Patent Publication Number: US-2023156943-A1

Title: Display device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0158020 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 16, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present inventive concept relates to a display device. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     A display device may be used in, for example, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, or a wearable terminal, and demand has been increasing for a display device in which a size of a display part may be changed from a relatively small size to a relatively large size to provide increased portability of the display device. 
     Particularly, when the display device is used in a foldable electronic device, an image may be displayed on a relatively small display part when the display device is in a folded state, and an image may be displayed on a relatively large display part when the display device is in an unfolded state. 
     In this case, a display panel for the relatively small display part and a display panel for the relatively large display part may be separately formed to be mounted in one electronic device, but since two separate display panels are used, manufacturing and maintenance costs may increase. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present inventive concept are to provide a display device that may provide a display part in a folded state and an unfolded state by using one display panel. 
     According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes: a first case and a second case connected to each other by a folding member; and a display panel that is at least partially disposed on a first surface of the first case, wherein a second surface of the first case is opposite to the first surface of the first case, wherein a third surface of the second case faces the second surface of the first case when the display device is in a folded state, and the third surface of the second case is coplanar with the second surface of the first case when the display device is in an unfolded state, wherein a first end portion of the display panel is fixed to the second case, and a position of a second end portion of the display panel is configured to change on the first surface of the first case. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display device further includes a rotating member connected to the first case, wherein the folding member and the rotating member are connected to respective end portions of the first case that are opposite to each other. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display panel is disposed on the rotating member. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the position of the second end portion of the display panel is configured to change according to a rotation of the rotating member. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a first display portion of the display panel is positioned on the first surface of the first case, and the first case and the second case overlap each other along a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first display portion when the display device is in the folded state. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a first portion of the display panel is disposed between the second surface of the first case and the third surface of the second case facing each other along the first direction. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the folding member and the first portion of the display panel are spaced apart from each other by a first distance. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first display portion of the display panel displays an image, and the first portion of the display panel does not display an image. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second end portion of the display panel is disposed closer to the folding member than to the rotating member. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second case includes an accommodating portion, and the first end portion of the display panel is disposed within the accommodating portion of the second case. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when the display device is in the unfolded state, the first case and the second case are disposed to be parallel to each other, and a second display portion of the display panel is disposed on the second surface of the first case and the third surface of the second case. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second end portion of the display panel is disposed adjacent to the rotating member on the first surface of the first case. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a height of the second surface of the first case and a height of the third surface of the second case are the same. 
     According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes: a first case and a second case connected to each other by a folding member; a rotating member connected to the first case; and a display panel that is at least partially disposed on a first surface of the first case, wherein a second surface of the first case is opposite to the first surface of the first case, and a third surface of the second case faces the second surface of the first case when the display device is in a first state, and the third surface of the second case is aligned with the second surface of the first case when the display device is in a second state, wherein a first end portion of the display panel is fixed to the second case, and a position of a second end portion of the display panel is configured to change on the first surface of the first case, and when the first case and the second case overlap each other, the display panel displays an image on a first display portion, and when the second surface of the first case and the third surface of the second case are aligned with each other, the display panel displays an image on a second display portion. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first display portion has a first width, and the second display portion has a second width greater than the first width. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second width is approximately twice the first width. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the folding member and the rotating member are connected to respective end portions of the first case that are opposite to each other. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display panel overlaps the rotating member. 
     In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the position of the second end portion of the display panel is configured to change according to a rotation of the rotating member. 
     According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes: a first case and a second case connected to each other by a folding member, wherein the first case and the second case are configured to rotate about the folding member; a rotating member disposed at a first end of the first case and configured to rotate; and a display panel that is at least partially disposed on a first surface of the first case, wherein a second surface of the first case is opposite to the first surface of the first case, wherein a third surface of the second case faces the second surface of the first case in a first direction when the display device is in a folded state, and the first case and the second case are arranged in a second direction when the display device is in an unfolded state, wherein the second direction crosses the first direction, wherein a first end portion of the display panel is fixed to the second case, and a position of a second end portion of the display panel is disposed on the first surface of the first case, and wherein, when the display device is in the folded state, a first portion of the display panel is disposed between the second surface of the first case and the third surface of the second case and is configured to move toward and away from the folding member as the rotating member rotates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first display unit, of a display device, in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second state of a display device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a top plan view of a display device in a first state according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a top plan view of a first rear surface, of a display device, in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a top plan view of a display device in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top plan view of a second rear surface, of a display device, in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10    illustrate cross-sectional views of steps in which a display device is changed from a first state to a second state according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  11 ,  12 ,  13 , and  14    illustrate cross-sectional views of steps in which a display device is changed from a second state to a first state according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventive concept. 
     In the drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements, and thus repetitive descriptions may be omitted. 
     In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, areas, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity, and the present inventive concept is not limited to the illustrated sizes and thicknesses. 
     It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, area, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Furthermore, throughout the specification, “connected” does not only mean when two or more elements are directly connected to each other, but also means that two or more elements are indirectly connected through other elements, and it may include a case where substantially integral parts are connected to each other even if they may be referred to by a different name depending on the position or function, as well as the case of being physically connected or electrically connected. 
     A display device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept will be described with reference to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  6   .  FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first display unit, of a display device, in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, and  FIG.  2    illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second state of a display device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.  FIG.  3    illustrates a top plan view of a display device in the first state according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, and  FIG.  4    illustrates a top plan view of a first rear surface, of a display device, in a first state according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.  FIG.  5    illustrates a top plan view of a display device in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, and  FIG.  6    illustrates a top plan view of a second rear surface, of a display device, in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. 
     First, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , a display device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept includes a display panel DP and a case CS supporting the display panel DP. 
     The case CS includes a first case ( 31  and a second case CS 2  connected to each other through a folding member HA. The first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2 , by using the folding member HA, may maintain the first state that is a folded state as shown in  FIG.  1   , or may maintain the second state that is an unfolded state as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , in the folded first state, the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may overlap each other in a first direction DR 1  that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of a first display portion DA 1 . 
     In the first state in which the display device is folded, a second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  may face a third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 . In addition, the second surface S 2   a  may face the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 . 
     An accommodating portion SP may be formed in the second case CS 2 , and a first end portion EP 1  of the display panel DP may be fixed in the accommodating portion SP of the second case CS 2 , while in the first state in which the display device is folded. In addition, a second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP may be disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 , and may be disposed closer to the folding member HA than to a rotating member RA. 
     In the first state, in which the display device is folded, the first display portion DA 1  of the display panel DP may be disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 , and a first portion DPa of the display panel DP may be disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , which face each other. 
     In the first state, in which the display device is folded, the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA, which are disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance DS 1 . 
     The rotating member RA is disposed at a first end portion of the first case CS 1  that is opposite to a second end portion of the first case CS 1 , which is connected to the folding member HA. For example, the rotating member RA may be a roller. By rotation of the rotating member RA, the display panel DP may be moved on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 , the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1 , and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 . An area of the first portion DPa of the display panel DP disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2  may be changed according to a folding operation and an unfolding operation of the display device. 
     In the first state, in which the display device is folded, the first display portion DA 1  of the display panel DP may display an image while disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 , but the first portion DPa of the display panel DP disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2  might not display an image. As such, an image is displayed on a portion of the display panel DP, and no image is displayed on a portion of the display panel DP not viewed by the user, thereby reducing energy consumption such as power. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in the second state, in which the display device is unfolded, the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may be disposed in a line along a second direction DR 2  parallel to the surface of the first display portion DAL. For example, in the second state, the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may form a surface that is parallel to a plane extending in an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction. The second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2  may extend in a line to have the same height in the first direction DR 1 , and the first surface S 1  of the first case ( 31  may be disposed below the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  in the first direction DR 1 . For example, the second surface S 2   a  of the first case  31  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case ( 32  may be coplanar. 
     The first end portion EP 1  of the display panel DP may be fixed into the accommodating portion SP of the second case CS 2 . The second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP may be disposed to be adjacent to the rotation member RA. Most of the display panel DP may be disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case ( 31  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case ( 32  to form a second display portion DA 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    together with  FIG.  1   , in the first state, in which the display device is folded, the first display portion DA 1  disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  of the display panel DP may display an image, and the first display portion DA 1  may have a first width W 1  along a direction parallel to the second direction DR 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6    together with  FIG.  2   , in the second state, in which the display device is unfolded, among the display panel DP, the second display portion DA 2  disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2  may display an image, and the second display portion DA 2  may have a second width W 2  along a direction parallel to the second direction DR 2 . 
     The second width W 2  of the second display portion DA 2  may be greater than the first width W 1  of the first display portion DAL. For example, the second width W 2  of the second display portion DA 2  may be about twice the first width W 1  of the first display portion DA 1 , but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. 
     According to the display device according to the present embodiment, the first end portion EP 1  of the display panel DP is fixed in the accommodating portion SP of the second case CS 2 , and according to the folded state and the unfolded state of the display device, a position of the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP may be changed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1 . For example, when the display device is being changed to the second state from the first state, the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP may move closer to the rotating member RA. Through this, by using one display panel DP, an image is displayed on the first display portion DA 1  having the first width W 1  in the first state, in which the display device is folded, and an image is displayed on the second display portion DA 2  having the second width W 2  in the second state in which the display device is unfolded, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the display device and the driving cost of the display panel. 
     Hereinafter, steps in which the display device is changed from the first state to the second state will be described with reference to  FIG.  7    to  FIG.  10    along with  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  6   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the rotating member RA rotates in the first direction D 1 , and as the rotating member RA rotates in a first rotating direction D 1  (e.g., a rotating direction or a clockwise direction), the display panel DP may move toward a position between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2  while the rotating member RA rotates in the first rotating direction D 1 . A coupling member is disposed on a lower surface of the display panel DP and a surface of the rotating member RA, so that the display panel DP and the rotating member RA can move together according to the rotation of the rotating member RA. For example, the lower surface of the display panel DP may be in contact with the first case CS 1 . 
     As the rotating member RA rotates in the first rotating direction D 1 , the display panel DP moves, so that a second distance DS 2  between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA, which are disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , is narrower than the first distance DS 1  between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . In addition, the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  moves closer to the rotating member RA as compared with the first state that is the folded state illustrated in  FIG.  1    above. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , as the rotating member RA continues to rotate in the first rotating direction D 1 , the display panel DP moves until the distance between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA substantially becomes about 0, and the rotation of the rotating member RA stops. In this case, the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  is disposed adjacent to the rotating member RA as shown in  FIG.  2    above. For example, except for the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP, which is disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  and is adjacent to the rotating member RA, and the first end portion EP 1  fixed in the accommodating portion SP of the second case CS 2 , most of the display panel DP is disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG.  9   , in the state, in which most of the display panel DP is disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may be rotated about the folding member HA to form a first angle UFa by using the folding member HA, and the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may move away from each other. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , in the state, in which most of the display panel DP is disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  are rotated about the folding member HA to form a second angle UFa by using the folding member HA to further move away the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  from each other, so that an image may be displayed on the second display portion DA 2  having the second width W 2  in the unfolded second state as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     Hereinafter, steps in which the display device is changed from the second state to the first state will be described with reference to  FIG.  11    to  FIG.  14    along with  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  10   . 
     Next, referring to  FIG.  11    together with  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  10   , in the state, in which most of the display panel DP is disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may be reversely rotated about the folding member HA to form a third angle UFc by using the folding member HA to move the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  closer to each other. For example, when the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  are reversely rotated about the folding member HA, the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  are brought closer to each other. 
     Then, as shown in  FIG.  12   , in the state, in which most of the display panel DP is disposed on the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2   b  of the second case CS 2 , the first case CS 1  and the second case CS 2  may be folded to overlap each other along the first direction DR 1  that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first display portion DAL. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , the rotating member RA rotates in a second rotation direction D 2 , which is the opposite direction to the first rotation direction D 1 , and as the rotating member RA rotates in the second rotation direction D 2 , the display panel DP may move toward and along the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  according to the rotation direction of the rotating member RA. 
     As the rotating member RA rotates in the second rotation direction D 2 , the display panel DP moves, so that the distance between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA, which are disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2  of the second case CS 2 , may be increased from about 0 to a third distance DS 3 . The third distance DS 3  may be narrower than the first distance DS 1  between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA shown in  FIG.  1    above. In addition, the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP disposed on the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  moves away from the rotation member RA more than in the example shown in  FIG.  12   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , as the rotating member RA continues to rotate in the second rotation direction D 2 , the display panel DP further moves toward and along the first surface S 1  of the first case CS 1  along the second rotation direction D 2  of the rotating member RA, and the distance between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA, which are disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2  of the second case CS 2 , may become a fourth distance DS 4  wider than the third distance DS 3 . 
     Until the distance between the first portion DPa of the display panel DP and the folding member HA, which are disposed between the second surface S 2   a  of the first case CS 1  and the third surface S 2  of the second case CS 2 , becomes the first distance DS 1 , the rotating member RA is rotated and then stops the rotation when the first distance DS 1  is reached, so that an image may be displayed on the first display portion DA 1  that has the first width W 1  in the first folded state as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     According to the display device according to the present embodiment, the first end portion EP 1  of the display panel DP is fixed in the accommodating portion SP of the second case CS 2  and the position of the second end portion EP 2  of the display panel DP is changed on the first surface S 1  of first case CS 1  according to the rotation direction of the rotating member RA, so that the folding and unfolding states of the display device may be changed by the folding member HA. Through this, by using one display panel DP, an image may be displayed on the first display portion DA 1  having the first width W 1  in the first state, in which the display device is folded, and an image may be displayed on the second display portion DA 2  having the second width W 2  in the second state, in which the display device is unfolded. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the display device and the driving cost of the display panel may be reduced. 
     While the present inventive concept has been shown and described with reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept.