Bending apparatus, device to be bent and machining method therefor, bent device, and display device

A bending apparatus includes a fixing structure, a first driving mechanism, a first pressing head connected to the first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism and a second pressing head connected to the second driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is configured to drive the first pressing head to move onto a first surface of a first portion, and to drive the first pressing head to push the first portion to rotate to a first side of a body portion, so that the first portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion. The second driving mechanism is configured to drive the second pressing head to move onto a second surface of a second portion, and is further configured to drive the second pressing head to pull the second portion to rotate to the first side of the body portion while the first pressing head pushes the first portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 USC 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN 2021/130785 filed on Nov. 16, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202120230454.3, filed on Jan. 27, 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to a bending apparatus, a device to be bent, a method of machining the device to be bent by using the bending apparatus, a bent device, and a display device.

BACKGROUND

A display device mainly includes a display module. The display module mainly includes a display panel and a flexible printed circuit. After an end of the flexible printed circuit is bonded to the display panel, it is necessary to bend a portion of the flexible printed circuit away from the display panel to a back of the display panel by using a bending apparatus, so as to reduce a bezel of the display device.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a bending apparatus is provided. The bending apparatus is used for machining a device to be bent. The device to be bent includes a body portion and a portion to be bent connected to each other, and the portion to be bent includes a first portion and a second portion that are away from the body portion in sequence. The bending apparatus includes a fixing structure, a first driving mechanism, a first pressing head connected to the first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism and a second pressing head connected to the second driving mechanism. The fixing structure is configured to fix the body portion of the device to be bent. The first driving mechanism is configured to drive the first pressing head to move onto a first surface of the first portion, and to drive the first pressing head to push the first portion to rotate to a first side of the body portion, so that the first portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion. The second drive mechanism is configured to drive the second pressing head to move onto a second surface of the second portion. The second surface and the first surface are respectively located on two sides of the portion to be bent. The second driving mechanism is further configured to drive the second pressing head to pull the second portion to rotate to the first side of the body portion while the first pressing head pushes the first portion.

In some embodiments, the second driving mechanism is further configured to drive the second pressing head to pull the second portion to rotate to the first side of the body portion while the first pressing head pushes the first portion, so that the second portion is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the body portion.

In some embodiments, the first driving mechanism is further configured to drive the first pressing head to move away from the first portion after the first portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion.

In some embodiments, the second driving mechanism is further configured to drive the second pressing head to push the second portion to rotate to a side of the first portion away from the body portion after the first pressing head moves away from the first portion, so that the second portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion.

In some embodiments, the first pressing head includes a first adsorption plate and a first vacuum pumping device. At least one first vacuum pumping hole is disposed in the first adsorption plate, and the first vacuum pumping device is communicated with the at least one first vacuum pumping hole. In some embodiments, the second pressing head includes a second adsorption plate and a second vacuum pumping device. At least one second vacuum pumping hole is disposed in the second adsorption plate, and the second vacuum pumping device is communicated with the at least one second vacuum pumping hole.

In some embodiments, the first pressing head further includes a first pressing plate and a first cylinder. The first cylinder is connected to the first pressing plate. The first cylinder is configured to drive the first pressing plate to move towards or away from the first portion. The device to be bent further includes a first adhesive layer located on a surface of the body portion at the first side. When the first pressing head stops pushing the first portion, and before the first pressing head moves away from the first portion, the first pressing plate is located on a side of the first portion away from the first adhesive layer. An orthographic projection of the first pressing plate on the body portion is at least partially overlapped with an orthographic projection of the first adhesive layer on the body portion. The first cylinder is configured to drive the first pressing plate to move towards the first portion, so that the first portion is adhered to the body portion through the first adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the second pressing head further includes a second pressing plate and a second cylinder. The second cylinder is connected to the second pressing plate. The second cylinder is configured to drive the second pressing plate to move towards or away from the second portion. The device to be bent further includes a second adhesive layer located on a first surface of the second portion. When the second pressing head stops pushing the second portion, and before the second pressing head moves away from the second portion, the second pressing plate is located on a side of the second portion away from the second adhesive layer. An orthographic projection of the second pressing plate on the body portion is at least partially overlapped with an orthographic projection of the second adhesive layer on the body portion. The second cylinder is configured to drive the second pressing plate to move towards the second portion, so that the second portion is adhered to the first portion through the second adhesive layer.

In some embodiments, the first driving mechanism includes: a first base; a first Y-axis movement mechanism disposed on the first base and including a first support structure capable of moving in a Y-axis direction relative to the first base; a first Z-axis movement mechanism disposed on the first support structure and including a second support structure capable of moving in a Z-axis direction relative to the first support structure: a first X-axis rotation mechanism disposed on the second support structure and including a first rotation structure capable of rotating about a rotation axis of the first rotation structure parallel to an X-axis direction relative to the second support structure; and a first rotation arm. An end of the first rotation arm is connected to the first rotation structure, and another end of the first rotation arm is connected to the first pressing head. The first rotation arm is parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotation structure, and an axis of the first rotation arm and the rotation axis of the first rotation structure have a first preset distance therebetween. In some embodiments, the second driving mechanism includes: a second base; a second Y-axis movement mechanism disposed on the second base and including a third support structure capable of moving in the Y-axis direction relative to the second base; a second Z-axis movement mechanism disposed on the third support structure and including a fourth support structure capable of moving in the Z-axis direction relative to the third support structure; a second X-axis rotation mechanism disposed on the fourth support structure and including a second rotation structure capable of rotating about a rotation axis of the second rotation structure parallel to the X-axis direction relative to the fourth support structure; and a second rotation arm. An end of the second rotation arm is connected to the second rotation structure, and another end of the second rotation arm is connected to the second pressing head. The second rotation arm is parallel to the rotation axis of the second rotation structure, and an axis of the second rotation arm and the rotation axis of the second rotation structure have a second preset distance therebetween.

In some embodiments, the first rotation structure and the second rotation structure are respectively located on two opposite sides of the fixing structure in the X-axis direction. The first rotation arm extends to a side of the second rotation structure proximate to the fixing structure, and the second rotation arm extends to a side of the first rotation structure proximate to the fixing structure.

In some embodiments, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other, and the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are parallel to a horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, the fixing structure includes a carrier plate and a third vacuum pumping device. A plurality of vacuum pumping holes are disposed in the carrier plate. The third vacuum pumping device is communicated with the plurality of vacuum pumping holes.

In some embodiments, the bending apparatus further includes a third driving mechanism. The third driving mechanism includes a third base and a third Y-axis movement mechanism disposed on the third base. The third Y-axis movement mechanism includes a fifth support structure capable of moving in a Y-axis direction relative to the third base. The carrier plate is disposed on the fifth support structure.

In some embodiments, the bending apparatus further includes at least one blower disposed on the third base. The at least one blower is configured to, before the first pressing head moves to the first surface of the first portion, and before the second pressing head moves to the second surface of the second portion, blow air to the portion to be bent, so that the portion to be bent and the body portion are located in a same plane or substantially in the same plane.

In some embodiments, the bending apparatus further includes at least one support rod connected to the carrier plate. The at least one support rod is configured to, before the first pressing head moves to the first surface of the first portion, and before the second pressing head moves to the second surface of the second portion, support the portion to be bent, so that the portion to be bent and the body portion are located in a same plane or substantially in the same plane.

In another aspect, a device to be bent is provided. The device to be bent is a display module to be bent. The display module to be bent includes a display panel, a COF circuit board, a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit and a clock control circuit board. An end of the COF circuit board is bonded to the display panel. An end of the printed circuit board is bonded to another end of the COF circuit board. An end of the flexible printed circuit is bonded to another end of the printed circuit board. An end of the clock control circuit board is bonded to another end of the flexible printed circuit. The display panel is the body portion of the device to be bent, the printed circuit board is the first portion of the device to be bent, and the flexible printed circuit is the second portion of the device to be bent.

In yet another aspect, a method of machining the device to be bent by using the bending apparatus in any one of the above embodiments is provided. The machining method includes: fixing, by the fixing structure of the bending apparatus, the body portion of the device to be bent; driving, by the first driving mechanism of the bending apparatus, the first pressing head to move onto the first surface of the first portion, and driving, by the second driving mechanism of the bending apparatus, the second pressing head to move onto the second surface of the second portion, the second surface and the first surface being respectively located on the two sides of the portion to be bent; and driving, by the first driving mechanism, the first pressing head to push the first portion to rotate to the first side of the body portion, so that the first portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion, and at the same time, driving, by the second driving mechanism, the second pressing head to pull the second portion to rotate to the first side of the body portion.

In some embodiments, the machining method further includes: driving, by the first driving mechanism, the first pressing head to move away from the first portion; and pushing, by the second driving mechanism, the second portion to rotate to the side of the first portion away from the body portion after the first pressing head moves away from the first portion, so that the second portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion.

In some embodiments, the device to be bent further includes a first adhesive layer located on a surface of the body portion at the first side. The machining method further includes: after the first pressing head stops pushing the first portion, and before the first pressing head moves away from the first surface of the first portion, pressing, by the first pressing head, the first portion to adhere the first portion to the body portion through the first adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the device to be bent further includes a second adhesive layer located on a first surface of the second portion. The machining method further includes: after the second pressing head stops pushing the second portion, and before the second pressing head moves away from the second surface of the second portion, pressing, by the second pressing head, the second portion to adhere the second portion to the first portion through the second adhesive layer.

In yet another aspect, a bent device is provided. The bent device is machined by the machining method in any one of the above embodiments.

In some embodiments, the bent device is a bent display module. The bent display module includes a display panel, a COF circuit board, a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit and a clock control circuit board. An end of the COF circuit board is bonded to the display panel. An end of the printed circuit board is bonded to another end of the COF circuit board. An end of the flexible printed circuit is bonded to another end of the printed circuit board. An end of the clock control circuit board is bonded to another end of the flexible printed circuit. The display panel is the body portion of the device to be bent, the printed circuit board is the first portion of the device to be bent, and the flexible printed circuit is the second portion of the device to be bent. The first portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the display panel, and the second portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion.

In yet another aspect, a display device is provided. The display device includes the bent device in any one of the above embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description of some embodiments, the term “connected” and extensions thereof may be used. For example, the term “connected” may be used in the description of some embodiments to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other.

The phrase “A and/or B” includes following three combinations: only A, only B, and a combination of A and B.

The use of the phase “applicable to” or “configured to” herein means an open and inclusive expression, which does not exclude devices that are applicable to or configured to perform additional tasks or steps.

In addition, the use of the phase “based on” means openness and inclusiveness, since a process, step, calculation or other action that is “based on” one or more stated conditions or values may, in practice, be based on additional conditions or values exceeding those stated.

As used herein, the term such as “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” includes a stated value and an average value within an acceptable range of deviation of a particular value. The acceptable range of deviation is determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art, considering measurement in question and errors associated with measurement of a particular quantity (i.e., limitations of a measurement system).

In the display module in the related art, it is necessary to bend the portion of the flexible printed circuit away from the display panel to the back of the display panel by using the bending apparatus, so as to reduce the bezel of the display device. However, when the bending apparatus in the related art bends the portion of the flexible printed circuit away from the display panel to the back of the display panel, the flexible printed circuit is attached to the back of the display panel, so that the flexible printed circuit is difficult to be bent for a second time.

Based on this, referring toFIGS.1and2, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bending apparatus100. The bending apparatus100is used for machining a device to be bent200.

As shown inFIG.1, the bending apparatus100includes a fixing structure1, a first driving mechanism2, a first pressing head3, a second driving mechanism4and a second pressing head5. As shown inFIG.2, the device to be bent200includes a body portion201and a portion to be bent202connected to each other, and the portion to be bent202includes a first portion203and a second portion204that are away from the body portion201in sequence. A portion between the first portion203and the body portion201in the device to be bent200is made of a flexible material, and a portion between the second portion and the first portion is also made of a flexible material. For example, the device to be bent200may be a display module. The body portion201of the device to be bent200may be a display panel in the display module, and the portion to be bent202of the device to be bent200may include a flexible printed circuit.

The fixing structure1is configured to fix the body portion201of the device to be bent200. The first driving mechanism2is connected to the first pressing head3. The first driving mechanism2is configured to drive the first pressing head3to move onto a first surface S1of the first portion203(as shown inFIGS.3A and3B), and to drive the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to a first side M of the body portion201, so that the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201(as shown inFIGS.4A and48). The second driving mechanism4is connected to the second pressing head5. The second driving mechanism4is configured to drive the second pressing head5to move onto a second surface S2of the second portion204(as shown inFIGS.3A and3B). The second surface S2and the first surface S1are respectively located on two sides of the portion to be bent202. The second driving mechanism4is further configured to drive the second pressing head5to pull the second portion204to rotate to the first side M of the body portion201(as shown inFIGS.4A and4B) while the first pressing head3pushes the first portion203.

For example, “substantially parallel” may mean that the first portion203and a plane parallel to the body portion201have a small included angle therebetween. For example, the included angle is not more than 10 degrees.

The bending apparatus100provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure includes the first driving mechanism2, the first pressing head3, the second driving mechanism4and the second pressing head5. The first driving mechanism2is capable of driving the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to the first side M of the body portion201, so that the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201. The second driving mechanism4is capable of driving the second pressing head5to pull the second portion204to rotate to the first side M of the body portion201while the first pressing head3pushes the first portion203. Since the second pressing head5and the first pressing head3operate synchronously, and the second pressing head5is in contact with the second surface S2of the second portion204, when the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201, and the second portion204is rotated to the first side M of the body portion201, the second surface S2of the second portion204does not easily contact the body portion201. Thus, in a subsequent process of bending the device to be bent200, the bending apparatus100is capable of rotating the second portion204of the portion to be bent202to a side N of the first portion203away from the body portion201. That is, two times of bending of the device to be bent200are realized.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4A, the second pressing head5pulls the second portion204to rotate to the first side M of the body portion201while the first pressing head3pushes the first portion203, so that the second portion204is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the body portion201. Here, “substantially perpendicular” may mean that the second portion204and a plane perpendicular to the body portion201have a small included angle therebetween. For example, the included angle is not more than 10 degrees.

In this way, when the second portion204is bent to the side N of the first portion203away from the body portion201, the first portion203does not easily move away from the body portion201due to an influence of a force in a direction from the body portion201to the first portion203, so that a distance between the first portion203and the body portion201may be kept small, which is conducive to making the bent device have a small thickness.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the first driving mechanism2is further configured to drive the first pressing head3to move away from the first portion203after the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201. In this way, when the second portion204is rotated to the side N of the first portion203away from the body portion201, the second portion204is prevented from colliding with the first pressing head3.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.6A and6B, the second driving mechanism4is further configured to drive the second pressing head5to push the second portion204to rotate to the side N of the first portion203away from the body portion201after the first pressing head3moves away from the first portion203, so that the second portion204is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion203. Here, “substantially parallel” may mean that the second portion204and a plane where the first portion203is located have a small included angle therebetween. For example, the included angle is not more than 10 degrees.

By using the second pressing head5to push the second portion204to rotate to the side N of the first portion203away from the body portion201, an orthographic projection, on a plane where the body portion201is located, of a portion207of the portion to be bent202located on a side of the second portion204away from the body portion201is located outside the body portion201.

In a case where the device to be bent200is a display module to be bent, the portion of the portion to be bent202located on the side of the second portion204away from the first portion203may be a portion of a flexible printed circuit. In this way, after a second bending process of the device to be bent200is completed, the flexible printed circuit may extend to a keyboard region of a display device to be electrically connected to a control circuit board.

Moreover, since the second pressing head5pushes the second portion204to bend towards the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201after the first pressing head3moves away from the first portion203, the second portion204is able to be prevented from colliding with the first pressing head3, and the second portion204is able to be protected from being damaged.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, the first pressing head3may include a first adsorption plate31and a first vacuum pumping device32. At least one first vacuum pumping hole311is provided in the first adsorption plate31. The first vacuum pumping device32is communicated with the at least one first vacuum pumping hole311.

It will be noted that a shape and a size of the first adsorption plate31are not limited. For example, as shown inFIG.7, the first adsorption plate31may be a rectangular parallelepiped. A number, a shape, a size and an arrangement of the first vacuum pumping hole(s)311are also not limited, as long as the first vacuum pumping hole(s)311are capable of effectively adsorbing the first surface S1of the first portion203. For example, as shown inFIG.7, the first vacuum pumping hole311may be circular.

The first pressing head3provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure includes the first vacuum pumping device32and the at least one first vacuum pumping hole311disposed in the first adsorption plate31. Therefore, when the first pressing head3is in contact with the first surface S1of the first portion203, the first vacuum pumping device32is turned on, and a negative pressure environment may be formed in a space formed by the first vacuum pumping hole(s)311and the first surface S1of the first portion203, so that the first surface S1of the first portion203is adsorbed on the first adsorption plate31.

In this way, in a process of the first pressing head3pushing the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, the first vacuum pumping device32may be always kept in an on state, so that the first portion203and the first pressing head3are not easy to be misaligned and separated. Thus, a bending radius of a bending portion between the first portion203and the body portion201may be small, and a thickness of the bent device is small.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, the second pressing head5includes a second adsorption plate51and a second vacuum pumping device52. At least one second vacuum pumping hole511is provided in the second adsorption plate51. The second vacuum pumping device52is communicated with the at least one second vacuum pumping hole511.

It will be noted that a shape and a size of the second adsorption plate51are not limited. For example, as shown inFIG.7, the second adsorption plate51may be a rectangular parallelepiped. A number, a shape, size and an arrangement of the second vacuum pumping hole(s)511are also not limited. For example, referring toFIG.7, the second vacuum pumping hole511may be circular.

The second pressing head5provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure includes the second adsorption plate51and the second vacuum pumping device52. Therefore, when the second pressing head5is in contact with the second surface S2of the second portion204, the second vacuum pumping device52is turned on, and a negative pressure environment may be formed in a space formed by the second vacuum pumping hole(s)511and the second surface S2of the second portion204, so that the second surface S2of the second portion204is adsorbed on the second adsorption plate51.

Based on this, in a process of the second pressing head5pulling the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, the second vacuum pumping device52may be configured to be always kept in an on state, so that the second surface S2of the second portion204is always adsorbed on the second adsorption plate51, which is conducive to preventing the second portion204from being in direct contact with a surface M1of the body portion201at the first side due to separation of the second portion204from the second adsorption plate51.

Similarly, the second vacuum pumping device52may be configured to be always kept in the on state in a process of the second pressing head5pushing the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201, so that the second surface S2of the second portion204is always adsorbed on the second adsorption plate51of the second pressing head5. This is conducive to avoiding a large bending radius of a bending portion between the second portion204and the first portion203and a large thickness of the bent device due to a misalignment between the second portion204and the second adsorption plate51, or to avoiding a case that the second pressing head5cannot push the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201due to a direct separation of the second portion204from the second pressing head5.

The second vacuum pumping device52may be further configured to be always kept in the on state in a process of the first pressing head3moving away from the first portion203, so that the second surface S2of the second portion204is always adsorbed on the second adsorption plate51of the second pressing head5. This is conducive to avoiding a case that the second pressing head5cannot push the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201due to a misalignment between the second portion204and the second adsorption plate51caused by a bounce of the first portion203away from the body portion201.

In some examples, the second vacuum pumping device52may be further configured to be always kept in the on state in the process of the second pressing head5pulling the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201and in the process of the second pressing head5pushing the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201.

In some other examples, the second vacuum pumping device52may be further configured to be always kept in the on state in the process of the second pressing head5pulling the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, in the process of the second pressing head5pushing the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201, and in the process of the first pressing head3moving away from the first portion203.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.8, the first pressing head3further includes a first pressing plate33and a first cylinder34. The first cylinder34is connected to the first pressing plate33, and the first cylinder34is configured to drive the first pressing plate33to move towards or away from the first portion203.

As shown inFIG.9, the device to be bent200further includes a first adhesive layer205located on the surface M1of the body portion201at the first side M. When the first pressing head3stops pushing the first portion203, and the first pressing head3does not move away from the first portion203, the first pressing plate33is located on a side of the first portion203away from the first adhesive layer205, and an orthographic projection of the first pressing plate33on the body portion201is at least partially overlapped with an orthographic projection of the first adhesive layer205on the body portion201. The first cylinder34is configured to drive the first pressing plate33to move towards the first portion203, so that the first portion203and the body portion201are adhered together through the first adhesive layer205.

In this way, after the first pressing head3moves away from the first portion203, the first portion203is less likely to bounce away from the body portion201, and the distance between the first portion203and the body portion201may be small, so that the thickness of the bent device is effectively reduced.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.8, the second pressing head5includes a second pressing plate53and a second cylinder54. The second cylinder54is connected to the second pressing plate53, and the second cylinder54is configured to drive the second pressing plate53to move towards or away from the second portion204.

As shown inFIG.10, the device to be bent200further includes a second adhesive layer206located on a first surface S1′ of the second portion204. When the second pressing head5stops pushing the second portion204, and the second pressing head5does not move away from the second portion204, the second pressing plate53is located on a side of the second portion204away from the second adhesive layer206, and an orthographic projection of the second pressing plate53on the body portion201is at least partially overlapped with an orthographic projection of the second adhesive layer206on the body portion201. The second cylinder54is configured to drive the second pressing plate53to move towards the second portion204, so that the second portion204and the first portion203are adhered together through the second adhesive layer206.

In this way, after the second pressing head5moves away from the second portion204, the second portion204is less likely to bounce away from the first portion, and a gap between the second portion204and the first portion203may be small, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the bent device.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1and11, the first driving mechanism2includes a first base21, a first Y-axis movement mechanism22, a first Z-axis movement mechanism23, a first X-axis rotation mechanism24and a first rotation arm25. The first Y-axis movement mechanism22is disposed on the first base21. The first Y-axis movement mechanism22includes a first support structure221capable of moving in a Y-axis direction relative to the first base21. The first Z-axis movement mechanism23is disposed on the first support structure221. The first Z-axis movement mechanism23includes a second support structure231capable of moving in a Z-axis direction relative to the first support structure221. The first X-axis rotation mechanism24is disposed on the second support structure231. The first X-axis rotation mechanism24includes a first rotation structure241capable of rotating about a rotation axis O parallel to an X-axis direction relative to the second support structure231. An end of the first rotation arm25is connected to the first rotation structure241, and another end of the first rotation arm25is connected to the first pressing head3. The first rotation arm25is parallel to the rotation axis O of the first rotation structure241, and an axis R of the first rotation arm25and the rotation axis O of the first rotation structure241have a first preset distance d1therebetween.

