore, the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment further comprises a third elastic member 110. The third elastic member 110 is provided between the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 and the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. One end of the third elastic member 110 is fixed to the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103, and the other end is fixed to the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. The third elastic member 110 pulls the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. As a result, the third elastic member 110 can apply tension to the second display portion 103C so that the second display portion 103C, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not sag. For example, a coil spring can be used for the third elastic member 110.

[0040] In the third embodiment, when the image display device 100-3 is folded in half, the second display section 103C of the flexible display 103 moves toward the folding position P1 relative to the cover member 102, in accordance with the difference in radius of curvature between the cover member 102 and the flexible display 103. As a result, the image display device 100-3 in the third embodiment can absorb the load applied to the folding portion 103A of the flexible display 103. Therefore, the image display device 100-3 in the third embodiment can suppress damage to the folding portion 103A of the flexible display 103.

[0041] Furthermore, in both the unfolded and folded states, the third elastic member 110 of the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment allows the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 to be pulled toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. This allows the image display device 100-3 according to the third embodiment to apply tension to the second display portion 103C so that the second display portion 103C, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not become loose.

[0042] [Fourth Embodiment] (Configuration of image display device 100-4) Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment. The following describes the changes from the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment regarding the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment. The image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the image display device 100-2 according to the second embodiment in that the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 can be pulled toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101 by the first elastic member 108, and the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104 can be pulled toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101 by the second elastic member 109.

[0043] In the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment, the flexible display 103 has a first display section 103B located at one end of the bending position P1 (bending section 103A) and a second display section 103C located at the other end of the bending position P1 (bending section 103A). Neither the first display section 103B nor the second display section 103C is adhered to the back surface of the cover member 102. In other words, the image display device 100-4 does not have an adhesive layer 105.

[0044] Furthermore, the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment further comprises a third elastic member 110 and a fourth elastic member 111.

[0045] The third elastic member 110 is provided between the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 and the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. One end of the third elastic member 110 is fixed to the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103, and the other end is fixed to the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. The third elastic member 110 pulls the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. In this way, the third elastic member 110 can apply tension to the second display portion 103C so that the second display portion 103C, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not sag. For example, a coil spring can be used for the third elastic member 110.

[0046] The fourth elastic member 111 is provided between the end portion 103Ba of the first display portion 103B of the flexible display 103 and the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. One end of the fourth elastic member 111 is fixed to the end portion 103Ba of the first display portion 103B of the flexible display 103, and the other end is fixed to the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. The fourth elastic member 111 pulls the end portion 103Ba of the first display portion 103B of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. In this way, the fourth elastic member 111 can apply tension to the first display portion 103B so that the first display portion 103B, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not sag. For example, a coil spring can be used for the fourth elastic member 111.

[0047] In the fourth embodiment, when the image display device 100-4 is folded in half, the first display section 103B and the second display section 103C of the flexible display 103 move toward the folding position P1 relative to the cover member 102, in accordance with the difference in radius of curvature between the cover member 102 and the flexible display 103. As a result, the image display device 100-4 in the fourth embodiment can absorb the load applied to the folding section 103A of the flexible display 103. Therefore, the image display device 100-4 in the fourth embodiment can suppress damage to the folding section 103A of the flexible display 103.

[0048] Furthermore, in both the unfolded and folded states, the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment can use the third elastic member 110 to pull the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101. This allows the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment to apply tension to the second display portion 103C so that the second display portion 103C, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not become loose.

[0049] Furthermore, in both the unfolded and folded states, the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment can use the fourth elastic member 111 to pull the end portion 103Ba of the first display portion 103B of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101. This allows the image display device 100-4 according to the fourth embodiment to apply tension to the first display portion 103B so that the first display portion 103B, which is not adhered to the cover member 102, does not become loose.

[0050] (effect) As described above, the image display device 100, 100-3 according to one embodiment comprises a flexible display 103, a touch sensor 104 superimposed on the back of the flexible display 103, and a housing 101 that surrounds the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 and can be folded together with the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 at a folding position P1. The touch sensor 104 has a first detection section 104A and a second detection section 104B with the folding position P1 as the boundary. The first detection section 104A is bonded to the back of the flexible display 103 by an adhesive layer 106, while the second detection section 104B is not bonded to the back of the flexible display 103.

