Patent Description:
A flexible display has advantages such as being light, thin, non-fragile, bendable, and wearable. Therefore, the flexible display is increasingly used in various electronic devices. However, due to creep performance of materials such as transparent polyimide (polyimide, PI) and an optical clear adhesive in the flexible display, the flexible display are prone to arch, wrinkle, and the like. To resolve this problem, a metal support is usually disposed under the flexible display to support the flexible display. In addition, a part of a material is hollowed out from a bending portion that is on the support and that corresponds to the flexible display to form a gap, to reduce impact of the metal support on bending performance of the flexible display, so that better dynamic bending performance is implemented. However, when a reliability test such as a front-side squeezing test or a falling ball test is performed on the flexible display, a failure problem such as a black spot occurs on the flexible display because the flexible display is easily squeezed at a position corresponding to the gap of the support. <CIT> relates a display device, including a flexible display panel with a bendable region and a flexible support attached to a back side of the flexible display panel, the flexible support includes a flexible support body, and a first part of the flexible support body corresponding to the bendable region is provided with a concave structure. <CIT> discloses a flexible display device.

This application provides a support, a display assembly, and an electronic device, to ensure that the support can well support a display, while preventing a flexible display from being squeezed to cause a failure problem.

According to a first aspect, this application provides a support for a flexible display is accordance with appended claim <NUM>.

In this application, a flexible strip is disposed in each gap of the hard plate layer, so that a display also has a support structure at a position corresponding to the gap of the hard plate layer. This avoids a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is easily squeezed at the position corresponding to the gap of the hard plate layer. In this application, there is a spacing between the flexible strip and a side wall of the gap in a width direction of the flexible strip, to ensure that a better support effect for the display is implemented, and ensure that a part of the bending area of the support can still have relatively good bending performance.

The support further includes a flexible layer. The hard plate layer includes a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the hard plate layer. The flexible layer is located on the first surface of the hard plate layer. The flexible strip is fastened to the flexible layer. The flexible layer covers at least the bending area.

The flexible layer is located on the first surface of the hard plate layer, so that when the display is disposed on the flexible layer, the flexible layer is located between the display and the hard plate layer. When the display is squeezed at the position corresponding to the gap of the hard plate layer, the flexible layer can further support the display and buffer squeeze stress, thereby further protecting the display, and avoiding a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is easily squeezed at a position corresponding to the gap of the support. In addition, because the flexible layer covers the bending area of the support <NUM>, a supporting function for the display can be further implemented, so that mold mark, touch feeling, and the like of the display assembly can be further improved.

In some implementations, the flexible layer covers the bending area. A thickness of the hard plate layer located in the bending area is less than a thickness of the hard plate layer located in the support area. A thickness of the flexible layer is a difference between the thickness of the hard plate layer located in the bending area and the thickness of the hard plate layer located in the support area. The flexible layer covers the bending area, and a surface that is of the flexible layer and that is away from the flexible strip is coplanar with a part that is of the first surface and that is located in the support area.

In some implementations, the flexible layer covers the bending area and the two support areas. Both the first surface and a surface that is of the flexible layer and that is away from the flexible strip are smooth surfaces, and the surface that is of the flexible layer and that is away from the flexible strip is parallel to the first surface.

In some implementations, an edge of the flexible layer is embedded in the hard plate layer, so that the flexible layer is more firmly connected to the hard plate layer, to increase a service life of the support.

In some implementations, the hard plate layer includes the first surface and the second surface that are disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the hard plate layer, and the spacing between the flexible strip and the side wall of the gap gradually increases in a direction from the first surface to the second surface, so that when the support is bent in the bending area, the flexible strip is squeezed relatively evenly by the side wall of the gap at each position in the thickness direction. In this way, when the support is bent, force is relatively evenly applied to a part located in the bending area. This helps prolong a service life of the support.

In some implementations, a width of the gap is the same at each position in a thickness direction of the support, and a width of the flexible strip gradually decreases in the direction from the first surface to the second surface of the hard plate layer.

In some implementations, a width of the flexible strip is the same at each position in a thickness direction of the support, and a width of the gap gradually increases in the direction from the first surface to the second surface of the hard plate layer.

In some implementations, a width of the gap is the same at each position in a thickness direction of the support, and the spacing between the flexible strip and the side wall of the gap is the same at each position in the thickness direction of the support.

In some implementations, the hard plate layer includes a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the hard plate layer, and the flexible strip includes a third surface and a fourth surface that are disposed opposite to each other in a thickness direction. A thickness of the flexible strip is the same as a thickness of the part that is of the hard plate layer and that is in the bending area. The third surface of the flexible strip is coplanar with the first surface of the part that is of the hard plate layer and that is in the bending area. The fourth surface of the flexible strip is coplanar with the second surface of the part that is of the hard plate layer and that is in the bending area, so that the display can be flat when being disposed on the support, and each position of the support can well support the display.

