FLEXIBLE DISPLAY APPARATUS

A flexible display apparatus includes a display module, a metal plate and a sensor. The display module has a flexible area. The metal plate is disposed under the display module, and the metal plate includes a patterned portion overlapped with the flexible area. The sensor has a sensing layer disposed at a first side of the metal plate close to the display module and a sensing driving component electrically connected to the sensing layer and disposed at a second side of the metal plate opposite to the first side.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a flexible display apparatus, and more particularly to a flexible display apparatus having a sensor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Nowadays, a flexible display apparatus is an electronic product in the new generation, and thus, the requirement of the flexible display apparatus is enhanced correspondingly. In order to make the flexible display apparatus more convenient to use, the industry is committed to deploying sensor(s) in the flexible display apparatus, such as a touch sensor, a pen sensor and/or a fingerprint sensor. In the design of the flexible display apparatus, it should be considered whether the flexible, bending and/or rollable area of the flexible display apparatus would affect yield, reliability, breakdown possibility and other factor (s) of the sensor. Accordingly, it is an important issue of producing a high-quality flexible display apparatus with the sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a flexible display apparatus including a display module, a metal plate and a sensor. The display module has a flexible area. The metal plate is disposed under the display module, and the metal plate includes a patterned portion overlapped with the flexible area. The sensor has a sensing layer disposed at a first side of the metal plate close to the display module and a sensing driving component electrically connected to the sensing layer and disposed at a second side of the metal plate opposite to the first side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terms are used throughout the description and following claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will understand, electronic equipment manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following description and in the claims, the terms “include”, “comprise” and “have” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to . . . ”. Thus, when the terms “include”, “comprise” and/or “have” are used in the description of the present disclosure, the corresponding features, areas, steps, operations and/or components would be pointed to existence, but not limited to the existence of one or a plurality of the corresponding features, areas, steps, operations and/or components.

The directional terms used throughout the description and following claims, such as: “on”, “up”, “above”, “down”, “below”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “left”, “right”, etc., are only directions referring to the drawings. Therefore, the directional terms are used for explaining and not used for limiting the present disclosure. Regarding the drawings, the drawings show the general characteristics of methods, structures, and/or materials used in specific embodiments. However, the drawings should not be construed as defining or limiting the scope or properties encompassed by these embodiments. For example, for clarity, the relative size, thickness, and position of each layer, each area, and/or each structure may be reduced or enlarged.

When the corresponding component such as layer or area is referred to “on another component”, it maybe directly on this another component, or other component (s) may exist between them. On the other hand, when the component is referred to “directly on another component (or the variant thereof)”, any component does not exist between them. Furthermore, when the corresponding component is referred to “on another component”, the corresponding component and the another component have a disposition relationship along a top-view/vertical direction, the corresponding component may be below or above the another component, and the disposition relationship along the top-view/vertical direction are determined by an orientation of the device.

It will be understood that when a component or layer is referred to as being “connected to” another component or layer, it can be directly connected to this another component or layer, or intervening components or layers may be presented. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” another component or layer, there are no intervening components or layers presented. In addition, when the component is referred to “be coupled to/with another component (or the variant thereof)”, it may be directly connected to this another component, or may be indirectly connected (such as electrically connected) to this another component through other component(s).

The terms “about”, “substantially”, “equal”, or “same” generally mean within 20% of a given value or range, or mean within 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range.

Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., maybe used to describe diverse constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only to discriminate a constituent element from other constituent elements in the specification, and these terms have no relation to the manufacturing order of these constituent components. The claims may not use the same terms, but instead may use the terms first, second, third, etc. with respect to the order in which an element is claimed. Accordingly, in the following description, a first constituent element may be a second constituent element in a claim.

In the description and following claims, it should be noted that the term “overlap” means that two elements overlap along the top-view/vertical direction. In the description and following claims, the term “parallel” means that an angle between two elements is less than or equal to the specific degree(s), such as 5 degrees, 3 degrees or 1 degree.

In the present disclosure, the flexible display apparatus includes a display function and a sensing function, and the flexible display apparatus may optionally an antenna function, other suitable function(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the flexible display apparatus may include a tiled device, but not limited thereto. The light emitting device of the present disclosure may be a self-luminous type display device. For example, the flexible display apparatus may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an inorganic light-emitting diode (LED) such as a micro-LED and/or a mini-LED, quantum dots (QDs) material, a quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED, QDLED), fluorescence material, phosphor material, other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. Moreover, the flexible display apparatus may be a color display device or a monochrome display device, and a shape of the flexible display apparatus may be a rectangle, a circle, a polygon, a shape having a curved edge or other suitable shape, but not limited thereto.

The flexible display apparatus may include a plurality of pixels, and the pixel may include at least one sub-pixel. In some embodiments, if the flexible display apparatus is a color display device, one pixel may include three sub-pixels for instance, such as a green sub-pixel, a red sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel, but not limited thereto. The number and color of the sub-pixel(s) included in the pixel may be adjusted based on requirement(s). In some embodiments, if the flexible display apparatus is a monochrome display device, one pixel may include one sub-pixel for instance, but not limited thereto. The number of the pixels, the arrangement of the pixels, the number of the sub-pixels and the arrangement of the sub-pixels may be adjusted based on requirement(s). For example, the sub-pixels maybe arranged in matrix, stripe type, staggered type or any other suitable arrangement. In addition, the top-view shape of a light emitting portion of the sub-pixel may be a rectangle, a parallelogram, a chevron, a shape having a curved edge or other suitable shape. The top-view shape of the light emitting portion of the sub-pixel may be determined by an opening of a light shielding layer.

In the following, in order to explain exemplarily, the flexible display apparatus is a color display device having light-emitting diodes (e.g., organic light-emitting diodes, inorganic light-emitting diodes or quantum-dot light-emitting diodes) as an example, but the flexible display apparatus is not limited thereto. Note that “the flexible display apparatus” of the present disclosure means that the displace device has at least one flexible area, wherein each flexible area may be at least a portion of the flexible display apparatus, and the flexible display apparatus can be can be flexed, curled, folded or rolled (these actions will be referred as “bend” or “bent” in the following) in the flexible area. For example, the flexible display apparatus may be a foldable display device, a stretchable display device or a rollable display device, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.1is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a flexible display apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2andFIG.3are schematic diagrams showing a cross-sectional view of the flexible display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, whereinFIG.2shows the flexible display apparatus without bending,FIG.2shows a structure taken along a cross-sectional line C-C′ inFIG.1, andFIG.3shows the flexible display apparatus where a portion is bent.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, the present disclosure provides a flexible display apparatus including a display module DM, a metal plate MB and a sensor SN. The display module DM may have a flexible area, such as a first flexible area100band a second flexible area100a.The metal plate MB is disposed under the display module DM. The metal plate MB has a first side MBa and a second side MBb opposite to each other. For instance, after the flexible display apparatus is bent along a first bending axis102bsituated in the first flexible area100b,inFIG.3, the first side MBa is a side of a top surface of the metal plate MB (the first side MBa is a side close to the display module DM), and the second side MBb is a side of a bottom surface of the metal plate MB, but not limited thereto. The metal plate MB includes the patterned portion192aoverlapped with the flexible area (e.g., the second flexible area100a) . The sensor SN has a sensing layer Ls and a driving component (e.g., the sensing driving component SD), and the driving component is electrically connected to the sensing layer Ls.

