Patent ID: 12250779

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1—Flexible screen;11—Display panel;12—Cover;13—Bonding region;14—Planar region;15—Bending region;2—Supporting structure;21—Bonding step;22—Planar supporting portion;23—Bending supporting portion;231—Bending skeleton;2312—Clamping head;2313—Head;2314—Clamping neck;2315—Bayonet;2316—Groove;2317—Clamping edge;2318—Through hole;2319—Mounting portion;2320—Mounting hole;232—Flexible supporting bar;2321—Supporting portion;2322—Connecting portion;2323—Clamping slot;2324—Slot hole;2325—Clamping wall;2326—Fixed protrusion;2327—Bar-shaped connecting portion; and2328—Dot-shaped connecting portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

To facilitate understanding of a supporting structure of a foldable display apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, the following first describes an application scenario of the supporting structure. The supporting structure of the foldable display apparatus is applied to a foldable mobile terminal, for example, a foldable mobile phone or a foldable ebook. When the mobile phone is folded, a flexible screen of the mobile terminal is also folded. To fold the flexible screen, the flexible screen includes two types of regions: planar regions and a bending region connecting two adjacent planar regions. The supporting structure of the foldable display apparatus includes planar supporting portions and a bending supporting portion. The planar supporting portions are opposite to the planar regions, and the bending supporting portion is opposite to the bending region. When the flexible screen is folded, the bending region of the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion that supports the bending region need to be folded together. When the flexible screen of the mobile phone is unfolded, the bending region of the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion that supports the bending region are also unfolded together. During folding and unfolding, the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion each have a specified thickness, and the bending supporting portion has an integral structure. As a result, specified relative displacement is generated between the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion in the bending region, and a risk of degumming likely occurs. Therefore, a supporting structure of the foldable display apparatus needs to be designed, to reduce a risk of degumming between the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion, and improve product quality.

FIG.1is a top view of a foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application,FIG.2is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application,FIG.3is a schematic diagram of a folded state of a foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application, andFIG.4is a schematic diagram of an unfolded state of a foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The supporting structure of the foldable display apparatus in the embodiments of this application is applied to the foldable display apparatus shown in the figures. A supporting structure2is configured to support a flexible screen1of the foldable display apparatus. As shown in the figures, the foldable display apparatus includes the flexible screen1and the supporting structure2. The supporting structure2includes a bonding step21. The flexible screen1has a display panel11and a cover12that are stacked together. On an edge of the flexible screen1, the cover12extends from an edge of the display panel11by a specified distance, so that the cover12can be lapped and fastened to the bonding step21of the supporting structure2, to form a bonding region13located on the edge of the flexible screen1. The flexible screen1includes at least two planar regions14(that the flexible screen1includes two planar regions14is used as an example in the figures). There is a bending region15between any two adjacent planar regions14. When the foldable display apparatus is in a folded state and an unfolded state, the planar regions14remain flattened. When the foldable display apparatus is in the folded state, the bending region15is bent. When the foldable display apparatus is in the unfolded state, the bending region15is flattened. The foldable display apparatus has a bending supporting portion23corresponding to the bending region15. There is a flexible supporting bar on a side of the bending supporting portion that is close to the flexible screen. The flexible supporting bar is made of a flexible material, for example, rubber, and has specified flexibility. When the flexible screen is bent, the flexible supporting bar may be bent together with the flexible screen.

Referring toFIG.3toFIG.5,FIG.5is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application. The supporting structure2in this embodiment of this application includes planar supporting portions22and a bending supporting portion23. The planar supporting portions22are opposite to the planar regions14of the flexible screen1, and are configured to support the planar regions14. The bending supporting portion23is opposite to the bending region15of the flexible screen1, and is configured to support the bending region15. The bending supporting portion23includes a bending skeleton231and a flexible supporting bar232connected to the bending skeleton231, and the flexible supporting bar232is in contact with the flexible screen1to support the bending portion of the flexible screen1. Specifically, the flexible supporting bar232includes a supporting portion2321and a plurality of connecting portions2322that are distributed at intervals and fastened to the supporting portion2321. The supporting portion2321is in contact with the flexible screen1. The connecting portions2322are located on a side of the supporting portion2321away from the flexible screen1, an end of the connecting portion2322away from the supporting portion2321is connected to the bending skeleton231, and there is a specified interval between the plurality of connecting portions2322. In this embodiment, the end of the connecting portion2322away from the supporting portion2321is connected to the bending skeleton231, so that there is at least a specified distance from a joint between the connecting portion2322and the bending skeleton231to the supporting portion2321. The connecting portions2322are flexible connecting portions, and there is a specified interval between the plurality of connecting portions2322. Therefore, when the foldable display apparatus is folded, the flexible screen1bonded to the supporting portion2321and the supporting portion2321are bent together, and relative displacement is generated between the supporting portion2321and the bending skeleton231, so that no relative displacement is likely generated between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1. This improves strength of connection between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1, reduces a risk of degumming between the flexible screen1and the flexible supporting bar232, and improves product quality of the foldable display apparatus.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, description is provided by using an example in which the flexible screen has the planar regions and the bending region. Correspondingly, the supporting structure has the planar supporting portions and the bending supporting portion. This implementation is used only as a specific solution for implementing this embodiment of this application. The supporting structure in the technical solution of this application is applicable to all solutions in which the flexible screen has a bending region. The supporting structure correspondingly has the bending supporting portion. A structure of a part other than the bending region of the flexible screen is not limited, for example, the part may be a curved-surface region or in any shape or state, provided that the supporting structure is adapted to the structure.

In an optional embodiment, there are a plurality of manners in which the connecting portions2322are connected to the bending skeleton231. For example, the connecting portions2322may be clamped with the bending skeleton231, or may be fixedly connected to the bending skeleton231, and a structure of the connecting portion2322may be a clamping slot2323, or may be a fixed protrusion2326. As shown inFIG.5toFIG.7,FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application, andFIG.7is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application. In an optional embodiment, the connecting portions2322are clamped with the bending skeleton231, the connecting portions2322are clamping slots2323, the bending skeleton231includes clamping heads2312, and the clamping head2312extends into the clamping slot2323and is clamped with the clamping slot2323. In this embodiment, the connecting portion2322of the flexible supporting bar232is made of a flexible material. Therefore, the clamping slot2323is also a flexible clamping slot2323. The flexible clamping slot2323has a slot hole2324. There is a clamping wall2325on a side of the slot hole2324that is close to the bending skeleton231. The bending skeleton231has the clamping heads2312. The clamping head2312has a head2313and a clamping neck2314. A radial size of the head2313of the clamping head2312is greater than a radial size of the clamping neck2314, and the head2313of the clamping head2312is close to a side of the flexible supporting bar232. During mounting, the head2313of the clamping head2312passes through a region of the clamping wall2325of the clamping slot2323, and the clamping wall2325elastically expands, so that the head2313of the clamping head2312passes through the region of the clamping wall2325to enter the slot hole2324of the clamping slot2323. When the clamping neck2314is opposite to the clamping wall2325, the head2313of the clamping head2312is clamped with the clamping wall2325of the slot hole2324. In this way, when the foldable display apparatus is folded, the bending supporting portion23is bent, and the supporting portion2321of the flexible supporting bar232is connected to the bending bracket by using the clamping slot2323and the clamping head2312, so that the clamping slot2323deforms during bending. Therefore, the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1fixedly connected to the supporting portion2321are bent simultaneously, and no relative displacement is likely generated between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1. In this way, this can improve strength of connection between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1, reduce a risk of degumming between the flexible screen1and the flexible supporting bar232, and improve product quality of the foldable display apparatus.

As shown inFIG.5toFIG.7, in the foregoing embodiment, cross-sectional shapes of the clamping head and the clamping slot are not specifically limited, and a structure for clamping between the clamping head and the clamping slot is not specifically limited, either. As shown inFIG.5, in an embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the clamping head is a rectangle, and the clamping head is clamped with the clamping slot in a planar manner. As shown inFIG.6, in another embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the clamping head is an ellipse, and the clamping head is clamped with the clamping slot in a curved-surface manner. In this embodiment, the clamping head has a region whose size gradually increases in a direction away from the bottom of the clamping slot, to facilitate mounting the clamping head to the clamping slot. As shown inFIG.7, in still another specific embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the clamping head is a triangle. In this embodiment, a size of the clamping head gradually increases in the direction away from the bottom of the clamping slot, to facilitate mounting.

FIG.8is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application,FIG.9is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application, andFIG.10is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application. In another optional embodiment, the connecting portions2322may be fixed protrusions2326, and an end of the fixed protrusion2326away from the supporting portion2321is connected to the bending skeleton231. Therefore, there is a specified distance from the joint between the connecting portion2322and the bending skeleton231to the supporting portion2321. Within the distance, connection is performed by using the fixed protrusion2326. The fixed protrusion2326is flexible and has relatively high flexibility. In this way, when the foldable display apparatus is folded, the bending supporting portion23is bent, and the fixed protrusion2326is bent. Therefore, the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1fixedly connected to the supporting portion2321are bent simultaneously, and no relative displacement is likely generated between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1. In this way, this can improve strength of connection between the supporting portion2321and the flexible screen1, reduce a risk of degumming between the flexible screen1and the flexible supporting bar232, and improve product quality of the foldable display apparatus.

Still referring toFIG.8, in a specific embodiment of this application, the fixed protrusions2326may have fasteners, the bending skeleton231has bayonets2315, and the fasteners are in one-to-one adaptation with the bayonets2315, namely, the fasteners may be clamped with the bayonets2315. Specifically, the fastener is flexible. When the bending supporting portion23is mounted to the bending skeleton231, the fastener may be inserted into the bayonet2315of the bending skeleton231. The fastener may contract when passing through the bayonet2315. The fastener returns to an original shape after passing through the bayonet2315, and may be clamped with the bayonet2315, so that an end of the fixed protrusion2326away from the supporting portion2321is connected to the bending skeleton231. In this embodiment, mounting can be completed by inserting the bayonet2315of the fixed protrusion2326into the bayonet2315of the bending skeleton231. Therefore, a mounting process is relatively simple.

As shown inFIG.8toFIG.10, in the foregoing embodiment, cross-sectional shapes of the fastener and the bayonet are not specifically limited, and a structure for clamping between the fastener and the bayonet is not specifically limited, either. As shown inFIG.5, in an embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the fastener is a rectangle, and the fastener is clamped with the bayonet in a planar manner. As shown inFIG.6, in another embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the fastener is an ellipse, and the fastener is clamped with the bayonet in a curved-surface manner. In this embodiment, the fastener has a region whose size gradually increases in a direction away from the bottom of the bayonet, to facilitate mounting the fastener to the bayonet. As shown inFIG.7, in still another specific embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the fastener is a triangle. In this embodiment, a size of the fastener gradually increases in the direction away from the bottom of the bayonet, to facilitate mounting.

A manner for connection between the fastener and the bayonet2315further includes different implementation solutions. For example, a structure and a shape of the bayonet2315are not specifically limited. The bayonet2315may be a groove2316, or may be a through hole2318. Still referring toFIG.8, in an optional embodiment, the bayonet2315is a groove2316. An opening of the groove2316has a clamping edge2317. The fastener may pass through the clamping edge2317and extends into the groove2316, and is clamped with the clamping edge2317. Specifically, the fastener is a flexible fastener. Therefore, when passing through the clamping edge2317, the fastener contracts to enter the groove2316, then returns to an original shape, and can be clamped with the clamping edge2317, to complete mounting. In this embodiment, the fastener is clamped with the groove2316. Therefore, specified displacement may alternatively occur at a joint between the fastener and the groove2316, to facilitate absorbing deformation of the bending supporting portion23, and the connection manner facilitates mounting. In addition, in this embodiment, the fastener is located in the groove2316. The groove2316may protect the fastener, and no friction or structural interference likely occurs between a remaining structure and the fastener.

FIG.11is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application. In another optional embodiment, the bayonet2315is a through hole2318, the fastener passes through the through hole2318, and is then clamped with an edge of the through hole2318. In this embodiment, a process of mounting the fastener to the through hole2318is also relatively convenient, and specified displacement may alternatively occur at a joint between the fastener and the through hole2318, to facilitate absorbing deformation of the bending supporting portion23. In addition, in this embodiment, a structure of the through hole2318is relatively simple, to simplify a manufacturing process of the bending skeleton231, and reduce manufacturing costs of the bending skeleton231.

FIG.12is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of another bending supporting portion according to an embodiment of this application. In another implementation of this application, the fixed protrusion2326may alternatively be fixedly connected to the bending skeleton231. Specifically, the bending skeleton231may include mounting portions2319in one-to-one adaptation with the fixed protrusions2326. An end of the fixed protrusion2326away from the supporting portion2321is fastened to the mounting portion2319. In this embodiment, the end of the fixed protrusion2326away from the supporting portion2321is fixedly connected to the bending skeleton231. In this embodiment, a joint between the fixed protrusion2326and the bending skeleton231is connected to the supporting portion2321by using the flexible fixed protrusion2326, to absorb deformation of the bending supporting portion23. In this embodiment, strength of connection between the fixed protrusion2326and the bending skeleton231is relatively high.

Still referring toFIG.12, in a specific embodiment, the mounting portion2319has a mounting hole2320, and the fixed protrusion2326passes through the mounting hole2320and is then fastened to the bending skeleton231. In this embodiment, the fixed protrusion2326passes through the mounting hole2320. Therefore, a hole wall of the mounting hole2320may protect the fixed protrusion2326, to improve a service life of the fixed protrusion2326. In addition, the hole wall of the mounting hole2320may limit the fixed protrusion2326, to prevent excessively large displacement from being generated between the fixed protrusion2326and the bending skeleton231, and improve strength of connection between the fixed protrusion2326and the bending skeleton231.

