Flexible display apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a flexible display apparatus. The flexible display apparatus comprises a flexible module and a movable module. The flexible module comprises a sliding support portion, and the movable module comprises slide rails. The sliding support portion comprises first support members. The first support members slide within the slide rails in a first direction to achieve sliding connection between the flexible module and the movable module. Friction members are arranged on contact surfaces of the first support members and the slide rails.

Description

Flexible display device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202311725316.2, filed on December 14, 2023, and entitled "Flexible display device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of display technology. More particularly, it relates to a flexible display device. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of display technology, the application field of display devices is becoming more and more extensive, and people's requirements for various performances of display screens are also gradually increasing. Flexible display screens have the characteristics of being bendable and rollable. By using these characteristics, the display device can be rolled or folded, thereby bringing convenience to people in carrying and using the display device. The sliding-rolling design combining folding and rolling is more advantageous in appearance and practicability.

[0004] In order to better realize the sliding-rolling function, in addition to developing flexible materials on the upper layer of the display device, the support member on the lower layer of the display device is also crucial. The support member not only provides flexibility for the sliding-rolling area, but also provides supportability for the non-sliding-rolling area.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a flexible display device, which can reduce the sliding friction area between the support member and the sliding rail and reduce the friction coefficient, thereby reducing the friction force between the flexible module and the movable module.

[0007] A first aspect of the present application provides a flexible display device, comprising: a flexible module and a movable module, the flexible module comprising a sliding support part, and the movable module comprising a sliding rail; the sliding support part comprises a first support member, the first support member slides in a first direction in the sliding rail to realize the sliding connection of the flexible module and the movable module; wherein a friction member is arranged on the contact surface of the first support member and the sliding rail.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, the flexible module includes a sliding support part, the movable module includes a sliding rail, and the sliding support part slides in the sliding rail to realize unfolding and folding of the flexible module. More specifically, the sliding support part includes a first support piece, the first support piece slides in the sliding rail to realize sliding connection of the flexible module and the movable module. When the first support piece slides in the sliding rail, friction exists between the first support piece and the sliding rail. By arranging at least one friction piece on the contact surface of the first support piece and the sliding rail, the surface-to-surface friction between the first support piece and the sliding rail can be converted into point-to-surface friction between the friction piece and the first support piece or between the friction piece and the sliding rail, so that the sliding friction area between the first support piece and the sliding rail can be reduced and the friction coefficient can be reduced, and then the sliding friction force between the first support piece and the sliding rail can be reduced.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the material of the friction piece is self-lubricating material.

[0010] In the embodiments of the present application, by making the material of the friction piece be self-lubricating material, the friction force between the first support piece and the sliding rail can be effectively reduced.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the sliding support part further includes a connecting piece and a second support piece, the connecting piece connects the first support piece and the second support piece, and in a second direction, the size of the second support piece is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the sliding support part further includes a connecting piece and a second support piece, the first support piece is used for sliding connection with the sliding rail to realize unfolding and folding of the flexible module, the connecting piece is used for connecting the first support piece and the second support piece, and the second support piece is a display area support piece and plays a supporting role.

[0013] In a possible implementation, in a third direction, the friction piece is a plurality of friction pieces, the distance between each of the friction pieces is 0.1 mm-1L, the sliding rail has a first end away from the connecting piece and a second end close to the connecting piece, the distance between the friction piece and the first end is 0-0.5L, L is the size of the first support piece in the third direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present application, by making the distance between each of the plurality of friction pieces be 0.1 mm-1L, each of the friction pieces can have a suitable distance, so that the plurality of friction pieces can jointly act on the first support piece or the sliding rail. Moreover, by making the distance between the friction piece and the first end of the sliding rail be 0-0.5L, that is, the distance between the friction piece and the edge of the sliding rail be 0-0.5L, the friction piece is used to reduce the friction force at the main stress position of the first support piece and the sliding rail, and then the friction force between the first support piece and the sliding rail can be more effectively reduced.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the friction member includes a first friction member and a second friction member; wherein the first friction member is arranged on the first support member, and the second friction member is arranged on the slide rail.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, the surface-to-surface friction between the first support member and the slide rail can be converted into point-to-surface friction by arranging the first friction member on the first support member and the second friction member on the slide rail. Such point-to-surface contact can reduce the friction coefficient of the contact surface under the condition that the pressure is constant. In addition, the friction between the flexible module and the movable module can be more effectively reduced by using a self-lubricating material for the friction member.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first friction member and the second friction member are arranged at intervals.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, the first friction member is arranged on the first support member, and the second friction member is arranged on the slide rail. That is, the first friction member and the second friction member can both reduce the friction when the first support member slides in the slide rail. By arranging the first friction member and the second friction member at intervals, the stability of the sliding support part can be improved while reducing the friction.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the shape of the friction member includes at least one of a circular arc, a rectangle, or a trapezoid.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, the friction member in the shape of a circular arc, a rectangle, or a trapezoid can reduce the friction between the flexible module and the movable module.

