FLEXIBLE DISPLAY ASSEMBLY, FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE

A flexible display assembly, a flexible display device and a method for preparing the flexible display device are provided. The flexible display assembly includes a flexible display panel on a side of a support member, a width of the flexible display panel being less than a width of the support member; a cover layer group on a side, away from the support member, of the flexible display panel, the width of the flexible display panel being less than a width of the cover layer group, the cover layer group, the flexible display panel and the first end of the support member forming a structure with two protruding sides and a depressed middle; and a bonding portion bonded between the first end of the support member and the first end of the cover layer group

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to a flexible display assembly, a flexible display device including the flexible display assembly, and a method for preparing the flexible display device.

BACKGROUND

At present, with the development of science and technology, Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) flexible display assembly is gradually widely used in curving, folding, curling and other overall configurations, so that the curl radius of OLED flexible display assembly gradually decreases, and the curl degree of freedom continuously increases, leading to the gradual increase of the curl stress of the flexible display assembly, which is prone to functional failure.

It should be noted that the above information disclosed in the “BACKGROUND” section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a flexible display assembly, a flexible display device including the flexible display assembly, and a method for preparing the flexible display device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible display assembly is provided, including: a support member; a flexible display panel on a side of the support member, a width of the flexible display panel being less than a width of the support member, so that a first end of the support member protrudes out of the flexible display panel; a cover layer group on a side, away from the support member, of the flexible display panel, the width of the flexible display panel being less than a width of the cover layer group, so that a first end of the cover layer group protrudes out of the flexible display panel, and so that the cover layer group, the flexible display panel and the first end of the support member form a structure with two protruding sides and a depressed middle; and a bonding portion bonded between the first end of the support member and the first end of the cover layer group.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible display device is provided, including the flexible display assembly described above.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preparing the flexible display device as described above is provided. The method includes: providing a reel to which the barrier plate is rotatably coupled; providing a flexible display assembly, the flexible display assembly including a support member, a flexible display panel and a cover layer that are stacked in sequence; rotating the barrier plate to form an included angle between the barrier plate and the reel; bonding a side of a first end, away from the flexible display panel, of the support member to the reel; and coating a bonding portion on a side of the first end, away from the reel, of the support member, and rotating the barrier plate so that the barrier plate is bonded to the bonding portion and lapped on a side, away from the support member, of the cover layer.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent through the following detailed description, or will be learned in part through the practice of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, by providing these embodiments, the present disclosure will be comprehensive and complete, and the conception of exemplary embodiments will be fully communicated to those skilled in the art. The same reference number in the figures represents the same or similar structure, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a flexible display assembly is first provided. With reference to a schematic diagram of a structure of the flexible display assembly according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure shown inFIG.1, the flexible display assembly may include a support member1, a flexible display panel2, a cover layer group3and a bonding portion4. The flexible display panel2is provided on a side of the support member1, and a width of the flexible display panel2is less than a width of the support member1, so that a first end of the support member1protrudes out of the flexible display panel2. The cover layer group3is provided on a side of the flexible display panel2away from the support member1, and the width of the flexible display panel2is less than a width of the cover layer group3, so that a first end of the cover layer group3protrudes out of the flexible display panel2, and the cover layer group3, the flexible display panel2and the first end of the support member1form a structure with two protruding sides and a depressed middle. The bonding portion4is bonded between the first end of the support member1and the first end of the cover layer group3.

When the flexible display assembly is bent or curled, a film layer at the outer layer is subject to a tension, and a film layer at the inner layer is subject to a pressure. After the flexible display assembly is curled or bent and then unfolded, due to the characteristics of the cover layer group3, a certain curving state will be maintained at the first end, and the cover layer group3will drive the flexible display panel2at the first end, causing the flexible display panel2to peel off. However, the cover layer group3and the support member1on two sides of the flexible display panel2are bonded through the bonding portion4at the first end, so that the tension on the cover layer group3is transferred to the bonding portion4at the first end, thereby avoiding peeling of the flexible display panel2and preventing functional failure. When the flexible display assembly is bent or curled, the stress at the starting position of the cover layer group3is the largest. Compared with bonding the first end of the cover layer group3to the flexible display panel2, the first end of the cover layer group3is bonded to the support member1, so that the stress is concentrated on the bonding portion4with a larger peeling force, to avoid the peeling of the film layer of the flexible display panel2with a small peeling force, and to prevent the surface of the cover layer group3from breaking. Moreover, the bonding portion4has a certain elasticity and ductility, which can absorb tension and pressure, thereby further reducing the curl stress and preventing functional failure.

It should be noted that the orthographic projections mentioned in the present disclosure are all in a fully unfolded state of the flexible display assembly. The length refers to a dimension in a direction consistent with the axial direction of a reel8, and the width refers to a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the reel8and parallel to the display surface of the flexible display panel.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the support member1may be a metal support member. As shown inFIG.2, the support member1may also include a metal supporting plate11. A plurality of strip through holes12are provided on the metal supporting plate11, and the plurality of strip through holes12may be arranged in array or non-array. The strip through hole12may be filled with silica gel, rubber, etc. The shape of the strip through hole12may be a waist round hole, oval, rectangular, etc. Of course, the strip through hole may also be provided as a round through hole, a square through hole, etc. Alternatively, the strip through hole12may not be filled with silica gel. The metal support member may be a whole surface of metal supporting plate11, and a thickness of the metal supporting plate11may be greater than or equal to 30 μm and less than or equal to 300 μm. Of course, in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the support member1may also be made of a whole surface of colloidal material, such as silica gel, rubber, etc., and a thickness of the colloidal material may be less than or equal to 1 mm. Of course, the support member1may also adopt a flat plate made of colloidal material with a pattern, that is, the through hole is provided on the flat plate made of colloidal material, and the thickness of the flat plate made of colloidal material may be less than or equal to 2 mm.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the opposite two sides of the metal supporting plate11are both provided with spacer layers, which are respectively a first spacer layer61and a second spacer layer62. The first spacer layer61is provided between the metal supporting plate11and the flexible display panel2. The second spacer layer62is provided on a side of the metal supporting plate11away from the flexible display panel2. The materials of both the first spacer layer61and the second spacer layer62may be foam, or may be colloid, such as silica gel, rubber, etc. Since the support member1is a metal support member with a relatively hard hardness, and the metal supporting plate11is provided with the strip through hole12, some burrs or bumps will be formed inevitably when forming the strip through hole12. During the subsequent curving or curling of the flexible display assembly, the burrs or bumps will cause damage to the film layer contacting the metal supporting plate11by friction. The first spacer layer61may be provided to avoid the damage to the flexible display panel2from the metal supporting plate11. The second spacer layer62may prevent the metal supporting plate11from contacting the cover layer group3after the flexible display assembly is curled, thereby avoiding the damage to the cover layer group3by the metal supporting plate11. Of course, in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first spacer layer61and the second spacer layer62may not be provided, for example, in the case where the support member1is made of the colloidal material.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an orthographic projection of the first spacer layer61on the metal supporting plate11overlaps with an orthographic projection of the flexible display panel2on the metal supporting plate11. That is, the length and width of the first spacer layer61are correspondingly equal to the length and width of the flexible display panel2, so that a first end of the metal supporting plate11protrudes out of the first spacer layer61. The bonding portion4is bonded between the metal supporting plate11and the cover layer group3. An orthographic projection of the second spacer layer62on the support member1is located within the support member1, so that a first end of the support member1protrudes out of the second spacer layer62.

