Flexible support apparatus and display device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a flexible support apparatus and a display device. The flexible support apparatus comprises a first support part, a second support part, and a connecting part connected between the first support part and the second support part. The connecting part comprises: a first flexible part; at least two second flexible parts, wherein two second flexible parts are respectively located on two opposite sides of the first flexible part, the second flexible parts are connected to the first support part or the second support part, and the rigidity of the second flexible parts is greater than that of the first flexible part; and flexible connecting parts connected between the first flexible part and the second flexible parts, wherein the rigidity of the flexible connecting parts gradually increases from two ends to the center in a first direction. The first direction intersects with the arrangement direction of the first support part and the second support part. The flexible support apparatus in the present disclosure has the advantages of achieving uniform stress distribution and being not prone to causing failure of folding screens.

Description

Flexible support device and display device Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a flexible supporting device and a display apparatus. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of electronic products, users' requirements for electronic products are gradually increasing. They not only require electronic products to be easy to carry, but also require electronic products to have larger display screens to improve user experience. Therefore, foldable display screens came into being.

[0003] Typically, a display device equipped with a foldable screen also includes a flexible support device to support the foldable screen, enabling the display device to fold. However, during the folding process, the flexible support device experiences uneven stress distribution, resulting in uneven force applied to the foldable screen, which can easily cause the foldable screen to break and fail. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a flexible support device and a display device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible support device is provided, comprising a first support portion, a second support portion, and a connecting portion connected between the first support portion and the second support portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises:

[0006] a first flexible portion;

[0007] at least two second flexible portions, wherein the two second flexible portions are located on opposite sides of the first flexible portion, the second flexible portions are connected to the first support portion or the second support portion, and the stiffness of the second flexible portions is greater than that of the first flexible portion;

[0008] a connecting flexible portion connected between the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion, wherein the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion increases from both ends to the center in a first direction;

[0009] The first direction intersects with an arrangement direction of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

[0010] In some optional embodiments, the overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion is smaller than the overall stiffness of the first flexible portion, and the overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion is greater than the overall stiffness of the second flexible portion.

[0011] In some optional embodiments, the connecting flexible portion includes a first flexible segment, a second flexible segment and a third flexible segment connected in sequence along a first direction, and the overall stiffness of the first flexible segment and the overall stiffness of the third flexible segment are both smaller than the overall stiffness of the second flexible segment.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, the length of the first flexible segment in the first direction is smaller than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction; and / or the length of the third flexible segment in the first direction is smaller than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction.

[0013] In some optional embodiments, when the length of the first flexible segment in the first direction is less than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction, the ratio of the length of the first flexible segment in the first direction to the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5; when the length of the third flexible segment in the first direction is less than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction, the ratio of the length of the third flexible segment in the first direction to the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5.

[0014] In some optional embodiments, the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment have multiple openings, and the arrangement density of the openings gradually decreases in the direction approaching the second flexible segment; and / or the cross-sectional area of ​​the openings gradually decreases in the direction approaching the second flexible segment.

[0015] In some optional embodiments, the flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other, the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment have a plurality of first grooves, the first grooves are located on the first surface, the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment have a plurality of second grooves, the second grooves are located on the second surface, and the first grooves and the second grooves are connected at a preset position to form a via.

[0016] In some optional embodiments, the stiffness of the second flexible section decreases gradually in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion.

[0017] In some optional embodiments, the second flexible section has a plurality of etched grooves, and the etching depths and / or notch areas of the plurality of etched grooves increase in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion.

[0018] In some optional embodiments, the plurality of etched grooves are arranged along an arrangement direction of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

[0019] In some optional embodiments, when the etching depths of the plurality of etching grooves increase in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion, the etching depth difference between two adjacent etching grooves is a first preset value; when the notch area of ​​the plurality of etching grooves increases in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion, the notch area difference between two adjacent etching grooves is a second preset value.

[0020] In some optional embodiments, the second flexible section has a plurality of etched grooves.

[0021] In the first direction, the etching lengths of the plurality of etching grooves increase gradually from both ends to the center of the second flexible segment.

[0022] In some optional embodiments, the first flexible portion has a plurality of through holes, and the through holes include a first hole segment, a second hole segment, and a third hole segment connected in sequence along the first direction, and in the direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged, the width of the first hole segment and the width of the third hole segment are greater than the width of the second hole segment; and / or the second flexible portion has a plurality of third grooves, and the plurality of third grooves are arranged along the direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged.

[0023] In some optional embodiments, the first supporting portion has a plurality of first etched grooves, which are spaced apart from the second flexible portion; and / or the second supporting portion has a plurality of second etched grooves and a binding area, the second etched grooves are located between the binding area and the second flexible portion, and the second etched grooves are spaced apart from the second flexible portion.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device is provided, comprising: the flexible supporting device described above; and a display panel, wherein the display panel is located on one side of the flexible supporting device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following detailed description, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] FIG1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG1 ;

[0028] FIG3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the HH line in FIG1 ;

[0029] FIG4 shows a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of openings in the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment in another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram showing the distribution of openings in the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment in another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG7 shows a schematic diagram showing the distribution of first grooves and second grooves in the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment in another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG7 ;

[0034] FIG9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line NN in FIG7 ;

[0035] FIG10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line MM in FIG7 ;

[0036] FIG11 shows a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG12 shows a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG13 shows a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to another optional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a through hole in a first flexible portion according to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 10, first support portion; 11, first etched groove; 20, second support portion; 21, second etched groove; 30, connecting portion; 40, first flexible portion; 41, through hole; 42, first hole segment; 43, second hole segment; 44, third hole segment; 50, second flexible portion; 51, third groove; 60, connecting flexible portion; 61, first flexible segment; 62, second flexible segment; 63, third flexible segment; 64, opening; 65, first groove; 66, second groove; 67, etched groove; 68, circular half-etched groove; 70, binding area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0041] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0043] As used herein, "parallel" and "perpendicular" include the conditions described and conditions similar to the conditions described, and the range of the similar conditions is within an acceptable deviation range, wherein the acceptable deviation range is determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the specific quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate parallelism can be, for example, a deviation within 5°; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate perpendicularity can also be, for example, a deviation within 5°.

[0044] It will be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being on another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may be present therebetween.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and / or plan views that are idealized exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the drawings due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are contemplated. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but rather include deviations in shape due to, for example, manufacturing. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0046] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a flexible support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the flexible support device includes a first support portion 10, a second support portion 20, and a connecting portion 30 connecting the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20. The overall stiffness of the connecting portion 30 is smaller than the overall stiffness of the first support portion 10 and the overall stiffness of the second support portion 20, so that the flexible support device bends at the location of the connecting portion 30.

[0047] In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 1, the connecting portion 30 includes a first flexible portion 40, at least two second flexible portions 50, and a connecting flexible portion 60 connecting the first flexible portion 40 and the second flexible portions 50. The two second flexible portions 50 are located on opposite sides of the first flexible portion 40, connected to the first support portion 10 or the second support portion 20, and have a greater stiffness than the first flexible portion 40. In a first direction, the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 increases from both ends toward the center. The first direction intersects the arrangement of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20. This arrangement facilitates stress relief at the intersection of the inner and outer folds of the flexible support device at both ends of the connecting flexible portion 60, avoiding stress concentration, improving the uniformity of stress distribution within the flexible support device, and reducing the impact of the flexible support device on the display panel. For example, the first direction is perpendicular to the arrangement of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20.

[0048] The first direction mentioned above and below is direction X, and the arrangement direction of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 is direction Y.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the first direction, the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 increases from the two ends to the center, and is not limited to the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 increasing continuously from the two ends to the center according to a preset function. It can also be a jump-like increase. For example, the connecting flexible portion 60 includes more than or equal to three flexible segments. It is only necessary to ensure that the overall stiffness of each flexible segment shows a trend of increasing from the two ends to the center, that is, the overall stiffness of the flexible segments at the two ends is large, and the overall stiffness of the flexible segments at the center is small. In other words, the flexible segment is regarded as a whole, and the stiffness of the entire flexible segment is the overall stiffness. The change in stiffness within each flexible segment can be a continuous increase, an increase first and then a decrease, or a continuous decrease, and no specific restrictions are made here.

[0050] In some optional embodiments, the overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 is less than the overall stiffness of the first flexible portion 40, and the overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 is greater than the overall stiffness of the second flexible portion 50. This configuration allows the stiffness between the first and second support portions 10, 20, and the connecting portion 30 to gradually change, thereby reducing the restraining force between the first and second flexible portions 40, 50, and thus providing the flexible support device with good bending ability.

[0051] In some optional embodiments, the connecting flexible portion 60 includes a first flexible segment 61, a second flexible segment 62, and a third flexible segment 63 sequentially connected along the first direction, and the overall stiffness of the first flexible segment 61 and the overall stiffness of the third flexible segment 63 are less than the overall stiffness of the second flexible segment 62. This configuration allows the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion 60 in the first direction to gradually increase from the two ends to the middle, thereby avoiding stress concentration.