The first preset distance d1may be adjusted according to a size of the device to be bent. For example, in a case where the size of the device to be bent is large, a value of the first preset distance d1may be large. In a case where the size of the device to be bent is small, the value of the first preset distance d1may be small.

For example, the first Y-axis movement mechanism22may further include a first driving motor and a first lead screw slider mechanism. The first driving motor is installed on the first base21. The first lead screw slider mechanism includes a first lead screw and a first slider in threaded connection with the first lead screw. The first lead screw is connected to an output shaft of the first driving motor. The first slider is installed on a guide rail of the first base21, and is connected to the first support structure221. The first driving motor drives the first lead screw to rotate, so that the first slider may move in the Y-axis direction relative to the first lead screw, thereby enabling the first support structure221to move in the Y-axis direction relative to the first base21.

For example, the first Z-axis movement mechanism23may further include a second driving motor and a second lead screw slider mechanism. The second driving motor is installed on the first support structure221. The second lead screw slider mechanism includes a second lead screw and a second slider in threaded connection with the second lead screw. The second lead screw is connected to an output shaft of the second driving motor. The second slider is installed on a guide rail of the first support structure221, and is connected to the second support structure231. The second driving motor drives the second lead screw to rotate, so that the second slider may move in the Z-axis direction relative to the second lead screw, thereby enabling the second support structure231to move in the Z-axis direction relative to the first support structure221.

For example, referring toFIG.1, the first X-axis rotation mechanism24may further include a driving motor242connected to the first rotation structure241. The driving motor242is configured to drive the first rotation structure241to move clockwise or counterclockwise about the rotation axis.

In this way, the first Y-axis movement mechanism22, the first Z-axis movement mechanism23, the first X-axis rotation mechanism24and the first rotation arm25cooperate with each other to drive the first pressing head3to rotate the first portion203to the first side of the body portion201.

It will be noted that in a process of the first driving mechanism2driving the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, the first Y-axis movement mechanism22, the first Z-axis movement mechanism23and the first X-axis rotation mechanism24operate synchronously. For example, the process of the first driving mechanism2driving the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201may include as follows. The first support structure221of the first Y-axis movement mechanism22moves in the Y-axis direction, so that the first pressing head3gradually approaches the first portion203.

The second support structure231of the first Z-axis movement mechanism23moves upward and then downward in the Z-axis direction. The first rotation structure241of the first X-axis rotation mechanism24rotates about the rotation axis O by about 180 degrees to bring the first rotation arm25to rotate about the rotation axis O by about 180 degrees, thereby enabling the first pressing head3to rotate to the first side of the body portion201.

In addition, after the first pressing head3stops pushing the first portion203, and the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201, the first Y-axis movement mechanism22is further capable of gradually moving the first pressing head3away from the first portion203in the Y-axis direction.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1and11, the second driving mechanism4may include a second base41, a second Y-axis movement mechanism42, a second Z-axis movement mechanism43, a second X-axis rotation mechanism44and a second rotation arm45. The second Y-axis movement mechanism42is disposed on the second base41. The second Y-axis movement mechanism42includes a third support structure421capable of moving in the Y-axis direction relative to the second base41. The second Z-axis movement mechanism43is disposed on the third support mechanism421. The second Z-axis movement mechanism43includes a fourth support structure431capable of moving in the Z-axis direction relative to the third support structure421. The second X-axis rotation mechanism44is disposed on the fourth support structure431. The second X-axis rotation mechanism44includes a second rotation structure441capable of rotating about a rotation axis O1parallel to the X-axis direction relative to the fourth support structure431. An end of the second rotation arm45is connected to the second rotation structure441, and another end of the second rotation arm45is connected to the second pressing head5. The second rotation arm45is parallel to the rotation axis O1of the second rotation structure441, and an axis R1of the second rotation arm45and the rotation axis O1of the second rotation structure441have a second preset distance d2therebetween.

The second preset distance d2may be accordingly set according to the size of the device to be bent. For example, in the case where the size of the device to be bent is large, a value of the second preset distance d2may be large. In the case where the size of the device to be bent is small, the value of the second preset distance d2may be small.

For example, the second Y-axis movement mechanism42may further include a third driving motor and a third lead screw slider mechanism. The third driving motor is installed on the second base. The third lead screw slider mechanism includes a third lead screw and a third slider in threaded connection with the third lead screw. The third lead screw is connected to an output shaft of the third driving motor. The third slider is installed on a guide rail of the second base41, and is connected to the third support structure. The third driving motor drives the third lead screw to rotate, so that the third slider may move in the Y-axis direction relative to the third lead screw, thereby enabling the third support structure421to move in the Y-axis direction relative to the second base41.

For example, the second Z-axis movement mechanism43may further include a fourth driving motor and a fourth lead screw slider mechanism. The fourth driving motor is installed on the third support structure421. The fourth lead screw slider mechanism includes a fourth lead screw and a fourth slider in threaded connection with the fourth lead screw. The fourth screw is connected to an output shaft of the fourth driving motor. The fourth slider is installed on a guide rail of the third support structure421, and is connected to the fourth support structure431. The fourth driving motor drives the fourth lead screw to rotate, so that the fourth slider may move in the Z-axis direction relative to the fourth lead screw, thereby enabling the fourth support structure431to move in the Z-axis direction relative to the third support structure.

For example, the second X-axis rotation mechanism44may further include a driving motor connected to the second rotation structure441. The driving motor drives the second rotation structure441to move clockwise or counterclockwise about the rotation axis.

In this way, the second pressing head5may be driven to operate by using the second Y-axis movement mechanism42, the second Z-axis movement mechanism43, the second X-axis rotation mechanism44and the second rotation arm45, so that the second pressing head5is capable of pulling the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, and pushing the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201.

It will be noted that in a process of the second driving mechanism4driving the second pressing head5to pull the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, the second Y-axis movement mechanism42, the second Z-axis movement mechanism43and the second X-axis rotation mechanism44operate synchronously. For example, in the process of the second pressing head5pulling the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, the third support structure421of the second Y-axis movement mechanism42moves in the Y-axis direction relative to the second base41, so that the second pressing head5gradually approaches the second portion204in the Y-axis direction. The fourth support structure431of the second Z-axis movement mechanism43moves upward relative to the third support structure421. The second rotation structure441of the second X-axis rotation mechanism44rotates about the rotation axis O1by 90 degrees, so that the second pressing head5is rotated to the first side of the body portion201.

Similarly, in a process of the second driving mechanism4driving the second pressing head5to push the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201, the second Y-axis movement mechanism42, the second Z-axis movement mechanism43and the second X-axis rotation mechanism44operate synchronously. For example, in the process of the second pressing head5pushing the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201, the third support structure421of the second Y-axis movement mechanism42moves in the Y-axis direction relative to the second base41, so that the second pressing head5moves towards the first portion203. The fourth support structure431of the second Z-axis movement mechanism43moves upward and then downward relative to the third support structure421. The second rotation structure441of the second X-axis rotation mechanism44rotates about the rotation axis O1by 90 degrees, so that the second pressing head5is rotated to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, the first rotation structure241and the second rotation structure441are respectively located on two opposite sides of the fixing structure1in the X-axis direction. The first rotation arm25extends to a side of the second rotation structure441proximate to the fixing structure1, and the second rotation arm45extends to a side of the first rotation structure241proximate to the fixing structure1.

In this way, on one hand, lengths of the first rotation arm25and the second rotation arm45are short, so that a height difference, in the Z-axis direction, between an end of the first rotation arm25connected to the first rotation structure241and an end of the first rotation arm25connected to the first pressing head3is small, and a height difference, in the Z-axis direction, between an end of the second rotation arm45connected to the second rotation structure441and an end of the second rotation arm45connected to the second pressing head5is also small, which is conducive to improving a control accuracy of heights of the first pressing head3and the second pressing head5in the Z-axis direction in the moving process.

On another hand, the first rotation structure241and the second rotation structure441are respectively arranged on two sides of the fixing structure1, so that in a first bending process, the first pressing head3and the second pressing head5move synchronously (i.e., the first pressing head3pushes the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, and at the same time, the second pressing head5pulls the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201). Moreover, the first pressing head3and the second pressing head5are not easy to collide, or the first rotation arm25and the second rotation arm45are not easy to collide, so that a failure of the bending apparatus100during operation is avoided.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis are perpendicular to each other, and the X axis and the Y axis are parallel to a horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.12, the fixing structure1includes a carrier plate11and a third vacuum pumping device12. A plurality of vacuum pumping holes111are provided in the carrier plate11. The third vacuum pumping device12is communicated with the plurality of vacuum pumping holes111.

A shape and a size of the carrier plate11are not limited, as long as the carrier plate11is ensured to support the body portion201of the device to be bent200. For example, referring toFIG.12, an orthographic projection of the carrier plate11on the horizontal plane may be a rectangle.

A number, a size, a shape and an arrangement of the vacuum pumping holes111disposed in the carrier plate11are not limited, as long as the vacuum pumping holes111are able to be in contact with the body portion201of the device to be bent200, and are able to adsorb the body portion201of the device to be bent200due to an action of the third vacuum pumping device12. For example, as shown inFIG.12, an orthogonal projection of the vacuum pumping hole111on the horizontal plane may be a circle.

In this way, the plurality of vacuum pumping holes111are disposed in the carrier plate11, and the third vacuum pumping device12is communicated with the plurality of vacuum pumping holes111, so that when the bending apparatus100bends the device to be bent200, the third vacuum pumping device12is turned on, and the body portion201of the device to be bent200may be adsorbed on the carrier plate11. Therefore, the device to be bent is prevented from being damaged due to a friction between the device to be bent200and the carrier plate caused by a relative movement between the body portion201and the carrier plate11in the bending process. Moreover, the body portion201is fixed to the carrier plate11in the bending process, which is further conducive to bending the device to be bent200by the bending apparatus100.

For example, the fixing structure1may further include an isolation film disposed on the carrier plate, and isolation film covers the carrier plate11completely. In this way, in the case where the size of the device to be bent200is small, a portion of the isolation film with a small area may be removed to expose a small part of the vacuum pumping holes111, so that the fixing structure1is capable of adsorbing the device to be bent200with a small size. In the case where the size of the device to be bent200is large, a portion of the isolation film with a large area may be removed to expose more vacuum pumping holes111, so as to adsorb the device to be bent200with a large size. In this way, the fixing structure1is capable of fixing various devices to be bent200with different sizes, which improves a flexibility of use of the bending apparatus100.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, the bending apparatus100further includes a third driving mechanism6. The third driving mechanism6includes a third base61and a third Y-axis movement mechanism62. The third Y-axis movement mechanism62is disposed on the third base61. The third Y-axis movement mechanism62includes a fifth support structure621capable of moving in the Y-axis direction relative to the third base61. The carrier plate11is disposed on the fifth support structure621. This arrangement enables the carrier plate11to move in the Y-axis direction together with the fifth support mechanism621relative to the third base61.

On this basis, before the device to be bent200is machined by using the bending apparatus100, the carrier plate11may be aligned with the device to be bent200firstly, so that the body portion201of the device to be bent200covers a designated position of the carrier plate11, thereby facilitating the first driving mechanism2to drive the first pressing head3to move to the first surface S1of the first portion203, and facilitating the second driving mechanism4to drive the second pressing head5to move to the second surface S2of the second portion204.

For example, a process of aligning the carrier plate11with the device to be bent200may be as follows. Before the bending apparatus100bends the device to be bent200, the carrier plate11is transferred to a first position by using the third driving mechanism6. The device to be bent200is placed on the carrier plate11, and the device to be bent200is preliminarily aligned, so that an orthographic projection of the device to be bent200on the carrier plate11is substantially overlapped with the designated position. Then, the carrier plate11is transferred to a second position by using the third driving mechanism6. The body portion201of the device to be bent200is precisely aligned with the carrier plate11by using a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. In the X-axis direction, a distance from the first position to the first driving mechanism2is greater than a distance from the second position to the first driving mechanism2, and a distance from the first position to the second driving mechanism4is also greater than a distance from the second position to the second driving mechanism4.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.13, the bending apparatus100further includes at least one blower7disposed on the third base61. The at least one blower7is configured to, before the first pressing head3moves to the first surface of the first portion203, and before the second pressing head5moves to the second surface of the second portion204, blow air to the portion to be bent202, so that the portion to be bent202and the body portion201are located in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

In this way, the first pressing head3is capable of being in well contact with the first surface S1of the first portion203, and the second pressing head5is capable of being in well contact with the second surface S2of the second portion204. Thus, when the first pressing head3is in contact with the first surface S1of the first portion203, the first pressing head3is prevented from scratching the first surface S1, so as to prevent devices or circuit structures disposed on the first surface S1from being damaged. Moreover, a contact area between the second pressing head5and the second surface S2of the second portion204is large, so that the second portion204is prevented from being in direct contact with the body portion201due to the separation of the second portion204from the second pressing head5in the bending process, which is caused by a fact that the second pressing head5cannot well adsorb the second surface S2of the second portion204due to a too small contact area.

A number of the blower(s)7is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as long as the portion to be bent202and the body portion201are able to be located in the same plane or substantially in the same plane. Here, “substantially in the same plane” may mean that a plane where the portion to be bent202is located and the plane where the body portion201is located have a small included angle therebetween, and the included angle is not more than 10 degrees.

In some other embodiments, as shown inFIG.14, the bending apparatus100may further include at least one support rod8connected to the carrier plate11. The at least one support rod8is configured to, before the first pressing head3moves to the first surface S1of the first portion203, and before the second pressing head5moves to the second surface S2of the second portion204, support the portion to be bent202, so that the portion to be bent202and the body portion201are located in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

In this way, the first pressing head3is capable of being in well contact with the first surface of the first portion203, and the second pressing head5is capable of being in well contact with the second surface of the second portion204. Thus, when the first pressing head3is in contact with the first surface S1of the first portion203, the first pressing head3is prevented from scratching the first surface S1, so as to prevent devices or circuit structures disposed on the first surface from being damaged. Moreover, this is conducive to preventing the second portion204from being in direct contact with the body portion201due to the separation of the second portion204from the second pressing head5in the bending process, which is caused by the fact that the second pressing head5cannot well adsorb the second surface S2of the second portion204due to a too small contact area between the second pressing head5and the second surface S2of the second portion204.

A number of the support rod(s)8is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as long as the portion to be bent202and the body portion201are able to be located in the same plane or substantially in the same plane. Here, “substantially in the same plane” may mean that the plane where the portion to be bent202is located and the plane where the body portion201is located have a small included angle therebetween, and the included angle is not more than 10 degrees.

In yet other embodiments, the bending apparatus100may include the at least one blower7and the at least one support rod8. This arrangement better enables the portion to be bent202and the body portion201to be located in the same plane or substantially in the same plane, thereby facilitating the first pressing head3to be in contact with the first surface S1of the first portion203, and facilitating the second pressing head5to be in contact with the second surface S2of the second portion204.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure further provide the device to be bent200, as shown inFIG.15, the device to be bent is a display module to be bent300. The display module to be bent300includes a display panel301, a COF (Chip On Film) circuit board302, a printed circuit board303, a flexible printed circuit304and a clock control circuit board305. An end of the COF circuit board302is bonded to the display panel301. An end of the printed circuit board303is bonded to another end of the COF circuit board302. An end of the flexible printed circuit304is bonded to another end of the printed circuit board303. An end of the clock control circuit board305is bonded to another end of the flexible printed circuit304.

It will be noted that the display panel301is the body portion201of the device to be bent200, the printed circuit board303is the first portion203of the device to be bent200, and the flexible printed circuit304is the second portion204of the device to be bent200.

For example, the display panel301may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display panel.

The device to be bent200provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure is the display module to be bent300. The end of the clock control circuit board305in the display module300is bonded to the end of the flexible printed circuit304away from the printed circuit board303. Compared with the related art in which a clock control circuit board is disposed on a printed circuit board, the device to be bent200provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure is bent twice to have a small thickness.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.15, the display module to be bent300may further include a first filling layer306disposed on a first side of the display panel301and a second filling layer307disposed on a second surface of the flexible printed circuit304. The first filling layer306is the first adhesive layer205of the device to be bent200, and the second filling layer307is the second adhesive layer206of the device to be bent.