In a specific embodiment of this application, a manner for fixed connection between the fixed protrusion2326and the bending skeleton231is not limited. In a specific implementation, the fixed protrusion2326is bonded and fastened to the mounting portion2319. This connection manner has relatively low costs and a relatively simple process. In another specific implementation, the fixed protrusion2326is fastened to the mounting portion2319in a hot-melting manner. This connection manner has relatively high strength of fixed connection, and falling-off does not likely occur.

In an optional technical solution, a shape of the connecting portion is not limited. For example, the connecting portions may be bar-shaped connecting portions or dot-shaped connecting portions. The shape of the connecting portion may be selected based on an actual product requirement.FIG.13is a schematic structural diagram of a supporting structure according to an embodiment of this application. In a specific embodiment, the connecting portions2322are bar-shaped connecting portions2327, a quantity of bar-shaped connecting portions2327required by the flexible supporting bar232is relatively small, and a structure of the flexible supporting bar232is relatively simple, so that the flexible supporting bar232has a simple manufacturing process and relatively low manufacturing costs.

Still referring toFIG.13, in a specific embodiment, the flexible supporting bar232has a plurality of bar-shaped connecting portions2327, the bar-shaped connecting portions2327extend in an extension direction of the flexible supporting bar232, and the plurality of bar-shaped connecting portions2327are arranged in parallel. When the foldable display apparatus is folded, a folding direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the flexible supporting bar232. Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, an extension direction of the bar-shaped connecting portion2327is perpendicular to the folding direction of the flexible supporting bar232, so that a folding line of the foldable display apparatus is parallel to a region between the bar-shaped connecting portions2327. In this way, when the foldable display apparatus is folded, the region between the parallel bar-shaped connecting portions2327can be drastically bent, to facilitate a bending operation. In addition, the bar-shaped connecting portions2327are not likely damaged. This improves a service life. As shown inFIG.13, the extension direction of the flexible supporting bar232is a direction A, and the folding direction is a direction B.

FIG.14is a schematic structural diagram of another supporting structure according to an embodiment of this application. In a specific embodiment, when the connecting portions2322are dot-shaped connecting portions2328, the dot-shaped connecting portions2328are arranged in a matrix on the supporting portion2321. In an aspect, the plurality of dot-shaped connecting portions2328arranged in a matrix can provide a relatively reliable connection relationship. In another aspect, bar-shaped gaps may be formed between the dot-shaped connecting portions2328that are arranged in a matrix, to facilitate a folding operation on the foldable display apparatus.

In a specific embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of the dot-shaped connecting portion in a direction parallel to the flexible screen1may be a circle, a square, or a polygon, and a shape of the dot-shaped connecting portion is relatively regular, to facilitate manufacturing.

In this embodiment of this application, the flexible screen of the foldable display apparatus may include one bending region, or may include two or more bending regions. Correspondingly, the supporting structure of the foldable display apparatus may include only one bending supporting portion, or may include two or more bending supporting portions. Specifically, a quantity of bending regions included in the foldable display apparatus may be correspondingly the same as a quantity of included bending supporting portions, so that degumming does not likely occur between the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion of the foldable display apparatus. Therefore, strength of connection between the flexible screen and the bending supporting portion of the foldable display apparatus can be improved, and product quality of the foldable display apparatus is relatively good.FIG.15is a schematic structural diagram of a foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The flexible screen1of the foldable display apparatus shown in the figure includes three planar regions14and two bending regions15.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.16,FIG.16is a schematic diagram of a folded state of another foldable display apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. According to a second aspect, this application further provides a foldable display apparatus, where the foldable display apparatus includes a flexible screen1and the supporting structure2of the foldable display apparatus in any one of the foregoing technical solutions. The supporting structure2includes a bending supporting portion23that supports a bending region15of the flexible screen1, and planar supporting portions22that support planar regions14of the flexible screen1. The bending supporting portion23includes a flexible supporting bar232and a bending skeleton231. The flexible supporting bar232includes a supporting portion2321and connecting portions fastened to a side of the supporting portion2321away from the flexible screen1. Distal ends of the connecting portions are fixedly connected to the bending skeleton231. Therefore, there may be space for relative movement between the flexible supporting bar232and the bending skeleton231. When the foldable display apparatus is bent, the flexible screen1may be stably connected to the supporting portion of the supporting bar, and degumming does not likely occur, so that product quality of the foldable display apparatus is relatively high.

In a specific implementation, a folding direction of the foregoing foldable display apparatus is not limited. As shown inFIG.16, the foldable display apparatus may be folded in a direction towards the flexible screen1. To be specific, after being folded, the flexible screen1is located between supporting housings of the foldable display apparatus. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.3, in another specific embodiment, the foldable display apparatus may be folded in a direction away from the flexible screen1. To be specific, after being folded, the flexible screen1is located on outer sides of supporting housings of the foldable display apparatus.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.