Display module and manufacturing method therefor, and display device

Abstract

Provided in the present invention are a display module and a manufacturing method therefor, and a display device. The display module comprises a first portion and a second portion arranged opposite each other, a bent portion connected between the first portion and the second portion, and a protective component located on the side of the bent portion away from a display area and extending to the side of at least part of the second portion away from a light-emitting surface. The protective component comprises a first sub-protective component, a second sub-protective component, and a third sub-protective component arranged sequentially closer to the display area, the elastic moduli of any two sub-protective components among the three being different.

Description

Display module and its manufacturing method, display device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202411804322.1, filed on December 09, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of display technology, and more particularly to the field of display panel structure and manufacturing technology, specifically to display modules and their manufacturing methods, and display devices. Background Technology

[0003] Flexible display panels, relying on their bendable properties, can achieve narrow bezels by bending the substrate and its overlying films to secure them to the back of the panel. However, current narrow-bezel flexible display panels suffer from poor edge support, resulting in poor impact resistance. Invention Overview

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a display module and its manufacturing method, as well as a display device, which solves the technical problem of poor impact resistance of existing flexible display panels.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a display module, including:

[0006] The display panel includes a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connected between the first part and the second part and bent away from the first part, the bent part being located in the first edge region of the display module;

[0007] A protective component is located on the side of the bent portion away from the display area of ​​the display module and extends to the side of at least a portion of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface;

[0008] The protective component includes a first sub-protective component, a third sub-protective component located near the display area of ​​the first sub-protective component, and a second sub-protective component located between the first sub-protective component and the third sub-protective component. The elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective component, the second sub-protective component, and the third sub-protective component is different.

[0009] Secondly, this application provides a method for manufacturing a display module, including:

[0010] A display panel is provided, the display panel including a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connecting the first part and the second part and bending away from the first part;

[0011] A protective element is formed by dispensing on the side of the bent portion away from the display area and on at least part of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface. The protective element includes a first sub-protective element, a third sub-protective element located in the first edge area near the display area, and a second sub-protective element located between the first sub-protective element and the third sub-protective element. The elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective element, the second sub-protective element, and the third sub-protective element is different.

[0012] Thirdly, this application also provides a display device, including:

[0013] Display modules as described above or display modules manufactured using the methods described above;

[0014] The middle frame is located on the side of the display device away from the light-emitting surface and on the side of the bent portion away from the display area, and the protective member is located between the bent portion and the middle frame.

[0015] Beneficial Effects: This invention provides a display module and its manufacturing method, as well as a display device. The display panel in the display module includes a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connecting the first part and the second part and bending away from the first part. The bent part is located in the first edge region of the display module. By providing a protective member on the side of the bent part away from the display area of ​​the display module and extending to the side of at least a portion of the second part away from the light-emitting surface, and the protective member including a first sub-protective member, a third sub-protective member located near the display area of ​​the first sub-protective member, and a second sub-protective member located between the first sub-protective member and the third sub-protective member, the elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective member, the second sub-protective member, and the third sub-protective member being different, it is beneficial to achieve a narrow bezel while also blocking and absorbing external forces, thereby reducing the stress on the film layer in the display module, improving the impact resistance of the display module, and saving space in the display device. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings described below are merely for explaining some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 are exploded views of the display module provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 is a partial bottom view of the display module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the display module provided in the comparative example and embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the display module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the display module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the display device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this invention are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or modules is not limited to the listed steps or modules, but may optionally include steps or modules not listed, or may optionally include other steps or modules inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0026] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand, explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. Furthermore, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only provide structures closely related to the invention, omitting some details less relevant to the invention. The purpose is to simplify the drawings and make the inventive points clear at a glance, and not to indicate that the actual device is exactly the same as the drawings, nor to limit the actual device.

[0027] The present invention provides a display module, which includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments and combinations thereof.

[0028] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 to 3, the display module 100 includes: a display panel 10, including a first portion 101 disposed opposite to the first portion 101, a second portion 102 located on the side of the first portion 101 away from the light-emitting surface of the display module 100, and a bent portion 103 connected between the first portion 101 and the second portion 102 and bent away from the first portion 101, the bent portion 103 being located in the first edge region E1 of the display module; and a protective member 20 located on the bent portion 103 away from the light-emitting surface of the display module. The display area A of group 100 extends to one side and to the side of at least part of the second part 102 away from the light-emitting surface; wherein the protective member 20 includes a first sub-protective member 201, a third sub-protective member 203 located near the display area A of the first sub-protective member 201, and a second sub-protective member 202 located between the first sub-protective member 201 and the third sub-protective member 203, wherein the elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective member 201, the second sub-protective member 202, and the third sub-protective member 203 is different.