[0051] As a result, in the image display devices 100 and 100-3 according to one embodiment, the load on the bent portion 104C of the touch sensor 104 can be suppressed by moving the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the bent position P1. Therefore, according to the image display devices 100 and 100-3 according to one embodiment, damage to the bent portion 104C of the touch sensor 104, which is located on the back of the flexible display 103, can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, the image display devices 100 and 100-3 according to one embodiment include a first elastic member 108 that pulls the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101.

[0053] As a result, the image display devices 100 and 100-3 according to one embodiment can suppress the loosening of the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104.

[0054] Furthermore, an image display device 100-3 according to one embodiment further comprises a cover member 102 superimposed on the front surface of the flexible display 103, the flexible display 103 having a first display section 103B and a second display section 103C with a bending position P1 as the boundary, the first display section 103B being bonded to the back surface of the cover member 102 by an adhesive layer 105, and the second display section 103C not being bonded to the back surface of the cover member 102.

[0055] As a result, the image display device 100-3 according to one embodiment can suppress the load on the bent portion 103A of the flexible display 103 by moving the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the bent position P1. Therefore, according to the image display device 100-3 according to one embodiment, damage to the bent portion 103A of the flexible display 103 can be suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, the image display device 100-3 according to one embodiment includes a third elastic member 110 that pulls the end portion 103Ca of the second display section 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101.

[0057] As a result, the image display device 100-3 according to one embodiment can suppress sagging of the second display section 103C of the flexible display 103.

[0058] Furthermore, an image display device 100-2,100-4 according to one embodiment comprises a flexible display 103, a touch sensor 104 superimposed on the back of the flexible display 103, and a housing 101 that surrounds the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 and can be folded together with the flexible display 103 and the touch sensor 104 at a folding position P1. The touch sensor 104 has a first detection section 104A and a second detection section 104B with the folding position P1 as the boundary, and neither the first detection section 104A nor the second detection section 104B is adhered to the back of the flexible display 103.

[0059] As a result, in the image display devices 100-2 and 100-4 according to one embodiment, the load on the bent portion 104C of the touch sensor 104 can be suppressed by moving the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the bending position P1. Therefore, according to the image display devices 100-2 and 100-4 according to one embodiment, damage to the bent portion 104C of the touch sensor 104, which is located on the back of the flexible display 103, can be suppressed.

[0060] Furthermore, an image display device 100-2, 100-4 according to one embodiment includes a first elastic member 108 that pulls the end portion 104Ba of the second detection portion 104B of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101, and a second elastic member 109 that pulls the end portion 104Aa of the first detection portion 104A of the touch sensor 104 toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101.

[0061] As a result, the image display devices 100-2 and 100-4 according to one embodiment can suppress the loosening of the first detection unit 104A and the second detection unit 104B of the touch sensor 104.

[0062] Furthermore, the image display device 100-4 according to one embodiment further comprises a cover member 102 superimposed on the front surface of the flexible display 103, the flexible display 103 having a first display section 103B and a second display section 103C with the bending position P1 as the boundary, and neither the first display section 103B nor the second display section 103C is adhered to the back surface of the cover member 102.

[0063] As a result, the image display device 100-4 according to one embodiment can suppress the load on the bent portion 103A of the flexible display 103 by allowing the first display portion 103B and the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 to move toward the bending position P1. Therefore, according to the image display device 100-4 according to one embodiment, damage to the bent portion 103A of the flexible display 103 can be suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, an image display device 100-4 according to one embodiment includes a third elastic member 110 that pulls the end portion 103Ca of the second display portion 103C of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101C of the housing 101, and a fourth elastic member 111 that pulls the end portion 103Ba of the first display portion 103B of the flexible display 103 toward the wall portion 101D of the housing 101.

[0065] As a result, the image display device 100-4 according to one embodiment can suppress the sagging of the first display unit 103B and the second display unit 103C of the flexible display 103.

[0066] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0067] For example, the cover member 102 may be able to detect touch operations on the flexible display 103 by incorporating, for example, an electrostatic sensor.

