Patent Publication Number: US-2023137505-A1

Title: Protective bracket and using method thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2021/107022 filed on Jul. 19, 2021 and entitled “PROTECTIVE BRACKET AND USING METHOD THEREOF”, which claims the priority benefits of Chinese Patent Application No. 202011142255.3 filed on Oct. 22, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The application relates to the field of display device, in particular to a protective bracket and a using method thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, flexible display screens of display modules have the advantages of ultra-thin thickness, high screen-to-body ratio, bendability and the like. In particular, the OLED-based curved screen mobile phone brings about a higher hand-held feeling. In order to achieve a higher screen-to-body ratio, most of the flexible display screens employ COP (Chip On Pi) packaging process, where a part of flexible region of a flexible display screen provided with a driver IC or other circuit components is bent to the back side for packaging. However, the bent flexible region of the flexible display screen is exposed outside, and is susceptible to squeezing and collision during transportation of the display module, thereby causing the internal circuits of the flexible display screen to break and resulting in poor screen displaying. 
     SUMMARY 
     The application provides a protective bracket and a using method thereof, which can protect a flexible region of the display module during transport process of the display module and reduce a risk of circuit breakage in the display module. 
     In a first aspect, the application provides a protective bracket including: a main body part; an extension part extending outwardly from the main body part, at least part of the extension part being inclined relative to the main body part; a fixing part, extending from a free end of the extension part away from the main body part; a stopping part, connected to the main body part at a preset angle, in a thickness direction of the main body part, the fixing part and the stopping part being located at a same side of the main body part, and an end face of the fixing part away from the main body part being closer to the main body part than an end face of the stopping part away from the main body part. 
     Preferably, the protective bracket further comprises at least one support part, the at least one support part is connected to the main body part, and the at least one support part is located between the stopping part and the fixing part. The fixing part, the stopping part and the at least one support part are located at a same side of the main body part in the thickness direction of the main body part. When the display module vibrates during transportation, the support part can provide an effect of assisting in support, reduce shaking of the main body part, and prevent the main body part from crushing the flexible region. 
     Preferably, in the thickness direction of the main body part, an end face of the support part away from the main body part is closer to the main body part than the end face of the fixing part away from the main body part. In a normal state, the end face of the support part away from the main body part is spaced apart from the body region of the display module by a distance, so that direct contact between the support part and the body region of the display module can be avoided. When the display module vibrates during transportation, the support part can come into contact with the body region of the display module to support the main body part by the support part, thereby preventing the main body part from shaking downward excessively and squeezing the flexible region. 
     Preferably, in the thickness direction of the main body part, a distance between the end face of the fixing part away from the main body part and the main body part is D 1 , a distance between the end face of the stopping part away from the main body part and the main body part is D 2 , D 2  is greater than D 1 , a difference value between D 2  and D 1  is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, so as to avoid a failure of engagement between the stopping part and the body region of the display module. 
     Preferably, the extension part extends from an end of the main body part in a length direction of the main body part, a width direction of the main body part is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the main body part and the length direction of the main body part, a width of the main body part is larger than a width of the extension part in the width direction of the main body part, so as to reduce a weight of the protective bracket. 
     Preferably, the extension part is provided with a groove. By providing the groove, the weight of the protective bracket can be further reduced. 
     Preferably, the extension part comprises a transition region and an inclined region, the transition region extends from an end of the main body part in a direction away from the stopping part, the inclined region extends from an end of the transition region away from the main body part and is inclined relative to the transition region, the fixing part extends from an end of the inclined region away from the transition region. When the fixing part is fixed at the body region of the display module, the inclined region can prop up the main body part and separate the main body part from the body region of the display module by a preset distance. 
     Preferably, the stopping part comprises a base layer and a buffer layer, the base layer is connected to the main body part, the buffer layer is arranged at a side of the base layer close to the fixing part. Preferably, the base layer is provided integrally with the main body part. Preferably, a material of the buffer layer comprises foam. The buffer layer can provide an effect of buffering, reduce a pressure and frictional force applied to an edge of the body region of the display module, and reduce a risk of breakage and chipping of the edge of the body region of the display module. 
     Preferably, the fixing part includes a connection layer and an adhesive layer, the connection layer is connected to the extension part, and the adhesive layer is arranged on a surface of the connection layer away from the main body part in the thickness direction of the main body part. Preferably, the connection layer is shaped as a plate, and the connection layer is arranged in parallel with the main body part. Preferably, the adhesive layer is a double-sided adhesive tape. 
     In a second aspect, the application proposes a using method for the protective bracket according to the first aspect, including: providing a display module, the display module including a body region and a flexible region connected to the body region, the body region comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the flexible region being bent to the second surface; abutting the stopping part of the protective bracket against an edge of the body region, arranging the main body part of the protective bracket at a side of the flexible region away from the second surface, fixing the fixing part of the protective bracket to the second surface. 
     The application abuts the stopping part against an edge of the body region, arranges the main body part at a side of the flexible region away from the second surface, and fixes the fixing part to the second surface. The main body part can protect the flexible region from the outside, so as to prevent the flexible region from being squeezed, prevent breakage of the circuit and improve product yield. The stopping part can be pressed against the edge of the body region from the outside, so that the stopping part is engaged with the body region, improving the connection strength between the display module and the protective bracket and reducing a risk of shaking of the main body part. At the same time, the stopping part can also provide an effect of positioning in the process of assembling the display module and the protective bracket, thereby simplifying the assembly process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a schematic structural view of a display module of the application. 
         FIG.  2    shows a schematic structural view of a protective bracket of the application. 
         FIG.  3    shows a schematic structural view of the protective bracket as shown in  FIG.  2    from another perspective. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view after assembly of the protective bracket as shown in  FIG.  2    and the display module as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    shows an enlarged view of a boxed portion A of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    shows an enlarged view of a circled portion B of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    shows an enlarged view of a circled portion C of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  8    shows a schematic view of an assembly process of the protective bracket as shown in  FIG.  2    and the display module as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The features and embodiments of the application in various aspects will be described in detail below. For clearly understanding of the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the application, the application will be described in further details in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the specific embodiments described herein are configured to explain the application rather than to limit it. 
     The protective bracket provided in the application is used to protect the display module  1  during transportation. In particular, referring to  FIG.  1   , the display module  1  includes a body region  11  and a flexible region  12  connected to the body region  11 . The body region  11  has a first surface  111  and a second surface  112  opposite to each other, and the flexible region  12  can be bent to the second surface  112 . 
     The display module  1  includes a cover plate  13 , a flexible display screen  14  fixed on a side of the cover plate  13 , and a buffer layer  15  arranged at a side of the flexible display screen  14  away from the cover plate  13 . The cover plate  13  may be a glass flat plate or a glass curved plate. The flexible display screen  14  is made of a flexible material, and has the advantages of ultra-thin thickness, high screen-to-body ratio, bendability and the like. The flexible display screen  14  has a display region  141  and a non-display region  142 . The display region  141  is fixed to the cover plate  13 . The non-display region  142  extends from an end of the display region  141 , and the non-display region  142  is internally provided with a metal wire for transmitting a signal of the display region  141 . The non-display region  142  may also be connected to structures such as a drive chip, a flexible circuit board and the like. The buffer layer  15  is arranged on the display region  141 , and may be formed by compounding foam and copper foil. 
     In order to increase the screen-to-body ratio, the non-display region  142  is usually bent to the side of the display region  141  away from the cover plate  13 . In particular, the non-display region  142  includes an arc-shaped bent section  142   a  and an explanate flat section  142   b . The flat section  142   b  is located at a side of the buffer layer  15  away from the display region  141  and is used for connecting to structures such as a drive chip, a flexible circuit board and the like. The bent section  142   a  is connected between the display region  141  and the flat section  142   b . The display module  1  further includes a support block  16  arranged between the flat section  142   b  and the buffer layer  15 , and the support block  16  can support the flat section  142   b  from the lower side. At this time, the body region  11  includes the cover plate  13 , the display region  141  of the flexible display screen  14  and the buffer layer  15 , and the flexible region  12  includes the non-display region  142  of the flexible display screen  14 . The first surface  111  is the surface of the cover plate  13  away from the display region  141 , and the second surface  112  is the surface of the buffer layer  15  away from the cover plate  13 . 
     The display module  1  is usually transported by using a pallet. In particular, the pallet includes a plurality of cavities, and the display module  1  is put into the cavity of the pallet with the cover plate  13  of the display module  1  facing downward, and the non-display region  142  of the display module  1  faces upward and is exposed to the outside, and then a plurality of pallets filled of display modules  1  are stacked in turn, and at last the plurality of pallets filled of display modules  1  are wrapped with adhesive tapes to secure, ready for packaging and shipment. 
     However, before the display module  1  is assembled into a complete appliance, processes such as packaging and transportation are required. The upper side of the flat section  142   b  and the two sides of the bent section  142   a  of the non-display region  142  have no protection or buffer structures, and are susceptible to squeezing and collision, thereby causing the internal circuits to break and resulting in poor displaying of the screen body. Therefore, the protective bracket provided in the application may be used to protect the display module  1  during transportation. 
     The protective bracket provided in the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  to  4   , the protective bracket  2  provided in the application includes a main body part  21 , an extension part  22 , a fixing part  23  and a stopping part  24 . 
     The main body part  21  is shaped as a plate. The main body part  21  is generally a flat plate with a uniform thickness. In a thickness direction Z of the main body part  21 , the main body part  21  includes an upper surface  211  and a lower surface  212  arranged opposite to each other, and the upper surface  211  and the lower surface  212  are arranged in parallel and are generally planar. 
     The extension part  22  extends outwardly from the main body part  21 . The extension part  22  may extend outwardly from an end of the main body part  21 . In this embodiment, the extension part  22  extends outwardly from an end of the main body part  21  in the length direction X thereof. In other embodiments, the extension part  22  may also extend outwardly from an end of the main body part  21  in the width direction Y thereof. The extension part  22  may also extend downward from the lower surface  212  of the main body part  21 . 
     At least part of the extension part  22  is inclined relative to the main body part  21 . In particular, at least part of the extension part  22  is inclined toward a side of the main body part  21  in the thickness direction Z. In particular, in the thickness direction Z, at least part of the extension part  22  is located at the side of the lower surface  212  away from the upper surface  211 . 
     The fixing part  23  extends from a free end of the extension part  22  away from the main body part  21 . The fixing part  23  is used to be fixed to the second surface  112  of the body region  11  of the display module  1 . The fixing part  23  is shaped as a flat plate, and the fixing part  23  is arranged in parallel with the main body part  21 . 
     The stopping part  24  is connected to the main body part  21  at a preset angle. The stopping part  24  extends downward from the lower surface  212  of the main body part  21 , and the stopping part  24  is shaped as a plate. An included angle between the stopping part  24  and the main body part  21  may be 70-110 degrees. 
     In the thickness direction Z of the main body part  21 , the fixing part  23  and the stopping part  24  are located at a same side of the main body part  21 . The end face of the fixing part  23  away from the main body part  21  (hereinafter referred to as the first end face  233 ) is closer to the main body part  21  than the end face of the stopping part  24  away from the main body part  21  (hereinafter referred to as the second end face  243 ). Both the fixing part  23  and the stopping part  24  are located at the lower side of the lower surface  212 . In the thickness direction Z, the distance between the first end face  233  and the main body part  21  is D 1 , and the distance between the second end face  243  and the main body part  21  is D 2 . D 2  is greater than D 1 . 
     When the display module  1  is required to be transported, the protective bracket  2  is installed on the display module  1  at first. In particular, referring to  FIG.  8   , at first, the display module  1  to be transported is placed on a support surface of a jig  3  with the flexible region  12  facing upward; then the protective bracket  2  is tilted and placed onto a guide groove  31  on a side of the support surface, where the guide groove  31  is recessed relative to the support surface, and the stopping part  24  is in sliding fit with the guide groove  31  of the jig  3 ; then again, the protective bracket  2  is pushed toward the display module  1 , and when the stopping part  24  abuts against the edge of the body region  11 , the protective bracket  2  is rotated with the contact portion of the stopping part  24  and the body region  11  as the axis, so that the fixing part  23  is fitted and fixed to the second surface  112 . Finally, the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2  fixed together can enter the transportation stage. When the display module  1  is required to be assembled with other components to form a complete appliance, the protective bracket  2  may be removed. 
     After the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2  are assembled together, the main body part  21  is located at the side of the flexible region  12  away from the body region  11  and is spaced apart from the flexible region  12  by a certain distance. Therefore, the main body part  21  can protect the flexible region  12  from the outside, so as to prevent the flexible region  12  from being squeezed, prevent breakage of the circuit and improve product yield. The first end face  233  is closer to the main body part  21  than the second end face  243 . When the fixing part  23  is fixed to the second surface  112 , the second end face  243  can exceed the second surface  112  in the direction away from the main body part  21 . Therefore, the stopping part  24  can be pressed against the edge of the body region  11  from the outside, so that the stopping part  24  is engaged with the body region  11 , improving the connection strength between the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2  and reducing the risk of shaking of the main body part  21 . At the same time, the stopping part  24  can also provide an effect of positioning in the process of assembling the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2 , thereby simplifying the assembly process. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the protective bracket  2  further includes at least one support part  25 . The support part  25  is connected to the main body part  21 , and the support part  25  is located between the stopping part  24  and the fixing part  23 . The fixing part  23 , the stopping part  24  and the support part  25  are located at a same side of the main body part  21  in the thickness direction Z. The support part  25  protrudes downward relative to the lower surface  212 , and the support part  25  is located between the fixing part  23  and the stopping part  24  in the length direction X. The support part  25  may be provided in plural. 
     The support part  25  should be arranged to avoid the flexible region  12 , that is, when the fixing part  23  is fixed to the body region  11 , the support part  25  does not overlap with the flexible region  12  in the thickness direction Z, thereby preventing the support part  25  from crushing the flexible region  12 . When the display module  1  vibrates during transportation, the support part  25  can provide an effect of assisting in support, reduce shaking of the main body part  21 , and prevent the main body part  21  from crushing the flexible region  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  7   , in the thickness direction Z, the end face of the support part  25  away from the main body part  21  (hereinafter referred to as the third end face  251 ) is closer to the main body part  21  than the first end face  233  of the fixing part  23  away from the main body part  21 . The distance between the third end face  251  and the main body part  21  is D 3 , and D 3  is smaller than D 1 . In a normal state, the first end face  233  of the fixing part  23  abuts against the second surface  112  of the body region  11 . Since D 3  is smaller than D 1 , the third end face  251  is spaced apart from the second surface  112  by a certain distance, so that a direct contact between the support part  25  and the second surface  112  can be avoided. When the display module  1  vibrates during transportation, the support part  25  can come into contact with the second surface  112 , that is, the body region  11  supports the main body part  21  by the support part  25 , thereby preventing the main body part  21  from shaking downward excessively and squeezing the flexible region  12 . 
     If the difference value between D 2  and D 1  is too small, the area of the portion of the stopping part  24  capable of contacting the body region  11  is small, and the engagement between the stopping part  24  and the body region  11  is liable to failure. Therefore, preferably, the difference value between D 2  and D 1  is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. 
     In the direction away from the main body part  21 , the size of the second end face  243  exceeding the first surface  111  is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. When the display module  1  vibrates during transportation, even if the stopping part  24  slides relative to the body region  11 , the engagement between the stopping part  24  and the body region  11  can also be ensured. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the extension part  22  extends from an end of the main body part  21  in the length direction X of the main body part  21 . The width direction Y of the main body part  21  is perpendicular to the thickness direction Z of the main body part  21  and the length direction X of the main body part  21 . In the width direction Y of the portion  21 , the width of the main body part  21  is greater than the width of the extension part  22 . By reducing the width of the extension part  22 , the weight of the protective bracket  2  can be reduced. 