In some implementations, both the flexible layer and the flexible strip are made of a deformable elastic material, to ensure that the support has good support effect for the display, and has relatively good bending performance. In addition, when the support is bent, the flexible layer and the flexible strip can generate extrusion deformation or tensile deformation. While good bending performance is implemented, a size of the spacing between the flexible strip and the side wall of the gap is reduced as much as possible, to avoid a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is easily squeezed at the position corresponding to the gap of the support.

In some implementations, a material for making the flexible layer and a material for making the flexible strip are the same or different, and the flexible layer and the flexible strip are obtained by using a same process. This simplifies a manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs, and improves firmness of a connection between the flexible layer and the flexible strip.

In some implementations, a thickness of the flexible layer ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. This ensures that the flexible layer has specific support performance, avoids impact on bendability of the support, and increases a thickness and a weight of the support as little as possible.

In some implementations, a thickness of the hard plate layer ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. This ensures that the hard plate layer has specific support performance, and increases a thickness and a weight of the support as little as possible.

In some implementations, a width of the spacing between the flexible strip and the side wall of the gap in the width direction of the flexible strip ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. This ensures that there is a specific spacing between the flexible strip and the side wall of the gap, so that the bending area of the support has relatively good bending performance, and avoids a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is squeezed at a position corresponding to the spacing due to an excessively large spacing.

According to a second aspect, this application provides a display assembly in accordance with appended claim <NUM>.

In this application, a flexible strip is disposed in each gap of the hard plate layer. When the display is disposed on the support, the display also has a support structure at the position corresponding to the gap of the hard plate layer. This avoids a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is easily squeezed at the position corresponding to the gap of the support, and avoids a problem that occurs on the display when a reliability test such as a front-side squeezing test or a falling ball test is performed on a flexible display, so that the display assembly has relatively high reliability. In addition, in this application, there is a spacing between the flexible strip and a side wall of the gap in a width direction of the flexible strip, to ensure that a better support effect for the display is implemented, and ensure that a part of the bending area of the support can still have relatively good bending performance, thereby ensuring that the display assembly has relatively high reliability and also has relatively good bending performance.

According to a third aspect, this application further provides an electronic device in accordance with appended claim <NUM>. Because the display assembly has relatively high reliability and also has relatively good bending performance, the electronic device can also have relatively high reliability and can have relatively good bendability.

The following describes technical solutions of embodiments in this application with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device in an open state according to an embodiment of this application. An electronic device <NUM> may be a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a camera, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wearable device. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, descriptions are provided by using an example in which the electronic device <NUM> is a mobile phone. For ease of description, as shown in <FIG>, a width direction of the electronic device <NUM> is defined as an X axis. A length direction of the electronic device <NUM> is a Y axis. A thickness direction of the electronic device <NUM> is a Z axis.

With reference to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the electronic device shown in <FIG> in a closed state.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, and a display assembly <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can be unfolded relative to each other to be in an open state. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can alternatively be folded relative to each other to be in a closed state. In other words, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can be switched between the closed state and the open state. <FIG> shows that the electronic device <NUM> is in the open state. <FIG> shows that the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state. In this application, an example in which the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are unfolded and folded relative to an X-axis direction is used for description.

In addition, the display assembly <NUM> may be configured to display an image, a text, a video, and the like. The display assembly <NUM> includes a first part <NUM>, a second part <NUM>, and a third part <NUM> that are sequentially connected. The second part <NUM> is connected between the first part <NUM> and the third part <NUM>. The first part <NUM>, the second part <NUM>, and the third part <NUM> are located on a same side of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. In addition, the first part <NUM> is fastened to the first housing <NUM>. The second part <NUM> is located between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The third part <NUM> is fastened to the second housing <NUM>. The first part <NUM>, the second part <NUM>, and the third part <NUM> are arranged in a Y-axis direction. The second part <NUM> can be bent along an axis in the X-axis direction.

It may be understood that, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the open state, the first part <NUM>, the second part <NUM>, and the third part <NUM> are approximately at <NUM>° (where a slight deviation is allowed, for example, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>°). In this case, the display assembly <NUM> has a large continuous display area. In other words, the display assembly <NUM> can implement large-screen display. Therefore, user experience is better. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state, the display assembly <NUM> is folded. Specifically, the second part <NUM> is bent. The first part <NUM> and the third part <NUM> overlap each other.

In addition, <FIG> shows that when the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are located between the first part <NUM> and the third part <NUM>. In other words, the display assembly <NUM> may be folded outward. In another implementation, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state, the display assembly <NUM> may be alternatively located between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. In other words, the display assembly <NUM> may be folded inward.

In addition, both <FIG> show that the electronic device <NUM> may be folded once. In another implementation, the electronic device <NUM> may be alternatively folded for a plurality of times. Specifically, the electronic device <NUM> includes more housings that can rotate relative to each other, and the display assembly includes more parts that can be folded to each other. For example, in some implementations, the electronic device <NUM> may be folded twice. Specifically, compared with the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in this implementation further includes a third housing. The third housing may be folded relative to the second housing <NUM>. The display assembly <NUM> further includes a fourth part and a fifth part. The fourth part is connected between the third part <NUM> and the fifth part, and the fifth part is fastened to the third housing. The fourth part may be bent along the axis in the X-axis direction, so that the third part <NUM> and the fifth part are folded to each other, and the third housing is folded relative to the second housing <NUM>.