As shown inFIG.3andFIG.5, the sensing layer Ls includes a second flexible substrate170and a plurality of sensing components172. The sensing components172may be disposed on the second flexible substrate170. The sensing layer Ls is disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB close to the display module DM, the driving component (e.g., the sensing driving component SD) is electrically connected to the sensing layer Ls and disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB opposite to the first side MBa. According to the above, the sensing layer Ls of the sensor SN is disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB close to the display module DM, so as to prevent the sensing signal from being shielded by the metal plate MB. In some embodiments, the sensor SN may be a pen sensor PSN, thereby preventing signal(s) of a touch pen TP from being shielded by the metal plate MB. The sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN is disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB, such that the sensing driving component SD may not occupy an area of a display face of the flexible display apparatus100, thereby achieving a narrow-border effect.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, the flexible display apparatus100may include the flexible area(s), and the number of the flexible area(s) may be designed based on requirement(s). InFIG.1toFIG.3, the display module DM may include a first flexible area100band a second flexible area100a.As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, the first flexible area100bmay be bent along the first bending axis102b,and the second flexible area100amay be bent along the second bending axis102a.According to some embodiments, the first bending axis102bof the first flexible area100bmaybe parallel to the second bending axis102aof the second flexible area100a.In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), the second flexible area100amay be a foldable area, such that the flexible display apparatus100may be a foldable display device, but not limited thereto. Moreover, the flexible display apparatus100may optionally include a non-flexible area100n,and the non-flexible area100nof the flexible display apparatus100cannot be bent. For instance, inFIG.2andFIG.3, the second flexible area100amay be situated between two non-flexible areas100n, but not limited thereto.

InFIG.1toFIG.3, the metal plate MB includes a patterned portion192ain the second flexible area100a(i.e., the patterned portion192ais overlapped with the second flexible area100a), wherein the patterned portion192amay make the second flexible area100aof the flexible display apparatus100be bent easily. In the present disclosure, the patterned portion192amay have any suitable pattern and be formed by any suitable manufacturing process. For example, inFIG.1toFIG.3, the patterned portion192amay include a plurality of slits SL, but not limited thereto. The second bending axis102amay extend along a first direction (a direction Y). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.1), the slit SL may extend the first direction (the direction Y), and the extending direction of the slit SL may be the same as the extending direction of the second bending axis102a,but not limited thereto. The patterned portion192amay include a plurality of columns of the slits SL, and the direction of the column is the first direction. The slits SL in two adjacent columns may be misaligned. Specifically, the slits SL1and SL2are in two adjacent columns, and the slits SL1and SL2may be misaligned in a second direction (a direction X) perpendicular to the first direction, but not limited thereto. For instance, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may be formed by a mechanical process, but not limited thereto. The metal plate MB is disposed under the display module DM in a third direction (a direction Z). The first direction (the direction Y), the second direction (the direction X), and the third direction (the direction Z) may be different. For instance the first direction (the direction Y), the second direction (the direction X), and the third direction (the direction Z) may be perpendicular to each other, but not limited thereto.

The metal plate MB may be a single-layer metal plate or a multi-layer plate having at least one metal layer, wherein the metal plate MB may include any suitable metal material, such as copper, iron, steel, nickel, other suitable metal material(s) or a combination thereof. The metal plate MB may optionally include non-metallic material, such as carbon. For example, in some embodiments, the metal plate MB may be a multi-layer plate including a stainless steel layer192, a copper layer194and a graphite layer196. For example, the metal plate MB may include the graphite layer196and the stainless steel layer192disposed on the graphite layer196. That is to say, compared with the graphite layer196, the stainless steel layer192is closer to the display module DM, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.4, and simultaneously referringFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.4is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the display module of the flexible display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.1toFIG.4, the flexible display apparatus100may include the display module DM, and the metal plate MB is disposed under the display module DM (under the condition that the flexible display apparatus100is not bent, the whole display module DM is disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB, such that the first side MBa of the metal plate MB is a side close to the display module DM), wherein the display module DM may perform a display function in a display region, so as to display a corresponding image according to electric signal(s). In detail, inFIG.4, the display module DM may include a display layer Ld and a cover layer130. The display layer Ld may include a first flexible substrate110and a circuit component layer120. The circuit component layer120and the cover layer130are disposed on the first flexible substrate110, and the circuit component layer120is between the cover layer130and the first flexible substrate110.

In the present disclosure, the first flexible substrate110may include any suitable flexible material, such as polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ultra-thin glass (UTG), silicon oxide (SiOx), other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto.

The circuit component layer120may include at least one conductive layer, at least one insulating layer, at least one semiconductor layer, other suitable layer(s) or a combination thereof, so as to form a multi-layer structure. The material of the conductive layer may include metal, transparent conductive material (such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), etc.), other suitable conductive material(s) or a combination thereof, the material of the insulating layer may include such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNy), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), organic material (e.g., photosensitive resin), other suitable insulating material(s) or a combination thereof, the material of the semiconductor layer may include such as poly-silicon, amorphous silicon, metal-oxide semiconductor (e.g., IGZO), other suitable semiconductor material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto.

The circuit component layer120may include the corresponding component(s) and/or the corresponding structure(s) based on the function had in the display module DM. For example, the circuit component layer120may include a switch component122(e.g., a thin film transistor), a light emitting element124, a capacitor, a conductive trace (e.g., a scan line and/or a data line), a display driving circuit (e.g., a gate driving circuit), other suitable component(s) or a combination thereof, thereby displaying an image.