     The extension part  22  is provided with a groove  223 . By arranging the groove  223 , the weight of the protective bracket  2  can be further reduced. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  5   , the extension part  22  includes a transition region  221  and an inclined region  222 . The transition region  221  extends from an end of the main body part  21  in the direction away from the stopping part  24 . The inclined region  222  extends from an end of the transition region  221  away from the main body part  21  and is inclined relative to the transition region  221 . The fixing part  23  extends from an end of the inclined region  222  away from the transition region  221 . In particular, the transition region  221  extends from the end of the main body  21  in the length direction X, and the extension direction of the transition region  221  is parallel to the length direction X; the inclined region  222  is inclined toward a side of the transition region  221 , and the included angle between the inclined region  222  and the transition region  221  is an obtuse angle. When the fixing part  23  is fixed to the second surface  112 , the inclined region  222  can prop up the main body part  21  and separate the main body part  21  from the second surface  112  by a preset distance. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the stopping part  24  includes a base layer  241  and a buffer layer  242 . The base layer  241  is connected to the main body part  21 , and the buffer layer  242  is arranged at a side of the base layer  241  close to the fixing part  23 . After the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2  are assembled together, the buffer layer  242  is sandwiched between the base layer  241  and an edge of the body region  11 . The buffer layer  242  can provide an effect of buffering, reduce the pressure and frictional force applied by the stopping part  24  on the edge of the body region  11 , and reduce the risk of breakage and chipping of the edge of the body region  11 . Preferably, the base layer  241  is provided integrally with the main body part  21 , and a material of the buffer layer  242  comprises foam. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the fixing part  23  includes a connection layer  231  and an adhesive layer  232 . The connection layer  231  is connected to the extension part  22 . The adhesive layer  232  is arranged on a surface of the connection layer  231  away from the main body part  21  in the thickness direction Z. The adhesive layer  232  is used to adhere the connection layer  231  to the second surface  112  of the body region  11 . The connection layer  231  is shaped as a plate and arranged in parallel to the main body part  21 . Two surfaces of the adhesive layer  232  in the thickness direction Z are used to be adhered to the connection layer  231  and the second surface  112  respectively. The surface of the adhesive layer  232  adhered to the second surface  112  is the first end face  233  of the fixing part  23 . Preferably, the adhesive layer  232  is a double-sided adhesive tape. 
     The main body part  21 , the extension part  22 , the connection layer  231  and the base layer  241  are integrally formed. The buffer layer  242  is adhered to the base layer  241 , and the adhesive layer  232  is adhered to the connection layer  231 . 
     The application further provides a using method of the aforesaid protective bracket  2 . The method includes: 
     providing a display module  1 , the display module  1  including a body region  11  and a flexible region  12  connected to the body region  11 , the body region  11  comprising a first surface  111  and a second surface  112  opposite to each other, the flexible region  12  being bent to the second surface  112 . 
     abutting the stopping part  24  against an edge of the body region  11 , arranging the main body part  21  at a side of the flexible region  12  away from the second surface  112 , fixing the fixing part  23  to the second surface  112 . 
     In particular, referring to  FIG.  8   , at first, the display module  1  to be transported is placed on a support surface of a jig  3  with the flexible region  12  facing upward; then the protective bracket  2  is tilted and placed onto a guide groove  31  on a side of the support surface, where the guide groove  31  is recessed relative to the support surface, and the stopping part  24  is in sliding fit with the guide groove  31  of the jig  3 ; then again, the protective bracket  2  is pushed toward the display module  1 , and when the stopping part  24  abuts against the edge of the body region  11 , the protective bracket  2  is rotated with the contact portion of the stopping part  24  and the body region  11  as the axis, so that the fixing part  23  is fitted and fixed to the second surface  112 . Finally, the display module  1  and the protective bracket  2  fixed together can enter the transportation stage. When the display module  1  is required to be assembled with other components to form a complete appliance, the protective bracket  2  may be removed. 
     In accordance with the embodiments of the application as described above, these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustively set forth all the details, nor are they intended to limit the application to the specific embodiments described. It will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible from the above description. These embodiments have been chosen and described in detail in the description in order to better explain the principle and practical application of the application, thereby enabling a person skilled in the art to make better use of the application and its modifications. The application is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.