Patent Description:
This application relates to the field of terminal technologies, and in particular, to a support assembly and a terminal device.

With continuous development of mobile phones, foldable mobile phones gradually appear in people's lives. Screens of a foldable mobile phone may be unfolded and folded. When the foldable mobile phones are unfolded, larger screens are displayed; and when the foldable mobile phones are folded, they can be more easily carried. Typically, a foldable mobile phone includes a folding assembly, a support sheet, and a flexible display, where the support sheet is located between the folding assembly and the flexible display, to provide support for the flexible display. Folding and unfolding functions of the foldable mobile phone can be implemented by folding and unfolding the flexible display driven by folding and unfolding movements of the folding assembly.

However, abnormal noise is often generated during folding and unfolding of the foldable mobile phone. <CIT> discloses foldable electronic products, and in particular an electronic device.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, this application provides a support assembly and a terminal device, so as to reduce abnormal noise generated by the foldable terminal device in folding and unfolding processes.

This application provides a support assembly, including: a support member, where the support member has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other, and a first end face connected between the first side surface and the second side surface, the first side surface has at least a first bendable area, the first bendable area is connected to the first end face, and a groove is disposed on the first end face; and a bonding structure, where at least a part of the bonding structure is located on the first side surface and the second side surface.

In this way, when the support assembly is applied to the terminal device, in a process in which the support assembly bends along with bending of the flexible display, the groove may separate the first end face into a plurality of parts, and a size of each part is less than a size of the first end face. Therefore, in a process in which the foldable mobile phone folds or unfolds, each part may deform more easily, to reduce stress difference between a wave peak and a wave valley of the support member, thereby reducing the abnormal noise generated in the bending process of the support member.

In some implementations, the support assembly further includes a second end face opposite to the first end face, where the second end face is a fastened end face, and the first end face is a free end face. In this way, the second end face is an end face close to a center of the flexible display, and the groove disposed on the free end face can better absorb stress on the support member, to reduce a stress difference between the wave peak and the wave valley of the support member, thereby reducing the abnormal noise generated due to the stress difference.

A ratio of a size of the groove in a first direction to a size of the first bendable area in the first direction is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, and the first direction is a depth direction of the groove. The depth direction of the groove is a direction from the first end face to the second end face. In this way, a stress peak value of the support member in the bending process can be reduced, and the stress difference between the wave peak and the wave valley of the support member in the bending process can be reduced, thereby reducing the abnormal noise generated due to the stress difference.

In some implementations, the ratio of the size of the groove in the first direction to the size of the first bendable area in the first direction is <NUM>. In this way, the stress peak value of the support member in the bending process can be reduced, and the stress difference between the wave peak and the wave valley of the support member in the bending process can be reduced, thereby reducing the abnormal noise generated due to the stress difference.

In some possible implementations, there may be a plurality of grooves. In this way, the first end face of the support member may be separated into a plurality parts, and a size of each part is smaller. Therefore, in a process in which the terminal device folds or unfolds, the parts may deform more easily, so that the stress difference between the wave peak and the wave valley on the support member can be reduced, and the abnormal noise generated in the bending process of the support member can be reduced.

In some possible implementations, the bonding structure includes a first back adhesive structure disposed on the first side surface and a second back adhesive structure disposed on the second side surface. In this way, when being applied to the terminal device, the support assembly may be bonded to the flexible display by using the first back adhesive structure, and may be bonded to a folding assembly by using the second back adhesive structure. Therefore, bonding strength between the support assembly and the flexible display and the folding assembly can be improved.

In some possible implementations, the bonding structure further includes an adhesive dispensing structure, and at least a part of the adhesive dispensing structure is disposed on the first side surface and/or the second side surface. In this way, the first back adhesive structure and the adhesive dispensing structure may be bonded to the flexible display, and/or the second back adhesive structure and the adhesive dispensing structure may be bonded to the folding assembly. Therefore, bonding strength between the support assembly and the flexible display and/or the folding assembly may be further improved.

In some possible implementations, the support assembly further includes a first gasket, where the first gasket is located on the first side surface; and/or a second gasket, where the second gasket is located on the second side surface. The adhesive dispensing structure is usually formed through solidification of a viscous colloidal liquid, and the first gasket has a certain thickness. In this way, when the terminal device is manufactured, after the colloidal liquid is injected into the first side surface, the colloidal liquid can be well accommodated between the first side surface and the flexible display, so that bonding strength of the adhesive dispensing structure is relatively high.

In some possible implementations, the first side surface further includes a first non-bendable area adjacent to the first bendable area, and a projection of the first back adhesive structure is in the first non-bendable area on the first side surface. The first non-bendable area may be an area that is always in a non-foldable state in a folding process of the terminal device. In this way, the first back adhesive structure may not be easily debonded from or bonded to the flexible display, so that the abnormal noise caused by repeated debonding and bonding can be reduced as much as possible.

In some possible implementations, the second side surface includes a second foldable area and a second non-bendable area that are adjacent to each other, a projection of a part of the second back adhesive structure is in the second non-bendable area on the second side surface, and a projection of the other part of the second back adhesive structure is in the second foldable area on the second side surface. In this way, the second back adhesive structure has a relatively large bonding area, so that bonding strength between the support member and the folding assembly can be improved.

In some possible implementations, the second side surface further includes a second non-bendable area, and a projection of the second back adhesive structure is in the second non-bendable area on the second side surface. In this way, in a folding process of the terminal device, the second back adhesive structure is always in an area in a non-foldable state. In this way, the second back adhesive structure may not be easily debonded and bonded to the folding assembly, so that the abnormal noise caused by repeated debonding and bonding can be reduced as much as possible.

In some possible implementations, there is a gap between an edge of the first back adhesive structure and an edge of the first gasket; or the first back adhesive structure is in contact with the first gasket. In this way, in a process of manufacturing the terminal device, when the colloidal liquid is injected into the support member, the colloidal liquid may flow into the gap between the first back adhesive structure and the first gasket, thereby increasing a bonding area of the adhesive dispensing structure, and improving bonding strength of the adhesive dispensing structure.

In some possible implementations, a first dispensing groove for accommodating the adhesive dispensing structure is disposed on the first back adhesive structure. Because the first adhesive dispensing structure has a certain thickness, the first dispensing groove can well accommodate the colloidal liquid, so that the bonding strength of the adhesive dispensing structure can be improved.

In some possible implementations, the first dispensing groove is disposed at an edge that is of the first back adhesive structure and that faces the first gasket. If there is the gap between the first back adhesive structure and the first gasket, when the colloidal liquid is injected into the first dispensing groove, the colloidal liquid also flows into the gap. In this way, a bonding area of the adhesive dispensing structure formed after the colloidal liquid is solidified can be increased, and bonding strength can be improved. If the first back adhesive structure is in contact with the first gasket, the first gasket may be enclosed in a closed shape with the first back adhesive structure to enclose the first dispensing groove. In this way, the first dispensing groove can also well accommodate the colloidal liquid.

In some possible implementations, a second dispensing groove for accommodating the adhesive dispensing structure is disposed on the first gasket. Because the first gasket has a certain thickness, the second dispensing groove can well accommodate the colloidal liquid, so that the bonding strength of the adhesive dispensing structure can be improved.

In some possible implementations, the second dispensing groove is disposed at an edge that is of the first gasket and that faces the first back adhesive structure. If there is the gap between the first back adhesive structure and the first gasket, when the colloidal liquid is injected into the second dispensing groove, the colloidal liquid also flows into the gap. In this way, a bonding area of the adhesive dispensing structure formed after the colloidal liquid is solidified can be increased, and bonding strength can be improved. If the first back adhesive structure is in contact with the first gasket, the first gasket may be enclosed in a closed shape with the first back adhesive structure to enclose the second dispensing groove. In this way, the second dispensing groove can also well accommodate the colloidal liquid.

In some possible implementations, the first dispensing groove communicates with the second dispensing groove; or a notch of the second dispensing groove is closed. When the first dispensing groove communicates with the second dispensing groove, the first dispensing groove and the second dispensing groove may enclose accommodating space to well accommodate the adhesive dispensing structure. When the notch of the second dispensing groove is closed, the second dispensing groove can well accommodate the adhesive dispensing structure. Therefore, in this application, bonding strength of the dispensing structure can be improved.

In some possible implementations, a third dispensing groove for accommodating the adhesive dispensing structure is disposed on the support member. In this way, the support member may be further bonded to the flexible display or the folding assembly by using the adhesive dispensing structure.

In some possible implementations, the third dispensing groove extends from the first side surface to the second side surface. In this way, the support member may be further bonded to the flexible display and the folding assembly by using the adhesive dispensing structure.

In some possible implementations, a fourth dispensing groove for accommodating the adhesive dispensing structure is disposed on the second back adhesive structure. In this way, the support member may be further bonded to the folding assembly by using the adhesive dispensing structure in the fourth dispensing groove. Therefore, bonding strength between the support member and the folding assembly can be improved.

