Patent ID: 12213262

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For clearer descriptions of the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described clearly hereinafter in combination with the accompanying drawings.

In the related art, a flexible support is implemented with a flexible support plate, but a density of a material of the support plate is large, which causes a heavier weight of the folded display device and is detrimental to lightweight design of the folded display device.

FIG.1is a top view of a foldable display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.1, the foldable display panel includes a first flat display region100, a foldable display region200, and a second flat display region300that are connected in sequence. The foldable display region200is provided with a third side edge2001and a fourth side edge2002extending along a first direction a. In the case that the foldable display panel is unfolded, a surface of the first flat display region100, a surface of the foldable display region200, and a surface of the second flat display region300are all on a same plane. In this case, a display surface of the foldable display panel is maximum, thereby achieving a good display effect for the user.

FIG.2is a side view of a foldable display panel when folded according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.2, in the case that the foldable display panel is folded at the foldable display region200, the second flat display region300is disposed on a back side of the first flat display region100, and a maximum plane dimension of the foldable display panel becomes smaller such that the foldable display panel is more portable.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flexible support configured to support a foldable display panel, wherein the flexible support can fold and unfold with the foldable display panel.

FIG.3is a top view of a flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.3, the flexible support includes two first flexible support plates10and one second flexible support plate20. The second flexible support plate20includes a first foldable region201extending along the first direction a, and the first foldable region201includes a first side edge211and a second side edge212extending along the first direction. One of the two first flexible support plates10is disposed on a side, distal from the second side edge212, of the first side edge211, the other of the two first flexible support plates10is disposed on a side, distal from the first side edge211, of the second side edge212, and the two first flexible support plates10are respectively connected to two opposite side edges of the second flexible support plate20. In the case that the foldable display panel is unfolded, a boundary of an orthogonal projection of the first foldable region201onto a first surface covers a boundary of the display region200. That is, an orthogonal projection of the first side edge211onto the first surface covers the third side edge2001, and an orthogonal projection of the second side edge212onto the first surface covers the fourth side edge2002. The first surface is a surface of the foldable display panel in the case that the foldable display panel is unfolded. The first direction a is perpendicular to a second direction b, and the second direction b is an arrangement direction of the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20. A material density of the first flexible support plate10is less than a material density of the second flexible support plate20.

In some embodiments, the flexible support includes the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20, and the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20support the foldable display panel. The second flexible support plate20is provided with the first foldable region201that ensures a foldable performance of the flexible support. In the related art, in the case that a material of the flexible support is the same as a material of the second flexible support plate, the flexible support is a whole second flexible support plate. In some embodiments, since the material density of the first flexible support plate is less than the material density of the second flexible support plate, the weight of the flexible support is reduced, thereby facilitating lightweight design of the foldable display device.

In some embodiments, the first flexible support plate10is a polymer clay (PC) plate, and a density of the polymer clay is small such that the weight of the first flexible support plate10may be reduced. Polymer clay is inexpensive and may reduce costs. Due to poor light reflectivity of the polymer, the reflection of the flexible support is weak in the case of taking photo, the photo is clear, and the errors are reduced. The elasticity of the polymer clay is great, and the residual stress is small during cutting, thereby reducing the likelihood that the flexible support is damaged during cutting.

In some embodiments, the first flexible support plate10may be made of one of polyester resin, polyimide, and flexible polyurethane, or the first flexible support plate10is made of at least two of polymer clay, polyester resin, polyimide, or flexible polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the second flexible support plate20is made of stainless steel, the support of stainless steel is great, which ensures support of the second flexible support plate20. And a stainless steel plate is foldable to ensure the foldable performance of the second flexible support plate20.

In some embodiments, the second flexible support plate20may be made of aluminum alloy or titanium alloy, or the second flexible support plate20is made of at least two of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or titanium alloy.

In some embodiments, the material of the first flexible support plate10and the material of the second flexible support plate20may be selected as desired. For example, the first flexible support plate10is a polyester resin support plate and the second flexible support plate20is a titanium alloy plate.