The first filling layer306is used for adhering the printed circuit board303(i.e., the first portion203) to the display panel (i.e., the body portion201) in a bending process of the display module to be bent. The second filling layer307is used for adhering the printed circuit board303(i.e., the first portion203) to the flexible printed circuit304(i.e., the second portion204) in the bending process.

By providing the first filling layer306and the second filling layer307, the printed circuit board303is capable of being fixed to the display panel301, and the flexible printed circuit304is capable of being fixed to the printed circuit board303, so that after bending, the printed circuit board303and the flexible printed circuit304are prevented from bouncing away from the display panel. On another hand, by providing the first filling layer306and the second filling layer307, in the bent display module, a distance between the printed circuit board303and the display panel301is small, and a distance between the flexible printed circuit304and the printed circuit board303is small, which is conducive to reducing a thickness of the bent display module.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of machining the device to be bent200by using the bending apparatus100. As shown inFIG.16, the method includes following steps.

In S1, the fixing structure1of the bending apparatus100fixes the body portion201of the device to be bent200.

In S2, the first driving mechanism2of the bending apparatus100drives the first pressing head3to move to the first surface S1of the first portion203, and the second driving mechanism4of the bending apparatus100drives the second pressing head5to move to the second surface S2of the second portion204. The second surface S2and the first surface S1are respectively located on two sides of the portion to be bent202.

In S3, the first driving mechanism2drives the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, so that the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201. At the same time, the second driving mechanism4drives the second pressing head5to pull the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201.

In the machining method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first driving mechanism2drives the first pressing head3to push the first portion203to rotate to the first side of the body portion201, so that the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201. The second driving mechanism4drives the second pressing head5to pull the second portion204to rotate to the first side of the body portion201while the first pressing head3pushes the first portion203. Since the second pressing head5and the first pressing head3operate synchronously, and the second pressing head5is in contact with the second surface S2of the second portion204, when the first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the body portion201, and the second portion204is rotated to the first side of the body portion201, a portion of the portion to be bent202located on a side of the first portion203away from the body portion201is not easy to contact the body portion201. Thus, the bending apparatus100is capable of rotating the second portion204of the portion to be bent202to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201in a subsequent process of bending the device to be bent200. That is, two times of bending of the device to be bent200are realized.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.17, the machining method further includes following steps.

In S4, the first driving mechanism2drives the first pressing head3to move away from the first portion203.

In S5, after the first pressing head3moves away from the first portion203, the second driving mechanism4pushes the second portion204to rotate to the side of the first portion203away from the body portion201, so that the second portion204is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion203.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.9, the device to be bent200further includes the first adhesive layer205located on the surface M1of the body portion at the first side M. Based on this, referring toFIG.18, the machining method further includes a following step.

In S31, after the first pressing head3stops pushing the first portion203, and before the first pressing head3moves away from the first surface of the first portion203, the first pressing head3presses the first portion203, so that the first portion203is adhered to the body portion201through the first adhesive layer205.

In this way, after bending, the first portion203is not easy to bounce away from the body portion, so that the distance between the bent first portion203and the body portion201after bending may be small, and the thickness of the bent device may be small.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.10, the device to be bent200may include the second adhesive layer206located on the first surface S1′ of the second portion204. In this case, referring toFIG.18, the machining method further includes a following step.

In S51, after the second pressing head5stops pushing the second portion204, and before the second pressing head5moves away from the second surface S2of the second portion204, the second pressing head5presses the second portion204, so that the second portion204is adhered to the first portion203through the second adhesive layer206.

In this way, the second portion204is adhered to the first portion203, so that the second portion204is not easy to bounce away from the body portion201. After bending, the distance between the second portion204and the first portion203may be small, so that the thickness of the bent device is small.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide the bent device200A, and the bent device200A may be machined by using the machining method provided in any one of the above embodiments.

In some embodiments, the bent device200A is a bent display module300A. As shown inFIG.19, the bent display module300A includes a display panel301, a COF (Chip On Film) circuit board302, a printed circuit board303, a flexible printed circuit304and a clock control circuit board305. An end of the COF circuit board302is bonded to the display panel301. An end of the printed circuit board303is bonded to another end of the COF circuit board303. An end of the flexible printed circuit304is bonded to another end of the printed circuit board303. An end of the clock control circuit board305is bonded to another end of the flexible printed circuit304.

The display panel301is the body portion201of the device to be bent200, the printed circuit board303is the first portion203of the device to be bent200, and the flexible printed circuit304is the second portion204of the device to be bent200. The first portion203is parallel or substantially parallel to the display panel301, and the second portion204is parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion203.

In the bent device200A (e.g., the bent display module300A) provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the clock control circuit board305is disposed on the end of the flexible printed circuit304away from the printed circuit board303. Compared with the related art in which a clock control circuit board is disposed on a surface of a printed circuit board, the thickness of the bent device200A (e.g., the bent display module300A) provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure is small.

As shown inFIG.20, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device400. The display device400includes the bent device200A provided in any one of the above embodiments. For example, as shown inFIG.20, the bent device200A may be the bent display module300A.

The display device400may be any component with a display function, such as a television, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a watch, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, or a navigator.

Beneficial effects that can be achieved by the display device400provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure are the same as the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the bent device200A provided in the above technical solutions, and will not be repeated here.

In a case where the bent device200A is the bent display module300A, for example, as shown inFIG.20, the display device400may further include an optical adhesive401disposed on a second side of the display panel301in the bent display module300A, and a cover plate402located on a side of the optical adhesive401away from the bent display module300A. The optical adhesive401is configured to adhere the cover plate402to the display panel301. The cover plate402may protect the display panel301.