In some embodiments, the light emitting element124may be a light-emitting diode (e.g., an organic light-emitting diode, an inorganic light-emitting diode or a quantum-dot light-emitting diode) and be disposed in the display region. The light emitting element124may be a micro-LED or a mini-LED. For instance, inFIG.4, the light emitting element124may include an electrode124a,an electrode124band a light emitting layer124cdisposed between the electrode124aand the electrode124b,but not limited thereto. Each light emitting element124may be individually included in one of the sub-pixels to be a portion of this sub-pixel, and may be electrically connected to at least one component in the circuit component layer120(e.g., the switch component122in the sub pixel). For instance, in some embodiments, each sub-pixel may include one light emitting element124or a plurality of light emitting elements124. In some embodiments, the light emitting element124may provide the light with the corresponding light intensity according to the received voltage and/or current.

In some embodiments, the color of the light emitted from the light emitting element124may be designed based on requirement(s). For example, the color or the light emitted from the light emitting element124may be based on the sub-pixel where this light emitting element124is disposed, wherein the emitting light maybe red light, green light or blue light, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, all of the light emitting elements124may emit the same color light, and the display module DM may further include a light converting layer (not shown in figures) disposed on the light emitting element124, so as to convert (or filter) the light emitted from the light emitting element124into another light with different color. The light converting layer may include color filter, quantum dots (QD) material, fluorescence material, phosphorescence material, other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof. For instance, the light emitting element124may emit white light, the light converting layer may convert the white light into another color light which the sub-pixel needs, such as red light, green light or blue light, but not limited thereto. For instance, the light emitting element124may emit blue light, the light converting layer may convert the blue light into another color light which the sub-pixel needs, such as red light or green light, or may not convert to maintain the blue light, but not limited thereto.

In addition, inFIG.4, the circuit component layer120of the display module DM may optionally include a pixel defining layer PDL disposed between two light emitting elements124and/or two sub-pixels, so as to separate the light emitting elements124from each other and/or separate the sub-pixel from each other. The pixel defining layer PDL may be a single-layer structure or a composite structure, and may include insulating material, reflective material, other suitable material (s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. Furthermore, the display module DM may optionally include an encapsulating layer126disposed on the light emitting element124, so as to protect the light emitting element124. The material of the encapsulating layer126may be any suitable insulating material, such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNy), silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy), other suitable insulating material(s) or a combination thereof.

The cover layer130configured to protect the structures (e.g., the circuit component layer120) which are covered by the cover layer130, and at least a portion of the cover layer130may be flexible. In some embodiments, the cover layer130may be a single-layer flexible structure or a multi-layer flexible structure, and the cover layer130may include any suitable flexible material, such as PI, PET, UTG, silicon oxide, other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. For instance, the cover layer130shown inFIG.4may be a multi-layer flexible structure (a layer P1, a layer P2and a layer P3), the layer P1and the layer P3may include PET, the layer P2disposed between the layer P1and the layer P3may include UTG, but not limited thereto. For instance, the thickness of the layer P1and the thickness of the layer P3may range from 20 μm to 60 μm, and the thickness of the layer P2may range from 10 μm to 40 μm, but not limited thereto. InFIG.4, for example, the layer P1may adhere to the layer P2through an adhering layer AL4, and the layer P2may adhere to the layer P3through an adhering layer AL5, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, an outer surface130aof the cover layer130may be a light outputting surface of the flexible display apparatus100, wherein the light outputting surface of the flexible display apparatus100is an outermost surface which the light provided from the flexible display apparatus100passes through, but not limited thereto.

The display module DM may further include an optical layer140, such as a polarizer and/or an anti-reflection film, disposed at any suitable position, but not limited thereto. For example, inFIG.4, the optical layer140may be disposed between the cover layer130and the circuit component layer120, but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.4, the display module DM may optionally include a supporting layer SF configured to support the first flexible substrate110. For instance, inFIG.4, the supporting layer SF may be adhered to the first flexible substrate110through the adhering layer AL3, such that the first flexible substrate110is between the supporting layer SF and the circuit component layer120, but not limited thereto. The supporting layer SF may include any suitable material, such as PI, PET or other suitable flexible material(s), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display module DM may not include the supporting layer SF, and the sensor SN under the display module DM may be adhered to the display module DM through the adhering layer AL1(as shown inFIG.3andFIG.4). In detail, the sensor SN may be adhered to the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM. Although there is no supporting layer SF, the second flexible substrate170of the sensing layer Ls may provide the supporting function.

As shown inFIG.3, the display module DM may further include a display driving component DD disposed on the first flexible substrate110. For example, at least a portion of the display driving component DD (e.g., the gate driving circuit) may be disposed in the circuit component layer120.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, the display driving component DD of the display module DM may include a first circuit board150disposed on the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM. The first circuit board150may include a board body152and any suitable electronic component disposed on the board body152. The board body152may be a rigid board body or a flexible board body, such that the first circuit board150may be a rigid printed circuit or a flexible printed circuit (FPCB) based on requirement(s). For example, the first circuit board150may include any suitable electronic component (e.g., a bonding pad158, a trace, a chip154, a connecting element156, etc.) disposed on the flexible board body152, such that the first circuit board150may be a flexible printed circuit assembly (FPCA), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first circuit board150may be connected to the first flexible substrate110through a solder, and the first circuit board150may be electrically connected to the electronic component of the display module DM through the bonding pad158, the solder and the bonding pad of the first flexible substrate110. For instance, the chip154of the first circuit board150may drive the component (e.g., the light emitting element124, the driving circuit, etc.) of the display module DM, but not limited thereto. The connecting element156of the first circuit board150may be configured to be connected to an outer device (e.g., a voltage source), but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the display driving component DD of the display module DM may optionally include a driving chip160disposed on (or bonded to) the first flexible substrate110, wherein the driving chip160is configured to drive the component (e.g., the light emitting element124, the driving circuit, etc.) in the display module DM, but not limited thereto.

Moreover, the display module DM may optionally include other suitable component(s) and/or structure(s). In some embodiments, the display module DM may further include a light shielding layer configured to divide the sub-pixels and shield some components, so as to reduce the probability that the external light is reflected by the flexible display apparatus100, thereby increasing the display quality, but not limited thereto. The light shielding layer may include photoresist, ink, resin, pigment, other suitable light shielding material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.5andFIG.6, and simultaneously referringFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.5is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the sensor SN of the flexible display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.6is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a structure taken along a cross-sectional line A-A′ inFIG.5. As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.5andFIG.6, the flexible display apparatus100may include the sensor SN configured to perform a sensing function. For example, the sensor SN may include a touch sensor, a pen sensor, a fingerprint sensor, other suitable sensor(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. InFIG.2andFIG.3, the metal plate MB may be disposed under the sensor SN (under the condition that the flexible display apparatus100is not bent, the whole sensor SN is disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB). For example, inFIG.2andFIG.3, the sensor SN (e.g., a pen sensor PSN) may be disposed between the metal plate MB and the display module DM, but not limited thereto.

InFIG.5andFIG.6, the sensor SN may include a sensing layer Ls and a sensing driving component SD which are electrically connected to each other. In detail, the sensing layer Ls may include a second flexible substrate170and a sensing component172, wherein the sensing component172may have a pattern and disposed on the second flexible substrate170. The sensing driving component SD may include a second circuit board180. The second circuit board180may include a flexible board body182, a connecting element186and a bonding pad188, wherein the connecting element186and the bonding pad188may be disposed on the flexible board body182. The connecting element186maybe configured to be connected to an outer device (e.g., a voltage source), but not limited thereto. The sensing component172of the sensing layer Ls may be electrically connected to the electronic component of the sensing driving component SD through the bonding pad188of the sensing driving component SD. In the present disclosure, the second flexible substrate170may include any suitable flexible material, such as PI, PET, UTG, silicon oxide, other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. The material of the second flexible substrate170of the sensor SN may be the same as or different from the material of the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM. For instance, the second flexible substrate170may include two polyimide layers and a silicon oxide layer between two polyimide layers, so as to enhance the effect of the second flexible substrate170to block the moisture or the oxygen, but not limited thereto.

The sensing component172may be disposed on the second flexible substrate170and disposed in a sensing region of the sensor SN, and the sensing component172may include any suitable conductive material. The sensing component172may be designed according to the type of the sensor SN, and the corresponding sensing function may be performed based on the design of the sensing component172. For instance, the sensing component172may include at least one sensing unit174, at least one conductive trace or other suitable component(s), but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the sensor SN may be a pen sensor PSN. For example, the pen sensor PSN may be an electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) pen sensor, an active electrostatic solution (AES) pen sensor or other suitable pen sensor. An exemplary explanation of the pen sensor PSN is described in the following under the condition that the pen sensor PSN is the EMR pen sensor, andFIG.7toFIG.9which show the structure of the EMR pen sensor are simultaneously referred (FIG.8is an enlarging schematic diagram showing a structure in a region RR inFIG.7, andFIG.9is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a structure taken along a cross-sectional line B-B′ inFIG.8).

As shown inFIG.7toFIG.9, a touch pen sensing component172pof the pen sensor PSN may include a first conductive layer CL1, a first insulating layer IL1, a second conductive layer CL2and a second insulating layer IL2, wherein the first insulating layer IL1is disposed between the first conductive layer CL1and the second conductive layer CL2, and the second conductive layer CL2is disposed between the second insulating layer IL2and the first insulating layer IL1. The material of the first conductive layer CL1and the material of the second conductive layer CL2may include such as metal, transparent conductive material (e.g., ITO, IZO, etc.), other suitable conductive material(s) or a combination thereof, and the material of the first insulating layer IL1and the material of the second insulating layer IL2may include such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, organic material (e.g., photosensitive resin), other suitable insulating material(s) or a combination thereof.

The touch pen sensing component172pof the pen sensor PSN may include a plurality of first sensing lines176aand a plurality of second sensing lines176b,wherein the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bmay have a U-shape pattern in the top view, and the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bbelong to different conductive layers. For instance, the first conductive layer CL1may include the first sensing lines176a,and the second conductive layer CL2may include the second sensing lines176b.InFIG.7, the first sensing lines176aand the second sensing lines176bform a plurality of closed patterns (e.g., multiple rectangular patterns arranged in a grid shown inFIG.7) in the top view, but not limited thereto.

InFIG.7toFIG.9, in the touch pen sensing component172p,the overlap of the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bmay form a touch pen sensing unit174p(e.g.,FIG.8shows25touch pen sensing units174p). Under the condition that the pen sensor PSN is the EMR pen sensor, the touch pen sensing component172pmay include a plurality of digitizer sensors serving as the touch pen sensing units174p,but not limited thereto.

Optionally, in some embodiments (as shown inFIG.8), a horizontal size Wu1(in the direction Y) of the touch pen sensing unit174pmay be greater than a width Wd1of the first sensing line176a,a horizontal size Wu2(in the direction X) of the touch pen sensing unit174pmaybe greater than a width Wd2of the second sensing line176b,so as to increase the sensing area of the touch pen sensing component172p,but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, both of the horizontal size Wu1(in the direction Y) and the horizontal size Wu2(in the direction X) of the touch pen sensing unit174pmay be greater than the width Wd1of the first sensing line176aand the width Wd2of the second sensing line176b.Optionally, in some embodiments (as shown inFIG.8), the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bmay have a plurality of holes H, so as to decrease the possibility of the damage on the first sensing line176aand/or the second sensing line176bcaused by the bend of the flexible display apparatus100, but not limited thereto.

InFIG.7toFIG.9, the pen sensor PSN may generate an electromagnetic field through the configuration of the first sensing lines176aand the second sensing lines176b,and the touch pen TP (as shown inFIG.3) may affect the electromagnetic field, such that the touch pen sensing unit174p(e.g., the digitizer sensor) in the touch pen sensing component172pmay detect the information (e.g. the touch position, the moving direction and/or the touch pressure) of the touch pen, thereby performing the touch pen sensing function. For instance, the touch pen TP may include a capacitor for affecting the electromagnetic field, but not limited thereto.

In the present disclosure, the operation of the touch pen TP may be designed based on requirement(s). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), the pen sensor PSN may perform the touch pen sensing function under the condition that the touch pen TP is not in contact with the flexible display apparatus100(i.e., a distance Ds2exists between the touch pen TP and the flexible display apparatus100) and/or under the condition that the touch pen TP is in contact with the flexible display apparatus100(i.e., the distance Ds2is 0). For example, the distance Ds2may be greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 50 mm, but not limited thereto. When the touch pen TP is not in contact with the flexible display apparatus100, the sensing power of the pen sensor PSN needs to be increased (e.g., the driving voltage is increased). When the touch pen TP is in contact with the flexible display apparatus100, a hardness of the touch pen TP may be less than a hardness of an outmost structure of the flexible display apparatus100(e.g., the hardness of the cover layer130) or less than a hardness of the whole structure of the flexible display apparatus100. For instance, the hardness of the whole structure of the flexible display apparatus100maybe measured from the outmost structure. For example, the hardness of the nib of the touch pen TP may be 8B, and the hardness the outmost structure of the flexible display apparatus100or the whole structure of the flexible display apparatus100may range from 6B to 2H, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the sensor SN may be a touch sensor to sense the touch position of the finger(s) and/or the movement of the finger(s), wherein the touch sensor may be such as a capacitive touch sensor (the touch position of the finger(s) and/or the movement of the finger(s) may be sensed by detecting the coupling between the touch sensing unit of the touch sensing component and the finger(s)), a resistive touch sensor (the touch position of the finger (s) and/or the movement of the finger(s) may be sensed by detecting the conduction of the touch sensing unit affected by the finger(s) pressing on the touch sensing unit) or other suitable touch sensor. For example, in some embodiments, the touch sensing unit of the touch sensing component in the touch sensor may be a touch sensing electrode, but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the sensor SN may be a fingerprint sensor configured to sense a biometric feature (e.g., a fingerprint), wherein the fingerprint sensor may be such as a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an optical fingerprint sensor, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor or other suitable fingerprint sensor. In some embodiments using the capacitive fingerprint sensor, a fingerprint sensing unit of a fingerprint sensing component may include such as an electrode, a capacitor or other suitable capacitor sensing unit, such that when the fingerprint sensing unit senses, a capacitance of a corresponding region of the biometric feature (e.g., the fingerprint) is obtained, and the biometric feature identification may be processed according to the differences of the capacitances of all sensing regions (i.e., a capacitance corresponding to a fingerprint ridge region is different from a capacitance corresponding to a fingerprint valley region), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments using the optical fingerprint sensor, a fingerprint sensing unit of a fingerprint sensing component may include a PIN diode (having a P-type semiconductor layer, an intrinsic layer and an N-type semiconductor layer) or other suitable photoelectric conversion unit, and the biometric feature identification may be performed according to light intensity of reflective light reflected from the biometric feature and received by the fingerprint sensing unit during sensing period (e.g., the light intensities of the light reflected from the fingerprint ridge and the light reflected from the fingerprint valley are different), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments using the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a fingerprint sensing unit of a fingerprint sensing component may include such as an ultrasonic receiving generating unit, which includes two electrodes and a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between these two electrodes, but not limited thereto. In the sensing process, a suitable voltage difference may be applied on two electrodes of the ultrasonic receiving generating unit to deform the piezoelectric layer (e.g., rapid vibration) for generating an ultrasonic wave, and the ultrasonic wave may be reflected to be a reflective ultrasonic wave with corresponding intensity based on the profile of the biometric feature (e.g., the intensities of the reflective ultrasonic wave of the fingerprint ridge and the reflective ultrasonic wave of the fingerprint valley are different). Then, the piezoelectric layer of the ultrasonic receiving generating unit may correspondingly deform (e.g., rapid vibration) after receiving the reflective ultrasonic wave, thereby generating a voltage difference between the two electrodes. Finally, the biometric feature identification may be performed according to the differences of the generated voltage differences (the generated voltage difference corresponding to the fingerprint ridge region is different from the generated voltage difference corresponding to the fingerprint valley region), but not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.5andFIG.6, the sensing driving component SD may include the second circuit board180disposed on the second flexible substrate170of the sensor SN. The board body182of the second circuit board180may be a rigid board body or a flexible board body, such that the second circuit board180may be a rigid printed circuit or a flexible printed circuit (FPCB) based on requirement(s). For instance, the second circuit board180may include any suitable electronic component (e.g., a bonding pad188, a trace, a chip, a connecting element186, etc.) disposed on the flexible board body182, such that the second circuit board180may be a flexible printed circuit assembly (FPCA), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second circuit board180may be connected to the second flexible substrate170through a solder, and the second circuit board180may be electrically connected to the electronic component of the sensor SN through the bonding pad188, the solder and the bonding pad178of the second flexible substrate170. For example, the chip of the second circuit board180may drive the sensing component172(e.g., the sensing unit174) of the sensor SN, but not limited thereto. The connecting element186of the second circuit board180maybe configured to be connected to an outer device (e.g., a voltage source), but not limited thereto.

The sensing unit174of the sensing component172in the sensor SN may be connected to the bonding pad178disposed on the second flexible substrate170and outside the sensing region SR through the trace, so as to be electrically connected to the electronic component of the second circuit board180(e.g., the chip). For instance, inFIG.7, the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bmay be electrically connected to the bonding pad178on the second flexible substrate170, and therefore, the touch pen sensing unit174pof the touch pen sensing component172pmay be electrically connected to the second circuit board180through the first sensing line176aand/or the second sensing line176b.According to some embodiments, for instance, a conductive line fan-out region may exist between the bonding pad178on the second flexible substrate170and the sensing region SR, such that the first sensing line176aand the second sensing line176bmay be fanned out in the conductive line fan-out region.

Furthermore, the sensor SN may optionally include any suitable component (s) based on requirement(s). For example, the sensor SN may further include an inductive charging element (e.g., an inductive coil) configured to wirelessly charge the touch pen, but not limited thereto. For instance, in addition to the second circuit board180, the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN may further include other component(s) disposed on the second flexible substrate170based on requirement(s).

In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.1), a space W may exist between an edge of the sensor SN and an edge of the metal plate MB, and this space W may be a place where an outer shell of the flexible display apparatus100is disposed. For instance, the space W may range from 20 μm to 200 μm, so as to make the flexible display apparatus100have the narrow border, but not limited thereto.

In the present disclosure, the flexible display apparatus100may include one sensor SN or a plurality of sensors SN. For example, in addition to the pen sensor PSN, the flexible display apparatus100may optionally include a touch sensor TSN (i.e., a kind of the sensor SN), and the touch sensor TSN may be disposed at any suitable position. For instance, the touch sensor TSN inFIG.4maybe disposed between the light emitting element124and the cover layer130of the display module DM, but not limited thereto. InFIG.4, a touch sensing component of the touch sensor TSN may include a touch sensing unit174thaving a touch electrode and an insulating layer175(e.g., an optical clear adhesive (OCA)) configured to protect the touch sensing unit174t,but not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the touch sensor TSN may be disposed in the display module DM, and thus, the chip154of the first circuit board150may drive the touch sensing unit174tof the touch sensor TSN and the light emitting element124of the display module DM (i.e., the chip154may be a touch and display driver integration (TDDI)), but not limited thereto.