It may be understood that the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> have a plurality of connection relationships, for example, a rotatable connection, a slidable connection, a rotatable and slidable connection, and a detachable fastening connection. In this embodiment, an example in which the first housing <NUM> is rotatably connected to the second housing <NUM> is used for description. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic exploded partial view of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram in which a rotation apparatus of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is mounted on the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> further includes a rotation apparatus <NUM>. The rotation apparatus <NUM> is rotatably connected to the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The rotation apparatus <NUM> enables the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to rotate relative to each other for folding or unfolding. The rotation apparatus <NUM> is located between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and the rotation apparatus <NUM> is disposed opposite to the second part <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>.

The rotation apparatus <NUM> includes a first support <NUM>, a second support <NUM>, and a third support <NUM>. The second support <NUM> is located between the first support <NUM> and the third support <NUM>. In addition, the first support <NUM>, the second support <NUM>, and the third support <NUM> are disposed facing the second part <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>.

In addition, one side of the second support <NUM> is movably connected to the first support <NUM>. The other side of the second support <NUM> is also movably connected to the third support <NUM>. It may be understood that the movable connection may be a rotatable connection, a slidable connection, a rotatable and slidable connection, or a detachable fastening connection. In other words, the first support <NUM>, the second support <NUM>, and the third support <NUM> are movable with each other. In addition, one side that is of the first support <NUM> and that is away from the second support <NUM> is rotatably connected to the first housing <NUM>. One side that is of the third support <NUM> and that is away from the second support <NUM> is rotatably connected to the second housing <NUM>. In this case, the first support <NUM>, the second support <NUM>, and the third support <NUM> cooperate with each other, and the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can rotate relative to each other for folding or unfolding.

It may be understood that, when the electronic device <NUM> is unfolded to the open state, the first support <NUM>, the second support <NUM>, and the third support <NUM> jointly support the second part <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic exploded view of a display assembly of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The display assembly <NUM> includes a display <NUM> and a support <NUM>. The display <NUM> is configured to display an image, a text, a video, and the like. The display <NUM> is a flexible display. For example, the display <NUM> may be an organic light-emitting diode (organic light-emitting diode, OLED) display, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode, AMOLED) display, a mini light-emitting diode (mini organic light-emitting diode) display, a micro light-emitting diode (micro organic light-emitting diode) display, a micro organic light-emitting diode (micro organic light-emitting diode) display, or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (quantum dot light-emitting diode, QLED) display.

Refer to <FIG>, and with reference to <FIG>, the display <NUM> includes two non-bending portions and a bending portion 31b connected between the two non-bending portions. The two non-bending portions are respectively a first non-bending portion 31a and a third non-bending portion 31c. In other words, the first non-bending portion 31a, the bending portion 31b, and the third non-bending portion 31c are sequentially connected. The first non-bending portion 31a is a part of the first part <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>. The bending portion 31b is a part of the second part <NUM>. The third non-bending portion 31c is a part of the third part <NUM>. The bending portion 31b can be bent.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the display assembly <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG> in a closed state. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state, the bending portion 31b is bent, the first non-bending portion 31a and the third non-bending portion 31c are disposed facing each other, and the first non-bending portion 31a and the third non-bending portion 31c are parallel to each other. <FIG> shows that the bending portion 31b is approximately semi-annular. In another implementation, the bending portion 31b may also be in a water drop shape or another shape.

<FIG> is a partial schematic sectional diagram of an implementation of a display assembly of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG> at a line A-A. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the open state, the first non-bending portion 31a, the bending portion 31b, and the third non-bending portion 31c are approximately at <NUM>° (where a slight deviation is allowed, for example, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>°).

Refer to <FIG> again. The display <NUM> may include a rear film <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, a polarizer (Polarizer, POL) <NUM>, and a protection cover <NUM> that are sequentially stacked. In other words, the display panel <NUM> is located between the rear film <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM>. The protection cover <NUM> is fastened to a surface that is of the polarizer <NUM> and that is away from the display panel <NUM>. The rear film <NUM> may be configured to support the display panel <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> is configured to display an image, a video, and the like. The protection cover <NUM> is configured to protect the polarizer <NUM>, the display panel <NUM>, and the like.

In addition, the display <NUM> further includes an optical clear adhesive <NUM>. The optical clear adhesive <NUM> is fastened between the polarizer <NUM> and the protection cover <NUM>. The optical clear adhesive <NUM> not only enables display light emitted by the display panel <NUM> to propagate outside the electronic device <NUM>, but also improves flexibility of the display assembly <NUM>.