[0021] In a possible implementation, when both the first friction member and the second friction member are protrusions, L1+L2>H; wherein L1 is the size of the first friction member in the second direction, L2 is the size of the second friction member in the second direction, and H is the distance between the first support member and the slide rail.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, when both the first friction member and the second friction member are protrusions, the first friction member acts on the slide rail during sliding, and the second friction member acts on the first support member during sliding. In the second direction, the sum of the sizes of the first friction member and the second friction member is greater than or equal to the distance between the first support member and the slide rail. Thus, the first friction member and the second friction member can restrict each other during movement, and the first support member is not easy to derail in the track.

[0023] In a possible implementation, L1≠L2.

[0024] In the embodiment of the present application, L1 is greater than L2 under the precondition of L1+L2>H, and only the friction between the first friction member and the slide rail exists in the sliding process; L1 is greater than L2, and only the friction between the first friction member and the slide rail exists in the sliding process, which can be set as required in actual process to reduce the wear of a certain component.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first friction member is a protrusion, the second friction member is a groove, and the second friction member is arranged opposite to the first friction member, and L1>H; wherein L1 is the size of the first friction member in the second direction, and H is the distance between the first support member and the slide rail.

[0026] In the embodiment of the present application, the first friction member 161 is arranged on the first support member, the second friction member 162 is arranged on the slide rail, and the first friction member and the second friction member are both self-lubricating materials, the face-face friction between the first support member and the slide rail is converted into the point-face friction between the first friction member and the slide rail and the point-face friction between the second friction member and the first support member, so that the friction coefficient between the contact surfaces can be reduced under the condition of constant pressure, and the friction force is further reduced. In addition, when the first friction member is a protrusion and the second friction member is a groove arranged opposite to the first friction member, the sliding of the first support member in the slide rail can be converted into the sliding of the first friction member in the second friction member, so that the second friction member as the groove can also play a limiting role when the flexible module is unfolded and folded.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second friction member is a protrusion, the first friction member is a groove, and the first friction member is arranged opposite to the second friction member, and L2>H; wherein L2 is the size of the second friction member in the second direction, and H is the distance between the first support member and the slide rail.

[0028] In the embodiment of the present application, when the second friction member is a protrusion, the first friction member is a groove, and the first friction member is arranged opposite to the second friction member, the sliding of the first support member in the slide rail can be converted into the sliding of the second friction member in the first friction member, so that not only the friction force between the flexible module and the movable module can be reduced when the flexible module is unfolded and folded, but also the first friction member as the groove can also play a limiting role.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first support member is a cylinder, and a circular thickening member is sleeved on the first support member to form the first friction member; wherein the diameter of the first support member is 0.3mm-5mm, and the diameter of the circular thickening member is 0.3mm-6mm.

[0030] In the embodiment of the present application, the first friction member is arranged on the first support member to convert the friction between the first support member and the slide rail into the friction between the first friction member and the slide rail. The circular thickening member is sleeved on the first support member, i.e., the circular thickening member can be used as the protruding first friction member to realize the point-surface friction between the first friction member and the slide rail. Such an implementation manner is relatively simple and can be widely applied in the industry.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the second support member includes n second sub-support members, n≥2, and the n second sub-support members are arranged along the second direction to form the second support member.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present application, the plurality of second sub-support members are combined to form the second support member without affecting the action of the second support member, so as to play a supporting role, i.e., one support member connects the plurality of second sub-support members. In this way, the stress in the movement process can be reduced, and the number of first support members and the production cost of the slide support part can be reduced.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the interval of each second sub-support member is equal to or greater than 0.1 mm.