In some possible implementations, a positional relationship between the first dispensing groove, the second dispensing groove, the third dispensing groove, and the fourth dispensing groove meets at least one of the following features: the first dispensing groove communicates with the third dispensing groove; the second dispensing groove communicates with the third dispensing groove; and the fourth dispensing groove communicates with the third dispensing groove. In this way, when the terminal device is manufactured, colloidal liquid may be injected into the fourth dispensing groove, and the colloidal liquid may flow to the third dispensing groove, the first dispensing groove, and the second dispensing groove. Therefore, a manufacturing process is simple. In addition, the adhesive dispensing structure that is accommodated in the first dispensing groove, the second dispensing groove, the third dispensing groove, and the fourth dispensing groove can have a good adhesive effect on the flexible display, the first back adhesive structure, the support member, the second back adhesive structure, and the folding assembly.

In some possible implementations, an opening communicating with the fourth dispensing groove is disposed on an edge of the second back adhesive structure. In this way, when the terminal device is manufactured, the colloidal liquid may be injected into the opening, and the colloidal liquid may flow from the opening to the fourth dispensing groove. Because the opening is located on the edge of the second back adhesive structure, a process is simple and operation is convenient.

In some possible implementations, a material of the support member includes a titanium alloy or a titanium copper alloy. Because elastic modulus of the titanium alloy and the titanium copper alloy is relatively low, the support member with the low elastic modulus may be easily bent and generate less abnormal noise. Therefore, a stress difference between a wave peak and a wave valley in the bending process of the support member can be reduced, thereby reducing abnormal noise generated in the bending process. In addition, because densities of the titanium alloy and the titanium copper alloy are relatively small, a weight of the support member can be reduced, thereby reducing a weight of the entire device.

This application further provides a terminal device, including at least one of the foregoing support assemblies, where first end faces of at least two support assemblies in the plurality of support assemblies are disposed opposite to each other. The terminal device can achieve all effects of the support assembly.

In some possible implementations, in the two support assemblies whose first end faces are disposed opposite to each other, a groove on one support assembly is staggered from a groove on the other support assembly. When the support assembly provides support for the flexible display, the grooves that are staggered from each other can avoid a case in which an area that has a relatively large length and that is of the flexible display is suspended, and therefore, a service life of the flexible display can be prolonged.

In some possible implementations, the terminal device further includes a folding assembly and a flexible display, the support assembly is located between the folding assembly and the flexible display, the first side surface or the second side surface faces the flexible display, the flexible display has a third non-bendable area and a fourth non-bendable area that are opposite to each other, and a third bendable area that is located between the third non-bendable area and the fourth non-bendable area, a projection of the first bendable area of the support assembly is in the third bendable area on the flexible display, and a projection of the first non-bendable area of the support assembly on the flexible display is in the third non-bendable area or the fourth non-bendable area. The terminal device can achieve all effects of the support assembly.

To describe technical solutions in embodiments of this application more clearly, the following briefly describes accompanying drawings required for description of embodiments of this application. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show only some embodiments of this application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

Reference numerals: <NUM>-Folding assembly; <NUM>-Movable area; <NUM>-Non-movable area; <NUM>-Flexible display; <NUM>-Bendable area <NUM>-Non-bendable area; <NUM>-Support assembly; <NUM>-Support member; <NUM>-Stress-relief groove; <NUM>-Avoidance groove; <NUM>-Support member dispensing groove; <NUM>-Free end; <NUM>-Upper back adhesive structure; <NUM>-Back adhesive opening; <NUM>-Back adhesive edge; <NUM>-Adhesive dispensing structure; <NUM>-Gasket; <NUM>-Gasket edge; <NUM>-Gasket opening; <NUM>-Combined dispensing groove; <NUM>-Gasket dispensing groove; <NUM>-Lower back adhesive structure; <NUM>-Lower back adhesive dispensing groove; <NUM>-Injection hole; <NUM>-Back adhesive structure.

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of this application.

In this specification, the term "and/or" merely describes an association relationship between associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may indicate the following three cases: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists.

The terms "first", "second", and the like in the specification and claims of embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between different objects, and are not used to indicate a specific sequence of objects. For example, a first target object, a second target object, and the like are used to distinguish between different target objects, and are not used to indicate a specific order of target objects.

In embodiments of this application, the word such as "as an example" or "for example" is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or a description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "as an example" or "for example" in embodiments of this application should not be explained as being preferred or having more advantages than another embodiment or design scheme. To be precise, the use of the word such as "as an example" or "for example" is intended to present a related concept in a specific manner.

In the description of embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. For example, a plurality of processing units refer to two or more processing units, and a plurality of systems refer to two or more systems.