[0068] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> Flexible display and A touch sensor is provided on top of the back of the aforementioned flexible display, A housing that encloses the flexible display and the touch sensor, and is foldable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at the folding position. Equipped with, The aforementioned touch sensor is The device has a first detection unit and a second detection unit with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. The first detection unit is, It is bonded to the back surface of the flexible display by an adhesive layer. The second detection unit is, The flexible display is not attached to the back surface This is an image display device characterized by the following features. <2> The touch sensor is provided with a first elastic member that pulls the end of the second detection portion toward the wall of the housing. The above-mentioned features <1> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <3> The flexible display further comprises a cover member superimposed on the front surface, The aforementioned continuous display is The device has a first display section and a second display section with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. The first display unit is, The adhesive layer is bonded to the back surface of the cover member, The second display unit is, The cover member is not adhered to the back surface. The above-mentioned features <1> or <2> This is the image display device described in [the document]. <4> The flexible display is provided with a third elastic member that pulls the end of the second display portion toward the wall of the housing. The above-mentioned features <3> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <5> The cover member is capable of detecting touch operations on the flexible display. The above-mentioned features <3> or <4> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <6> Flexible display and A touch sensor is provided on top of the back of the aforementioned flexible display, A housing that encloses the flexible display and the touch sensor, and is foldable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at the folding position. Equipped with, The aforementioned touch sensor is The device has a first detection unit and a second detection unit with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. Each of the first detection unit and the second detection unit is: The flexible display is not attached to the back surface This is an image display device characterized by the following features. <7> A first elastic member pulls the end of the second detection portion of the touch sensor toward the wall portion of the housing, A second elastic member pulls the end of the first detection portion of the touch sensor toward the wall portion of the housing. The above is characterized by comprising <6> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <8> The flexible display further comprises a cover member superimposed on the front surface, The aforementioned continuous display is The device has a first display section and a second display section with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. Each of the first display unit and the second display unit is: The cover member is not adhered to the back surface. The above-mentioned features <6> or <7> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <9> A third elastic member pulls the end of the second display portion of the flexible display toward the wall portion of the housing, A fourth elastic member pulls the end of the first display portion of the flexible display toward the wall portion of the housing. The above is characterized by comprising <8> This is the image display device described in [reference]. <10> The cover member is capable of detecting touch operations on the flexible display. The above-mentioned features <8> or <9> This is the image display device described in [reference]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 100, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 Image display device 101 cabinets 101A opening 101B Folding section 102 Cover component 103 Flexible Display 103A Folded section 103B 1st display section 103Ba end 103C 2nd display section 103Ca end 104 Touch Sensor 104A First detection unit 104Aa End 104B Second detection unit 104Ba end 104C Folding section 105,106 Adhesive layer 107 circuit boards 108 First Elastic Member 109 Second Elastic Member 110 Third elastic member 111 Fourth Elastic Member P1 Folding position [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0070] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6454482

Claims

1. Flexible display and A touch sensor is provided on top of the back of the aforementioned flexible display, A housing that encloses the flexible display and the touch sensor, and is foldable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at the folding position. Equipped with, The aforementioned touch sensor is The device has a first detection unit and a second detection unit with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. The first detection unit is, It is bonded to the back surface of the flexible display by an adhesive layer. The second detection unit is, The flexible display is not attached to the back surface An image display device characterized by the following features.

2. The touch sensor is provided with a first elastic member that pulls the end of the second detection portion toward the wall of the housing. The image display device according to feature 1.

3. The flexible display further comprises a cover member superimposed on the front surface, The aforementioned continuous display is The device has a first display section and a second display section with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. The first display unit is, The adhesive layer is bonded to the back surface of the cover member, The second display unit is, The cover member is not adhered to the back surface. The image display device according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The flexible display is provided with a third elastic member that pulls the end of the second display portion toward the wall portion of the housing. The image display device according to feature 3.

5. The cover member is capable of detecting touch operations on the flexible display. The image display device according to feature 3.

6. Flexible display and A touch sensor is provided on top of the back of the aforementioned flexible display, A housing that encloses the flexible display and the touch sensor, and is foldable together with the flexible display and the touch sensor at the folding position. Equipped with, The aforementioned touch sensor is The device has a first detection unit and a second detection unit with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. Each of the first detection unit and the second detection unit is, The flexible display is not attached to the back surface An image display device characterized by the following features.

7. A first elastic member pulls the end of the second detection portion of the touch sensor toward the wall portion of the housing, A second elastic member pulls the end of the first detection portion of the touch sensor toward the wall portion of the housing. The image display device according to claim 6, characterized by comprising:

8. The flexible display further comprises a cover member superimposed on the front surface, The aforementioned continuous display is The device has a first display section and a second display section with the aforementioned folding position as the boundary. Each of the first display unit and the second display unit is, The cover member is not adhered to the back surface. The image display device according to feature 6 or 7.

9. A third elastic member pulls the end of the second display portion of the flexible display toward the wall portion of the housing, A fourth elastic member pulls the end of the first display portion of the flexible display toward the wall portion of the housing. The image display device according to claim 8, characterized by comprising:

10. The cover member is capable of detecting touch operations on the flexible display. The image display device according to feature 8.

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