In an implementation, the display <NUM> may be a touchscreen. The display <NUM> can be configured to generate a touch signal based on a touch action of a user. For example, when the user taps an icon of camera software on the display <NUM>, the display <NUM> can generate a touch signal based on the tapping action of the user, and transmit the touch signal to a processor (not shown in the figure) of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor receives the touch signal, and starts the camera software based on the touch signal. The processor may be mounted on the first housing <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), or may be mounted on the second housing <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

The display panel <NUM> may have a touch function. In other words, the display panel <NUM> has a function of a touch panel. For example, the touch panel is embedded into a light emitting layer of the display panel <NUM> by using an on-cell technology. In another implementation, the display panel <NUM> may alternatively not have a touch function. In this case, the display <NUM> further includes a touch panel (not shown in the figure). The touch panel may be fastened between the protection cover <NUM> and the polarizer <NUM>, or may be located between the polarizer <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> again. The display <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> that are disposed opposite to each other. The outer surface <NUM> of the display <NUM> is a surface that is of the display <NUM> and that faces the user when the user normally uses the electronic device <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> of the display <NUM> is surface that is of the display <NUM> and that faces the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> when the display assembly <NUM> is mounted on the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>.

In addition, the support <NUM> is fastened to the inner surface <NUM> of the display <NUM>. The support <NUM> is configured to support the display <NUM>, to improve overall strength of the display assembly <NUM>. In an implementation, the support <NUM> may be fastened to the inner surface <NUM> of the display <NUM> by using an optical clear adhesive (OCA), a PVB adhesive, a foam adhesive, a combination thereof, or the like. <FIG> shows that an optical clear adhesive <NUM> is disposed between the support <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the display <NUM>, to fasten the support <NUM> and the display <NUM> by using the optical clear adhesive <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> again. In a Z-axis direction, a height H1 of the support <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. In this case, a thickness of the support <NUM> is moderate, so that it can be ensured that the support <NUM> has better rigidity and flexibility, and the support <NUM> does not greatly increase a thickness and weight of the display assembly <NUM>. In another embodiment, the height H1 of the support <NUM> may alternatively be in another numerical range.

Refer to <FIG> again. The support <NUM> includes two support areas and a bending area 32b connected between the two support areas. The two support areas are respectively a first support area 32a and a second support area 32c. In other words, the first support area 32a, the bending area 32b, and the second support area 32c are sequentially connected. It should be noted that, for ease of description, the first support area 32a, the bending area 32b, and the second support area 32c divide the support <NUM> into three areas, which are not actual structures. In <FIG>, the first support area 32a, the bending area 32b, and the second support area 32c are distinguished from each other by using dashed lines.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The two non-bending portions of the display <NUM> respectively correspond to the two support areas of the support <NUM>. To be specific, the first non-bending portion 31a is disposed opposite to the first support area 32a, the second bending portion 31b is disposed opposite to the second support area 32c, and the bending portion 31b is disposed opposite to the bending area 32b. The support <NUM> may be bent at the bending area 32b. In this application, the support <NUM> is a structure whose rigidity is greater than that of the display <NUM>, and can support the display <NUM> to some extent, to avoid problems such as arching, wrinkle, and collapse of the display <NUM>. In addition, in this application, when a part that is of the support <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b is bent to a same extent as the bending portion 31b of the display <NUM>, a resilience force of the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b is greater than a resilience force of the bending portion 31b, so that when the electronic device <NUM> is in a folded state, the part in the bending area 32b can also better support the bending portion 31b.

Refer to <FIG> again. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the closed state, both the bending area 32b and the bending portion 31b are bent, and a part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the first support area 32a is parallel to a part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the second support area 32c. <FIG> shows that the support <NUM> is approximately annular. In another implementation, the support <NUM> may also be in a water drop shape or another shape.

Refer to <FIG> again. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the open state, the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the first support area 32a, the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b, and the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the second support area 32c are approximately at <NUM>° (where a slight deviation is allowed, for example, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>°). <FIG> shows that the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the first support area 32a, the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b, and the part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the second support area 32c are at <NUM>°.

Refer to <FIG>. The support <NUM> includes a hard plate layer <NUM>. At least one gap <NUM> is disposed on a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that corresponds to the bending area 32b. The gap <NUM> penetrates a thickness direction of the hard plate layer <NUM>. An extension direction of the gap <NUM> is perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the two support areas. In this implementation, an arrangement direction of the first support area 32a and the second support area 32c is a length direction (a Y-axis direction in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. Therefore, the extension direction of the gap <NUM> is a width direction of the electronic device <NUM>.

The hard plate layer <NUM> includes a first surface 321a and a second surface 321b that are disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction (a Z-axis direction in <FIG>) of the hard plate layer <NUM>. When the display <NUM> is disposed on the support <NUM>, the display <NUM> is located on a side that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is close to the first surface 321a. It should be noted that the first surface 321a of the hard plate layer <NUM> is all surfaces that are of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that face the display <NUM>. For example, when a thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b is different from a thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the support area, the first surface 321a of the hard plate layer <NUM> is jointly formed by a surface that is of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b and that faces the display <NUM> and a surface that is of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in support area and that faces the display <NUM>. In this case, a part that is of the first surface 321a and that is located in the bending area 32b is not coplanar with a part that is of the first surface 321a and that is located in the support area.