In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the length and width of the first spacer layer61may be correspondingly equal to the length and width of the metal supporting plate11. In this case, the bonding portion4is bonded between the first spacer layer61and the cover layer group3. An orthographic projection of the second spacer layer62on the support member1may overlap with the support member1, that is, the length and width of the second spacer layer62may be correspondingly equal to the length and width of the metal supporting plate11.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible display panel2is provided on a side of the first spacer layer61away from the support member1. The width of the flexible display panel2is less than the width of the support member1, so that a first end of the support member1may protrude out of the flexible display panel2, and the protruding width may be about 35 mm. Of course, the protruding width is not limited to the above description, which may be larger or smaller as required. A second end opposite to the first end of the support member1may be flush with the flexible display panel2. In the length direction, the length of the flexible display panel2may be greater than the length of the support member1. Of course, the length of the flexible display panel2may be less than or equal to the length of the support member1.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a side of the flexible display panel2away from the support member1is provided with an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer, that is, an OCA layer7is provided between the cover layer group3and the flexible display panel2, and bonds the cover layer group3and the flexible display panel2together. Since the OCA layer7is used for bonding the cover layer group3and the flexible display panel2, an orthographic projection of the OCA layer7on the support member1overlaps with an orthographic projection of the flexible display panel2on the support member1, that is, the length and width of the OCA layer7are correspondingly equal to the length and width of the flexible display panel2.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a side of the OCA layer7away from the support member1is provided with the cover layer group3. The cover layer group3may include a cover layer31. The orthographic projection of the flexible display panel2on the support member1is located within an orthographic projection of the cover layer31on the support member1, that is, the width of the flexible display panel2is less than the width of the cover layer31, so that a first end of the cover layer31protrudes out of the flexible display panel2, and the protruding width may be about 35 mm. Of course, the protruding width is not limited to the above description, which may be larger or smaller as required. The width of the first end of the cover layer31protruding out of the flexible display panel2may be the same as the width of the first end of the support member1protruding out of the flexible display panel2, or may also be different, as long as the bonding requirements of the bonding portion4and the width requirements of the gap5can be met. The first end of the cover layer31is provided opposite to the first end of the support member1, so that the cover layer group3, the flexible display panel2and the first end of the support member1form a structure with two protruding sides and a depressed middle. This structure and the bonding portion4are provided only at the first end of the flexible display assembly and are not so provided at other sides.

In some exemplary embodiments, the bonding portion4is bonded between the first end of the support member1and the first end of the cover layer31, and the gap5is provided between the bonding portion4and the flexible display panel2, so that a small amount of free misalignment may occur between the cover layer group3and the flexible display panel2to further release the curl stress and prevent the occurrence of functional failure. The width of gap5is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm. The thickness of the bonding portion4is less than or equal to the distance between a side close to the flexible display panel2of the support member1and a side close to the flexible display panel2of the cover layer31. The width of the bonding portion4is less than the minimum value of the width of the first end of the cover layer31protruding out of the flexible display panel2and the width of the first end of the support member1protruding out of the flexible display panel2. For example, the width of the bonding portion4is about 34.5 mm. Of course, the width of the bonding portion4is not limited to the above description, which may be larger or smaller as required, as long as the width of the bonding portion4can ensure that the bonding force of the bonding portion4is greater than the bonding force between the cover layer group3and the flexible display panel2, and the bonding force between the flexible display panel2and the support member1. The elastic modulus of the bonding portion4is approximate to the elastic modulus of the OCA layer7, so that the force of each part of the cover layer group3is balanced to avoid uneven force of the cover layer group3. For example, the elastic modulus of the bonding portion4is greater than or equal to 10% of the elastic modulus of the OCA layer 7 and less than or equal to 200% of the elastic modulus of the OCA layer7, preferably 90%-110%. A hard coating (HC) film layer is also provided on the cover layer31, and after the stress on the cover layer31is released, the HC film layer may also be prevented from generating cracks.

With reference to a schematic diagram of a structure of the flexible display assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure shown inFIG.3, the main difference between this exemplary embodiment and the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1is the structure of the cover layer group3.