[0029] In this embodiment, the type of display module 100 is not distinguished; it can be a self-emissive display module or a liquid crystal display module, and it can be a flexible display module or a rigid display module. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the display module 100 also includes a cover plate 30 located on one side of the light-emitting surface of the display panel 10, and an optical adhesive layer 40 located between the cover plate 30 and the display panel 10 for bonding the two. Further, an ink layer 50 can be provided on the side of the cover plate 30 near the optical adhesive layer 40. The ink layer 50 can be used to shield the peripheral components of the display panel 10. Since both the optical adhesive layer 40 and the cover plate 30 are light-transmitting, the ink layer 50 can define the edge area E (a normally black area) of the display module 100. The inner side of the ink layer 50 and the display panel 10 can define the display area A (the area for displaying images) of the display module 100.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the protective element 20 is configured to include a first sub-protective element 201, a second sub-protective element 202, and a third sub-protective element 203 with different elastic moduli, and the two are arranged along the arrangement direction of the display area A and the edge area E. Here, the relationship between the elastic moduli of the three is not limited, as long as the elastic moduli of the two are different.

[0031] Understandably, due to the provision of the aforementioned protective element 20, a force can be applied to the bent portion 103 to stabilize its shape and reduce the risk of its outward expansion causing the size of the first edge area E1 to be larger. Specifically, the bent portion 103 under the action of the protective element 20 can be closer to the display area A of the display panel 10 compared to the bent portion 103 not under the action of the protective element 20, thereby making the size of the first edge area E1 smaller.

[0032] Furthermore, since the elastic moduli of each pair of the first sub-protective component 201, the second sub-protective component 202, and the third sub-protective component 203 in the protective component 20 are different, compared to the one-piece structure formed by low-pressure and low-temperature in-mold injection molding (where the elastic modulus is equal everywhere), when the display module 100 is subjected to an impact, if the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component 201, which is in direct contact with the outside, is larger, its deformation resistance is stronger, and the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component 202, which is located inside it, is smaller, and it can absorb more stress. The third sub-protective component 203 can further resist or buffer stress to slow down the transmission speed of stress to the display area A. If the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component 201, which is in direct contact with the outside, is small, it can absorb more stress to reduce stress release. The elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component 202, which is located inside it, is large and has strong resistance to deformation, so it can better block stress and reduce the risk of stress transmission to the display area A. The third sub-protective component 203 can further resist or buffer stress.

[0033] In summary, this embodiment not only facilitates the achievement of a narrow bezel, but also blocks and absorbs external forces to reduce the stress on the film layer in the display module 100, thereby further improving the impact resistance of the display module.

[0034] In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective member 202 is greater than the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201 and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member 203, or less than the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member.

[0035] That is, the elastic modulus of the protective component 20 in the arrangement direction of the display area A and the first edge area E1 is successively larger, smaller, larger, or smaller, larger, smaller, in a "sandwich" distribution. This allows the protective component 20 to block and absorb external forces and then undergo a different blocking or absorption process than before. The number of reverse processing of stress generated by external forces increases, further improving the impact resistance of the display module 100.

[0036] Specifically, by setting the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component 202 located in the middle to be relatively small, and setting the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component 201 and the third sub-protective component 203 located on both sides to be relatively large, the first sub-protective component 201 and the third sub-protective component 203 can reduce the risk of deformation of the appearance of the protective component 20, and the buffering effect of the internal second sub-protective component 202 can allow the protective component 20 to absorb more stress. In terms of manufacturing process, the first sub-protective component 201 and the third sub-protective component 203 with larger elastic modulus can be formed first to fix the appearance shape of the protective component 20, and then the internal second sub-protective component 202 can be manufactured, which can improve the reliability of the appearance shape of the protective component 20.

[0037] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3, regardless of whether the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective member 202 is the largest or smallest among the elastic moduli of the three sub-protective members, the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201 is greater than or equal to the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member 203. By limiting the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201 and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member 203 such that the former can be larger or the two are equal, that is, the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201, which is in direct contact with the outside world, is larger, thereby reducing the risk of external deformation of the protective member 20. When the two are equal, both can be made of the same material at the same time to improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0038] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the display panel 10 further includes: a fixed support layer 80 located between the first part 101 and the second part 102, wherein the first end of the first part 101 and the first end of the bent part 103 are fixed to the fixed support layer 80 on the side near the light-emitting surface, and the second end of the second part 102 and the second end of the bent part 103 are fixed to the fixed support layer 80 on the side away from the light-emitting surface; wherein the protective member 20 further includes a fourth sub-protective member 204 filled between the bent part 103 and the fixed support layer 80. Specifically, the fixed support layer 80 may include a first back plate 801 for supporting the first part 101, a second back plate 802 for supporting the second part 102, a buffer layer (not shown) located between the first back plate 801 and the second back plate 802, and a reinforcing layer 803. The reinforcing layer 803 is used to support the first back plate 801 and the second back plate 802 and fix their relative positions, and also for heat dissipation. The buffer layer is used to absorb and buffer the stress from the first back plate 801 and the second back plate 802 and to provide light shielding. The material of the buffer layer may be foam.

[0039] Understandably, in this embodiment, a fourth sub-protective member 204 is provided on the inner side of the bent portion 103, which can buffer or resist the stress on the inner side of the bent portion 103, further improve the stability of the bent portion 103, and further improve the impact resistance and reliability of the display module 100.

[0040] Furthermore, the fourth sub-protective member 204 contacts the bent portion 103 and bends along the bending path of the bent portion 103, and a second gap exists between the fourth sub-protective member 204 and the fixed support layer 80. That is, by setting the fourth sub-protective member 204 to be attached to the inner wall of the bent portion 103, and by having a gap between the fixed support layers 80, the contact area between the fourth sub-protective member 204 and the air can be increased, thereby allowing it to release the stress in the bent portion 103 and its own interior to a greater extent through contact with the air.

[0041] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3, based on the positional relationship of the first sub-protective member 201 to the fourth sub-protective member 204, when the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective member 202 is less than either the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201 or the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member 203, the elastic modulus relationship of the four can be further set as follows: elastic modulus of the first sub-protective member 201 ≥ elastic modulus of the third sub-protective member 203 ≥ elastic modulus of the second sub-protective member 202 ≥ elastic modulus of the fourth sub-protective member 204. That is, the elastic modulus of the protective member 20 is higher the further away from the display area A in the display module 100, and the elastic modulus of the portion inside the bending portion 103 is less than the elastic modulus of the portion outside the bending portion 103.

[0042] Of course, in other embodiments, regardless of the relationship between the elastic moduli of the first sub-protective member 201, the second sub-protective member 202, and the third sub-protective member 203, the elastic modulus of the fourth sub-protective member 204 may be independent of the elastic moduli of the other three.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fixed support layer 80 includes an adhesive layer 805 near the bending portion 103. The adhesive layer 805 includes: a first adhesive portion 8051, including a first side L01 near the display area A and a second side L02 located on the side of the first side L01 away from the display area A and disposed opposite to the first side L01; and a second adhesive portion 8052, connected to the first adhesive portion 8051 through the second side L02, the second adhesive portion 8052 extending outward from the second side L02 in a direction away from the display area A relative to the second side L02.

[0044] Specifically, the adhesive layer 805 can be located between the first backplate 801 and the reinforcing layer 803, as shown in Figure 6, which illustrates the state in which the adhesive layer 805 is removed from the display panel 10. It can be assumed that the size of the adhesive layer 805 can be slightly larger than the size of the chip 70 and close to the size of the second part 102. The adhesive layer 805 can be a solid adhesive material used to shape the bent display panel 10.

[0045] The difference between this embodiment (Figure 4(b)) and the comparative example (Figure 4(a)) is that the second adhesive portion 8052 extends outward from the second side L02 in a direction away from the display area A, and does not extend in a straight line along both sides of the first adhesive portion 8051. Since the adhesive layer 805 is located close to the fourth sub-protective member 204, this embodiment extends the two sides of the second adhesive portion 8052 in a direction away from the central axis of the second adhesive portion 8052, so that the two sides of the second adhesive portion 8052 protrude from the two ends of the second side L02. Therefore, during the manufacturing of the fourth sub-protective member 204, even if the material overflows into the fixed support layer 80, the two protruding ends of the second adhesive portion 8052 can prevent the material from continuing to overflow into the display area A, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the relevant film layer and improving the reliability of the display module 100.

[0046] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the display module 100 further includes: the aforementioned cover plate 30, located on the side of the display panel 10 near the light-emitting surface, the side of the cover plate 30 near the bending portion 103 extending beyond the display panel 10, and the protective member 20 connecting the cover plate 30 and the bending portion 103.

[0047] Understandably, compared to (a), in Figure 5(b), the protective member 20 in this embodiment can cover the bent portion 103 and at least part of the cover plate 30 to connect the bent portion 103 and the cover plate 30, stabilizing their relative positions. This reduces the risk of the first edge area E1 being larger due to the cover plate 30 expanding outward away from the bent portion 103. The cover plate 30 can be closer to the display area A, so that the distance L1 between the edge of the cover plate 30 and the bent portion 103 in Figure 4(b) is smaller than the distance L2 between the edge of the cover plate 30 and the bent portion 103 in Figure 5(a).

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the second sub-protective member 202 at least surrounds the bent portion 103. That is, the third sub-protective member 203 is only connected to the cover plate 30, the first sub-protective member 201 is only connected to the second portion 102, and only the second sub-protective member 202 is connected to both the cover plate 30 and the bent portion 103. This avoids using two sub-protective members with different elastic moduli to cover the bent portion 103, reducing the risk of the bent portion 103 wobbling due to a large difference in elastic modulus in the portion of the protective member 20 surrounding the bent portion 103. The bent portion 103 and the "junction between the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30" are covered by the second sub-protective member 202 with uniform elastic modulus, which can improve the stability of the direct fixation between the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30.

[0049] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the orthographic projection of the surface of the first sub-protective member 201 away from the light-emitting surface on the cover plate 30 is located within the orthographic projection of the surface of the first sub-protective member 201 near the light-emitting surface on the cover plate 30; the orthographic projection of the surface of the third sub-protective member 203 away from the light-emitting surface on the cover plate 30 is located within the orthographic projection of the surface of the third sub-protective member 203 near the light-emitting surface on the cover plate 30.

[0050] Understandably, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the first sub-protective component 201, viewed from the cross-sectional perspective of the display module 100, is a trapezoid with the upper side (the side furthest from the light-emitting surface) shorter than the lower side. This also indicates that the first sub-protective component 201 is formed by a dispensing process, during which material is deposited to achieve this shape. Similarly, the third sub-protective component 203 is also formed by a dispensing process.

[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the side of the first sub-protective member 201 away from the display area A is perpendicular to the cover plate 30, and the side of the third sub-protective member 203 near the display area A is perpendicular to the second part 102.

[0052] It should be noted that in the one-piece structure formed by low-pressure, low-temperature in-mold injection molding, the two sides corresponding to the two aforementioned sides are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the above-mentioned features of this embodiment also indicate that the first sub-protective component 201 and the third sub-protective component 203 are both formed by dispensing. Specifically, when the periphery of the cover plate 30 is curved, the side of the first sub-protective component 201 near the edge of the cover plate 30 can be perpendicular to the tangential surface of the cover plate 30 at the intersection with that side.

[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the display module 100 further includes: a chip 70 located on the side of the second portion 102 away from the light-emitting surface; and a third sub-protective member 203 located between the second sub-protective member 202 and the chip 70. Further, the display module 100 may also include a first adhesive portion 701 attached to the side of the bent portion 103 away from the fixed support layer 80 and extending to at least a portion of the second portion 102 on the side away from the light-emitting surface, the chip 70 located on the side of the first adhesive portion 701 away from the bent portion 103, and the third sub-protective member 203 located between the first adhesive portion 701 and the chip 70.

[0054] That is, the chip 70 is also located close to the first edge region E1. The chip 70 is electrically connected to the display panel 10 through a curved trace, which includes portions belonging to the first part 101, the second part 102, and the bend 103 respectively. The protective member 20 in this embodiment can cover the above-mentioned trace, thereby improving the reliability of signal transmission of the chip 70.

[0055] It should be noted that, based on the above basic structure, this embodiment takes into account that the bending portion 103 is subjected to greater stress. Therefore, the protective member 20 is set to be located at least on the side of the bending portion 103 away from the display area A of the display module 100, thereby improving the impact resistance of the bending portion 103 and reducing the risk of the structure within the bending portion 103 becoming wrinkled and failing, thereby maximizing the impact resistance and reliability benefits of the display module 100.

[0056] Of course, in other embodiments, the aforementioned protective element 20 can also be applied to the COF (Chip On Film) bonding method, specifically by placing the chip into the ribbon cable of the flexible circuit board, and then utilizing the characteristics of the flexible circuit board itself to fold it under the screen. In this case, the bending portion 103 mentioned above can be understood as the bent portion of the flexible circuit board.

[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the edge region E of the display module 100 includes the aforementioned first edge region E1 extending along a first direction D1, a second edge region E2 extending along a second direction D2, and a corner region E0 connecting the first edge region E1 and the second edge region E2, wherein the protective member 20 is located at least in the corner region E0.

[0058] Understandably, this embodiment takes into account that since the two ends of the corner area E0 in the display module 100 are respectively connected between the first edge area E1 and the second edge area E2 extending in different directions, the corner area E0 presents a corresponding angle and the structural distribution is relatively concentrated, resulting in a relatively concentrated stress in the part of the display module 100 located in the corner area E0. The protective member 20 is set to be located at least in the corner area E0. As can be seen from the above discussion on the protective member 20, it can block and absorb external forces at least once, thereby improving the impact resistance of the corner area E0 and reducing the risk of structural wrinkling and failure in the corner area E0, thereby maximizing the impact resistance and reliability benefits of the display module 100.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIG6, the edge area E of the display module 100 may include a second edge area E2, a third edge area E3, and a fourth edge area E4 respectively connected to the two ends of the first edge area E1 and disposed opposite to the first edge area E1; two adjacent ones of the first edge area E1, the second edge area E2, the third edge area E3, and the fourth edge area E4 are connected by corresponding corner areas E0; wherein, the protective member 20 is located in at least one of the corner areas E0, for example, it may be located in four corner areas E0.

[0060] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the width W1 of the portion of the protective member 20 within the corner region E0 is greater than the width W2 of the portion of the protective member 20 within the edge region extending in a certain direction outside the corner region E0. Further, the width W1 of the portion of the protective member 20 within the corner region E0 may be greater than the width of the portion of the protective member 20 within any edge region extending in a certain direction outside the corner region E0.

[0061] Understandably, by setting the width W1 of the portion of the protective element 20 within the corner area E0 to be larger, the protective element 20 can cover more area of ​​the display module 100 in the corner area E0, thereby further improving the impact resistance of the corner area E0 and reducing the risk of structural failure due to wrinkles within the corner area E0, thus maximizing the benefits of the impact resistance and reliability of the display module 100.

[0062] Of course, the protective element 20 can also be located on the entire edge area E of the display module 100 to protect the entire edge area E of the display module 100, further improving the overall impact resistance of the display module 100.

[0063] In some embodiments, the entire edge region E of the display module 100 is curved away from the light-emitting surface, or both opposite edges may be curved away from the light-emitting surface. Since the stress on the entire edge region E of a curved screen is greater than that on a flat screen, the protective benefits of the aforementioned protective member 20 can be further improved.

[0064] In some embodiments, the main material of the first sub-protective element 201, the main material of the second sub-protective element 202, and the main material of the third sub-protective element 203 are the same. Specifically, the multiple sub-protective elements in the protective element 20 (which may include, but are not limited to, the above three) can be obtained by doping the same main material with particles of different types and quantities. It can be considered that the elastic modulus of the multiple sub-protective elements is different because of the difference in the type and quantity of the particles. In this invention, the type of main material is not limited and may include epoxy resin, acrylic, or materials that are non-Newtonian fluids. Similarly, the type and quantity of doped particles are not limited and can be doped according to the requirements of elastic modulus.

[0065] Furthermore, the absolute value of the difference between the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component 201 and the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component 202 can be greater than or equal to 10 MPa, so that one of them has stronger resistance to deformation and the other has stronger buffering effect against force. It can also be indicated that it is obtained by doping at least one of the different types and quantities of particles in the same main material, rather than the small difference in elastic modulus caused by tolerance in the integrally molded structure using low-pressure low-temperature in-mold injection molding.

[0066] In terms of curing type, the constituent materials of the above-mentioned protective component 20 can be thermosetting, hot-melt, or light-curing, and the constituent materials of different sub-protective components can be the same or different, that is, the corresponding curing types can be the same or different.

[0067] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 to 6, the display module 100 may further include the aforementioned first adhesive portion 701 attached to the side of the bent portion 103 away from the fixing support layer 80. At least one of the two ends of the first adhesive portion 701 may extend towards the side closer to the fixing support layer 80 to cover at least one of the first portion 101 and the second portion 102 nearby. The display module 100 may also include a second adhesive portion 702 covering the side of the chip away from the light-emitting surface. The second adhesive portion 702 may extend towards the bent portion 103 to sequentially cover the second portion 102 and the first adhesive portion 701. When the display panel 10 is a liquid crystal display panel, the display panel 10 may further include a polarizing layer 90 located between the first portion 101 and the optical adhesive layer 40 to transmit light at a corresponding angle. An encapsulating layer 703 may also be provided between the chip 70 and the second portion 102. The encapsulating layer 703 may cover the periphery of the chip 70 to protect the chip 70.

[0068] This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a display module, as shown in Figure 7, including but not limited to the following steps:

[0069] S1, a display panel is provided, the display panel including a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connected between the first part and the second part and bent away from the first part;

[0070] S2, a protective component is formed by dispensing on the side of the bent portion away from the display area and on at least part of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface. The protective component includes a first sub-protective component, a third sub-protective component located in the first edge area near the display area, and a second sub-protective component located between the first sub-protective component and the third sub-protective component. The elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective component, the second sub-protective component, and the third sub-protective component is different.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, a cover plate 30 can be formed first on the light-emitting surface of the display panel 10, and then a protective element 20 can be formed in the first edge area E1 on the side away from the light-emitting surface of at least one of the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30 by a dispensing process.

[0072] As discussed above, this embodiment uses a dispensing process to form a first sub-protective component 201, a second sub-protective component 202, and a third sub-protective component 203 with different elastic moduli, arranged along the display area A and the edge area E respectively. This not only helps to achieve a narrow bezel, but also blocks and absorbs external forces, thereby reducing the stress on the film layer in the display module 100 and improving the impact resistance of the display module 100.

[0073] Furthermore, due to the dispensing process, the side of the protective component 20 closest to the edge of the display module 100 is perpendicular to the cover plate 30, while the side of the protective component furthest from the edge of the display module 100 is perpendicular to the display panel 10. Moreover, in the cross-sectional view of the display module 100, the cross-section of the protective component 20 is a trapezoid with the upper side (the side furthest from the light-emitting surface) shorter than the lower side.

[0074] In some embodiments, step S2 may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0075] S21, the first material is used to form the first sub-protective component through a dispensing process, and the third material is used to form the third sub-protective component through a dispensing process;

[0076] S22, the second material is used to form a second sub-protective component located between the first sub-protective component and the third sub-protective component through a dispensing process. The elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is greater than each of the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective component, or the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is less than each of the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective component. The viscosity of the first material and the viscosity of the third material are both greater than the viscosity of the second material.

[0077] Specifically, in order to manufacture the first sub-protective component 201, the third sub-protective component 203, and the second sub-protective component 202 located between them, the viscosity of the first material and the third material corresponding to the first sub-protective component 201 and the third sub-protective component 203 located at both ends is set to be relatively high, that is, the leveling performance is relatively poor. After the first material is placed in the first area, that is, the third material is placed in the third area, the shape can be fixed quickly and the molding accuracy is relatively high. At the same time, the viscosity of the first material corresponding to the second sub-protective component 202 located in the middle is set to be relatively low, that is, the leveling performance is relatively good. It can be quickly leveled and molded in the internal closed channel, improving the flatness of the protective component 20.

[0078] In some embodiments, when the protective member 20 includes the first sub-protective member 201 to the fourth sub-protective member 204, the viscosity of the four can satisfy the following relationship: the viscosity of the first sub-protective member 201 ≥ the viscosity of the third sub-protective member 203 ≥ the viscosity of the second sub-protective member 202 ≥ the viscosity of the fourth sub-protective member 204.