[0034] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to reduce the stress of the flexible module in the sliding process and reduce the production cost, the plurality of second sub-support members share one first support member. By setting the interval between each second sub-support member to be greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, the collision of the plurality of second sub-support members in the sliding process can be avoided.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the flexible module includes a plurality of slide support parts arranged along the second direction, each slide support part includes a plurality of slide units arranged along the third direction, and the slide unit includes the first support member, the connecting member and the second support member. In the second direction, the slide units are arranged at the middle part of the slide support part with an interval of m columns, and m≤2.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present application, by arranging the slide units in alternate rows, the number of first support members can be reduced, and thus the production cost of the slide support part and the entire flexible display device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort on the basis of the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible module according to an embodiment of the related art;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a functional schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the related art;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a functional schematic diagram of a flexible display device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the related art;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a functional schematic diagram of a flexible display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the related art;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG. 6 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a sliding support portion according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a sliding support portion according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 14 is a partial structural diagram of a flexible module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Reference numerals:

[0053] 11 - flexible module, 12 - cover plate, 13 - polarizing plate, 14 - display member, 15 - support member, 151 - metal support layer, 152 - planar support portion, 16 - sliding support portion, 161 - first support piece, 121 - slide rail, 162 - friction piece, 163 - second support piece, 164 - connecting piece, 1621 - first friction piece / circular thickening piece, 1622 - second friction piece, 1631 - second sub support piece;

[0054] X - first direction, Y - second direction, Z - third direction, A - sliding unit, B - composite sliding unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] For the purpose of clarity, technical solutions and advantages of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0056] The ranges disclosed herein are defined by the endpoints as modified by "about" if any of the stated ranges lack such a term. Ranges exclusive of an endpoint are not intended to be included in the scope of a claim, unless expressly included therein by specific recitation. The use of "about" means + / - 10% of the value of the cited numerical parameter. For example, "about 90%" means 81-99%. In addition, when a parameter is stated as an integer, it is equivalent to disclose that the parameter is, for example, an integer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, etc.

[0057] If not specifically stated, all embodiments and optional embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other to form new technical solutions.

[0058] If not specifically stated, all technical features and optional technical features of the present application can be combined with each other to form new technical solutions.

[0059] The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding the syllables of a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not change the meaning of the list.

[0060] Reference within this specification to "one implementation", "some implementations", "one embodiment" or "some embodiments", etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearance of the phrases "in one implementation", "in some implementations", "in other implementations", "in additional implementations", etc., in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms "comprising", "including", "having" and their variants mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically indicated.

[0061] The flexible display device provided by the embodiments of the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments and application scenarios thereof.

[0062] The flexible display device includes a flexible module, a movable module and a housing. The housing includes a fixed casing and a rear casing, and the planar area of the flexible module is adhesively connected to the fixed casing, which serves as a support. The movable module includes a slide rail, and the flexible module includes a support component located at the lower layer of the flexible module. The movable module and the flexible module are fixed in an embedded manner by using the slide rail and the support component, thereby generating sliding friction with the flexible module to control the unfolding and rolling up of the flexible module.

[0063] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible module according to an embodiment of the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible module 11 includes a cover plate 12, a polarizer 13, a display component 14 and a support component 15. The support component 15 includes a metal support layer 151, a planar support portion 152 and a sliding support portion 16.

[0064] FIG. 2 is a functional schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, the sliding support portion 16 includes a first support member 161, which can control the unfolding and rolling up of the flexible module 11 when sliding in the first direction X within the slide rail 121.

[0065] The first direction X is the sliding direction of the first support member 161.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the related art, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the related art. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the folded state of the flexible module 11, the first support member 161 and the upper wall of the slide rail 121 slide against each other, and in the unfolded state of the flexible module 11, the first support member 161 and the lower wall of the slide rail 121 slide against each other. In summary, the flexible module 11 of the prior art slides against the slide rail during movement, and the friction between the flexible module 11 and the slide rail is very large after a long time, which limits the unfolding and folding of the flexible module 11.

[0067] In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a flexible display device, which can convert the surface-to-surface friction between the flexible module and the movable component into point-to-surface friction, reduce the friction coefficient of the contact surface between the flexible module and the movable component, and further reduce the sliding friction during the folding and unfolding of the flexible module.

[0068] As described above, the flexible display device includes a flexible module 11, which includes a cover plate 12, a polarizer 13, a display component 14, and a support component 15, the support component 15 including a metal support layer 151, a planar support component 152, and a sliding support component 16, the sliding support component 16 including a first support member 161; and a movable module including a slide rail 121.

[0069] In some embodiments, the thickness of the metal support layer 151 and the first support member 161 can be 100 μm-500 μm, and the thickness of the planar support component 152 can be 200 μm-1000 μm. The materials of the metal support layer 151, the planar support component 152, and the first support member 161 can be high-strength materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, or carbon fiber.

[0070] Specifically, the thickness of the metal support member 151 can be 100 μm, 150 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 500 μm, or any value within the above range; the thickness of the first support member 161 can be 100 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, or any value within the above range; and the thickness of the planar support component 152 can be 200 μm, 500 μm, 800 μm, 900 μm, 1000 μm, or any value within the above range.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the first support member 161 slides in the first direction X within the slide rail 121 to achieve the sliding connection of the flexible module 11 and the movable module; and a friction member 162 is arranged on the contact surface between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121.

[0072] It should be understood that the first support 161 slides inside the slide rail 121. Therefore, the contact surface between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121 due to sliding is between the first support 161 and the inner wall of the slide rail 121. If not otherwise specified, the following refers to the wall of the slide rail 121, the side wall of the slide rail 121, the upper arm of the slide rail 121, the lower wall of the slide rail 121, etc. as the inner wall of the slide rail 121. If referring to the friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121, it refers to the friction between the first support 161 and the inner wall of the slide rail 121.

[0073] The flexible module 11 includes a sliding support portion 16, and the movable module includes a slide rail 121. The sliding support portion 16 slides in the slide rail 121 to achieve the unfolding and folding of the flexible module 11. More specifically, the sliding support portion 16 includes a first support 161, and the first support 161 slides in the slide rail 121 to achieve the sliding connection between the flexible module 11 and the movable module.

[0074] In the above scheme, when the first support 161 slides in the slide rail 121, there is friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121. By providing a friction piece 162 on the contact surface between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121, the surface-to-surface friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121 can be converted into point-to-surface friction between the friction piece 162 and the first support 161 or between the friction piece 161 and the slide rail 121. In this way, the friction coefficient of the contact surface can be reduced under the condition that the pressure remains unchanged, thereby reducing the friction between the flexible module 11 and the movable module.

[0075] In some embodiments, the friction piece 162 is a self-lubricating material.

[0076] The self-lubricating material refers to a material that can reduce the friction loss between two contact surfaces. When the first support 161 slides in the slide rail 121, the self-lubricating friction piece 162 provided on the contact surface between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121 can generate a solid lubricating film, thereby reducing the friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121.

[0077] The material of the friction piece 162 can be a self-lubricating material known in the industry, such as polyformaldehyde (POM) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or other materials, which are not particularly limited in the present application. In addition, the friction piece 162 can be processed by hot pressing, injection molding, etc., or other processing methods, which are also not particularly limited in the present application.

[0078] In the above scheme, by making the material of the friction piece 162 a self-lubricating material, the friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121 can be effectively reduced.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application; in some embodiments, the sliding support portion 16 further comprises a connecting member 164 and a second support member 163, the connecting member 164 connecting the first support member 161 and the second support member 163; the size of the second support member 163 in a second direction Y is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, the second direction Y being perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0080] As previously described, the first direction X is the sliding direction of the first support member 161 in the slide rail 121. The second direction Y is the vertical direction of the sliding support portion 16.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 6, the first support member 161, the connecting member 164 and the second support member 163 constitute the sliding support portion 16, wherein the first support member 161 is mainly used for sliding connection with the slide rail 121 to realize the unfolding and rolling up of the flexible module 11; the connecting member 164 is used for connecting the first support member 161 and the second support member 163; the second support member 163 is a display area support member and plays a supporting role.

[0082] It should be understood that the size of the second support member 163 in the second direction Y needs to be not less than 0.3 mm, otherwise the second support member 163 cannot play a supporting role.

[0083] Specifically, the size of the second support member 163 in the second direction Y can be 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.42 mm, 0.5 mm or any value within the above range.

[0084] In some embodiments, in a third direction Z, the friction member 162 is a plurality of, the distance between each friction member 162 is 0.1 mm-1L; the slide rail 121 has a first end away from the connecting member 164 and a second end close to the connecting member 164, the distance between the friction member 162 and the first end is 0-0.5L; L is the size of the first support member 161 in the third direction Z, the third direction Z being perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0085] As previously described, the first direction X is the sliding direction of the sliding support portion 16, the second direction Y is the vertical direction of the sliding support portion 16, and the third direction Z is the horizontal direction of the sliding support portion 16. The first direction X is perpendicular to the plane formed by the second direction Y and the third direction Z, the second direction Y is perpendicular to the plane formed by the first direction X and the third direction Z, and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the plane formed by the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0086] Please refer to FIG. 6. It should be understood that in the third direction Z, the sliding support part 16 includes a plurality of sliding units A, each of which includes a first support member 161, a connecting member 164, and at least part of a second support member 163, and each of which moves within a corresponding slide rail 121.

[0087] The slide rail 121 has two ends, one of which is close to the connecting member 164 and can also be referred to as the edge of the slide rail 121, and the other of which is away from the connecting member 164 and can also be referred to as the inner side of the slide rail 121. The edge and the inner side of the slide rail 121 are the relative positions of each slide rail 121 and the connecting member 164 in the corresponding sliding unit A.

[0088] It should be understood that the sliding unit A can be arranged at both ends of the sliding support part 16, or in the middle of the sliding support part 16. When arranged only at both ends, the composition of the sliding support part 16 is as shown in FIG. 5; when arranged at both ends and in the middle, the composition of the sliding support part 16 is as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, two sliding units A form a composite sliding unit B, and the composite sliding unit B shares one connecting member 164.

[0089] In the above scheme, by setting the interval between each of the plurality of friction members 162 to 0.1mm-1L, each of the plurality of friction members 162 can have a suitable spacing to collectively act on the first support member 161 or the slide rail 121. Furthermore, by setting the distance between the friction member 162 and the first end of the slide rail 121 to 0-0.5L, i.e., the distance between the friction member 162 and the edge of the slide rail 121 is 0-0.5L, the friction member 162 is used to reduce the friction at the main stress point between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121, thereby more effectively reducing the friction therebetween.

[0090] Specifically, the interval between each of the plurality of friction members 162 can be any value in the range of 0.1mm-1L. The distance between the friction member 162 and the first end of the slide rail 121 can be 0, 0.1L, 0.2L, 0.3L, 0.5L, or any value in the above range.

[0091] It should be understood that the friction member 162 can be only one, which can be arranged on the slide rail 121 or on the first support member 161. The friction member 162 can also be a plurality of friction members 162, which can be arranged only on the first support member 161, only on the slide rail 121, or partially on the first support member 161 and partially on the slide rail 121.

[0092] Please continue to refer to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the friction member 162 includes a first friction member 1621 and a second friction member 1622; wherein the first friction member 1621 is arranged on the first support member 161, and the second friction member 1622 is arranged on the slide rail 121.

[0093] In the above scheme, by arranging the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 on the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121 respectively, the surface-to-surface friction between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121 can be converted into point-to-surface friction. Such point-to-surface contact can reduce the friction coefficient of the contact surface between the two under the condition that the pressure remains unchanged. In addition, by making the friction member 162 a self-lubricating material, the friction between the flexible module 11 and the movable module can be reduced.

[0094] As mentioned above, when the friction member 162 is multiple, the distance between each friction member 161 is 0.1mm-1L. That is, the distance between a single first friction member 1621 and a single second friction member 1622, the distance between a single first friction member 1621 and a single first friction member 1621, and the distance between a single second friction member 1622 and a single second friction member 1622, all need to be kept at 0.1mm-1L.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 are arranged at intervals.

[0096] The interval arrangement of the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 can be arranged in the following manner: first friction member 1621, second friction member 1622, first friction member 1621, second friction member 1622……; or in the following manner: first friction member 1621, first friction member 1621, second friction member 1622, first friction member 1621, first friction member 1621, second friction member 1622……. The specific number of first friction members 1621 and second friction members 1622 spaced between the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 is not limited in the present application.