In this application, the hard plate layer <NUM> is made of a material with specific rigidity, so that the support <NUM> including the hard plate layer <NUM> has specific rigidity, to support the display <NUM>. In addition, the hard plate layer <NUM> needs to have specific elasticity, to ensure that the display assembly <NUM> can be bent. Specifically, a material of the hard plate layer <NUM> may be metal materials such as copper, aluminum, beryllium copper, stainless steel, or titanium alloy, or may be a plastic plate with specific rigidity and elasticity. In this case, the hard plate layer <NUM> can have better hardness and rigidity, and has specific elasticity. In some implementations of this application, a thickness of the hard plate layer <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. This ensures that the hard plate layer <NUM> has a specific thickness, so that the hard plate layer <NUM> can meet required rigidity and elasticity, and prevent an excessively large thickness of the hard plate layer <NUM> from affecting a thickness and a weight of the display assembly. It should be noted that thicknesses of the hard plate layer <NUM> at different positions may be the same or different as required. The thicknesses of the hard plate layer <NUM> at different positions all range from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In this implementation, the hard plate layer <NUM> is an integrated structure, and may be obtained by cutting an integral plate by using a computer numerical control (computer numerical control, CNC) processing technology, or may be obtained by using extrusion molding, injection molding, compression molding, calendering, chemical corrosion, or the like. In another implementation, a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the first support area 32a, a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b, and a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the second support area 32c may also be separately processed, and then connected in a welding manner, a snap-fit fastening manner, or the like, to obtain the hard plate layer <NUM>.

In this application, at least one gap <NUM> is disposed on a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that corresponds to the bending area 32b, and an extension direction of the gap <NUM> is a width direction of the electronic device <NUM>. Therefore, flexibility of the hard plate layer <NUM> located in the bending area 32b can be improved, to further avoid impact of the hard plate layer <NUM> on bending performance of the display assembly <NUM>, and improve bendable performance of the display assembly <NUM>. It should be noted that, in this application, the extension direction of the gap <NUM> is the width direction of the electronic device <NUM>, but a slight deviation, for example, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>°, may also be allowed.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the hard plate layer <NUM> according to an implementation of this application. In this implementation, a plurality of gaps <NUM> are disposed on the hard plate layer <NUM>, and the plurality of gaps <NUM> are arranged according to a specific periodic rule. Therefore, rigidity of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b can be ensured, to ensure a support effect for the display <NUM>, and further improve flexibility of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b. Specifically, the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that corresponds to the bending area 32b includes a plurality of columns of gaps <NUM> disposed in a direction (a Y-axis direction in <FIG>) from the first support area 32a to the second support area 32c, and each column of gaps <NUM> includes at least one gap <NUM>. When a same column of gaps <NUM> includes a plurality of gaps <NUM>, the plurality of gaps <NUM> located in the same column are arranged in a width direction (an X-axis direction in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. Adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, a direction of a connection line between ends of the adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> is different from the Y-axis direction. In some implementations, the adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> may alternatively be not staggered. In other words, the direction of the connection line between the ends of the adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> is the same as the Y-axis direction. In this implementation, the adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> are arranged in a staggered manner, so that flexibility of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b can be improved, and rigidity of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b can be retained as much as possible, to ensure flexibility of the display panel and ensure a support effect for the display <NUM>. It may be understood that, at an edge position of the hard plate layer <NUM>, only a part of the gap <NUM> may be disposed due to space limitation. For example, in <FIG>, a first column of gaps <NUM> closest to the first support area 32a includes one entire gap <NUM> and a half gap <NUM> located at both ends of the entire gap <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged schematic diagram of a structure of the hard plate layer <NUM> shown in <FIG> at a position B. In the Y-axis direction, a width of a spacing part between two adjacent columns of gaps <NUM> is b1. In an implementation, b1 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, b1 is equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In this way, in the Y-axis direction, there is a relatively large quantity of remaining materials between two adjacent gaps <NUM>, to ensure that the hard plate layer <NUM> has better strength.

Refer to <FIG> again. In the X-axis direction, a length b2 of a spacing part between two adjacent gaps <NUM> in a same column of gaps <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, b2 is equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In this way, in the X-axis direction, there is a relatively large quantity of remaining materials between two adjacent gaps <NUM>, to ensure that the hard plate layer <NUM> has better strength.

A shape of the gap <NUM> may be randomly designed based on an actual requirement. For example, in an implementation of <FIG>, a middle part of the gap <NUM> is in a rectangular strip shape, and two ends of the middle part are expanded into a circle, a rectangle with a width greater than that of the middle part, or another shape, so that the gap <NUM> is approximately in a dumbbell shape. In some implementations, the gap <NUM> may alternatively be directly in shapes such as a rectangular strip shape and an elliptical strip shape.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the bending area 32b of the support <NUM> at the position B in <FIG>. A flexible strip <NUM> is disposed in each gap <NUM>, and a length direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is the same as the extension direction of the gap <NUM>, that is, the length direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is the width direction (an X-axis direction in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. Both ends in the length direction of the flexible strip <NUM> may be fastened to the gap <NUM>. Alternatively, in some implementations, the flexible strip <NUM> is directly fastened to the display <NUM> by using the optical clear adhesive <NUM>, to ensure that the flexible strip <NUM> is fastened relative to the hard plate layer <NUM>. In this application, the flexible strip <NUM> is disposed in each gap <NUM>, so that the display <NUM> also has a support structure at a position corresponding to the gap <NUM> of the hard plate layer <NUM>. This avoids a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display <NUM> is easily squeezed at a position corresponding to the gap <NUM> of the support <NUM>.

In this implementation, the flexible strip <NUM> includes a third surface 324a and a fourth surface 324b that are disposed opposite to each other in a thickness direction. A thickness of the flexible strip <NUM> is the same as a thickness of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b. The third surface 324a of the flexible strip <NUM> is coplanar with the first surface 321a of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b, so that the display <NUM> can remain flat when being disposed on the support <NUM>. In addition, the fourth surface 324b of the flexible strip <NUM> is coplanar with the second surface 321b of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b, so that since the support <NUM> is flattened, a position of the flexible strip <NUM> is not suspended, and each position of the support <NUM> can well support the display <NUM>. It may be understood that, due to impact of manufacturing precision of the support <NUM> or another condition, there may be a small distance between the fourth surface 324b of the flexible strip <NUM> and the second surface 321b of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b, or it may be considered that the fourth surface 324b of the flexible strip <NUM> are basically coplanar with the second surface 321b of the part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is in the bending area 32b.

In this application, there is a spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and a side wall of the gap <NUM> in a width direction of the flexible strip <NUM>, to ensure that a better support effect for the display <NUM> is implemented, and ensure that a part of the bending area 32b of the support <NUM> can still have relatively good bending performance. The width direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is perpendicular to a length direction of the flexible strip <NUM>, and is a length direction (a Y-axis direction in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. It should be noted that a material for making the flexible strip <NUM> is a deformable elastic material. Therefore, when a part that is of the support <NUM> and that corresponds to the bending area 32b is bent, and two sides in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in <FIG>) of the flexible strip <NUM> are squeezed by side walls in a width direction (the Y-axis direction in <FIG>) of the gap <NUM>, the flexible strip <NUM> can be compressed and deformed to some extent. Therefore, a width L1 (that is, a size of the spacing <NUM> in the Y-axis direction in <FIG>) of the spacing <NUM> may be set to be relatively small. This can meet bending performance of the support <NUM>, and avoid a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display <NUM> is easily squeezed at a position corresponding to the spacing <NUM>. Specifically, the material for making the flexible strip <NUM> may be rubber, foam, thermoplastic polyurethanes (Thermoplastic polyurethanes, TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (Thermoplastic Elastomer, TPE), or the like.

In some implementations of this application, the width L1 of the spacing <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>. It should be noted that, in some implementations of this application, a shape of the flexible strip <NUM> may be a structure that is the same as or different from a shape of the gap <NUM>, and sizes of the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> at different positions may be the same or different. In an implementation shown in <FIG>, the flexible strip <NUM> has a same shape as the gap <NUM>, that is, is of a dumbbell-shaped structure. Therefore, the sizes of the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> at any position are the same. In some other implementations of this application, a shape of the flexible strip <NUM> may be a structure different from a shape of the gap <NUM>. For example, the gap <NUM> is in an approximate dumbbell shape, and the flexible strip <NUM> is a rectangular strip shape. In this case, the sizes of the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> at different positions are different, but the width D1 of the spacing <NUM> is still within a specified range, so that an effect of this application can still be implemented.

In this application, there is the spacing <NUM> between the side wall of the gap <NUM> and both sides of the flexible strip <NUM> in the width direction, and sizes of the spacing <NUM> between the two sides of the flexible strip <NUM> in the width direction and the side wall of the gap <NUM> may be the same or different. In this implementation, the sizes of the spacing <NUM> between the two sides of the flexible strip <NUM> in the width direction and the side wall of the gap <NUM> are the same, so that when the display assembly <NUM> is bent, squeezing force between the two sides of the flexible strip <NUM> in the width direction and the side wall of the gap <NUM> is basically the same. In this case, force is relatively evenly applied to a part that is of the support <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b. This helps prolong a service life of the support <NUM>.

In this implementation, a width of the gap <NUM> on the hard plate layer <NUM> is the same at all locations in the thickness direction (that is, the Z-axis direction in <FIG>) of the support <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the gap <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the gap <NUM> is a rectangle. The spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> is the same at each position in the thickness direction of the support <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the flexible strip <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is also a rectangle, so that a width of the spacing <NUM> between the side wall of the gap <NUM> and both sides of the flexible strip <NUM> in the width direction is the same at different positions in the thickness direction (the Z-axis direction in <FIG>) of the support <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the support <NUM> according to another implementation of this application. A difference between the support <NUM> in this implementation and the support <NUM> in <FIG> lies in that the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> gradually increases in a direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b. Specifically, in this implementation, the width of the gap <NUM> is the same at each position in the thickness direction of the support <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the gap <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the gap <NUM> is a rectangle. A width of the flexible strip <NUM> gradually decreases in the direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b of the hard plate layer <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the flexible strip <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is a trapezoid, and a width of a side that is of the flexible strip <NUM> and that is close to the first surface 321a is greater than a width of a side that is of the flexible strip <NUM> and that is close to the second surface 321b. In this case, the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> gradually increases in the direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b. When the display assembly <NUM> is folded in an outward folding manner, the first surface 321a of the support <NUM> is compressed and deformed to a less extent than the second surface 321b. In this case, a cross section of the gap <NUM> of the support <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the gap <NUM> is deformed from a rectangle to a trapezoid, and an opening that is of the trapezoidal gap <NUM> and that is located on the first surface 321a is greater than the second surface 321b. In this implementation, the flexible strip <NUM> is set to a structure whose width gradually decreases in the direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b of the hard plate layer <NUM>, so that when the display assembly is bent, a shape of the flexible strip <NUM> is basically the same as a shape of the deformed gap <NUM>. In this case, the flexible strip <NUM> can be squeezed relatively evenly by the side wall of the gap <NUM> at each position in the thickness direction, and when the support <NUM> is bent, force is relatively evenly applied to a part located in the bending area 32b. This helps prolong a service life of the support <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the support <NUM> according to another implementation of this application. A difference between the support <NUM> in this implementation and the support <NUM> in <FIG> lies in that, in this implementation, the width of the gap <NUM> gradually increases in the direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b of the hard plate layer <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the gap <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the gap <NUM> is a trapezoid, and an opening that is of the gap <NUM> and that is located on the first surface 321a is less than an opening that is of the gap <NUM> and that is close to the second surface 321b. The width of the flexible strip <NUM> is the same at each position in the thickness direction of the support <NUM>. In other words, a cross section of the flexible strip <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is a rectangle, so that the spacing <NUM> between the flexible strip <NUM> and the side wall of the gap <NUM> gradually increases in the direction from the first surface 321a to the second surface 321b. When the display assembly <NUM> is folded in an outward folding manner, the first surface 321a of the support <NUM> is compressed and deformed to a less extent than the second surface 321b. In this case, a cross section of the gap <NUM> of the support <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the gap <NUM> is deformed from a trapezoid to an approximately rectangular structure. In this implementation, a cross section of the flexible strip <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the flexible strip <NUM> is a rectangular structure, so that when the display assembly is bent, a shape of the flexible strip <NUM> is basically the same as a shape of the deformed gap <NUM>. In this case, the flexible strip <NUM> can be squeezed relatively evenly by the side wall of the gap <NUM> at each position in the thickness direction, and when the support <NUM> is bent, force is relatively evenly applied to a part located in the bending area 32b. This helps prolong a service life of the support <NUM>. In addition, because the thickness of the flexible strip <NUM> at each position is uniform, support performance of the flexible strip <NUM> at each position is even, so that the display <NUM> can be well supported.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the display assembly <NUM> according to the invention. A difference between the support <NUM> in <FIG> and the support <NUM> in <FIG> lies in that, the support <NUM> further includes a flexible layer <NUM>. The flexible layer <NUM> is located on the first surface 321a of the hard plate layer <NUM>. When the display <NUM> is stacked on the support <NUM>, the flexible layer <NUM> is located between the display <NUM> and the support <NUM>. The flexible strip <NUM> is fastened to the flexible layer <NUM>, and the flexible layer <NUM> covers at least the bending area 32b. In other words, the flexible layer <NUM> can cover only the bending area 32b of the hard plate layer <NUM>, or may cover the bending area 32b, the first support area 32a, and the second support area 32c of the hard plate layer <NUM>.

In an implementation, the flexible layer <NUM> can cover only the bending area 32b of the hard plate layer <NUM>. Specifically, in this implementation, a thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b is D1, a thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the first support area 32a and the second support area 32c is D2, and D1 is less than D2. A thickness of the flexible layer <NUM> is D3, and D3 is a difference between D2 and D1. To be specific, when the flexible layer <NUM> covers the bending area 32b of the hard plate layer <NUM>, a surface that is of the flexible layer <NUM> and that is away from the flexible strip <NUM> is coplanar with a part that is of the first surface 321a and that is located in the support area.

In an implementation, the flexible layer <NUM> may also be made of a deformable elastic material, for example, a rubber material, a foam material, a TPU material, or a TPE material. The material for making the flexible layer <NUM> may be the same as the material for making the flexible strip <NUM>, or may be different from the material for making the flexible strip <NUM>. In this implementation, both the material for making the flexible layer <NUM> and the material for making the flexible strip <NUM> are rubber materials, so that a manufacturing process can be further simplified, and the flexible layer <NUM> is more firmly connected to the flexible strip <NUM>. In some other implementations of this application, the material for making the flexible layer <NUM> may alternatively be different from the material for making the flexible strip <NUM>. For example, in some implementations, the material for making the flexible layer <NUM> is foam, and the material for making the flexible strip <NUM> is rubber.

In some implementations, the flexible layer <NUM> and the flexible strip <NUM> may be obtained by using a same process, so that the manufacturing process is further simplified, and the flexible layer <NUM> is more firmly connected to the flexible strip <NUM>. Specifically, the flexible layer <NUM> and the flexible strip <NUM> may be integrally formed by using injection molding, compression molding, calendering, or the like.

In an implementation, the flexible layer <NUM> is located between the display <NUM> and the hard plate layer <NUM>, so that when the display <NUM> is squeezed at a position corresponding to the gap <NUM> of the hard plate layer <NUM>, the flexible layer <NUM> can further support the display <NUM> and buffer squeeze stress, thereby further protecting the display <NUM>, and avoiding a failure problem such as a black spot that occurs because the display is easily squeezed at the position corresponding to the gap <NUM> of the support <NUM>. In addition, because the flexible layer <NUM> covers the bending area 32b of the support <NUM>, a supporting function for the display <NUM> can be further implemented, so that mold mark, touch feeling, and the like of the display assembly <NUM> can be further improved. Specifically, the flexible layer <NUM> further supports the display <NUM>, so that when the display assembly <NUM> is folded, a contour of the gap <NUM> of the hard plate layer <NUM> is not easily presented on the display <NUM>, to improve mold mark, touch feeling, and the like of the display assembly <NUM>.

In an implementation, to enable the flexible layer <NUM> to well support the display <NUM>, and avoid impact of the flexible layer <NUM> on bending performance of the display assembly <NUM> as much as possible, the thickness D2 of the flexible layer <NUM> needs to be within a specific range. In some implementations of this application, the thickness D3 of the flexible layer <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In some implementations of this application, an edge of the flexible layer <NUM> is embedded in the hard plate layer <NUM>, so that the flexible layer <NUM> is more firmly connected to the hard plate layer <NUM>, to increase a service life of the support <NUM>. For example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the support <NUM> according to another implementation of this application. A difference between this implementation and the implementation shown in <FIG> lies in that, in this implementation, the flexible layer <NUM> includes a middle area 325a and edge areas 325b located on two sides of the middle area 325a, and a thickness of the edge area 325b of the flexible layer <NUM> is less than a thickness of the middle area 325a, so that an edge of the flexible layer <NUM> forms a stepped structure. A thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the bending area 32b is less than a thickness of a part that is of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the first support area 32a and the second support area 32c. A groove <NUM> is disposed on a side that is of the first support area 32a and the second support area 32c and that is close to the bending area 32b. When the flexible layer <NUM> is disposed in the bending area 32b of the hard plate layer <NUM>, the edge area 325b of the flexible layer <NUM> is embedded in the groove <NUM> of the first support area 32a and the second support area 32c of the hard plate layer <NUM>. In addition, a surface that is of the flexible layer <NUM> and that is away from the flexible strip <NUM> is coplanar with a part that is of the first surface 321a of the hard plate layer <NUM> and that is located in the support area, to ensure that a surface that is of the support <NUM> and that faces the display <NUM> is flat, and ensure that the support <NUM> well supports the display <NUM>. In this implementation, the support <NUM> may be obtained by using injection molding. To be specific, after a hard plate is first formed in a mold, the flexible layer <NUM> is formed through molding again. In this way, the flexible layer <NUM> and the hard plate part form an integrated structure, to simplify a manufacturing process, and improve firmness of a connection between the flexible layer <NUM> and the hard plate part.

Claim 1:
A support (<NUM>) for a flexible display, comprising two support areas and a bending area (32b) connected between the two support areas, wherein the support is configured to be bent in the bending area,
the support comprises a hard plate layer (<NUM>), the hard plate layer comprises a first surface (321a) and a second surface (321b) that are disposed opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the hard plate layer,
at least one gap (<NUM>) is disposed on a part that is of the hard plate layer and that corresponds to the bending area, the gap penetrates a thickness direction of the hard plate layer,
a flexible strip (<NUM>) is disposed in each gap,
a length direction of the flexible strip is the same as an extension direction of the gap,
wherein there is a spacing between the flexible strip and a side wall of the gap in a width direction of the flexible strip, and characterised in that:
the support further comprises a flexible layer (<NUM>), the flexible layer is located on the first surface of the hard plate layer, the flexible strip is fastened to the flexible layer, and the flexible layer covers at least the bending area.