FIG.4is a top view of another flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.4, a side edge, connected to the second flexible support plate20, of the first flexible support plate10is provided with a first connection structure101, two opposite side edges, connected to the first flexible support plate10, of the second flexible support plate20are each provided with a second connection structure202, and the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202are engaged with each other.

In some embodiments, the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202are disposed to facilitate connection between the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20and ensure an integrity of the flexible support.

In some embodiments, the side edge of the first flexible support plate10and the side edge of the second flexible support plate20may be bonded together by a foam adhesive, such that the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20are connected together and hence the integrity of the flexible support is ensured.

FIG.5is a top view of a first flexible support plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.5, the first connection structure101includes a plurality of first connection protrusions111arranged along the first direction. A first gap112is present between any adjacent two of the plurality of first connection protrusions111, and a maximum width L1of the first connection protrusion111is greater than a width L2of an end, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111. The maximum width L1of the first connection protrusion111refers to a maximum spacing between the side edges of the first connection protrusion111along the first direction a.

FIG.6is a top view of a second flexible support plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.6, the second connection structure202includes a plurality of second connection protrusions221arranged along the first direction a. A second gap222is present between any adjacent two of the plurality of second connection protrusions221.

In connection withFIG.4toFIG.6, a shape of the second connection protrusion221matches a shape of the first gap112, and the protrusion and the gap are in one-to-one correspondence, and a shape of the second gap222matches a shape of the first connection protrusion111and the gap and the protrusion are in one-to-one correspondence. The second connection protrusion221is disposed within the first gap112, and the first connection protrusion111is disposed within the second gap222.

In some embodiments, the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202are both designed to a form of a connected protrusion, the second connection protrusion221is disposed within the first gap112, and the first connection protrusion111is disposed within the second gap222. The first connection structure101and the second connection structure202are connected to form a connection buckle, and the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202are engaged with each other. In the folding process, a pulling force is present between the first connection protrusion111and the second connection protrusion221, and the maximum width L1of the first connection protrusion111is greater than the width L2of the end, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111, such that along the second direction b, the pulling force is insufficient to separate the first flexible support plate10from the second flexible support plate20. In this way, the flexible support still functions as a support during the folding process and the portions are still securely engaged with each other.

The configuration that the shape of the second connection protrusion221matches the shape of the first gap112indicates that the shape of the second connection protrusion221is the same as the shape of the first gap112, and the difference in dimension is within a range such that the second connection protrusion221can be disposed within the first gap112, and the maximum width of the second connection protrusion221is greater than the width of the end, distal from the first flexible support plate10, of the second connection protrusion221. The configuration that the shape of the second gap222matches the shape of the first connection protrusion111indicates that the shape of the second gap222is the same as the shape of the first connection protrusion111and the difference in dimension is within a range such that the first connection protrusion111can be disposed within the second gap222.

In some embodiments, a ratio of the width L2to the maximum width L1ranges from ⅓ to ½.

In some embodiments, in the case that the ratio of the maximum width L1to the width L2is defined and the maximum width L1is determined, the width L2is prevented from being excessively small to ensure the strength of the first connection protrusion111, and the width L2is not excessively great to prevent the strength of the engaging between the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202from being insufficient and prevent the first flexible support plate10and the second flexible support plate20from being disengaged in the folding process.

For example, the ratio of the width L2to the maximum width L1is ⅓.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the width L2to the maximum width L1may be other values.

For example, the maximum width L1is 0.2 mm and the width L2is 0.08 mm.

In some embodiments, a ratio of the maximum width L1to a length L3of the first connection protrusion111ranges from 3/10 to ½. The length L3of the first connection protrusion111refers to a spacing between an end, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111and an end, proximal to the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111along the second direction b.

In some embodiments, where the maximum width L1of the first connection protrusion111is determined, the length L3of the first connection protrusion111is greater, and the first connection protrusion111is damaged more easily. The ratio of the maximum width L1to the length L3of the first connection protrusion111is defined to avoid insufficient strength of the first connection protrusion111caused by excessively great length L3of the first connection protrusion111, and avoid a decreased area between the first connection structure101and the second connection structure202and excessively small engagement strength caused by excessive small length L3of the first connection protrusion111.