An embodiment of this application provides a support assembly, and the support assembly may be applied to a foldable mobile phone. The support assembly <NUM> may be further applied to another terminal device with a folding function, such as a foldable tablet computer, a foldable game machine, and a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the foldable mobile phone includes at least a folding assembly <NUM> and a flexible screen <NUM> fastened to one surface of the folding assembly <NUM>. The folding assembly <NUM> can be folded or unfolded to drive folding or unfolding of the flexible screen <NUM>. The foldable mobile phone may be an inward foldable mobile phone, that is, the flexible display <NUM> is located on the inner side the folding assembly <NUM>. The foldable mobile phone may alternatively be an outward foldable mobile phone, that is, the flexible display <NUM> is located on the outer side of the folding assembly <NUM>. When the foldable mobile phone is an inward foldable mobile phone, when a folding angle of the folding assembly <NUM> is <NUM>, the flexible display <NUM> is completely wrapped inside the folding assembly <NUM>, which can reduce a size of the foldable mobile phone and protect the flexible display <NUM>. When the folding assembly <NUM> completely unfolds, that is, an angle of the folding assembly <NUM> is <NUM>°, the flexible display <NUM> is in a flattened state, and provides a maximum display area. In this case, a user may perform an operation on the flexible display <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the foldable mobile phone further includes a support assembly <NUM> fastened between the folding assembly <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM>. It can be learned from <FIG> that the folding assembly <NUM> needs to implement folding and unfolding of the flexible display <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM> has a complex structure. Therefore, there may be a structure such as a gap, a protrusion, a groove, and an assembly hole on one side that is of the folding assembly <NUM> and that faces the flexible display <NUM>, that is, there may be a protrusion or a depression on one side of the flexible display <NUM>, and in particular, there are more protrusions or depressions in a movable area <NUM> that implements bending of the folding assembly <NUM>. When the foldable mobile phone is in a flattened state, these structures on the folding assembly <NUM> affect flatness of the flexible display <NUM>, the flexible display <NUM> feels rough when a user finger touches or scratches the flexible display <NUM>, and these structures also reduce a service life of the flexible display <NUM>. Therefore, the support assembly <NUM> that is located between the flexible display <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> and that can provide support for the flexible display <NUM> is particularly important.

In an embodiment of this application, as shown in <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> includes two opposite support members <NUM> and a plurality of back adhesive structures <NUM>. The plurality of back adhesive structures <NUM> are respectively disposed between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> and between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. The back adhesive structures <NUM> can bond the flexible display <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM>. The support <NUM> is a metal sheet, and the metal sheet covers the rough movable area <NUM> on the folding assembly <NUM> and a part of a non-movable area <NUM> on the folding assembly <NUM> other than the movable area <NUM>.

To ensure bonding strength between the flexible display <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>, a width of the back adhesive structure <NUM> should meet a predetermined width requirement. As shown in <FIG>, a part of the back adhesive structure <NUM> is covered in a non-bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>, and the other part of the back adhesive structure <NUM> is covered in a bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. The bendable area <NUM> is an area in which an outer surface of the flexible display <NUM> is an arc surface when the foldable mobile phone is folded. In a folding or unfolding process of the foldable mobile phone, curvature of the bendable area <NUM> changes constantly, a bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> is far away from a center of the flexible display <NUM>, a distance between the flexible display <NUM> and the center of the flexible display <NUM> changes constantly, and the back adhesive structure <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> are constantly subjected to a shear force. Therefore, the back adhesive structure <NUM> that covers the bendable area <NUM> may be detached due to pulling of the flexible display <NUM>. When the foldable mobile phone folds or unfolds to a certain angle and stops, the back adhesive structure <NUM> is rebonded to the flexible display <NUM>. However, a folding or unfolding frequency of the foldable mobile phone is relatively high. Therefore, the back adhesive structure <NUM> that covers the bendable area <NUM> is repeatedly bonded to and debonded from the flexible display <NUM>, and consequently, abnormal noise is generated.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a material of the support <NUM> is SUS301 stainless steel. Edges of the support member <NUM> are all linear. As shown in <FIG>, in a process of folding or unfolding the foldable mobile phone, both the movable area <NUM> of the folding assembly <NUM> and the bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM> are bent, and the support member <NUM> is also bent. A thickness of the metal sheet is usually small. Therefore, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the bending process, a surface of the support member <NUM> is not a smooth curved surface, but is an undulating curved surface. In the bending process, a wave peak and a wave valley on a bending arc face are stressed unevenly, resulting in stress difference (which can be referred to as bending stress). After the bending stops, the bending stress is released, and the metal sheet vibrates due to the stress difference, and consequently, abnormal noise is generated.

Based on this, as shown in <FIG>, in another embodiment of this application, a foldable mobile phone includes a folding assembly <NUM>, a flexible display <NUM> fastened on one side of the folding assembly <NUM>, and a support assembly <NUM> fastened between the folding assembly <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> includes two opposite support members <NUM>, an upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, a lower back adhesive structure <NUM>, an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>), and a gasket <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a part of an area of the support member <NUM> away from a center of the flexible display <NUM> is bonded to the flexible display <NUM> by using the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>. The part of the area of the support member <NUM> away from the center of the flexible display <NUM> is bonded to the folding assembly <NUM> by using the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one end of the support member <NUM> near the center of the flexible display <NUM> is a free end <NUM>, and free ends <NUM> of the two support members <NUM> are opposite to each other, and there is a gap between the free ends <NUM> of the two support members <NUM>, to adapt to a change of curvature of a bendable area <NUM> in a process of folding or unfolding the foldable mobile phone.

As shown in <FIG>, the support member <NUM> is usually a metal sheet, and has two long edges and two short edges, where one of the long edges is the free end <NUM>. A stress-relief groove <NUM> is disposed on the free end <NUM> of the support member <NUM>. In this way, the stress-relief groove <NUM> may separate the free end <NUM> into a plurality of parts, and a size of each part along a direction of the long edge of the support member <NUM> is smaller than a size of the long edge of the support member <NUM>. Therefore, in a process of folding or unfolding the foldable mobile phone, each part may deform more easily, thereby reducing stress difference between the wave peak and the wave valley on the support member <NUM>, and then reducing abnormal noise generated in a process of bending the support member <NUM>.

In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, there may be one stress-relief groove <NUM>, and the one stress-relief groove <NUM> may be disposed near a middle position of the support member <NUM>. In another embodiment of this application, there are a plurality of stress-relief grooves <NUM>, and the plurality of stress-relief grooves <NUM> are evenly disposed along the free end <NUM> of the support member <NUM>. In this way, a noise reduction function can be better.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, positions of the stress-relief grooves <NUM> on the two support members <NUM> of the support assembly <NUM> are staggered. If the positions of the stress-relief grooves <NUM> on the two support members <NUM> correspond to each other, when the foldable mobile phone is in a flattened state, the flexible display <NUM> is suspended in the position of the stress-relief groove <NUM> without support, and a length of an area that is suspended is greater than a sum of lengths of the two stress-relief grooves <NUM>. In this way, a crack may easily occur due to the relatively long suspended area of the flexible display <NUM>. Therefore, the positions of the stress-relief grooves <NUM> on the two support members <NUM> of the support assembly <NUM> are staggered, and a service life of the flexible display <NUM> can be prolonged to a certain extent.

It should be noted that <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the support assembly <NUM> at a first angle of view when the support assembly <NUM> is bent by a first angle. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the support assembly <NUM> in <FIG> at a second angle of view when the support assembly <NUM> is bent by the first angle. A direction of the first angle of view is opposite to a direction of the second angle of view. That is, <FIG> is a view obtained by rotating <NUM>° after projecting from a back of <FIG> toward a front of <FIG>. A bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> may be learned from <FIG>, and a bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> may be learned from <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, assuming that a total width of the support member <NUM> is D1, a width of an area of the support member <NUM> fastened with the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is D2, and on a surface of the support member <NUM> fastened with the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, a width of an area (a non-bonding area) not fastened with the upper bonding structure <NUM> is D3, D1=D2+D3.

In this embodiment, a finite element analysis is performed on the support member <NUM>, where a depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is respectively one quarter, one half, and three quarters of a width of a remaining area of the support member <NUM>. For analysis results, refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. It may be learned from <FIG> that, when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is one quarter of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>, a maximum stress of the support member <NUM> is <NUM>. 6Mpa; when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is one half of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>, the maximum stress of the support member <NUM> is <NUM>. 7Mpa; and when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is three quarters of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>, the maximum stress of the support member <NUM> is <NUM>. Therefore, when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is one half of the width of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>, a stress peak value of the support member <NUM> is minimum; and when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is larger or smaller, the stress peak value is greater, stress between the wave peak and the wave valley is also greater, and abnormal noise is also greater in the bending process. Therefore, a depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> may be set to one half of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>. In this way, a peak stress generated on the support member <NUM> in a folding or spreading process of the foldable mobile phone can be relatively small, so that stress difference between a wave peak and a wave valley can be reduced, and abnormal noise generated due to a relatively large stress can be reduced.

It should be noted that the back adhesive area of the support member <NUM> may be an area in which a plane is always maintained on one side that is of the support member <NUM> and that faces the flexible display <NUM>, and the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM> may be an area that bends along with bending of the folding assembly <NUM> on one side that is of the support member <NUM> and that faces the flexible display <NUM>.

In another embodiment of this application, the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> may be set to <NUM>%-<NUM>% of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>. With reference to the analysis results of finite element analysis performed on the support member <NUM> in <FIG>, it can be learned that when the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is close to one half of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>, stress of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is smaller. Therefore, the depth of the stress-relief groove <NUM> is set to <NUM>%-<NUM>% of the width D3 of the non-back adhesive area of the support member <NUM>. In a process of folding or unfolding the foldable mobile phone, a stress difference generated on the support member <NUM> is relatively small, thereby reducing abnormal noise caused by the stress difference.

In addition, it may be learned from <FIG> that local features such as screws, protrusions, and grooves are disposed on one side that is of the folding assembly <NUM> and that faces the flexible display <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of avoidance grooves <NUM> are disposed on the support member <NUM> to prevent scratching, which can reduce abnormal noise generated when the support member <NUM> collides with the folding assembly <NUM> in a folding or unfolding process of the foldable mobile phone, thereby further reducing abnormal noise of the foldable mobile phone.

As shown in <FIG>, six support member dispensing grooves <NUM> are disposed on the support member <NUM>, and the six support member dispensing grooves <NUM> are arranged symmetrically with a center of the support member <NUM>. That is, three support member dispensing grooves <NUM> are disposed on each side of the center of the support member <NUM>. Lengths of the three support member dispensing grooves <NUM> are different.

In another embodiment of this application, a quantity of the support member dispensing grooves <NUM> may be less than six or more than six. When a quantity of the support member dispensing grooves <NUM> is one, the one support member dispensing groove <NUM> is disposed in a middle part in a longitudinal direction of the support member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a projection of a part of the support member dispensing groove <NUM> is in the bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>, and a projection of the other part of the support member dispensing groove <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM> is in the non-bendable area <NUM> other than the bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> may use a metal with a low density and a low elastic modulus, and may specifically use a TI alloy (titanium alloy), a TI-Cu alloy (titanium copper alloy), or the like. For example, an elastic modulus of the TI alloy TA4 is 116Gpa, and a material of the support member <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> is SUS301 stainless steel, and an elastic modulus of the support member <NUM> is 194Gpa. The elastic modulus of the titanium alloy TA4 is lower than the elastic modulus of the SUS301. According to Hooke's law, a metal sheet with a low elastic modulus is easier to bend than to generate abnormal noise. Therefore, by using a metal with a low elastic modulus, the support member <NUM> can reduce a stress difference between a wave peak and a wave valley in the bending process of the metal sheet, thereby reducing abnormal noise generated in the bending process. In addition, because a metal such as the TI alloy or the TI-Cu alloy has a relatively low density, the support member <NUM> can further reduce a weight of the support member <NUM> by using the TI alloy or the TI-Cu alloy, thereby reducing a weight of the entire device.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is fastened between the flexible display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. The upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is strip-like. A projection of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM> is in the non-bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. That is, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> does not overlap the bendable area <NUM>. In this way, in a folding or unfolding process of the foldable mobile phone, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> may not be easily debonded from or bonded to the flexible display <NUM>. Therefore, abnormal noise caused by repeated debonding and bonding can be reduced as much as possible.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> has a back adhesive edge <NUM> facing the free end <NUM>, upper back adhesive openings <NUM> are disposed on the back adhesive edge <NUM>, and a quantity of the upper back adhesive openings <NUM> is the same as a quantity of the support par dispensing grooves <NUM>, and both are six. In addition, disposing positions of the back adhesive openings <NUM> in the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> correspond to disposing positions of the support member dispensing grooves <NUM> in the support member <NUM>. The six back adhesive openings <NUM> are in a one-to-one correspondence with and connected to the six support member dispensing grooves <NUM>. For example, projections of the six back adhesive openings <NUM> are respectively in the six support member dispensing grooves <NUM> on the support member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> is fastened between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> is different from the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. The lower back adhesive structure <NUM> is also strip-like, and a width of the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> is greater than a width of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, a projection of the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM> covers both the non-bendable area <NUM> and the bendable area <NUM>. In this way, bonding strength between the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> can meet a use requirement.

As shown in <FIG>, there are lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM> disposed on the lower back adhesive structure <NUM>, and a quantity of the lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM> is the same as a quantity of support member dispensing grooves <NUM>. Disposing positions of the lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM> correspond to those of the support member dispensing grooves <NUM>. The six lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM> are in a one-to-one correspondence with and connected to the six support member dispensing grooves <NUM>. For example, projections of the six lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM> on the support member <NUM> coincide with the plurality of support member dispensing grooves <NUM> in one-to-one correspondences.

As shown in <FIG>, an injection hole <NUM> that extends inwardly is further disposed on an edge of the lower back adhesive structure <NUM>, the injection hole <NUM> is disposed on a side that is far away from the free end <NUM>, and the injection hole <NUM> is connected to the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>. In this way, in a process of manufacturing the foldable mobile phone, after the folding assembly <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, and the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> are assembled together, a colloidal liquid may be injected into the injection hole <NUM>, and the colloidal liquid may flow from the injection hole <NUM> to the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM> for easy processing.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a quantity of injection holes <NUM> is the same as a quantity of lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM>, and positions are in a one-to-one correspondence. For example, there are six injection holes <NUM>. In this way, in a process of manufacturing the foldable mobile phone, the colloidal liquid may be injected into each injection hole <NUM>, and the colloidal liquid may flow to each lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM> through each injection hole <NUM>, so that the colloidal liquid can be evenly distributed in each lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, it may be learned that a bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> includes an upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>, and a gasket <NUM>; and the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> are bonded by using the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>. A bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> includes a lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>; and the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> are bonded by using the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>. Debonding mainly occurs between the flexible display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. Therefore, only the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> are disposed between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>, and neither gasket <NUM> nor adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> is disposed between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. This simplifies a process flow, thereby reducing processing costs.

It should be noted that the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> and the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> each may be a structure with an adhesive function, and may be specifically an adhesive tape, such as a double-sided tape or an adhesive film.

As shown in <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> is disposed between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM>, and a projection of the gasket <NUM> on the support member <NUM> may cover a part of the support member <NUM>, and a projection of the gasket <NUM> on the support member <NUM> does not overlap a projection of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> on the support member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, there may be a gap between a gasket edge <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> and a back adhesive edge <NUM> of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. Gasket openings <NUM> are disposed on the gasket <NUM>, and the gasket openings <NUM> are disposed on the gasket edge <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> near the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. A quantity of the gasket openings <NUM> is the same as a quantity of the upper back adhesive openings <NUM>, and both are six. Disposing positions of the gasket openings <NUM> on the gasket <NUM> correspond to disposing positions of the upper back adhesive openings <NUM> on the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. The gasket openings <NUM>, the upper back adhesive openings <NUM> on the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, and the gap between the gasket <NUM> and the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> may form a relatively large accommodating space, and the support member dispensing groove <NUM> is located in a projection of the accommodating space on the support member <NUM>. In this way, as shown in <FIG>, when the colloidal liquid is injected into the injection hole <NUM>, the colloidal liquid may be successively injected to the injection hole <NUM>, the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, the upper back adhesive opening <NUM>, the gasket opening <NUM>, and the gap, to perform auxiliary bonding on the flexible display <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this way, a larger amount of colloidal liquid may be accommodated. Because the colloidal liquid clots to form the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>, an area of the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> can be increased. This improves bonding strength between the folding assembly <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, and the flexible display <NUM>, thereby reducing a case in which the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is debonded from the flexible display <NUM> or the support member <NUM>, and further reducing abnormal noise caused by debonding.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a quantity of injection holes <NUM> is the same as a quantity of lower back adhesive dispensing grooves <NUM>, and their positions are in a one-to-one correspondence. In this way, when a foldable mobile phone is manufactured, a colloidal liquid may be injected into each injection hole <NUM>, and the colloidal liquid in each injection hole <NUM> may flow through the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM> and the support member dispensing groove <NUM> into the gap between the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> and the gasket <NUM>. Therefore, the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> formed by the colloidal liquid can be distributed in the gap as evenly as possible, thereby further improving bonding strength between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM>.

In this embodiment of this application, a thickness of the gasket <NUM> is the same as a thickness of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. In this way, in a process of performing a rolling process after the flexible display <NUM>, the support <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM> are assembled, each dispensing groove can properly accommodate dispensed adhesive. In addition, a problem such as a partial depression of a screen due to non-uniform thickness of both sides of the support member <NUM> can be avoided, to reduce a light-shadow depression effect of a surface on which adhesive is dispensed.

In this embodiment of this application, the gasket <NUM> may be an adhesive-free gasket <NUM>, and may be specifically an adhesive-free film. In this way, in a folding or unfolding process of a foldable mobile phone, the adhesive-free film does not debonded from the flexible display <NUM>, and no extra abnormal noise is generated.

As shown in <FIG>, the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> is disposed in a gap between the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, the upper back adhesive opening <NUM>, the gasket opening <NUM>, the gasket edge <NUM>, and the back adhesive edge <NUM>. Specifically, the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> may be a structure formed when the colloidal liquid flows through the injection hole <NUM> to the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, the upper back adhesive opening <NUM>, and the gasket opening <NUM> after the colloidal liquid is injected into the injection hole <NUM> in a process of manufacturing the foldable mobile phone. The adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> can improve bonding strength between the flexible display <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>, so that in a process of folding or unfolding a foldable mobile phone, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>, as well as the lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> may not be easily debonded. Therefore, abnormal noise caused by the debonding can be reduced to a certain extent.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, because a projection of a part of the support member dispensing groove <NUM> is in the bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>, and a projection of the other part is in the non-bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>, a projection of a part of the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> is in the bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>, and a projection of the other part is in the non-bendable area <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM>.

Further, the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> may be solidified by using adhesive.

In another embodiment of this application, a difference from the embodiment shown in <FIG> lies in that a bonding structure between a support member <NUM> and a folding assembly <NUM> is different. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, an upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>, and a gasket <NUM> are disposed between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM>, and only a lower back adhesive structure <NUM> and an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> are disposed between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. That is, the bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> is different from the bonding structure between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a bonding structure between a support member <NUM> and a folding assembly <NUM> is the same as a bonding structure between the support <NUM> and a flexible display <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, an upper bonding structure <NUM> and a gasket <NUM> are disposed on both sides of the support member <NUM>. That is, with reference to <FIG>, an upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>, and a gasket <NUM> are also disposed between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. A projection of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> on the folding assembly <NUM> is in a non-movable area <NUM> of the folding assembly <NUM>, that is, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> does not overlap a movable area <NUM>. In this way, in a folding or unfolding process of the foldable mobile phone, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is not debonded from or bonded to the flexible display <NUM>. Therefore, abnormal noise caused by repeated debonding and bonding can be reduced as much as possible. Further, in addition to the upper bonding structure <NUM>, an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> is further disposed between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM>. Therefore, bonding strength between the support member <NUM> and the folding assembly <NUM> can meet a strength requirement.

In another embodiment of this application, a difference from the embodiment shown in <FIG> lies in a positional relationship between the gasket <NUM> and the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, and the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, a gasket edge <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> is in contact with a back adhesive edge <NUM> of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, a gasket opening <NUM> is disposed on the gasket edge <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> near the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, and a position of the gasket opening <NUM> on the gasket <NUM> corresponds to a position of the upper back adhesive opening <NUM> on the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. Therefore, the gasket opening <NUM> and the upper back adhesive opening <NUM> form a combined dispensing groove <NUM>. The combined dispensing groove <NUM> communicates with the support member dispensing groove <NUM>. Specifically, a projection of the combined dispensing groove <NUM> on the support member <NUM> coincides with the support member dispensing groove <NUM>. In this way, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, and the combined dispensing groove <NUM> communicate with each other. When a foldable mobile phone is manufactured, as shown in <FIG>, when the colloidal liquid is injected into the injection hole <NUM> of the lower back adhesive structure <NUM>, the colloidal liquid may flow to the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, and the combined dispensing groove <NUM> successively through the injection hole <NUM> to form the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>.

The adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> may perform auxiliary bonding on the flexible display <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM>. Because cross-sectional shapes of the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, and the combined dispensing groove <NUM> are all in closed shapes, the colloidal liquid can be well accommodated, so that the adhesive dispensing structure <NUM> formed after the colloidal liquid is solidified can provide a good adhesive effect on the flexible display <NUM>, the support member <NUM>, and the folding assembly <NUM>.

In another embodiment of this application, a difference from the embodiment shown in <FIG> lies in a structure of an upper back adhesive structure <NUM>, a structure of a gasket <NUM>, and a disposing position of an adhesive dispensing structure <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, a back adhesive edge <NUM> of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is linear. For example, an upper back adhesive opening <NUM> is not disposed on the upper back adhesive structure <NUM>. A gasket dispensing groove <NUM> in a closed shape is disposed on the gasket <NUM>, the gasket dispensing groove <NUM>, the support member dispensing groove <NUM>, and the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM> communicate with each other, and a projection of the gasket dispensing groove <NUM> on the support member <NUM> and a projection of the lower back adhesive dispensing groove <NUM> on the support member <NUM> both coincide with the support member dispensing groove <NUM>.

It should be noted that a projection of the support member dispensing groove <NUM> on the flexible display <NUM> may be in the bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. In this way, a projection of the adhesive dispensing structure 33on the flexible display <NUM> is in the bendable area <NUM> of the flexible display <NUM>. Because the back adhesive edge <NUM> of the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> is linear, the upper back adhesive structure <NUM> in this embodiment has a larger back adhesive area, so that bonding strength between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> can be further improved, and abnormal noise generated due to debonding between the support member <NUM> and the flexible display <NUM> is reduced.

Claim 1:
A support assembly (<NUM>) for a flexible display, comprising:
a support member (<NUM>), wherein the support member (<NUM>) has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other, and a first end face (<NUM>) connected between the first side surface and the second side surface, the first side surface comprises at least a first bendable area, the first bendable area is connected to the first end face (<NUM>), and a groove is disposed on the first end face (<NUM>);
characterised in that a ratio of a size of the groove in a first direction to a size of the first bendable area in the first direction is in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, and the first direction is a depth direction of the groove.