Moreover, in the top view, a sensing area of the sensor SN and a resolution of the sensor SN may be designed based on requirement(s). If the flexible display apparatus100includes a plurality of sensors SN, the relations between the sensing areas of the sensors SN may be designed based on requirement(s).

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, in the top view, the first circuit board150of the display module DM and the second circuit board180of the sensor SN may be disposed on the same side of the flexible display apparatus100, but not limited thereto. In detail, as shown inFIG.1, the flexible display apparatus100has a first side E1and a second side E2which are opposite to each other in the second direction (the direction X). The first circuit board150and the second circuit board180may be disposed on the second side E2. According to some embodiments, as shown in the top view ofFIG.1, under the condition that the flexible display100is bent or not bent, the first circuit board150of the display module DM partially overlaps the second circuit board180of the sensor SN. InFIG.1, the connecting element156of the first circuit board150may not overlap the second circuit board180, and the connecting element186of the second circuit board180may not overlap the first circuit board150. InFIG.1, the connecting element156of the first circuit board150and the connecting element186of the second circuit board180may be misaligned with each other. For example, the connecting element156may be misaligned with the connecting element186in the first direction (the direction Y).

In the present disclosure, the flexible display apparatus100may further include other suitable component(s) and/or structure(s). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.2andFIG.3), the flexible display apparatus100may include an adhering layer AL1and an adhering layer AL2, wherein the sensor SN (e.g., the pen sensor PSN) may be adhered to the metal plate MB through the adhering layer AL2, and the display module DM may be adhered to the sensor SN (e.g., the pen sensor PSN) through the adhering layer AL1, but not limited thereto.

The flexible display apparatus100may be bent based on requirement(s). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.2andFIG.3), the first flexible area100bof the flexible display apparatus100maybe bent along the first bending axis102b,so as to bend a portion of the sensor SN (e.g., the pen sensor PSN) and a portion of the display module DM to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB opposite to the first side MBa (i.e., the second side MBb is a side away from the display module DM), thereby forming the flexible display apparatus100shown inFIG.3.

Therefore, in some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), a portion of the sensor SN (e.g., the sensing component172) may be disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB, and another portion of the sensor SN (e.g., the sensing driving component SD) maybe disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB due to the aforementioned bend. For instance, in the pen sensor PSN shown inFIG.3, the touch pen sensing component172pmay be disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB, and the second circuit board180of the sensing driving component SD may be disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB. In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), the second circuit board180of the sensing driving component SD may be adhered to the metal plate MB, such that the second circuit board180may be fixed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB, but not limited thereto. Similarly, in some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), according to the aforementioned bend, a portion of the display module DM (e.g., the light emitting element124, the optical layer140, the cover layer130) may be disposed at the first side MBa of the metal plate MB, and another portion of the display module DM (e.g., the display driving component DD) may be disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB due to the aforementioned bend. For instance, the first circuit board150of the display driving component DD may be disposed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first circuit board150of the display driving component DD may be adhered to the metal plate MB, such that the first circuit board150may be fixed at the second side MBb of the metal plate MB, but not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, as shown inFIG.1, since a portion of the first circuit board150does not overlap a portion of the second circuit board180, the first circuit board150may be adhered to the metal plate MB at a portion that does not overlap the second circuit board180.

Regarding the bend of the first flexible area100bof the flexible display apparatus100, the bending structure of the first flexible area100bmay be designed based on requirement(s). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.3), a portion PORs of the sensing layer Ls may be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB along the first bending axis102b,and a portion PORd of the display module DM (e.g., a portion of the first flexible substrate110and/or a portion of the light emitting element124) may be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB along the first bending axis102b,but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the portion PORd of the display module DM may be overlapped with the sensing driving component SD.

In the present disclosure, since some structures of the flexible display apparatus100(e.g., the first circuit board150and the second circuit board180) may be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB, a non-display region (or a peripheral region) may be reduced, thereby reducing a horizontal size of the flexible display apparatus100.

Moreover, inFIG.3, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may be overlapped with the sensing layer Ls of the sensor SN and not be overlapped with the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN. Or, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may not be overlapped with the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB. Namely, the second flexible area100amay not be overlapped with the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN (or not be overlapped with the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB), and thus, this sensing driving component SD may not influence the bend of the second flexible area100a.For instance, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may not be overlapped with the second circuit board180of the sensor SN, but not limited thereto. Optionally, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may not be overlapped with the display driving component DD of the display module DM (or not be overlapped with the display driving component DD of the display module DM bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB). For instance, the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB may not be overlapped with the first circuit board150of the display module DM, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.10toFIG.12, and simultaneously referringFIG.1toFIG.3,FIG.10andFIG.11are schematic diagrams illustrating structures at different stages in the forming process of the flexible display apparatus100according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.12is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the display module and the sensor of the flexible display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.10, the display module DM and the sensor SN may be formed individually, and the adhering layer AL1may be disposed on the sensor SN. For example, the adhering layer AL1may be disposed on the sensing layer Ls of the sensor SN. InFIG.10, a release film RL may be disposed on the adhering layer AL1, so as to protect the adhering layer AL1and provide the supporting function of the sensor SN, thereby enhancing the yield rate of the sensor SN.

Then, as shown inFIG.11, the release film RL is removed, and the sensor SN is adhered to the display module DM through the adhering layer AL1, wherein a pressure may be provided to make the adhering layer AL1adhered between the sensor SN and the display module DM. For instance, during the adhesion of the sensor SN and the display module DM, a roller may be used to roll on the side of the sensor SN opposite to the adhering layer AL1, so as to adhere the sensor SN and the display module DM. In order to increase the adhering yield rate of the adhering layer AL1, and to decrease the possibility of the peeling of the sensor SN and the display module DM caused by the bend of the flexible display apparatus100, the adhering force of the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the sensor SN and/or the adhering force of the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the display module DM should be enhanced. For instance, inFIG.12, the roller may enhance the providing pressure at the edge of the sensor SN and/or at the edge of the display module DM, so as to enhance the adhering force of the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the sensor SN and/or the adhering force of the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the display module DM. In this case, as shown inFIG.12, the thickness of the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the sensor SN and/or the thickness of the adhering layer AL1at the edge Ell of the display module DM maybe less than the thickness of other portion of the adhering layer AL1. For instance, the adhering layer AL1at the edge of the sensor SN and/or the adhering layer AL1at the edge Ell of the display module DM may have a first thickness Tl, and a position of the adhering layer AL1at a distance Ds1from the edge of the sensor SN and/or the edge Ell of the display module DM may have a second thickness T2, and the first thickness Tl may be less than the second thickness T2. For example, the distance Ds1may range from 10 μm to 1 cm, but not limited thereto. For example, a ration of the first thickness Tl to the second thickness T2maybe greater than or equal to 0.5 and less than 1 (i.e., 0.5≤T1/T2<1), but not limited thereto.

