Patent ID: 12243448

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. Throughout the discussion herein, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements formed by the same or similar forming methods using the same or similar materials.

FIG.1depicts a side view of a flexible display device100when being folded according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2depicts a top view of the flexible display device100inFIG.1when being flattened. A description is provided with reference toFIG.1andFIG.2. The flexible display device100includes a supporting layer110and a flexible display panel120. The flexible display panel120is located on the supporting layer110. The supporting layer110has two non-folding regions112and a folding region114between the two non-folding regions112. The supporting layer110may be a metal plate (such as an aluminum plate), and the flexible display panel120may be an electronic paper. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The flexible display panel120may include a thin film transistor array substrate and a front panel, and the front panel has a display medium layer and a transparent substrate. When the flexible display device100is folded, the folding region114of the supporting layer110is configured to bend with the flexible display panel120. When the flexible display device100is flattened, the supporting layer110has sufficient rigidity to support the flexible display panel120, and the non-folding regions112are configured to allow a user to press and write on the flexible display panel120on them by using a finger or a touch pen. In the following description, various embodiments of the folding region114of the supporting layer110are explained.

FIG.3toFIG.9depict top views of the supporting layer110and supporting layers110a-110faccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The supporting layers110a-110fcan replace the supporting layer110ofFIG.1andFIG.2, and that must be explained first. A description is provided with reference toFIG.3. The folding region114of the supporting layer110has a central region116and two edge regions118. The edge region118is located between the non-folding region112and the central region116, and open porosities of the edge regions118are different from an open porosity of the central region116. For example, the open porosities of the two edge regions118are less than the open porosity of the central region116. In addition, the two non-folding regions112have no opening, so open porosities of the non-folding regions112are less than the opening porosities of the edge regions118of the folding region114. Through the above configuration, stiffness of the edge regions118of the folding region114are higher than stiffness of the central region116, but lower than stiffness of the non-folding regions112, which has the effect of distributing stress.

Since the folding region114of the supporting layer110has the central region116and the two edge regions118, and the open porosities of the two edge regions118are different from the open porosity of the central region116, a gradient design of mechanical stiffness can be realized. In this manner, the sudden change in the stiffness of the edge regions118of the folding region114can be reduced, and the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110can be prevented from generating creases.

In the present embodiment, the central region116has a plurality of first openings O1. Each of the edge regions118has a plurality of second openings O2. A length of the second openings O2is smaller than a length of the first openings O1, and the length of the second openings O2gradually decreases from the central region116towards the non-folding regions112. The configuration of the first openings O1and the second openings O2makes the folding region114of the supporting layer110have a bendable characteristic.

Additionally, each of the edge regions118has multiple columns of the second openings O2, and the length of the second openings O2gradually decreases from the central region116towards the non-folding regions112. As a result, the open porosities of the edge regions118can gradually decrease from the central region116towards the non-folding regions112.

In the present embodiment, each of the first openings O1and the second openings O2is in a shape of an ellipse. The length of the first openings O1and the length of the second openings O2may be less than 30 mm, less 15 mm, less than 5 mm, or even less than 1 mm.

It should be understood that the connection relationships, materials, and effects of the components that have been described will not be repeated, and that must be explained first. In the following description, other forms of supporting layers are illustrated.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.4. A folding region114aof a supporting layer110ahas a central region116aand two edge regions118a. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.3lies in that each of the first openings O1and the second openings O2is in a shape of a rectangle. Each of the edge regions118has multiple columns of the second openings O2, and the length of the second openings O2gradually decreases from the central region116towards the non-folding regions112. As a result, open porosities of the edge regions118acan gradually decrease from the central region116atowards the non-folding regions112. This configuration can reduce the sudden change in stiffness of the edge regions118aof the folding region114a, and prevent the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110afrom generating creases.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.5. A folding region114bof a supporting layer110bhas a central region116band two edge regions118b. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.4lies in that the length of the first openings O1is the same as the length of the second openings O2, a width of the second openings O2is smaller than a width of the first openings O1, and the width of the second openings O2gradually decreases from the central region116btowards the non-folding regions112. In addition to that, each of the edge regions118bhas multiple columns of the second openings O2, and the width of the second openings O2gradually becomes narrower from the central region116atowards the non-folding regions112. As a result, open porosities of the edge regions118bcan gradually decrease from the central region116btowards the non-folding regions112. This configuration can reduce the sudden change in stiffness of the edge regions118bof the folding region114b, and prevent the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110bfrom generating creases. In the present embodiment, the width of the first openings O1and the width of the second openings O2may be less than 500 μm, less 300 μm, less than 100 μm, or even less than 50 μm.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.6. A folding region114cof a supporting layer110chas a central region116cand two edge regions118c. The folding region114chas a bending axis L, which may be a symmetry axis of the folding region114c. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.5lies in that the width of the first openings O1is the same as the width of the second openings O2, a distance d2between two adjacent second openings O2in a direction D1perpendicular to the bending axis L is greater than a distance d1between two adjacent first opening O1in the direction D1, and the distance d2between the two adjacent second openings O2in the direction D1gradually increases from the central region116ctowards the non-folding regions112. As a result, open porosities of the edge regions118ccan gradually decrease from the central region116ctowards the non-folding regions112. This configuration can reduce the sudden change in stiffness of the edge regions118cof the folding region114c, and prevent the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110cfrom generating creases. In the present embodiment, the distance d1and the distance d2may be more than 0.05 mm, more than 0.3 mm, more than 0.5 mm, or even more than 1 mm.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.7. A folding region114dof a supporting layer110dhas a central region116dand two edge regions118d. The folding region114dhas the bending axis L, which may be a symmetry axis of the folding region114d. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.5lies in that the width of the first openings O1is the same as the width of the second openings O2, a distance d3between two adjacent second openings O2in a direction D2parallel to the bending axis L is greater than a distance d4between two adjacent first openings O1in the direction D2, and the distance d3between the two adjacent second openings O2in the direction D2gradually increases from the central region116dtowards the non-folding regions112. As a result, open porosities of the edge regions118dcan gradually decrease from the central region116dtowards the non-folding regions112. This configuration can reduce the sudden change in stiffness of the edge regions118dof the folding region114d, and prevent the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110dfrom generating creases.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.8. A folding region114eof a supporting layer110ehas a central region116eand two edge regions118e. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.4lies in that a shape of the first openings O1is different from a shape of the second openings O2in the edge regions118e. The first openings O1in the central region116eare in a shape of a rectangle, and the second openings O2in the edge regions118eare in a shape of a rhombus. As a result, open porosities of the edge regions118ecan gradually decrease from the central region116etowards the non-folding regions112. This configuration can reduce the sudden change in stiffness of the edge regions118eof the folding region114e, and prevent the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) on the supporting layer110efrom generating creases.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.9. A supporting layer110fhas two non-folding regions112and a folding region114fbetween the two non-folding regions112. The folding region114fhas the bending axis L and a plurality of openings O3. Each of the openings O3has different sizes in a direction perpendicular to the bending axis L (such as the horizontal direction). The opening O3has a size S1and a size S2different from each other in the direction perpendicular to the bending axis L, for example, the size S1is smaller than the size S2. In the present embodiment, the openings O3in the folding region114fare in a shape of a Z. In other embodiments, the openings O3may be in a shape of a cross, in a shape of a rhombus, or in a shape of an ellipse.

Each of the openings O3in the folding region114fhas a body region M and extension regions E. A lengthwise direction of the body region M is parallel to the bending axis L, and the extension regions E extend from the body region M towards the direction perpendicular to the bending axis L. The extension regions E of the opening O3are communicated with ends of the body region M. The extension regions E and the ends of the main region M are at a right angle. In addition, in the present embodiment, two adjacent openings O3in the direction perpendicular to the bending axis L have two corresponding positions, and the size S2of the extension regions E communicated with the ends of the body region M is smaller than a distance d5between the two corresponding positions. A difference between the distance d5and the size S2may be less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, or even less than 0.2 mm.

Since the folding region114fhas the bending axis L and the openings O3and each of the openings O3has the different sizes in the direction perpendicular to the bending axis L, each of the openings O3will have laterally extension regions. As a result, the length of the arm of each of the unopened regions in the folding region114fcan be shortened to increase the external force required to generate torsion. When using a touch pen to write on the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2), the degree of twisting of the unopened regions can be reduced to improve the writing feeling. Additionally, the above design of the openings O3can further shorten a lateral distance between two adjacent openings O3, and the internal stress can be effectively diffused to improve the uniformity of stress distribution and prevent the flexible display panel120from generating creases.

FIG.10toFIG.13depict top views of the openings O3according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The openings O3inFIG.10toFIG.13can replace the opening O3inFIG.9. A description is provided with reference toFIG.10. The opening O3has the body region M and extension regions E1. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.9lies in that the extension regions E1and ends of the main region M are at an obtuse angle θ.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.11. The opening O3has the body region M and extension regions E2. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.9lies in that the extension regions E2communicated with ends of the body region M are in a shape of an L.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.12. The opening O3has the body region M and extension regions E3. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.9lies in that the extension regions E3communicated with ends of the body region M are in a shape of an arc.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.13. In another embodiment, positions of the unopened regions of the supporting layer110finFIG.9can be designed as openings O4, and positions of the openings O3in the folding region114fofFIG.9can be designed as unopened regions. The structure ofFIG.13can thus be obtained.

FIG.14toFIG.15depict top views of supporting layers100g,110haccording to various embodiments of the present discourse. A description is provided with reference toFIG.14. The supporting layer110ghas the two non-folding regions112and a folding region114gbetween the two non-folding regions112. The folding region114ghas the bending axis L and the openings O3. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.9lies in that extension regions E4of each of the openings O3are communicated with a central portion of the body region M but not the ends of the body region M. With this configuration, the opening O3can be in a shape of a cross.

A description is provided with reference toFIG.15. The supporting layer110hhas the two non-folding regions112and a folding region114hbetween the two non-folding regions112. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.9lies in that the openings O3in the folding region114hare in a shape of a rhombus.

FIG.16depicts a partial enlarged view of the openings O3inFIG.15. A description is provided with reference toFIG.15andFIG.16. An apex angle θ1of the rhombus is smaller than 15 degrees. For example, the apex angle θ1of the opening O3is in a range from 1 degree to 15 degrees. The folding region114hhas the bending axis L. A distance d6between two adjacent openings O3in the folding region114hin a direction perpendicular to the bending axis L is smaller 2 cm, smaller than 1 cm, or even smaller than 500 μm. For example, the distance d6is in a range from 200 μm to 2 cm.

FIG.17depicts a top view of the supporting layer110hinFIG.15after being compressed. The supporting layer110hhas the rhombic openings O3, so that the supporting layer110hcan be attached to a back of the flexible display panel120(seeFIG.1andFIG.2) by using a lateral compression method.

FIG.18depicts a top view of a supporting layer110iaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The supporting layer110ihas the two non-folding regions112and a folding region114ibetween the two non-folding regions112. The openings O3in the folding region114iare in a shape of a rhombus. A distance between two adjacent openings O3in a direction perpendicular to the bending direction L gradually increases from the bending axis L towards the two non-folding regions112. For example, a distance d8between two adjacent openings O3is greater than a distance d7between another two adjacent openings O3inFIG.18.

FIG.19depicts a top view of a supporting layer110jaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The supporting layer110jhas the two non-folding regions112and a folding region114jbetween the two non-folding regions112. A difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment ofFIG.15lies in that the openings O3in the folding region114jare in a shape of an ellipse.

FIG.20depicts a partial enlarged view of a folding region114kof a supporting layer110kaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The folding region114kof the supporting layer110khas a central region116kand two edge regions118f. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown inFIG.3is that each of the first openings O1is misaligned with the adjacent first opening O1along a lengthwise direction D3of the supporting layer110k. That is, along the lengthwise direction D3of the supporting layer110k, end portions of the two adjacent first openings O1are not aligned with each other.

FIG.21depicts a partial enlarged view of a folding region114lof a supporting layer110laccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The folding region114lof the supporting layer110lhas a central region116land two edge regions118f. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown inFIG.20is that the first openings O1are arranged in an oblique direction, such as a direction D4. The direction D4may be defined by a connection line of the centers of the first openings O1.

Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.