[0097] In the above scheme, the first friction member 1621 is arranged on the first support member 161, and the second friction member 1622 is arranged on the slide rail 121. That is, when the first support member 161 slides in the slide rail 121, both the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 can reduce the friction. By arranging the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 at intervals, the stability of the sliding support part 16 can be improved while reducing the friction.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first friction members 1621 and the second friction members 1622 can also be arranged in a single-sided arrangement, i.e., all the first friction members 1621 are arranged on one side close to the first end of the slide rail 121, and all the second friction members 1622 are arranged on one side close to the second end of the slide rail 121; or all the first friction members 1621 are arranged on one side close to the second end of the slide rail 121, and all the second friction members 1622 are arranged on one side close to the first end of the slide rail 121, which is not limited in the present application.

[0099] In actual application, the number and specific arrangement of the first friction members 1621 and the second friction members 1622 can be set in combination with the overlapping length of the slide rail 121 and the first support member 161.

[0100] In some embodiments, the shape of the at least one friction member 162 includes at least one of a circular arc, a rectangle, or a trapezoid.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5, the shapes of the friction members 162 are all circular arcs, but the friction members 162 can also have other shapes, such as a rectangle or a trapezoid, which is not limited in the present application.

[0102] In the above scheme, the circular arc-shaped, rectangular-shaped, or trapezoidal-shaped friction members 162 can all reduce the friction between the flexible module 11 and the movable module.

[0103] FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, when the first friction members 1621 and the second friction members 1622 are both convex, L1+L2>H; wherein L1 is the size of the first friction member 1621 in the second direction Y, L2 is the size of the second friction member 1622 in the second direction Y, and H is the distance between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 7, the distance H between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121 in the second direction Y refers to the distance H between the first support member 161 and the side of the slide rail 121 close to the first support member 161, and the distance H does not include the size of the first support member 161 in the second direction Y.

[0105] In the above scheme, when the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 are both protrusions, the first friction member 1621 acts on the slide rail 121 during sliding, and the second friction member 1622 acts on the first support member 161 during sliding. In the second direction Y, the sum of the sizes of the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 is greater than or equal to the distance H between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121, so that the first friction member 1621 and the second friction member 1622 can restrict each other during movement, and the first support member 161 is not easy to derail in the track.

[0106] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, L1≠L2.

[0107] It should be understood that L1≠L2 can be L1 greater than L2 as in FIG. 7, or L2 greater than L1 as in FIG. 8.

[0108] In the above scheme, under the condition of L1+L2>H, L1 is greater than L2, and only the friction between the first friction member 1621 and the slide rail 121 exists during sliding; L2 is greater than L1, and only the friction between the first friction member 1621 and the slide rail 121 exists during sliding. In actual processes, it can be set as needed to reduce the wear of a certain component.

[0109] Of course, if wear is not considered, L1 can also be equal to L2.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, in the case where the first friction member 1621 is a protrusion, the second friction member 1622 is a groove, and is arranged opposite to the first friction member 1621, L1>H; wherein L1 is the size of the first friction member 1621 in the second direction Y, and H is the distance between the first support member 1621 and the slide rail 121.

[0111] The second friction member 1622 is arranged opposite to the first friction member 1621, so that the protruding first friction member 1621 moves in the groove-shaped second friction member 1622.

[0112] In the above scheme, the first friction member 161 is arranged on the first support member 161, the second friction member 162 is arranged on the slide rail 121, and the first friction member 161 and the second friction member 162 are both self-lubricating materials. The surface-to-surface friction between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121 is converted into point-to-surface friction between the first friction member 161 and the slide rail 121 and point-to-surface friction between the second friction member 162 and the first support member 161. Thus, the friction coefficient between the contact surfaces can be reduced under the condition that the pressure is unchanged, and the friction force is further reduced. In addition, when the first friction member 1621 is a protrusion and the second friction member 1622 is a groove arranged opposite to the first friction member 1621, the sliding of the first support member 161 in the slide rail 121 can be converted into the sliding of the first friction member 1621 in the second friction member 1622. Thus, the second friction member 1622 as the groove can also function as a limiting part during the unfolding and folding of the flexible module 11.

[0113] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, when the second friction member 1622 is a protrusion, the first friction member 1621 is a groove, and is arranged opposite to the second friction member 1622, L2>H; where L2 is the size of the second friction member in the second direction Y, and H is the distance between the first support member 161 and the slide rail 121.

[0114] The second friction member 1622 is arranged opposite to the first friction member 1621. Thus, the second friction member 1622 as the protrusion can move in the first friction member 1621 as the groove.

[0115] In the above scheme, when the second friction member 1622 is a protrusion, the first friction member 1621 is a groove, and is arranged opposite to the second friction member 1622, the sliding of the first support member 161 in the slide rail 121 can be converted into the sliding of the second friction member 1622 in the first friction member 1621. Thus, not only the friction force between the flexible module 11 and the movable module can be reduced during the unfolding and folding of the flexible module 11, but also the first friction member 1621 as the groove can function as a limiting part.

[0116] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the first support member 161 is cylindrical, and a circular thickening member sleeve 1621 is arranged on the first support member 161 to form the first friction member 1621; where the diameter of the first support member 161 is 0.3-5 mm, and the diameter of the circular thickening member is 0.3-6 mm.

[0117] Figure 11 is a partial front view of the flexible display device. The first support 161 is cylindrical, i.e. the left view of the first support 161 is circular. The circular thickening 1621 is sleeved on the first support 161, i.e. the circular thickening 1621 and the first support 161 are two concentric circles with different radii, i.e. they are concentric circles. The circular thickening 1621 is sleeved on the first support 161, i.e. the radius of the circular thickening 1621 needs to be greater than that of the first support 161, so that the circular thickening 1621 can be arranged on the first support 161.

[0118] It should be understood that, considering the tolerances in the production process, the left view of the first support 161 described above is circular or approximately circular; similarly, the circular thickening 1621 and the first support 161 can also be approximately concentric circles. In addition, the thickening and the first support 161 can also be concentric ellipses or other shapes.

[0119] In the above scheme, the first friction member 1621 is arranged on the first support 161 to convert the friction between the first support 161 and the slide rail 121 into the friction between the first friction member 1621 and the slide rail 121. By sleeving the circular thickening 1621 on the first support 161, i.e. the circular thickening 1621 can serve as the protruding first friction member 1621, to realize the point-surface friction between the first friction member 1621 and the slide rail 121. Such an implementation is relatively simple and can be widely used in industry.

[0120] Specifically, the diameter of the first support 161 can be 0.3 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.2 mm, 2.6 mm, 5 mm or any value within the above range; the diameter of the circular thickening can be 0.31 mm, 0.9 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm or any value within the above range.

[0121] In some embodiments, the second support 163 includes n second sub-supports 1631, n≥2, and the n second sub-supports 1631 are arranged along the second direction Y to form the second support 163.

[0122] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a sliding support part according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 12, when n is equal to 2, the second support 163 includes two second sub-supports 1631, and the two second sub-supports 1631 are arranged along the second direction Y to form the second support 163.

[0123] Figure 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a sliding support part according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, when n is equal to 3, the second support 163 includes three second sub-supports 1631, and the three second sub-supports 1631 are arranged along the second direction Y to form the second support 163.

[0124] In the above scheme, the plurality of second sub-supporting members 1631 jointly form the second supporting member 163 to play a supporting role without affecting the action of the second supporting member 163, that is, one supporting member 161 connects a plurality of second sub-supporting members 1631, so that the stress in the movement process can be reduced, and the number of first supporting members 161 can be reduced to reduce the production cost of the sliding supporting part 16.

[0125] It should be understood that the second sub-supporting member 1631 also plays a supporting role, and the size of the second sub-supporting member 1631 in the second direction Y also needs to be greater than or equal to 0.3 mm. Specifically, the size of the second sub-supporting member 1631 in the second direction Y can be 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, or any value in the above range.

[0126] In some embodiments, the interval of each second sub-supporting member 1631 is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0127] In the above scheme, in order to reduce the stress of the flexible module 11 in the sliding process and reduce the production cost, a plurality of second sub-supporting members 1631 share one first supporting member 161. By making the interval between each second sub-supporting member 1631 greater than 0.1 mm, the collision of the plurality of second sub-supporting members 1631 in the sliding process can be avoided.

[0128] Specifically, the interval of each second sub-supporting member 1631 can be 0.1 mm, 0.13 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.18 mm, 0.21 mm, or any value in the above range.

[0129] FIG. 14 is a partial structure diagram of a flexible module according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the flexible module includes a plurality of sliding supporting parts 16 arranged in the second direction Y, each sliding supporting part 16 includes a plurality of sliding units A arranged in the third direction Z, and the sliding unit A includes a first supporting member 161, a connecting member 164, and a second supporting member 163; in the second direction Y, the sliding units A are arranged at intervals of m columns in the middle of the sliding supporting part 16, and m≤2.

[0130] As described above, the sliding supporting part 16 includes the sliding unit A, which is arranged at the two ends or the middle of the sliding supporting part 16. It should be understood that the two ends of the sliding supporting part 16 refer to the two end points in the third direction Y, and the rest are referred to as the middle of the sliding supporting part 16.

[0131] The sliding unit A arranged in the middle of the sliding supporting part 16 can be arranged at intervals of 1 row as shown in FIG. 14, or at intervals of 2 rows. If the process allows and does not affect the normal use of the flexible module, it can also be arranged at intervals of multiple rows, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

[0132] In the above scheme, by arranging the sliding units in alternate rows, the number of first support members 161 can be reduced, which can reduce the production cost of the sliding support portion 16 and the entire flexible display device.

[0133] Note that the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and embodiments having substantially the same configuration and achieving the same effects as the technical idea of the present application are included in the technical scope of the present application. Furthermore, other modes constructed by applying various modifications that can be thought of by those skilled in the art to the embodiments or by combining part of the constituent elements of the embodiments are also included in the scope of the present application without departing from the spirit of the present application.

Claims

1.A flexible display device, comprising: a flexible module and a movable module, the flexible module comprising a sliding support part, and the movable module comprising a sliding rail; the sliding support part comprising a first support part sliding in a first direction within the sliding rail to achieve sliding connection of the flexible module and the movable module; wherein a friction part is arranged on a contact surface of the first support part and the sliding rail. 2.The flexible display device of claim 1, wherein a material of the friction part is self-lubricating material. 3.The flexible display device of claim 1, wherein the sliding support part further comprises a connecting part and a second support part, the connecting part connecting the first support part and the second support part; in a second direction, a size of the second support part is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. 4.The flexible display device of claim 3, wherein in a third direction, the friction part is a plurality of friction parts, a spacing of each of the friction parts being 0.1 mm-1L; the sliding rail having a first end away from the connecting part and a second end close to the connecting part, a distance of the friction part from the first end being 0-0.5L; the L being a size of the first support part in the third direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. 5.The flexible display device of claim 4, wherein the friction part comprises a first friction part and a second friction part; wherein the first friction part being arranged on the first support part, and the second friction part being arranged on the sliding rail. 6.The flexible display device of claim 5, wherein the first friction part and the second friction part are arranged in an interval. 7.The flexible display device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a shape of the friction part comprises at least one of a circular arc, a rectangle or a trapezoid. 8.The flexible display device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first friction part and the second friction part are both protrusions, L1+L2>H; wherein, the L1 being a size of the first friction part in the second direction, the L2 being a size of the second friction part in the second direction, and the H being a distance between the first support part and the sliding rail. 9.The flexible display device of claim 8, wherein L1≠L2. 10.The flexible display device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first friction part is a protrusion, the second friction part is a groove and is arranged opposite to the first friction part, L1>H; wherein the L1 being a size of the first friction part in the second direction, and the H being a distance between the first support part and the sliding rail. 11.The flexible display device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the second friction part is a protrusion, the first friction part is a groove and is arranged opposite to the second friction part, L2>H; wherein the L2 being a size of the second friction part in the second direction, and the H being a distance between the first support part and the sliding rail. 12.The flexible display device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first support is cylindrical, and a circular thickening member is sleeved on the first support to form the first friction member. wherein The diameter of the first support is 0.3mm-5mm, and the diameter of the circular thickening member is 0.3mm-6mm. 13.The flexible display device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the second support comprises n second sub-supports, n≥2, and the n second sub-supports are arranged along the second direction to form the second support. 14.The flexible display device of claim 13, wherein the interval of each second sub-support is greater than or equal to 0.1mm. 15.The flexible display device of any one of claims 4-6, The flexible module comprises a plurality of columns of sliding support portions arranged along the second direction, each sliding support portion comprising a plurality of sliding units arranged along the third direction, the sliding unit comprising the first support, the connecting member and the second support; In the second direction, the sliding units are arranged at the middle of the sliding support portion with an interval of m columns, and m≤2.

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