[0079] In this case, before the display panel 10 is bent to form the aforementioned bent portion 103, that is, when the display panel 10 is laid flat, a fourth sub-protective component 204 can be formed on the inner side of the part used to form the bent portion 103 by using a dispensing process with a fourth material of lower viscosity, so as to improve the uniformity of the flatness of the fourth sub-protective component 204.

[0080] Furthermore, after forming the aforementioned bent portion 103 in the display panel 10, a first sub-protective member 201 can be formed in the first region using a first material with higher viscosity to serve as the outer dam of the protective member 20, and a third sub-protective member 203 can be formed in the third region using a third material with higher viscosity to serve as the inner dam of the protective member 20. Thus, the outer and inner dams of the protective member 20 constitute a receiving space. Due to the high viscosity of both the first and third materials, the dimensions of the receiving space are also relatively precise. Then, a second sub-protective member 202 is formed within this receiving space using a second material with lower viscosity. Due to the better leveling properties of the second material, the upper surface of the second sub-protective member 202 is also relatively flat. The first sub-protective member 201, the second sub-protective member 202, and the third sub-protective member 203 are all formed using a dispensing process.

[0081] The present invention also provides a display device, as shown in Figures 1 to 6 and Figure 8, comprising: a display module 100 as described above or a display module manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display module as described above; a middle frame 601 located on the side of the display device away from the light-emitting surface and on the side of the bent portion 103 away from the display area A, and the protective member 20 located between the bent portion 103 and the middle frame 601.

[0082] Furthermore, the middle frame 601 is configured to correspond to the entire edge area E of the display module 100 (e.g., including the first edge area E1, the second edge area E2, the third edge area E3, and the fourth edge area E4).

[0083] Specifically, in Figure 8(a) as a comparative example, a relatively large frame adhesive 602 is provided between at least one of the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30 and the middle frame 601 to achieve a fixing effect. That is, the distance L3 between the edge area of ​​the frame adhesive 602 and the edge area of ​​the display panel 10 is relatively large. In Figure 6(b) as this embodiment, compared with (a), since the above-mentioned protective member 20 is provided, the frame adhesive 602 can be provided on the side of the protective member 20 near the middle frame 601 to fix at least one of the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30 to the middle frame 601. Since the protective member 20 has played a role in fixing at least one of the display panel 10 and the cover plate 30, the size of the middle frame 601 can be set to be smaller. That is, the distance L4 between the edge area of ​​the frame adhesive 602 and the edge area of ​​the display panel 10 is smaller, thereby making the size of the edge area E smaller.

[0084] The display module, its manufacturing method, and display device provided in the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the technical solutions and core ideas of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display module, wherein, include: The display panel includes a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connected between the first part and the second part and bent away from the first part, the bent part being located in the first edge region of the display module; A protective component is located on the side of the bent portion away from the display area of ​​the display module and extends to the side of at least a portion of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface; The protective component includes a first sub-protective component, a third sub-protective component located near the display area of ​​the first sub-protective component, and a second sub-protective component located between the first sub-protective component and the third sub-protective component. The elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective component, the second sub-protective component, and the third sub-protective component is different.

2. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein, The elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is less than that of the first sub-protective component, and the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is less than that of the third sub-protective component.

3. The display module as described in claim 2, wherein, The display panel also includes: A fixed support layer is located on the side of the first part closer to the second part, and a first gap is formed between the fixed support layer and the bent part; The protective component further includes a fourth sub-protective component located within the first gap, wherein the elastic modulus of the fourth sub-protective component is less than or equal to the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component.

4. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein, The elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is greater than that of the first sub-protective component, and the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is greater than that of the third sub-protective component.

5. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein, Also includes: A cover plate is located on the side of the display panel near the light-emitting surface. The side of the cover plate near the bend extends beyond the display panel. The protective member also connects the cover plate and the bend.

6. The display module as described in claim 5, wherein, The second sub-protective element is at least around the bent portion.

7. The display module as described in claim 5, wherein, The orthographic projection of the surface of the first sub-protective member away from the light-emitting surface on the cover plate is located within the orthographic projection of the surface of the first sub-protective member close to the light-emitting surface on the cover plate. The orthographic projection of the surface of the third sub-protective member that is away from the light-emitting surface on the cover plate lies within the orthographic projection of the surface of the third sub-protective member that is close to the light-emitting surface on the cover plate.