For example, in some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover layer group3may include a cover layer31aand a barrier plate32. The cover layer31ais provided on a side of the flexible display panel2away from the support member1, the width of the cover layer31ais less than the width of the support member1, and the orthographic projection of the flexible display panel2on the support member1is located within an orthographic projection of the cover layer31aon the support member1, so that a first end of the cover layer31aprotrudes out of the flexible display panel2, that is, the width of the cover layer31ais larger than the width of the flexible display panel2and smaller than the width of the support member1. The width of the cover layer31ain this exemplary embodiment is smaller than the width of the cover layer31in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1. Of course, in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the width of the cover layer31amay be equal to the width of the flexible display panel2, that is, the cover layer31adoes not protrude from the flexible display panel2.

The barrier plate32is provided on a side of the cover layer31aaway from the support member1, a first end of the barrier plate32is bonded to the bonding portion4, and a second end of the barrier plate32opposite to the first end is lapped on the side of the cover layer31aaway from the support member1, that is, an orthographic projection of the barrier plate32on the support member1partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the cover layer31aon the support member1. The so-called lap means that the barrier plate32and the cover layer31amay or may not in contact, but the barrier plate32and the cover layer31aare partially overlapped. When the flexible display assembly is bent or curled, the tension or pressure on the cover layer31ais relatively small, and due to the lap of the barrier plate, the cover layer31amay be more freely staggered to avoid the warping of the cover layer31a.The barrier plate32may be provided in a straight plate shape. In this case, the thickness of the bonding portion4is less than or equal to the distance between the side of the support member1close to the flexible display panel2and the side of the barrier plate32close to the flexible display panel2.

In other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference toFIG.6, the barrier plate32may be provided in a shape of circular arc, and a curving direction of the barrier plate32is consistent with a curving direction of the flexible display panel2. In a flexible display device, the barrier plate32may be curved along the circumference of the reel8. The barrier plate32is provided in a shape of circular arc, so that the gap between the barrier plate32and the curled flexible display panel2is relatively small, further avoiding the warping of the cover layer31a.In addition, when the flexible display assembly is curled, a relatively smooth base surface is provided for the subsequent flexible display assembly wound on the barrier plate32.

Further, a flexible display device is further provided according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference to a schematic diagram of a structure of the flexible display device shown inFIG.4,FIG.5andFIG.6, the flexible display device may include the flexible display assembly described in any one of the above embodiments. The specific structure of the flexible display assembly has been described in detail above, so it will not be repeated here.

In some exemplary embodiments, the flexible display device may be a curlable display device, which may further include a reel8. The reel8may be connected to a side of the first end of the support member1away from the flexible display panel2through a double-sided adhesive9. The reel8is rotatable. The reel8may be rotated to drive the flexible display assembly to expand or rewind. The reel8may be provided in a shape of cylindrical. Of course, in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the reel8may be provided in a shape of prismatic. The circumferential tension is mainly conducted by the materials fixed with the reel8. Compared with the fixation of the cover layer group3and the reel8, the fixation of the support member1and the reel8makes the overall stress of the cover layer group3smaller, thus improving the problem of cracks arising from the tensile force of the HC film layer.

In addition, it should be noted that the flexible display device may be a foldable display device. In the foldable display device, the first end of the flexible display assembly may be bonded to a frame, which can also achieve the effect of reducing the stress after being bent.

When installing the flexible display device, the flexible display assembly may be installed in its entirety and then bonded to the reel8through the double-sided adhesive9.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.6, two ends of the barrier plate32in the length direction may be hinged on two ends of the reel8, so that the barrier plate32may be rotated relative to the reel8before the display panel is installed. For example, a connecting plate perpendicular to the barrier plate32may be provided at each of two ends of the barrier plate32in the length direction. Hinge through holes are provided in the connecting plates, and hinge blind holes are provided on two ends of the reel8. Hinge shafts hinge the connecting plates with the reel8through the hinge through holes and hinge blind holes.

The specific type of the flexible display device is not particularly limited, and any type of display device commonly used in the art is available, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a wearable device such as a watch, a VR device, etc. Those skilled in the art may choose accordingly according to the specific use of the display device, which will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that, in addition to the above flexible display assembly, the flexible display device further includes other necessary parts and components, such as a housing, a circuit board, a power line, etc., which may be supplemented accordingly by a person skilled in the art according to the specific use requirements of the display device, and will not be repeated here.

Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect, of the flexible display device provided according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, is the same as the beneficial effect, of the flexible display assembly provided according to the above exemplary embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

Further, referring to a schematic block diagram of a flowchart of a method for preparing a flexible display device of the present disclosure shown inFIG.7, a method for preparing a flexible display device is further provided according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which is used for preparing the flexible display device shown inFIG.6. The method for preparing the flexible display device may include the following steps.

Step S10, providing a reel8to which the barrier plate32is rotatably coupled.

Step S20, providing a flexible display assembly, the flexible display assembly including a support member1, a flexible display panel2and a cover layer31athat are stacked in sequence.

Step S30, rotating the barrier plate32to form an included angle between the barrier plate32and the reel8.

Step S40, bonding a side of a first end of the support member1away from the flexible display panel2to the reel8.

Step S50, coating a bonding portion4on a side of a first end of the support member1away from the reel8, and rotating the barrier plate32, so that the barrier plate32is bonded to the bonding portion4and lapped on the side of the cover layer31aaway from the support member1.

In some embodiments, the barrier plate32may be firstly hinged on the reel8to enable the barrier plate32to rotate. The flexible display assembly may include a support member1, a flexible display panel2, and a cover layer31awhich are stacked in sequence. The first end of the support member1protrudes out of the first end of the flexible display panel2and the first end of the cover layer31a,and the first end of the cover layer31aprotrudes out of the first end of the flexible display panel2. Then, the barrier plate32is rotated in a first direction to form an included angle between the barrier plate32and the reel8. The included angle may be greater than or equal to 60 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The size of the included angle is not limited to the above description, which is enough to enable the flexible display assembly to smoothly extend into the included angle between the barrier plate32and the reel8. Then, the side of the first end of the support member1away from the flexible display panel2is bonded to the reel8through a double-sided adhesive9. Finally, the bonding portion4is coated on the side of the first end of the support member1away from the reel8, and the barrier plate32is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the barrier plate32is bonded to the bonding portion4and lapped on the side of the cover layer31aaway from the support member1.

The features, structures or characteristics described above may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable way, and where possible, the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable. In the above description, many specific details are provided to give a full understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the technical solutions of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, assemblies, materials, etc. may be adopted. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

The terms “about” and “about” used in the specification usually mean within 20% of a given value or range, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5%. The quantity given here is an approximate quantity, which means that in the absence of specific description, the meaning of “about”, “approximately”, “roughly” and “probably” may still be implied.

Although relative terms such as “on” and “under” are used in the specification to describe the relative relationship between one assembly of an icon and another assembly, these terms are used in the specification only for convenience, such as according to the direction of the example described in the accompanying drawings. It can be understood that if the device of the icon is flipped so that it is upside down, the assembly described as being “on” will become the assembly as being “under”. Other relative terms, such as “high”, “low”, “top” and “bottom”, have similar meanings. When a certain structure is “on” other structures, it may mean that a certain structure is integrally formed on other structures, or that a certain structure is “directly” provided on other structures, or that a certain structure is “indirectly” provided on other structures through another structure.

In the specification, the terms “a”, “one”, “the” and “said” are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements/components/etc. The terms “contain”, “include” and “have” are used to express the meaning of open inclusion and mean that there may be other elements/components/etc. besides the listed elements/components/etc. The terms “first”, “second” and “third” are only used as marks, not as quantitative restrictions on their objects.

It should be understood that the present disclosure does not limit its application to the detailed structure and arrangement of the parts proposed in the specification. The present disclosure can have other embodiments, and can be implemented and performed in a variety of ways. The foregoing forms of deformation and modification fall within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the present disclosure disclosed and defined in the specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more individual features mentioned or apparent in the text and/or accompanying drawings. All these different combinations constitute a plurality of alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described in the specification illustrate the best known ways for realizing the present disclosure, and will enable those skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure.