Patent Description:
With the gradual maturity of an in-screen fingerprint technology, more in-screen fingerprint features are incorporated into a terminal device such as a smart phone with a flexible display screen. However, when functional modules are added into a screen of the terminal device, it may cause an uneven appearance of the screen. A fingerprint identification's device and electronic equipment are disclosed in <CIT>.

The present disclosure provides a supporting structure for a flexible screen, a flexible screen structure and a terminal device.

The scope of the invention is defined by the independent claim. Further aspects of the invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not limiting of the disclosure.

<FIG>, <FIG> and their associated passages disclose an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> and their corresponding passages are not according to the invention and are present for illustration purposes only. Description will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can address problems such as that when functional modules are added into a screen of the terminal device, it may cause an uneven appearance of the screen.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a supporting structure for a flexible screen. <FIG> is a supporting structure for a flexible screen according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the supporting structure <NUM> for the flexible screen includes:.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first supporting module <NUM> has a characteristic of bendability, can be bent according to design requirements, and can be widely applied to a terminal device with the flexible screen <NUM>. The first supporting module <NUM> also has hardness, and can be used for supporting the flexible screen <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first supporting module <NUM> can be a module formed of a metal or alloy material, wherein the metal material includes steel.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first supporting module <NUM> has a first opening, and an opening area of the first opening can be set according to a function which is to be executed by a functional module <NUM> corresponding to the first opening. For example, when the functional module <NUM> is a fingerprint acquiring module, the area of the first opening can be set according to a fingerprint acquiring range; and when the functional module <NUM> is a pressure sensing module, the area of the first opening can be set according to a sensing face of a pressure.

In addition, an opening shape of the first opening can be set according to user preferences. For example, the shape of the first opening can be set as a circle, an oval or a similar rectangle, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not make any limit thereto.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second supporting module <NUM> is located at a position corresponding to the first opening and used for supporting the flexible screen <NUM> at a position corresponding to the first opening.

It can be understood that the second supporting module <NUM> can be connected with the flexible screen <NUM> through the first opening to support the flexible screen <NUM>, so that a probability that the flexible screen <NUM> collapses at the position of the first opening can be reduced, thereby making appearance of the flexible screen <NUM> flat.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second supporting module <NUM> has a deformation recovery ability, and when the external force acts on the flexible screen <NUM> corresponding to the first opening, generates the deformation towards the direction facing away from the flexible screen <NUM> so as to form the protrusion; and when the external force is removed, the deformation of the second supporting module <NUM> is removed, and the second supporting module <NUM> is recovered into a state before the deformation. In other words, the second supporting module <NUM> is made from an elastic material such that it can be elastically deformed when an external force acts on it. When the external force disappears, the second supporting module <NUM> will return to its original shape without the protrusion. The second supporting module has no protrusion in a direction facing away from the screen when no external force acts on the second supporting module <NUM>. This explanation applies to all embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, a case that the external face is acted on the flexible screen corresponding to the first opening includes, but is not limited to, a case that a finger of a user acts on the flexible screen corresponding to the first opening; or, the external force acts on the flexible screen corresponding to the first opening by an object, such as a stylus and the like.

It can be understood that according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the deformation of the second supporting module <NUM> is removed, the supporting structure can be recovered to the state before deformation to continuously support the flexible screen <NUM>, so that when acting on the flexible screen <NUM>, the user cannot obviously sense a touch change caused by the deformation, thereby improving user experience.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the second supporting module <NUM> is located at the position corresponding to the first opening, and when the external force acts through the flexible screen <NUM>, the second supporting module <NUM> forms the deformation protrusion towards the direction facing away from the flexible screen <NUM>, wherein the formed deformation protrusion is acted on the functional module <NUM> located below the second supporting module <NUM> so as to trigger the functional module <NUM> to execute a predetermined function.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the external force acts on the second supporting module <NUM> through the flexible screen <NUM>, the second supporting module <NUM> forms the deformation protrusion, and at the moment, the functional module <NUM> below the second supporting module <NUM> can be triggered to execute the predetermined function on the basis of the deformation.

It should be noted that the functional module <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, the fingerprint acquiring module or the pressure sensing module.

In some embodiments, when the functional module <NUM> is the fingerprint acquiring module and the second supporting module <NUM> is a transparent module, on the basis that the external force acts on the second supporting module <NUM> through the flexible screen, the second supporting module <NUM> forms the deformation protrusion, such that the functional module <NUM> can carry out fingerprint image acquisition through reflected light generated by the flexible screen <NUM>.

When the functional module <NUM> is the pressure sensing module, on the basis that the external force acts on the second supporting module <NUM> through the flexible screen, the second supporting module <NUM> forms the deformation protrusion, such that the functional module <NUM> can determine a current state of the flexible screen by detecting a pressure applied to the flexible screen by the external force. For example, when it is detected that the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the flexible screen is strongly pressed, and at the moment, the functional module <NUM> can output a prompt message so as to prompt that the external force acting on the flexible screen is excessively large.

In some embodiments, the second supporting module <NUM> is the transparent module.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the transparent module has transmittance and can enable the reflected light generated by the flexible screen to transmit. When the functional module <NUM> is the fingerprint acquiring module, the reflected light facing the functional module <NUM> can be generated through acting on the flexible screen <NUM> corresponding to the first opening by the user; and the second supporting module <NUM> enables the reflected light to transmit, so that the fingerprint acquiring module can carry out fingerprint image acquisition on the basis of the reflected light.

It should be noted that the supporting module usually does not have the characteristic of transmittance. In the process of implementing acquisition of an optical fingerprint in the flexible screen, an opening is needed in the fingerprint acquiring region corresponding to the supporting module needs to be opened, so that the fingerprint acquiring module below the supporting module can implement the acquisition of the optical fingerprint through the opening.

As shown in <FIG>, a first opening is disposed in the fingerprint acquiring region of the supporting module, and the reflected light transmitting the flexible screen can implement the fingerprint acquisition below the flexible screen through the first opening.

It could be understood that the second supporting module <NUM> is a transparent module, which not only can support the flexible screen <NUM> corresponding to the first opening so as to reduce the probability that the flexible screen collapses at the position of the first opening, but also can achieve a function of acquiring the optical fingerprint below the flexible screen <NUM> on the basis of the reflected light transmitting the flexible screen <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the second supporting module <NUM> includes:.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic component 32a has hardness, and can be used for supporting the flexible screen of a soft material. Optionally, the elastic component 32a is mainly made of transparent materials with a transmittance greater than <NUM>%. The material of the elastic component 32a can be selected from such as PI, PMMA, PC or other transparent materials, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the elastic component is located below the flexible screen, so that the flexible screen can be supported and then the surface of the flexible screen is flat.

It should be noted that when the external force acts on the elastic component, the elastic component is deformed and forms the protrusion towards the direction facing away from the flexible screen; and when the external force is removed, the deformation of the elastic component is removed.

It could be understood that the elastic component 32a not only can be used for supporting the flexible screen <NUM> to make the flexible screen <NUM> in a flat state, but also can be timely recovered from deformation, so that the user does not obviously perceive the touch change caused by the deformation when acting on the flexible screen <NUM>, thereby improving user experience.

In some embodiments, the elastic component 32a can be a component formed of transparent plastic.

In some embodiments, the elastic component 32a can be a component formed of a Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the limiting component 32b and the elastic component 32b are disposed at a distance to form the gap.

It should be noted that the width of the gap can be set according to a pressure that the second supporting module <NUM> can bear, and also can be set according to a signal-to-noise ratio of fingerprint acquisition, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make any limit thereto.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the length of the protrusion of the elastic component 32a reaches the width of the gap, the limiting component 32b limits the elastic component 32a to be continuously deformed towards the direction facing away from the flexible screen. It can be understood that when the length of the protrusion of the elastic component 32a reaches the width of the gap, i.e., the external force exceeding a predetermined range acts on the flexible screen, the limiting component 32b limits the elastic component 32a to be continuously deformed, so that the functional module <NUM> below the limiting component 32b can be protected and a probability that the functional component <NUM> is damaged is reduced.

In some embodiments, the limiting component 32b can be a component formed of a glass material or the PET material.

In some embodiments, the second supporting module <NUM> further includes:
a buffering component 32c, located between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b, disposed at a distance to the elastic component 32a to form a gap, and deformed when the length of the deformation protrusion reaches a width of the gap, so as to buffer the deformation protrusion of the elastic component 32a towards the limiting component 32b.