8. The display module as described in claim 7, wherein, The side of the first sub-protective member away from the display area is perpendicular to the cover plate, and the side of the third sub-protective member close to the display area is perpendicular to the second part.

9. The display module as described in claim 1, wherein, The display panel also includes: A fixed support layer is located on the side of the first part closer to the second part, and a first gap is formed between the fixed support layer and the bent part; The protective component further includes a fourth sub-protective component located within the first gap. The fourth sub-protective component contacts the bent portion and bends along the bending path of the bent portion. A second gap exists between the fourth sub-protective component and the fixed support layer.

10. The display module as described in claim 3 or 9, wherein, The fixed support layer includes an adhesive layer near the bend, the adhesive layer comprising: The first adhesive portion includes a first side edge close to the display area and a second side edge located on the side of the first side edge away from the display area and disposed opposite to the first side edge; The second adhesive part is connected to the first adhesive part via the second side, and the second adhesive part is arranged to expand outward relative to the second side in a direction away from the display area.

11. The display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Also includes: The first adhesive portion is attached to the side of the bent portion away from the fixed support layer and extends to at least a portion of the second portion on the side away from the light-emitting surface; The chip is located on the side of the second part away from the light-emitting surface and on the side of the first adhesive part away from the bending part; The third sub-protective component is located between the first adhesive portion and the chip.

12. The display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The second and third edge regions of the display module are respectively connected to the two ends of the first edge region, and the fourth edge region of the display module is disposed opposite to the first edge region; Two adjacent edge regions among the first edge region, the second edge region, the third edge region, and the fourth edge region are connected by a corner region; The protective element is also located within the corner area.

13. The display module as described in claim 12, wherein, The width of the portion of the protective member located within the corner area is greater than the width of the portion of the protective member located within at least one of the first edge area, the second edge area, the third edge area, and the fourth edge area.

14. The display module as claimed in claim 12, wherein, The protective element is also located within the second edge region, the third edge region, and the fourth edge region.

15. The display module as claimed in claim 12, wherein, The first edge region, the second edge region, the third edge region, and the fourth edge region are all curved toward the side away from the light-emitting surface.

16. A method for manufacturing a display module, wherein, include: A display panel is provided, the display panel including a first part disposed opposite to the first part, a second part located on the side of the first part away from the light-emitting surface of the display module, and a bent part connecting the first part and the second part and bending away from the first part; A protective element is formed by dispensing on the side of the bent portion away from the display area and on at least part of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface. The protective element includes a first sub-protective element, a third sub-protective element located in the first edge area near the display area, and a second sub-protective element located between the first sub-protective element and the third sub-protective element. The elastic modulus of each of the first sub-protective element, the second sub-protective element, and the third sub-protective element is different.

17. The method for manufacturing a display module as described in claim 16, wherein, The step of forming a protective component by dispensing on the side of the bent portion away from the display area and on at least a portion of the second portion away from the light-emitting surface includes: The first sub-protective component is formed by dispensing the first material, and the third sub-protective component is formed by dispensing the third material. The second material is formed into a second sub-protective component located between the first sub-protective component and the third sub-protective component using a dispensing process. The elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is greater than each of the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective component, or the elastic modulus of the second sub-protective component is less than each of the elastic modulus of the first sub-protective component and the elastic modulus of the third sub-protective component. The viscosity of the first material and the viscosity of the third material are both greater than the viscosity of the second material.

18. A display device, wherein, include: The display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, or the display module manufactured by the method of manufacturing the display module as described in claim 16 or 17; The middle frame is located on the side of the display device away from the light-emitting surface and on the side of the bent portion away from the display area, and the protective member is located between the bent portion and the middle frame.

19. The display device as claimed in claim 18, wherein, Also includes: A plastic frame connects the side of the protective component away from the light-emitting surface to the middle frame; The frame is located on the side of the first sub-protective member, the second sub-protective member, and the third sub-protective member away from the light-emitting surface, and also on the side of the protective member away from the bending portion.

20. The display device as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein, The second and third edge regions of the display module are respectively connected to the two ends of the first edge region, and the fourth edge region of the display module is disposed opposite to the first edge region; The middle frame is configured correspondingly to the first edge area, the second edge area, the third edge area, and the fourth edge area.

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