[0052] Optionally, the stiffness of the first flexible segment 61 may be uniformly distributed or non-uniformly distributed; the stiffness of the second flexible segment 62 may be uniformly distributed or non-uniformly distributed; and the stiffness of the third flexible segment 63 may be uniformly distributed or non-uniformly distributed. Specific limitations are not imposed herein.

[0053] It should be noted that the change in stiffness in the first flexible segment 61, the second flexible segment 62 and the third flexible segment 63 may be a change in stiffness caused by a change in material, or a change in stiffness caused by the same material but different structures, or a change in stiffness caused by the combined action of material and structure, for example, different thicknesses at different positions, or the same thicknesses at different positions but different opening areas. No specific restrictions are made here.

[0054] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG4 , the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction is smaller than the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction. This arrangement ensures that the second flexible segment 62 has a certain support rigidity to ensure the structural strength of the connecting flexible portion 60.

[0055] When the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction is less than the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction, the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5. If the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is less than 0.1, the area of ​​the first flexible segment 61 is small, which is not conducive to stress release. If the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is greater than 0.5, the proportion of the second flexible segment 62 is small, resulting in poor structural strength of the connecting flexible portion 60. For example, the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.2; for example, the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.3; and for example, the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.4.

[0056] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG4 , the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction is smaller than the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction. This arrangement ensures that the second flexible segment 62 has a certain support rigidity to ensure the structural strength of the connecting flexible portion 60.

[0057] When the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction is less than the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction, the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5. If the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is less than 0.1, the area of ​​the third flexible segment 63 is small, which is not conducive to stress release. If the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is greater than 0.5, the proportion of the second flexible segment 62 is small, resulting in poor structural strength of the connecting flexible portion 60. For example, the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.2; for example, the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.3; and for example, the ratio of the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction to the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction is 0.4.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, there is a proportional relationship among the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction, the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction, and the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction. For example, the ratio of the length a of the first flexible segment 61 in the first direction, the length b of the second flexible segment 62 in the first direction, and the length c of the third flexible segment 63 in the first direction is 1:6:1.

[0059] In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second flexible section 62 has multiple etched grooves 67, the cross-sectional areas of the multiple etched grooves 67 are the same, and the arrangement direction of the multiple etched grooves 67 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20.

[0060] In some alternative embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 have multiple openings 64. The openings 64 in the first and third flexible segments 61, 63 facilitate stress relief. The cross-sectional area of ​​the openings 64 decreases as they approach the second flexible segment 62 (see Figure 5 ). In this embodiment, the first flexible segment 61 is made of the same material, but the cross-sectional areas of the openings 64 vary across different regions, resulting in varying stiffness across these regions.

[0061] 6 , the arrangement density of the openings 64 gradually decreases as it approaches the second flexible segment 62. In this embodiment, the first flexible segment 61 is made of the same material, but the arrangement density of the openings 64 is different in different regions, resulting in different stiffness in different regions.

[0062] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 7 , the flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite each other. The first surfaces of the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 have a plurality of first grooves 65, and the second surfaces of the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 have a plurality of second grooves 66. The first grooves 65 and the second grooves 66 are connected at a predetermined position to form a via. The provision of the first grooves 65 and the second grooves 66 can reduce the structural strength of the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 and improve their deformability. Furthermore, by connecting the first grooves 65 and the second grooves 66 at a predetermined position to form a via, stress relief is facilitated. The predetermined position can be the junction of the first groove 65 and the second groove 66 to form the via.

[0063] Optionally, the shapes of the first groove 65 and the second groove 66 may be the same or different, and there is no specific limitation here.

[0064] When the first groove 65 and the second groove 66 have different shapes, this can reduce the occurrence of mold marks, avoid stress concentration at the connection point, and further improve bending performance. For example, the first groove 65 is an elongated groove, and the second groove 66 is a mallet-shaped groove with wide ends and a narrow middle. A circular half-etched groove 68 is also provided in the middle of the mallet-shaped groove, as shown in Figure 7.

[0065] On the other hand, the local connection points formed by the left and right hammer-shaped heads and the middle parts of the upper and lower hammers are designed with a semi-circular shape from the "mouth" to the "T", which can avoid stress concentration at the connection points and further improve the bending performance.

[0066] As can be seen from Figures 7 to 10, the design of the first groove 65 and the second groove 66 forms a combination of through holes and blind holes in the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63, thereby avoiding stress concentration at the connection point and further improving bending performance. Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 8 to 10, the shapes of the through holes formed at the connection point between the first groove 65 and the second groove 66 vary, with some forming a "mouth" shape and some forming a "T" shape, thus effectively avoiding the problem of stress concentration at the connection point.

[0067] In some optional embodiments, the stiffness of the second flexible section 62 decreases from the second flexible portion 50 to the first flexible portion 40 . This configuration facilitates a smooth transition of stress between the first flexible portion 40 , the connecting flexible portion 60 , and the second flexible portion 50 .

[0068] In some optional embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11 , a plurality of etched grooves 67 are arranged along an arrangement direction of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 .

[0069] In some optional embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other, and the first surface or the second surface of the second flexible segment 62 has a plurality of etched grooves 67, and the etching depth of the plurality of etched grooves 67 increases in the direction from the second flexible portion 50 to the first flexible portion 40, so that the stiffness of the second flexible segment 62 decreases in the direction from the second flexible portion 50 to the first flexible portion 40, which is conducive to a smooth transition of stress between the first flexible portion 40, the second flexible segment 62 and the second flexible portion 50.

[0070] In some optional embodiments, the difference in etching depth between two adjacent etching grooves 67 is a first preset value. This configuration is not only beneficial for the production of the etching grooves 67, but also facilitates a smooth transition of stress. For example, in the specific embodiment shown in FIG11 , three etching grooves 67 are provided on the first surface of the second flexible section 62, namely, the first etching groove, the second etching groove, and the third etching groove in the direction away from the first flexible portion 40. The difference in etching depth between the first etching groove and the second etching groove is 0.02 mm, and the difference in etching depth between the second etching groove and the third etching groove is 0.02 mm. In this case, the first preset value is 0.02 mm. Of course, the first preset value can also be 0.01 mm, 0.03 mm, or 0.04 mm.

[0071] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 11 , the flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other, and the first surface or the second surface of the second flexible segment 62 has a plurality of etched grooves 67 , and the notch area of ​​the plurality of etched grooves 67 increases in a direction from the second flexible portion 50 to the first flexible portion 40 , so that the stiffness of the second flexible segment 62 decreases in a direction from the second flexible portion 50 to the first flexible portion 40 , which is conducive to a smooth transition of stress between the first flexible portion 40 , the second flexible segment 62 and the second flexible portion 50 .

[0072] In FIG11 , the plurality of etched grooves 67 have the same length in direction X but different widths in direction Y, resulting in different notch areas of the plurality of etched grooves 67. The difference in notch area between two adjacent etched grooves 67 is a second preset value, which can be understood as the difference in etched width between two adjacent etched grooves 67 being a third preset value. The second preset value and the third preset value have a certain proportional relationship.

[0073] It should be noted that when the lengths of the etched grooves 67 in the direction X are different, the second preset value and the third preset value no longer have a fixed proportional relationship.

[0074] In some optional embodiments, the etching width difference between two adjacent etching grooves 67 is a third preset value. This setting is not only conducive to the production of the etching grooves 67, but also conducive to the smooth transition of stress. In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 11, there are three etching grooves 67 on the first surface of the second flexible section 62, namely the first etching groove, the second etching groove and the third etching groove. The etching width A of the first etching groove is greater than the etching width B of the second etching groove, the etching width B of the second etching groove is greater than the etching width C of the third etching groove, and AB=BC. For example, the difference between the etching width A of the first etching groove and the etching width B of the second etching groove is 0.1 mm, and the difference between the etching width B of the second etching groove and the etching width C of the third etching groove is 0.1 mm. At this time, the third preset value is 0.1 mm. For example, if the difference between the etched width A of the first etched groove and the etched width B of the second etched groove is 0.2 mm, and the difference between the etched width B of the second etched groove and the etched width C of the third etched groove is 0.2 mm, then the third preset value is 0.2 mm. Of course, the third preset value can also be other values, such as 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, etc.

[0075] It should be noted that the etching width of the etching groove 67 is the length in the arrangement direction of the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 .

[0076] In some other optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 12 , both the first surface and the second surface of the second flexible segment 62 are flat surfaces. That is, in this embodiment, no etched grooves 67 are formed on the first surface and the second surface of the second flexible segment 62 .

[0077] In some optional embodiments, as shown in FIG13 , the stiffness of the second flexible segment 62 decreases from both ends to the center in the first direction. This configuration facilitates a smooth transition of stress in the first direction, avoids stress concentration, and improves the bending performance of the flexible support device.

[0078] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 13 , the flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged relative to each other, and the first surface or the second surface of the second flexible segment 62 has a plurality of etched grooves 67. In the first direction, the etched lengths of the plurality of etched grooves 67 increase from both ends to the center, so that the stiffness of the second flexible segment 62 decreases from both ends to the center in the first direction, which is beneficial to a smooth transition of stress while avoiding stress concentration distribution, and also facilitates the bending of the flexible support device, thereby improving the bending performance of the flexible support device.

[0079] In some alternative embodiments, referring to Figures 13 and 14 , the first flexible portion 40 has a plurality of through holes 41, which include a first hole segment 42, a second hole segment 43, and a third hole segment 44 sequentially connected along a first direction. In the direction in which the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 are arranged, the widths of the first hole segment 42 and the third hole segment 44 are greater than the width of the second hole segment 43. This arrangement ensures that the first flexible portion 40 has good bending properties and facilitates stress release along the first direction to avoid stress concentration.

[0080] Of course, in other optional embodiments, the through hole 41 can be an elongated through hole, or a circular through hole, a triangular through hole, or a hexagonal through hole, etc., which are not specifically limited here. When the through hole 41 is an elongated through hole, the extending direction of the elongated through hole is parallel to the first direction.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the second flexible portion 50 has a plurality of third grooves 51, which are arranged along the direction in which the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 are arranged. By providing the third grooves 51 on the second flexible portion 50, the rigidity of the second flexible portion 50 is reduced while maintaining the structural strength of the second flexible portion 50, so that the second flexible portion 50 can play a supporting role, stably supporting the display panel and ensuring stable operation of the display panel.

[0082] In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 , the third groove 51 is an elongated groove, the elongated groove is extended along the first direction, and the third groove 51 extends to the end of the second flexible portion 50 .

[0083] In some other optional embodiments, the third groove 51 may not extend to both ends of the second flexible portion 50 . For example, a plurality of third grooves 51 are arranged in a matrix in the second flexible portion 50 .

[0084] In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 14, the openings 64 in the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 are mallet-shaped structures, and the length of the mallet-shaped structure in the direction X gradually decreases toward the second flexible segment 62, and the second flexible segment 62 is arranged with a plurality of etched grooves 67 in the direction X. The etched lengths of the plurality of etched grooves 67 in the direction X gradually increase from the two ends connected to the first flexible segment 61 and the third flexible segment 63 toward the center, which is conducive to a smooth transition of stress, thereby avoiding stress concentration at the junction of the first flexible segment 61, the second flexible segment 62, and the third flexible segment 63.

[0085] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG1 , the first support portion 10 has a plurality of first etched grooves, which are spaced apart from the second flexible portion 50. The first etched grooves are distributed within a first etched region on the first support portion 10, and the edges of the first etched region are spaced apart from the edges of the first support portion 10 to ensure the structural strength of the first support portion 10.

[0086] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG1 , the second support portion 20 has a plurality of second etched grooves 21 and a binding region 70. The second etched grooves 21 are located between the binding region 70 and the second flexible portion 50, and are spaced apart from the second flexible portion 50. The second etched grooves 21 on the second support portion 20 are distributed within the second etched region, and the edges of the second etched region are spaced apart from the edges of the second support portion 20 to ensure the structural strength of the second support portion 20.

[0087] It should be noted that the first etching groove 11 and the second etching groove 21 can not only be large-sized etching grooves such as long strip grooves and square grooves, but also small etching grooves, such as pits formed on the first support part 10 and the second support part 20, such as a frosted surface formed on the first surface or the second surface.

[0088] In some optional embodiments, the flexible support device may be a flexible support plate, and the flexible support plate has a certain thickness.

[0089] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a display device comprising the aforementioned flexible support device and a display panel, wherein the display panel is positioned on one side of the flexible support device. The display panel contacts the first support portion 10, the second support portion 20, and the connecting portion 30, so that bending the flexible support device simultaneously causes the display panel to bend. The display panel is flexible, which facilitates bending of the display panel.

[0090] The flexible display panel includes a flexible substrate, which includes a display area, a bending area, a peripheral area and a pad area. For example, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are arranged on the flexible substrate, and the plurality of gate lines are electrically connected to the driving circuit in the peripheral area. The plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines intersect to define a plurality of pixel areas, each of which is provided with a pixel, and each pixel has a light-emitting element, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Since the light emitted by the organic light-emitting diode can be used to display an image, the area where the plurality of pixel areas are located is defined as the display area. The peripheral area is arranged outside the display area, for example, the peripheral area can surround the display area, and the peripheral area cannot display an image and is a non-display area. The pad area is located on the side of the peripheral area away from the display area; the bending area is located between the peripheral area and the pad area. The orthographic projection of the pad area on the flexible support device overlaps with the binding area.

[0091] A display device may include any device or product with a display function. For example, the display device may be a smartphone, mobile phone, e-book reader, desktop computer (PC), laptop PC, netbook PC, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable multimedia player (PMP), digital audio player, mobile medical device, camera, wearable device (such as a head-mounted device, electronic clothing, electronic bracelet, electronic necklace, electronic accessory, electronic tattoo, or smart watch), television, etc. The above-mentioned device or product with a display function also has a foldable function.

[0092] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A flexible support device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion, and a connecting portion connected between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises: a first flexible portion; at least two second flexible portions, wherein the two second flexible portions are located on opposite sides of the first flexible portion, the second flexible portions are connected to the first support portion or the second support portion, and the stiffness of the second flexible portions is greater than that of the first flexible portion; a connecting flexible portion connected between the first flexible portion and the second flexible portion, wherein the stiffness of the connecting flexible portion increases from both ends to the center in a first direction; The first direction intersects with an arrangement direction of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

2. The flexible support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion is smaller than the overall stiffness of the first flexible portion, and the overall stiffness of the connecting flexible portion is greater than the overall stiffness of the second flexible portion.

3. The flexible support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting flexible portion includes a first flexible segment, a second flexible segment, and a third flexible segment sequentially connected along a first direction. The overall stiffness of the first flexible segment and the overall stiffness of the third flexible segment are both smaller than the overall stiffness of the second flexible segment.

4. The flexible support device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length of the first flexible section in the first direction is less than the length of the second flexible section in the first direction; and / or The length of the third flexible segment in the first direction is smaller than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction.

5. The flexible support device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the length of the first flexible segment in the first direction is less than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction, a ratio of the length of the first flexible segment in the first direction to the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5; When the length of the third flexible segment in the first direction is less than the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction, the ratio of the length of the third flexible segment in the first direction to the length of the second flexible segment in the first direction is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.

5.

6. The flexible support device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first flexible section and the third flexible section have a plurality of openings therein. The arrangement density of the openings gradually decreases in a direction approaching the second flexible section; and / or The cross-sectional area of the opening gradually decreases in a direction approaching the second flexible section.

7. The flexible support device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flexible support device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other, the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment have a plurality of first grooves, the first grooves are located on the first surface, the first flexible segment and the third flexible segment have a plurality of second grooves, the second grooves are located on the second surface, and the first grooves and the second grooves are connected at a preset position to form a via.

8. The flexible support device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The stiffness of the second flexible section decreases gradually in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion.

9. The flexible support device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second flexible section has a plurality of etched grooves, The etching depths and / or notch areas of the plurality of etching grooves increase gradually in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion.

10. The flexible support device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The plurality of etched grooves are arranged along an arrangement direction of the first support portion and the second support portion.

11. The flexible support device according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the etching depths of the plurality of etching grooves increase in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion, the etching depth difference between two adjacent etching grooves is a first preset value; When the notch areas of the plurality of etched grooves increase in a direction from the second flexible portion to the first flexible portion, the notch area difference between two adjacent etched grooves is a second preset value.

12. The flexible support device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second flexible section has a plurality of etched grooves, In the first direction, the etching lengths of the plurality of etching grooves increase gradually from both ends to the center of the second flexible segment.

13. The flexible support device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The first flexible portion has a plurality of through holes, the through holes including a first hole segment, a second hole segment, and a third hole segment connected in sequence along the first direction, and in the direction in which the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are arranged, the width of the first hole segment and the width of the third hole segment are greater than the width of the second hole segment; and / or The second flexible portion has a plurality of third grooves, and the plurality of third grooves are arranged along a direction in which the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion are arranged.

14. The flexible support device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The first supporting portion has a plurality of first etching grooves, and the first etching grooves are spaced apart from the second flexible portion; and / or The second supporting portion has a plurality of second etched grooves and a binding area. The second etched grooves are located between the binding area and the second flexible portion, and the second etched grooves are spaced apart from the second flexible portion.

15. A display device, characterized in that: include: The flexible support device according to any one of claims 1 to 14; A display panel is located on one side of the flexible supporting device.

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