It can be understood that the buffering component 32c in combination with the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b can further protect the functional module <NUM> below the limiting component 32b, and reduce the probability that the functional module <NUM> is damaged.

In some embodiments, the buffering component 32c can be a component formed of the transparent plastic.

In some embodiments, the buffering component 32c can be a component formed of the PET material.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the second supporting module <NUM> further includes:
a first bonding component 32d, located between the buffering component 32c and the limiting component 32b and used for bonding the buffering component 32c to the limiting component 32b.

In some embodiments, the first bonding component 32d can be a component formed of a transparent adhesive.

In some embodiments, the first bonding component 32d can be a component formed of an Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA).

An embodiment of the present disclosure further discloses a flexible screen structure. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a flexible screen structure according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the flexible screen structure includes:.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible screen is used for displaying information. The flexible screen has the characteristic of bendability, and can be applied to a foldable terminal device, or applied to a terminal device with a curved display function.

It should be noted that a screen component needs to be bent in the assembling process of the mobile device, such as a foldable screen or a curved flexible screen of a mobile phone. In order to completely release a screen stress when bending, the flexible screen structure is assembled in a layered attaching mode.

As shown in <FIG>, the flexible screen structure further includes a protecting module <NUM>; and the protecting module <NUM> can be used for protecting the flexible screen from being damaged. As shown in <FIG>, the flexible screen structure is in a bent form. In the process of layered assembling of the flexible screen structure, the flexible screen <NUM> is located between the protecting module <NUM> and the supporting module <NUM>, the protecting module <NUM> is attached to the flexible screen <NUM>, and the flexible screen <NUM> is attached to the supporting module <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the supporting module can be attached below the flexible screen <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the flexible screen structure further includes:.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the second bonding module <NUM> bonds the elastic component 32a below the flexible screen <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second bonding module <NUM> can be a component formed of the transparent adhesive.

In some embodiments, the second bonding module <NUM> is a component formed of the OCA.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the third bonding module <NUM> has the second opening, and the second opening is aligned with the first opening.

It should be noted that a cross-sectional width of the second opening is greater than or equal to that of the first opening. A shape of the second opening can be set according to a shape of the first opening. For example, when the shape of the first opening is set as a circle, the shape of the second opening can also be a circle.

In some embodiments, when both the first opening and the second opening are a circle and a thickness of the flexible screen is <NUM> micrometers, it can be set that a diameter of the second opening is <NUM> millimeters, a diameter of the first opening is <NUM> millimeters and a diameter of the acquiring range of the functional module <NUM> below the first opening is <NUM> millimeters.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the third bonding module <NUM> is used for bonding the first supporting module <NUM> with other modules. The first supporting module <NUM> can be bonded to the flexible screen <NUM>, or bonded to the elastic component 32a.

In some embodiments, the third bonding module <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, a module formed of foam glue.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b needs to be within the first distance range.

It should be noted that when the functional module <NUM> is the fingerprint acquiring module, the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b can be set according to the signal-to-noise ratio of fingerprint acquisition.

In some embodiments, the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b can be set between <NUM> micrometers and <NUM> micrometers.

It could be understood that when the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b is set between <NUM> micrometers and <NUM> micrometers, the signal-to-noise ratio of fingerprint acquisition can be made higher, so that an accurate fingerprint image can be obtained.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, when the first supporting module <NUM> is bonded to the flexible screen <NUM>, the elastic component 32a and the second bonding module <NUM> are located in the second opening, and the first supporting module <NUM> is bonded to the flexible screen <NUM> by the second bonding module <NUM>, wherein the gap is enabled to be within the first distance range by adjusting the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> and the position of the limiting component 32b at the first opening.

In some embodiments, it is assumed that both a thickness of the second bonding module <NUM> and a thickness of the elastic component 32a are <NUM> micrometers, a thickness of the first supporting module <NUM> is <NUM> micrometers and the first distance range is from <NUM> micrometers to <NUM> micrometers. In order to enable the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b to be within the first distance range, and for example, enable the gap to be <NUM> micrometers, the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> and the position of the limiting component 32b at the first opening can be adjusted, so that a distance between a surface of the limiting component 32b, which faces the flexible screen, and a surface of the first supporting module <NUM>, which faces the flexible screen <NUM>, is <NUM> micrometers, and the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> is <NUM> micrometers.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the second opening is a step-shaped opening, and the step-shaped opening has a first sub-opening and a second sub-opening, wherein the first sub-opening is disposed on one side of the flexible screen <NUM>, which faces the limiting component 32b, the second sub-opening is disposed on one side of the limiting component 32b, which faces the flexible screen <NUM>, the first sub-opening is connected with the second sub-opening, and a cross-sectional width of the first sub-opening is greater than that of the second sub-opening; and the elastic component 32a and the second bonding module <NUM> are located in the first sub-opening.

In some embodiments, on the basis of <FIG>, the second opening is the step-shaped opening, and it is assumed that a thickness of the first sub-opening is <NUM> micrometers, and both the thickness of the second bonding module <NUM> and the thickness of the elastic component 32a are <NUM> micrometers. In order to enable the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b to be within the first distance range, for example, a gap of <NUM> micrometers, a thickness of the second sub-opening and the position of the limiting component 32b at the first opening can be adjusted, so that the distance between the surface of the limiting component 32b, which faces the flexible screen, and the surface of the first supporting module <NUM>, which faces the flexible screen, is <NUM> micrometers, and the thickness of the second sub-opening is <NUM> micrometers.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, when the first supporting module <NUM> is bonded to the elastic component 32a, the elastic component 32a is located between the third bonding module <NUM> and the second bonding module <NUM>, wherein the gap is enabled to be within the first distance range by adjusting the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM>.

In some embodiments, it is assumed that both the thickness of the second bonding module <NUM> and the thickness of the elastic component 32a are <NUM> micrometers, the thickness of the first supporting module <NUM> is <NUM> micrometers, and the first distance range is <NUM> micrometers to <NUM> micrometers. In order to enable the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b to be within the first distance range, for example, a gap of <NUM> micrometers, the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> can be <NUM> micrometers.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the buffering component 32c in the supporting module is bonded to the limiting component 32b by the first bonding component 32d, wherein the gap between the buffering component 32c and the elastic component 32a is within the first distance range by adjusting the thicknesses of the buffering component 32c and the first bonding component 32d and the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM>.

It should be noted that the buffering component 32c and the first bonding component 32d can be disposed in the first opening of the first supporting module <NUM> after being attached, or can be separately disposed in the first opening of the first supporting module <NUM>.

In some embodiments, it is assumed that both the thickness of the second bonding module <NUM> and the thickness of the elastic component 32a are <NUM> micrometers, the thickness of the first supporting module <NUM> is <NUM> micrometers and the first distance range is <NUM> micrometers to <NUM> micrometers. In order to enable the gap between the elastic component 32a and the limiting component 32b to be within the first distance range, the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> and a sum of the thicknesses of the buffering component 32c and the first bonding component 32d can be adjusted, so that the sum of the thicknesses is smaller than the thickness of the first supporting module <NUM>, and the thickness of the third bonding module <NUM> is <NUM> micrometers.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further discloses a terminal device. The terminal device includes:.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device can include, but be not limited to, a mobile device or a wearable device, wherein the mobile device includes a smart phone, a tablet computer and an e-book reader; and the wearable device includes a smart watch.

It could be understood that the terminal device can be a terminal device with the flexible screen structure, so that optical fingerprint acquisition below the flexible screen can be implemented and the probability that the flexible screen collapses at the position of the first opening also can be reduced, thereby making appearance of the flexible screen flat.

In some embodiments, the functional module <NUM> includes a fingerprint acquiring module, and the fingerprint acquiring module is used for acquiring a fingerprint.

It could be understood that the fingerprint acquiring module is disposed below the first opening of the flexible screen structure, and the flexible screen structure can transmit the reflected light generated when the user acts on the flexible screen to the fingerprint acquiring module, so that the fingerprint acquiring module can carry out acquisition of a fingerprint image on the basis of the reflected light, thereby implementing acquisition of an optical fingerprint below the flexible screen.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can have one or more of the following advantages. The supporting of the flexible screen corresponding to the first opening by the second supporting module can reduce a probability that the flexible screen collapses at the position of the first opening, thereby making appearance of the flexible screen flat; and supporting the flexible screen corresponding to the first opening by the second supporting module can enable a user not to obviously sense a touch change caused by the first opening when acting on the flexible screen, thereby improving user experience.

It should be noted that words such as "first", "second" and "third" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used for facilitating description and differentiation, and have no other specific denotations.

<FIG> is a bock diagram of a terminal device <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the terminal device <NUM> may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a gaming console, a tablet, a medical device, fitness equipment, a personal digital assistant, and the like.

Referring to <FIG>, the terminal device <NUM> can include one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> typically controls overall operations of the terminal device <NUM>, such as the operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> can include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions. Moreover, the processing component <NUM> can include one or more modules which facilitate the interaction between the processing component <NUM> and other components. For instance, the processing component <NUM> can include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the terminal device <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any applications operated on the terminal device <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video, etc. The memory <NUM> can be implemented by using any type of volatile or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic disk or optical disk.

The power component <NUM> provides power to various components of the terminal device <NUM>. The power component <NUM> can include a power management system, one or more power sources, and any other components associated with the generation, management, and distribution of power in the terminal device <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen providing an output interface between the terminal device <NUM> and the user. In some embodiments, the screen can include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). In some embodiments, the display screen can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, or other types of screens.

If the screen includes the touch panel, the screen can be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, slides, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensors can not only sense a boundary of a touch or sliding action, but also sense a period of time and a pressure associated with the touch or slide action. The front camera and/or the rear camera can receive an external multimedia datum while the terminal device <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have focus and optical zoom capability.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone ("MIC") configured to receive an external audio signal when the terminal device <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal can be further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio component <NUM> further includes a speaker to output audio signals.

The buttons can include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a starting button, and a locking button.

The sensor component <NUM> includes one or more sensors to provide status assessments of various aspects of the terminal device <NUM>. For instance, the sensor component <NUM> can detect an open/closed status of the terminal device <NUM>, relative positioning of components, e.g., the display and the keypad, of the terminal device <NUM>, and the sensor component <NUM> can also detect a change in position of the terminal device <NUM> or a component of the terminal device <NUM>, a presence or absence of user contact with the terminal device <NUM>, an orientation or an acceleration/deceleration of the terminal device <NUM>, and a change in temperature of the terminal device <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> can include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor component <NUM> can also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component <NUM> can also include an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication, between the terminal device <NUM> and other devices. The terminal device <NUM> can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In exemplary embodiments, the terminal device <NUM> can be implemented with one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic components.

In exemplary embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions, such as a memory <NUM> including instructions executable by the processor <NUM> in the terminal device <NUM>. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device, and the like.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or other structure is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements can also be present.

Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "over" or extending "over" another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements can also be present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present.

Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "vertical" or "horizontal" can be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings.

In the description of the present disclosure, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," and the like can indicate a specific feature described in connection with the embodiment or example, a structure, a material or feature included in at least one embodiment or example. In the present disclosure, the schematic representation of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example.

Claim 1:
A supporting structure (<NUM>) for a flexible screen (<NUM>), comprising:
a first supporting module (<NUM>) located below the flexible screen (<NUM>) and configured to support the flexible screen (<NUM>), wherein the first supporting module (<NUM>) has a first opening;
a functional module (<NUM>) located below the first opening and used for executing a predetermined function by an external force conducted by the first opening; and
a second supporting module (<NUM>) located at a position corresponding to the first opening, which forms a deformation protrusion in a direction away from the flexible screen (<NUM>) upon an external force acts on the flexible screen (<NUM>), and of which the deformation protrusion is removed when the external force is removed; md
wherein the second supporting module (<NUM>) comprises:
an elastic component (32a) used for supporting the flexible screen (<NUM>) corresponding to the first opening, which forms a deformation protrusion towards a direction facing away from the flexible screen (<NUM>) when an external force acts through the flexible screen (<NUM>), and of which the deformation protrusion is removed when the external force is removed; and
a limiting component (32b) located at a position corresponding to the first opening, and disposed at a distance to the elastic component (32a) to form a gap, which limits the elastic component (32a) to be continuously deformed towards the direction facing away from the flexible screen (<NUM>) when a length of the protrusion of the elastic component (32a) reaches a width of the gap.