For example, the ratio of the maximum width L1to the length L3of the first connection protrusion111is ⅖.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the maximum width L1to the length L3of the first connection protrusion111may be other values.

For example, the maximum width L1is 0.8 mm, and the length L3of the first connection protrusion111is 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the shape of the first connection protrusion111, the shape of the first gap112, the shape of the second connection protrusion221, and the shape of the second gap222are the same. The dimension of the first connection protrusion111, the dimension of the first gap112, the dimension of the second connection protrusion221, and the dimension of the second gap222are all equal.

For example, the maximum width of the first connection protrusion111, the maximum width of the first gap112, the maximum width of the second connection protrusion221, and the maximum width of the second gap222are all equal, and the length of the first connection protrusion111, the length of the first gap112, the length of the second connection protrusion221, and the length of the second gap222are all equal. The width of an end, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111, the width of an end, proximal to the second flexible support plate20, of the first gap112, the width of an end, distal from the first flexible support plate10, of the second connection protrusion221, and the width of an end, proximal to the first flexible support plate10, of the second gap222are all equal.

Referring toFIG.4toFIG.6, the shape of the first connection protrusion111and the shape of the second connection protrusion221are both a drop. The boundary of the drop is gradual to avoid the phenomenon of stress concentrations.

In some embodiments, the shape of the first connection protrusion111and the shape of the second connection protrusion221may further be a triangle, a trapezoid, and the like. It should be noted that the drop, the triangle, the trapezoid, or other shapes according to the embodiments are not necessarily the drop, the triangle, the trapezoid in a strict geometric sense. For example, the drop, the triangle, the trapezoid may include a chamfer, an arc angle, an arcuate side, and the like.

As shown inFIG.5, the first connection structure101may further include a third connection protrusion113disposed at the lowermost, wherein the third connection protrusion113is in an incomplete drop shape.

In some embodiments, the first connection structure101may not include the third connection protrusion113, or merely include the third connection protrusion113disposed at the uppermost of the first connection structure101, or include the third connection protrusion113disposed at both the uppermost and the lowermost of the first connection structure101.

In the case that the shape of the first connection protrusion111is a triangle, the third connection protrusion113may be in an incomplete triangle shape, and in the case that the shape of the first connection protrusion111is a trapezoid, the third connection protrusion113may be in an incomplete trapezoid shape.

As shown inFIG.6, the second connection structure202may further include a fourth connection protrusion223disposed at the uppermost, wherein the fourth connection protrusion223is in an incomplete drop shape.

In some embodiments, the second connection structure202may not include the fourth connection protrusion223, or merely include the fourth connection protrusion223disposed at the lowermost of the second connection structure202, or include the fourth connection protrusion223disposed at both the uppermost and the lowermost of the second connection structure202.

In the case that the shape of the second connection structure202is a triangle, the fourth connection protrusion223may be in an incomplete triangle shape, and in the case that the shape of the second connection structure202is a trapezoid, the fourth connection protrusion223may be in an incomplete trapezoid shape.

Referring toFIG.6, the second flexible support plate20further includes a foldable plate203and a connection plate204. The first foldable region201is disposed on the foldable plate203, the connection plate204is connected to the foldable plate203and the second connection structure202, and a ratio of a width L4of the connection plate204to the length L3of the second connection protrusion221ranges from ⅕ to ⅓.

In some embodiments, since the second gap222is present between adjacent second connection protrusions221, in the case that the second connection protrusion221is directly connected to the foldable plate203, the edge of the foldable plate203is floated at the second gap222. In the folding process of the flexible support, the floated edge of the foldable plate203may tilt. The connection plate204is connected to the second connection structure202and the foldable plate203to cushion and prevent the foldable plate203from tilting in the folding process.

For example, the ratio of the width L4of the connection plate204to the length L3of the second connection protrusion221is ¼.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the ratio of the width L4of the connection plate204to the length L3of the second connection protrusion221may be other values.

For example, the length L3of the first connection protrusion111is 2 mm, and the width L4of the connection plate204is 0.5 mm.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of a plane A-A inFIG.4. Referring toFIG.7, the second connection structure202may be seen in the cross-sectional view, and the first connection structure101may not be seen at the tangent of the cross-sectional view. Two first dashed lines214form the boundary line of an end, proximal to the second flexible support plate20, of the first connection protrusion111, the structure between one first dashed line214and the first side211is the connection plate204, and the structure between the other first dashed line214and the second side212is the connection plate204.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view of a plane B-B inFIG.4. Referring toFIG.8, the first connection structure101may be seen in the cross-sectional view, the second connection structure202may not be seen at the tangent of the cross-sectional view, and the connection plate204is adjacent to the second connection structure202. Two second dashed lines215in the first flexible support plate10form the boundary line of an end, proximal to the first flexible support plate10, of the second connection protrusion221.

In combination withFIG.7andFIG.8, in the cross-sectional view, an orthogonal projection of the first connection structure101covers an orthogonal projection of the second connection structure202.

FIG.9is a top view of another second flexible support plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.9, the second flexible support plate20includes a hollow213in the first foldable region201.

In some embodiments, the second flexible support plate20is generally a metal plate, and the hollow213is arranged in the first foldable region201of the second flexible support plate20to increase the foldable performance of the second flexible support plate20.

As shown inFIG.9, the hollow213is a waist-shaped hole, wherein the boundary of the waist-shaped hole transitions smoothly to reduce stress concentrations in the folding process.

In some embodiments, the hollow213may be in other shapes, such as a circular hole or an elliptical hole.

FIG.10is a top view of disposing a third flexible support plate and a first flexible support plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.10, the flexible support further includes the third flexible support plate30. InFIG.10, the second flexible support plate20is not shown for clarity of the third flexible support plate30.

FIG.11is a cross-sectional view of a plane C-C inFIG.10. Referring toFIG.10, both of the two first flexible support plates10are laminated on the third flexible support plate30, the third flexible support plate30and the two first flexible support plates10form a groove structure40, and the second flexible support plate20(not shown inFIG.11) is disposed within the groove structure40.

In some embodiments, the third flexible support plate30is provided with a second foldable region301, wherein an orthogonal projection of the second foldable region301onto the first surface covers the orthogonal projection of the first foldable region201onto the first surface.

In some embodiments, in the case that both of the first flexible support plates10are laminated on the third flexible support plate30, the third flexible support plate and the two first flexible support plates1030form the groove structure40, and the groove structure40is configured to accommodate the second flexible support plate20. The bottom surface of the groove structure40supports the second flexible support plate20to improve the support of the second flexible support plate20for the foldable display panel.

In some embodiments, the first foldable region201corresponds to the second foldable region301to ensure the foldable performance of the flexible support.

In some embodiments, a material density of the third flexible support plate30is less than a material density of the second flexible support plate20, which may reduce the weight of the flexible support.

In some embodiments, the third flexible support plate30is a polymer clay plate, wherein the density of the polymer clay is small, which may reduce the weight of the third flexible support plate30.

In some embodiments, the third flexible support plate30is made of one of polyester resin, polyimide, and flexible polyurethane, or the third flexible support plate30is made of at least two of polymer clay, polyester resin, polyimide, or flexible polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the third flexible support plate30and the first flexible support plate10may be bonded together by a foam adhesive or a mesh adhesive.

In some embodiments, the third flexible support plate30and the first flexible support plate10may be integrally formed.

FIG.12is a side view of a flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.12, the flexible support further includes a first adhesive layer50, wherein the first adhesive layer50is disposed between the third flexible support plate30and the second flexible support plate20.

In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer50is configured to bond the third flexible support plate30and the second flexible support plate20, and the second flexible support plate20is fixed in the groove structure40to ensure the stability of the second flexible support plate20in the groove structure40.

In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer50may be a foam adhesive layer or an optical adhesive layer.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the second flexible support plate20is less than a thickness of the first flexible support plate10, and in the case that the first adhesive layer and the second flexible support plate20are simultaneously disposed in the groove structure40, a surface, distal from the third flexible support plate30, of the second flexible support plate20is flush with a surface, distal from the third flexible support plate30, of the first flexible support plate10.

In some embodiments, in the case that the flexible support does not include the third flexible support plate30, the thickness of the second flexible support plate20may be equal to the thickness of the first flexible support plate10.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the flexible support ranges from 80 μm and 150 μm. That is, a sum of a thickness of the third flexible support plate30, a thickness of the first adhesive layer50, and the thickness of the second flexible support plate20is the sum of the thickness of the third flexible support plate30and the thickness of the first flexible support plate10.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the first flexible support plate10ranges from 30 μm and 120 μm.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the third flexible support plate30ranges from 30 μm and 120 μm.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the first adhesive layer50ranges from 15 μm and 25 μm.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the second flexible support plate20ranges from 20 μm and 100 μm.

The flexible support shown inFIGS.3,4,7,8, and12may be configured to support a foldable display panel that is a flat screen after unfolding, and the flexible support according to the embodiments may further be configured to support a foldable display panel that is a waterfall screen upon unfolding.

FIG.13is a side view of another flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.13, a side, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first flexible support plate10is provided with a first bending structure102.

In some embodiments, a side, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first flexible support plate10is provided with a first bending structure102, which facilitates the flexible support supporting the waterfall screen of the foldable display panel.

As shown inFIG.13, the third flexible support plate30is provided with a second bending structure302, and the second bending structure302and the first bending structure102are opposite to each other.

As shown inFIG.13, both side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first flexible support plate10are provided with the first bending structure102.

FIG.14is a side view of the flexible support inFIG.13when bending. Referring toFIG.14, in the case that the flexible support is bent, two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first bending structure102are opposite to each other, and two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the second bending structure302are opposite to each other.

For example, in the case that the flexible support is fully unfolded, the two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first bending structure102are on a same surface. In the case that the flexible support is bent, the two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first bending structure102are parallel to each other, and the two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the second bending structure302are parallel to each other.

In some embodiments, in the case the flexible support is bent, the two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the first bending structure102may not be opposite to each other, and the two side edges, distal from the second flexible support plate20, of the second bending structure302may not be opposite to each other.

The flexible support shown inFIG.13andFIG.14is provided with two first foldable structures102, and in other embodiments, the flexible support may be merely provided with one first folding structure102.

FIG.15is a side view of another flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.15, the first bending structure102is merely disposed on one side of the first flexible support plate10, and the second bending structure302is merely disposed on one side of the third flexible support plate30.

In some embodiments, the surface, distal from the third flexible support plate30, of the first flexible support plate10is provided with a hardened layer.

In some embodiments, the surface, distal from the third flexible support plate30, of the first flexible support plate10is provided with the hardened layer to ensure support of the first flexible support plate10.

In some embodiments, a surface, distal from the first flexible support plate10, of the third flexible support plate30is further provided with the hardened layer to ensure support of the third flexible support plate30.

In some embodiments, the resin may be coated on the surface, distal from the first flexible support plate10, of the third flexible support plate30and the surface, distal from the third flexible support plate30, of the first flexible support plate10, and then the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the surface of the third flexible support plate30and the surface of the first flexible support plate10, such that the resin on the surface of the third flexible support plate30and the surface of the first flexible support plate10is harden to form the hardened layer.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a method for manufacturing a flexible support.FIG.16is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.16, the method includes the following processes.

In S161, two first flexible support plates are provided.

In S162, a second flexible support plate is provided. The second flexible support plate includes a first foldable region extending along a first direction. The first foldable region includes a first side edge and a second side edge extending along the first direction. A material density of the first flexible support plate is less than a material density of the second flexible support plate.

In S163, the two first flexible support plates are connected to two opposite side edges of the second flexible support plate respectively, such that one of the two first flexible support plates is disposed on a side, distal from the second side edge, of the first side edge, and the other of the two first flexible support plates is disposed on a side, distal from the first side edge, of the second side edge.

Herein, the structure of the first flexible support plate is the same as the structure of the first flexible support plate shown inFIGS.3to5,7,8, and10to15, and the structure of the second flexible support plate is the same as the structure of the second flexible support plate shown inFIGS.3,4,6to9, and12to15, which are not repeated herein.

FIG.17is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.17, the method includes the following processes.

In S171, a first flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on a side edge of a first flexible material plate, a plurality of first connection protrusions arranged along a first direction.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first connection protrusions arranged along the first direction may be formed on the side edge of the first flexible material plate by laser cutting, such that a first gap is present between any adjacent two of the plurality of first connection protrusions, wherein a maximum width of the first connection protrusion is greater than a width of an end, distal from the second flexible support plate, of the first connection protrusion.

In S172, a second flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on two side edges of a second flexible material plate, a plurality of second connection protrusions arranged along the first direction.

In some embodiments, the plurality of second connection protrusions arranged along the first direction may be formed on two side edges of the second flexible material plate by etching respectively, such that a second gap is present between any adjacent two of the plurality of second connection protrusions. A shape of the second connection protrusion matches a shape of the first gap, and the second connection protrusion and the first gap are in one-to-one correspondence. A shape of the second gap matches a shape of the first connection protrusion, and the second gap and the first connection protrusion are in one-to-one correspondence.

In S173, a third flexible support plate is provided.

In S174, two first flexible support plates are attached to the third flexible support plate, such that the third flexible support plate and the two first flexible support plates form a grooved structure.

In some embodiments, the two first flexible support plates may be attached to the third flexible support plate by a foam adhesive.

In S175, the second flexible support plate is disposed within the groove structure.

In some embodiments, the second flexible support plate may be disposed within the groove structure by the foam adhesive.

In some embodiments, processes S174and S175may be exchanged.FIG.18is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing another flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.18, the method includes the following processes.

In S181, a first flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on a side edge of a first flexible material plate, a plurality of first connection protrusions arranged along a first direction.

In S182, a second flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on both side edges of a second flexible material plate, a plurality of second connection protrusions arranged along the first direction.

In S183, a third flexible support plate is provided.

In S184, the second flexible support plate and the third flexible support plate are attached.

In some embodiments, the second flexible support plate and the third flexible support plate may be attached by the foam adhesive, and the first foldable region corresponds to a second foldable region.

In S185, both first flexible support plates are attached to the third flexible support plate such that first connection structures of the two first flexible support plates and a second connection structure of the second flexible support plate are engaged with each other.

FIG.19is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing another flexible support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.18, the method includes the following processes.

In S191, a third flexible support plate is provided.

In S192, a second flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on both side edges of a second flexible material plate, a plurality of second connection protrusions arranged along a first direction.

In S193, the second flexible support plate and the third flexible support plate are attached.

In S194, a first flexible support plate is acquired by forming, on a side edge of a first flexible material plate, a plurality of first connection protrusions arranged along the first direction.

In S195, two first flexible support plates are attached to the third flexible support plate such that first connection structures of the two first flexible support plates and a second connection structure of the second flexible support plate are engaged with each other.

The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a display device,FIG.20is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.20, the display device includes a flexible support400and a foldable display panel500that are laminated, wherein the flexible support is the flexible support shown in any ofFIGS.3,4,7,8, and12to15.

The display device according to the embodiments may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic light emitting diode display device, a quantum dot display device, and the like. In the specific implementations, the display device according to the embodiments may be any product or component with a display function, such as a cell phone, a tablet computer, a television, a display, a laptop computer, a digital photo frame, or a navigator.

Referring toFIG.20, the flexible support400and the foldable display panel500are bonded together by a first adhesive layer600.

For example, the first adhesive layer600may be a foam adhesive layer.

Referring toFIG.20, the display device further includes a cover plate700, and the cover plate700is bonded with the foldable display panel500by a second adhesive layer800.

For example, the second adhesive layer800may be an optical adhesive layer.

For example, the cover plate700is a flexible cover plate to ensure the foldable performance of the display device.

Referring toFIG.20, in the case that the flexible support is applied to a waterfall screen, the boundaries of the flexible support400, the first adhesive layer600, the foldable display panel500, the second adhesive layer800, and the cover plate700may not be flush.

Described above are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure. It should be noted that any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, and the like made within the spirit and principle of the embodiments of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.