Afterwards, as shown inFIG.2, the metal plate MB having the patterned portion192ais adhered to the sensor SN (i.e., before the metal plate MB is adhered to the sensor SN, a pattern process is performed to form the patterned portion192a). Then, as shown inFIG.3, the first flexible area100bof the flexible display apparatus100is bent.

The flexible display apparatus of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Further embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. For ease of comparison, same components will be labeled with the same symbol in the following. The following descriptions relate the differences between each of the embodiments, and repeated parts will not be redundantly described.

Referring toFIG.13,FIG.13is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.13, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the design of the first flexible area100bof the flexible display apparatus200. InFIG.13, the sensing layer Ls (e.g., the sensing component172) of the sensor SN may not be disposed in the first flexible area100b,and a portion PORb of the sensing driving component SD (e.g., the second circuit board180) of the sensor SN may be disposed in the first flexible area100band be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB along the first bending axis102b,but not limited thereto. In this case, the second circuit board180may be a flexible printed circuit. The first bending axis102bmaybe parallel to the second bending axis102aof the second flexible area100a.In some embodiments (not shown in figures), a portion of the display driving component DD (e.g., the first circuit board150) of the display module DM may be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB along the first bending axis102b,but not limited thereto. Moreover, in some embodiments (as shown inFIG.13), a portion of the first flexible substrate110situated in the first flexible area100bmay be bent, such that the first circuit board150and a portion of the first flexible substrate110may be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB and may overlap the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN (e.g., the second circuit board180), but not limited thereto.

Optionally, in some embodiments (not shown in figures), the first flexible substrate110and the light emitting element124of the display module DM may not be disposed in the first flexible area100b,and a portion of the display driving component DD (e.g., the first circuit board150) of the display module DM may be disposed in the first flexible area100band be bent to the second side MBb of the metal plate MB along the first bending axis102b,but not limited thereto. In this case, the first circuit board150may be a flexible printed circuit.

Referring toFIG.14,FIG.14is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.14, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the design of the first flexible area100band/or the design of the second flexible area100aof the flexible display apparatus300. InFIG.14, the sensor SN may have a thinned portion in the first flexible area100band/or a thinned portion in the second flexible area100a,so as to advantageously bend of the first flexible area100band/or the second flexible area100a.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.14, the sensing layer Ls of the sensor SN may have a first thinned portion170baround the first bending axis102b.The sensing layer Ls may have a second thinned portion170aoverlapped with the patterned portion192aof the metal plate MB. According to some embodiments, the first thinned portion170bmay be in the first flexible area100b,and the second thinned portion170amay be in the second flexible area100a,but not limited thereto. InFIG.14, a thickness TT2of the first thinned portion170bmay be less than a thickness TT3of other position of the sensing layer Ls (e.g., a position in the non-flexible area100n). A thickness TT1of the second thinned portion170amay be less than a thickness TT3of other position of the sensing layer Ls (e.g., a position in the non-flexible area100n). In some embodiments, inFIG.14, a recess17C2maybe formed on a bottom surface170S of the sensing layer Ls to form the second thinned portion170aof the sensing layer Ls, and the adhering layer AL2may be filled in this recess17C2, but not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, a recess17C1may be formed on the bottom surface170S of the sensing layer Ls to form the first thinned portion170bof the sensing layer Ls. The aforementioned bottom surface170S of the sensing layer Ls may be a bottom surface of the second flexible substrate170(as shown inFIG.6). Namely, the recess17C1and the recess17C2may be formed on the bottom surface170S of the second flexible substrate170. According to some embodiments, the thickness TT2of the first thinned portion170bmay be the same as or different from the thickness TT1of the second thinned portion170a.

Optionally, the display module DM may have a thinned portion in the second flexible area100aand/or a thinned portion in the first flexible area100b,and the design of the thinned portion of the display module DM may be similar to the design of the thinned portion of the sensor SN, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.15andFIG.16,FIG.15is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.16is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the sensor of the flexible display apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.15andFIG.16, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the flexible display apparatus500of this embodiment further includes another sensor SN2addition to the pen sensor PSN. The sensor SN2may be disposed between the pen sensor PSN and the display module DM. According to some embodiments, the sensor SN2may be a fingerprint sensor FSN. According to some embodiments, the sensor SN2may be a touch sensor.

For the convenience of explanation, the sensor SN2is the fingerprint sensor FSN as an example for explaining exemplarily in the following, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The type of the fingerprint sensor FSN can be referred to the above. InFIG.15, the fingerprint sensor FSN may be disposed between the pen sensor PSN and the display module DM, but not limited thereto. Note that, if the pen sensor PSN is disposed between the fingerprint sensor FSN and the display module DM, the sensing of the fingerprint sensor FSN may be shielded by the pen sensor PSN.

The fingerprint sensor FSN may include a third flexible substrate570, a fingerprint sensing component572and a fingerprint sensing driving component SD3electrically connected to the fingerprint sensing component572. In the present disclosure, the third flexible substrate570may include any suitable flexible material, such as PI, PET, UTG, silicon oxide, other suitable material(s) or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto.

The fingerprint sensing component572may include a plurality of fingerprint sensing units574, and the detail of the fingerprint sensing unit574can be referred to the above. The fingerprint sensing driving component SD3may include a third circuit board580disposed on the third flexible substrate570of the fingerprint sensor FSN. A board body582of the third circuit board580may be a rigid board body or a flexible board body, such that the third circuit board580may be a rigid printed circuit or a flexible printed circuit (FPCB) based on requirement(s). For instance, the third circuit board580may include any suitable electronic component (e.g., a bonding pad588, a trace, a chip, a connecting element586, etc.) disposed on the flexible board body582, such that the third circuit board580may be a flexible printed circuit assembly (FPCA), but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the third circuit board580may be connected to the third flexible substrate570through a solder, and the third circuit board580may be electrically connected to the electronic component of the fingerprint sensor FSN through the bonding pad588, the solder and the bonding pad (not shown in figures) of the third flexible substrate570. For instance, the chip of the third circuit board580may drive the fingerprint sensing component572(e.g., the fingerprint sensing unit574) of the fingerprint sensor FSN, but not limited thereto. The connecting element586of the third circuit board580may be configured to be connected to an outer device (e.g., a voltage source not shown in figures), but not limited thereto.

InFIG.16, for the convenience of explanation, the fingerprint sensor FSN and the pen sensor PSN are shown separately. Note that, in the flexible display apparatus500, the actually disposition of the fingerprint sensor FSN and the pen sensor PSN are shownFIG.15. Therefore, referring toFIG.16and making the fingerprint sensor FSN be disposed on the pen sensor PSN in the third direction (the direction Z), similarly toFIG.1, under the condition that the flexible display100is bent or not bent, the first circuit board150of the display module DM, the second circuit board180of the pen sensor PSN and the third circuit board580of the fingerprint sensor FSN may partially overlap with each other in the top view. The connecting element156of the first circuit board150, the connecting element186of the second circuit board180and the connecting element586of the third circuit board580may be misaligned with each other. InFIG.16, the connecting element186of the second circuit board180may not overlap the third circuit board580, the connecting element586of the third circuit board580may not overlap the second circuit board180, but not limited thereto.

InFIG.15, the fingerprint sensor FSN may be adhered to the display module DM through an adhering layer AL6and be adhered to the pen sensor PSN through the adhering layer AL1, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display module DM may include the supporting layer SF shown inFIG.4, and thus, the fingerprint sensor FSN may be adhered to the supporting layer SF of the display module DM through the adhering layer AL6, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display module DM may not include the supporting layer SF shown inFIG.4, and thus, the fingerprint sensor FSN may be adhered to the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM through the adhering layer AL6, such that the fingerprint sensor FSN may not only perform the sensing function but also have the function of supporting the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM.

The sensing area A1of the pen sensor PSN and the sensing area A2of the fingerprint sensor FSN may be designed based on requirement(s). In the present disclosure, the sensing area of the sensor is an area of the sensing region of the sensor. Namely, the sensor may perform the sensing function in this sensing region. In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.16), the sensing area A1of the pen sensor PSN may be greater than the sensing area A2of the fingerprint sensor FSN, but not limited thereto. For example, the sensing area A1of the pen sensor PSN may be similar to or the same as the display area of the flexible display apparatus500, and the sensing area A2of the fingerprint sensor FSN may be the same as an area of a button, but not limited thereto. The aforementioned sensing area may be an area measuring in the top-view direction of the flexible display apparatus. Namely, as shown inFIG.16, the sensing area A1of the pen sensor PSN and the sensing area A2of the fingerprint sensor FSN may be areas measuring on a XY plane formed by the first direction (the direction Y) and the second direction (the direction X).

The resolution of the pen sensor PSN and the resolution of the fingerprint sensor FSN may be designed based on requirement(s). In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.16), the resolution of the pen sensor PSN may be less than the resolution of the fingerprint sensor FSN, but not limited thereto. For instance, in a unit area (e.g., an area with 2 cm×2 cm), the number of the touch pen sensing unit (s)174pof the pen sensor PSN may be less than the number of the fingerprint sensing unit(s)574of the fingerprint sensor FSN, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.17andFIG.18,FIG.17andFIG.18are schematic diagrams showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.17andFIG.18, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the design of the driving component in the flexible display apparatus600. InFIG.17andFIG.18, the flexible display apparatus600may include the first circuit board150and not include the second circuit board180, and the electronic component of the first circuit board150may be electrically connected to the sensing component172of the sensor SN and the light emitting element124of the display module DM, such that the first circuit board150may simultaneously drive the sensing component172of the sensor SN and the light emitting element124of the display module DM. That is to say, the display driving component DD of the display module DM may include at least a portion of the first circuit board150, and the sensing driving component SD of the sensor SN may include at least a portion of the first circuit board150. Therefore, the first circuit board150may include a chip154configured to drive the light emitting element124of the display module DM, and the first circuit board150may include a chip654configured to drive the sensing component172. According some embodiments, the chip154and the chip654may be integrated into a single chip configured to simultaneously drive the light emitting element124and the sensing component172.

InFIG.17andFIG.18, the flexible display apparatus600may include a conductive connecting structure610, and the sensing component172of the sensor SN may be electrically connected to the first circuit board150through the conductive connecting structure610. For instance, inFIG.17andFIG.18, the conductive connecting structure610may be connected between a trace630of the display module DM and a trace620of the sensor SN, and therefore, the conductive connecting structure610may pass through the first flexible substrate110of the display module DM, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.19,FIG.19is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, whereinFIG.19simplifies the sensor SN to a single layer structure, but the detail of the sensor SN can be referred to the above. As shown inFIG.19, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the bending design of the flexible display apparatus700. InFIG.19, the second flexible area100amay extend to the edge of the flexible display apparatus700, such that the non-flexible area100nmay be disposed on one side of the second flexible area100a.In some embodiments (as shown inFIG.19), the second flexible area100amay be a foldable area or a rollable area, the first flexible area100bmay be a foldable area, such that the flexible display apparatus700may be a foldable display device or a stretchable display device, but not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.20,FIG.20is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a flexible display apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, whereinFIG.20simplifies the sensor SN to a single layer structure, but the detail of the sensor SN can be referred to the above. As shown inFIG.20, a difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the bending design of the flexible display apparatus800. InFIG.20, the second flexible area100amay be a rollable area, such that the second flexible area100amay be bent into a ring shape. In this case, the flexible display apparatus800may be a rollable display device, but not limited thereto.

In summary, according to the design of the flexible display apparatus of the present disclosure, the sensor has the sensing layer and the sensing driving component, wherein the sensing layer is disposed at the first side of the metal plate close to the display module, and the sensing driving component is disposed at the second side of the metal plate. According to some embodiments, a condition that the signal of the sensing layer is shielded by the metal plate can be prevented, and the narrow-border effect can be achieved.

Although the embodiments and their advantages of the present disclosure have been described as above, it should be understood that any person having ordinary skill in the art can make changes, substitutions, and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the protecting scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the processes, machines, manufactures, material compositions, devices, methods and steps in the specific embodiments described in the description. Any person having ordinary skill in the art can understand the current or future developed processes, machines, manufactures, material compositions, devices, methods and steps from the content of the present disclosure, and then, they can be used according to the present disclosure as long as the same functions can be implemented or the same results can be achieved in the embodiments described herein. Thus, the protecting scope of the present disclosure includes the above processes, machines, manufactures, material compositions, devices, methods and steps. Moreover, each claim constitutes an individual embodiment, and the protecting scope of the present disclosure also includes the combination of each claim and each embodiment. The protecting scope of the present disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims.