Patent Description:
Currently, the panel industry is accompanied by the large-scale production and use of organic light-emitting semiconductor (OLED) flexible screens. Mobile terminals, such as foldable screen phones and tablets have become a major trend. They have a significant advantage of a larger display area without taking up more storage space. However, there is always a problem with foldable screens. In the process of changing from a bending state to a non-bending state of the screens, the non-bending part of the screens must have a stretching deformation, and this part must be connected to a middle frame. This connection may limit the deformation of the flexible screen and cause stress that damages the screens. <CIT> discloses a bendable mechanism and a flexible display device. <CIT> discloses a portable terminal having a slide module. <CIT> discloses a flexible display device. <CIT> discloses a rotating shaft module of a folding device. <CIT> discloses a foldable display device. <CIT> discloses a folding mechanism and a folding mobile terminal.

In the prior art, the above-mentioned problems are generally solved by using a plurality of springs between screen support plate and middle frame to make a relative displacement between therein. However, there are some disadvantages in the springs, such as the springs are prone to failure, a durability of the springs is not well, and each of the springs have different elastic coefficients springs, etc..

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a display panel support frame and a display device for a display panel to protect a flexible display screen.

The object of the present invention is to provide a display panel support frame and a display device, which may reduce the tensile or compression stress and the strain generated in the non-bending area of the display screen, thereby protecting the flexible display screen.

A display panel support frame comprises a first support frame, a second support frame, a third support frame, and at least two connecting members. One side of the third support frame is rotatably connected to the first support frame, and another side of the third support frame is rotatably connected to the second support frame. The first support frame and the second support frame have a same structure, and each comprises a support plate disposed thereon. One of the connecting members makes the support plate on the first support frame slidably connect to the third support frame, and another connecting member makes the support plate on the second support frame slidably connects to the third support frame.

Each of the two connecting members comprises a linking member, and the linking member comprises a first fixed shaft connected to the support plate; a second fixed shaft connected to the connecting member; a rotation shaft rotated around the first fixed shaft; a first connecting link connecting the first fixed shaft to the rotation shaft; and a second connecting link connecting the second fixed shaft to the rotation shaft.

The connecting member further comprises a base body, and the second fixed shaft of the linking member is disposed on the base body, and the base body is configured slidably connected to the support plate.

Each connecting member further comprises a connecting shaft, the connecting shaft is disposed on one side of the base body and rotatably connected to the third support frame, and the connecting shaft connects the connecting member to the third support frame.

The display panel support frame further comprises at least one notch formed on each side of the third support frame, and the at least one notch is correspondingly configured rotatably connected to the connecting shaft. In one embodiment, the at least one notch is correspondingly configured with the connecting shaft of the connecting member, and the two connecting members are fixed to two sides of the third support frame through the connecting shaft and the notch corresponding to the connecting shaft.

In one embodiment, the display panel further comprises a slide rail is formed on a bottom of the support plate. The connecting member is slidably connected to the slide rail; the second fixed shaft is fixed to an upper surface of the slide rail; and the rotation shaft, the first connecting link, and the second connecting link are configured to move in the slide rail.

In one embodiment, the support plate comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is connected to the second portion, and the slide rail is formed on a bottom surface of the second portion.

In one embodiment, a gap is formed between the first portion and the second portion, and the gap provides the second portion slides with a space for sliding left and right.

A display device comprises a display panel support frame and a display panel, and the display panel is disposed on the display panel support frame.

A display panel support frame and a display device are provided. The support plate and the third support frame are relatively displaced by using a connecting member having a linking member, which may reduce the tensile or compression stress and the strain generated in the non-bending area of the display screen. Specifically, the support plate fixes the first fixed shaft, and the connection plate fixes the second fixed shaft. When the display panel support frame starts to fold, the support plate and the third support frame move relative to each other through the connecting member, thereby driving the rotation shaft to rotate around the first fixed shaft, and driving the first connecting link and the second connecting link to move together. Therefore, the damping produced by the linking member will protect the display screen, and no excessive tensile or compressive stress are happened, and the flexible screen is protected well.

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments, the drawings described in the description of the embodiments are briefly described below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. Other drawings can also be obtained from those skilled persons in the art based on drawings without any creative effort.

Reference numerals: display panel support frame <NUM>; display device <NUM>;.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be carried out in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to explain the practical application of the present invention, so that those skilled persons in the art may understand various embodiments of the present invention and various modifications suitable for a specific intended application.

Referring to <FIG>, a display panel support frame <NUM> is provided and comprises a first support frame <NUM>, a second support frame <NUM>, a third support frame <NUM>, and at least two connecting members <NUM>.

One side of the third support frame <NUM> is rotatably connected to the first support frame <NUM>, and another side of the third support frame <NUM> is rotatably connected to the second support frame <NUM>. That is, the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> are disposed at left side and right side of the third support frame <NUM>.

The first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> have a same structure, and each comprises a support plate <NUM> is disposed thereon.

One of the connecting members makes the support plate <NUM> on the first support frame <NUM> slidably connect to the third support frame <NUM>, and another connecting member makes the support plate <NUM> on the second support frame <NUM> slidably connects to the third support frame <NUM>.

There are at least two connecting members <NUM> in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, there are more connecting members <NUM> that make the support plate <NUM> connect to the third support frame <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, two connecting members <NUM> make left support plate <NUM> connect to the third support frame <NUM>. Similarly, right support plate <NUM> is connected to right side of the third support frame <NUM> by using another two connecting members <NUM>. It may be known that the present invention does not limit the number of the connecting members <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a slide rail <NUM> is formed on a bottom of the support plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each of connecting members <NUM> comprises a base body <NUM> and a linking member disposed on the base body <NUM>, and the base body <NUM> has a flat shape and the link member is disposed on an upper surface of the base body <NUM>. The linking member comprises a first fixed shaft <NUM>, a second fixed shaft <NUM>, a rotation shaft <NUM>, a first connecting link <NUM>, and a second connecting link <NUM>.

The first fixed shaft <NUM> is connected to the support plate <NUM>. It should be noted that "connected" here is used to explain the relationship between the first fixed shaft <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>, that is, the first fixed shaft <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> are connected. In other words, the first fixed shaft <NUM> may be fixed or assembled on the support plate <NUM> as a separate component, or directly formed on the support plate <NUM> to form an integrated structure. Alternatively, the first fixed shaft <NUM> may be disposed on the support plate <NUM> by other means. For example, in one embodiment, the first fixed shaft <NUM> is assembled into the corresponding slide rail <NUM> of the support plate <NUM>.

The second fixed shaft <NUM> is connected to the connecting member <NUM>. It should be noted that "connected" here is used to explain the relationship between the second fixed shaft <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM>, that is, the second fixed shaft <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> are connected. In other words, the second fixed shaft <NUM> may be fixed or assembled on the connecting member <NUM> as a separate component, or directly formed on the connecting member <NUM> to form an integrated structure. Alternatively, the second fixed shaft <NUM> may be disposed on the connecting member <NUM> by other means.

The rotation shaft <NUM> is rotated around the first fixed shaft <NUM>.

A first connecting link <NUM> connects the first fixed shaft <NUM> to the rotation shaft <NUM>.

A second connecting link <NUM> connects the second fixed shaft <NUM> and the rotation shaft <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the second fixed shaft1043 is fixed on the upper surface of the connecting member <NUM>. All of the rotation shaft <NUM>, the first connecting link <NUM>, and the second connecting link <NUM> may move in the slide rail <NUM>.

The base body <NUM> further comprises a connecting shaft <NUM>. The connecting shaft <NUM> is disposed on one side of the base body <NUM>. The connecting shaft <NUM> is configured to connect the connecting member <NUM> to the third support frame.

At least one notch <NUM> is formed on each side of the third support frame <NUM>. The at least one notch is correspondingly configured with the connecting shaft <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM>, and the two connecting members <NUM> are fixed to two sides of the third support frame <NUM> through the connecting shaft <NUM> and the notch <NUM> corresponding to the connecting shaft <NUM>.

One notch <NUM> is formed on a side of the third support frame <NUM> close to the first support frame <NUM>. Another slot <NUM> is formed on a side of the third support frame <NUM> close to the second support frame <NUM>. That is, at least one notch <NUM> is formed on both sides of the third support frame <NUM>. In this embodiment, two notches <NUM> are formed on both sides of the third support frame <NUM>, and the two notches are correspondingly configured with the connecting member <NUM>. In actual production, the number of the notches <NUM> is determined according to the number of the connecting members <NUM>.

When the display panel support frame <NUM> is working, the first fixed shaft <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> is fixed on the support plate <NUM>, and the connecting member <NUM> is fixedly connected to the third support frame <NUM>. When the display panel supporting frame <NUM> is folded, the third support frame <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> are needed to be folded. At this time, the support plate <NUM> is folded, the third support frame <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> are displaced, and the support plate <NUM> drives the first fixed shaft <NUM> to move together. Also, the support plate <NUM> drives the rotation shaft of the linking member, the first connecting link, and the second connecting link to move. As a result, the flexible screen is protected in the direction of relative sliding without generating excessive tensile or compressive stress, so as not to cause deformation that damages it.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the support plate <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> is connected to the second portion <NUM>, and the slide rail <NUM> is formed on a bottom surface of the second portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may be stretched and compressed to rotate the linking member.

A gap is formed between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion1052, and the gap provides the second portion <NUM> slides with a space for sliding left and right.

Referring to <FIG>, when a display panel support frame is in a non-bending state, the support plate <NUM> and the third support frame <NUM> are pressed against each other. At this time, the linking member is in a folding state, and the first connecting link <NUM> and the second connecting link <NUM> are overlapped, and the rotation shaft <NUM> is rotated directly above them, and the first fixed shaft <NUM> is located directly under the rotation shaft <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when a display panel support frame is in a transition state, the support plate <NUM> is folded upward, and then moves relative to the connecting member <NUM> and the third support frame <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> slowly moves downward. At this time, the first connecting link <NUM> and the second connecting link <NUM> forms an included angle. When the display panel support frame is slowly folded, the included angle gradually increases with the relative movement of the linking member until the structure shown in <FIG> is formed. The first connecting link and the second connecting link may generate friction with the corresponding shaft, thereby generating a damping effect. The damping effect of the linking member may effectively protect the display screen.

Referring to <FIG>, a display panel support frame is in a bending state. The first fixed shaft <NUM>, the rotation shaft <NUM>, and the second fixed shaft <NUM> are on a straight line, and the rotation shaft <NUM> is located between the first fixed shaft <NUM> and the second fixed shaft <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> and the third support frame <NUM> are pressed against each other. The first fixed shaft <NUM> is fixed to the second fixed shaft <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM> and the third support frame <NUM> are relatively moved through the connecting member <NUM>, so that the rotation shaft <NUM> of the linking member is moved to a position between the first fixed shaft <NUM> and the second fixed shaft <NUM>.

A display panel support frame is provided. The connecting plate and the third support frame <NUM> are relatively displaced through the connecting member <NUM> of the linking member, which may reduce the tensile or compression stress and the strain generated in the non-bending area of the display screen. Specifically, the support plate <NUM> fixes the first fixed shaft <NUM>, and the third support frame <NUM> fixes the second fixed shaft <NUM>. When the display panel support frame starts to fold, the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates around the first fixed shaft <NUM>, Therefore, the damping produced by the linking member will protect the display screen, and no excessive tensile or compressive stress are happened, and the flexible screen is protected well.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> is further provided, and the display device <NUM> comprises a display panel support frame <NUM> and a display panel <NUM>, and the display panel <NUM> is disposed on the display panel support frame <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> comprises a bending portion <NUM> and a non-bending portion, the bending portion <NUM> corresponds to the third support frame <NUM>, and the non-bending portion corresponds to the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM>.

When the support frame is in a non-bending state, the surface of the entire support frame is flat for supporting the display panel <NUM> and making the surface of the display device <NUM> flush.

Claim 1:
A display panel support frame (<NUM>), wherein the display panel support frame (<NUM>) comprises a first support frame (<NUM>), a second support frame (<NUM>), a third support frame (<NUM>), and at least two connecting members (<NUM>);
wherein one side of the third support frame (<NUM>) is rotatably connected to the first support frame (<NUM>), and another side of the third support frame (<NUM>) is rotatably connected to the second support frame (<NUM>);
wherein the first support frame (<NUM>) and the second support frame (<NUM>) have a same structure, and each comprises a support plate (<NUM>) disposed thereon; and
wherein one of the connecting members makes the support plate (<NUM>) on the first support frame (<NUM>) slidably connect to the third support frame (<NUM>), another connecting member (<NUM>) makes the support plate (<NUM>) on the second support frame (<NUM>) slidably connects to the third support frame (<NUM>); and
wherein each of the two connecting members (<NUM>) comprises a base body (<NUM>) and a linking member disposed on the base body (<NUM>), and the linking member comprises:
a first fixed shaft (<NUM>) connected to the support plate (<NUM>);
a second fixed shaft (<NUM>) connected to the connecting member (<NUM>);
a rotation shaft (<NUM>) rotated around the first fixed shaft;
a first connecting link (<NUM>) connecting the first fixed shaft (<NUM>) to the rotation shaft (<NUM>); and
a second connecting link (<NUM>) connecting the second fixed shaft (<NUM>) to the rotation shaft (<NUM>);
wherein the second fixed shaft (<NUM>) of the linking member is disposed on the base body (<NUM>), and the base body (<NUM>) is configured slidably connected to the support plate (<NUM>);
wherein each of the connecting members (<NUM>) further comprises a connecting shaft (<NUM>), the connecting shaft (<NUM>) is disposed on one side of the base body (<NUM>) and rotatably connected to the third support frame (<NUM>), and the connecting shaft (<NUM>) connects the connecting member (<NUM>) to the third support frame (<NUM>); and
the display panel support frame (<NUM>) further comprises at least one notch (<NUM>) formed on each side of the third support frame (<NUM>), and the at least one notch (<NUM>) is correspondingly configured rotatably connected to the connecting shaft (<NUM>).