Patent ID: 12189428

100foldable display device;10flexible display screen;11display module;12protection layer;13support layer;20housing;21bottom housing;22frame;30ornamental member;40activity space;31support portion;32lap-jointed portion;33limiting portion;211protuberance;50limiting space;331first projection;332second projection;221abutting inclined surface;34lap-jointed inclined surface;50adhesive layer.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Technical solutions in embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent that the described embodiments are only some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art without creative efforts are within the scope of the present disclosure.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a foldable display device100and an electronic apparatus, to solve the problem that the current foldable display device100has the poor look-and-feel and the poor grip feel. The display device may be any product or component having a display function, such as an electronic paper, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigation device, or the like. The following description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIGS.2to5,FIG.2is a structural schematic view of a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.3is an exploded schematic view of a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4is an exploded cross-sectional schematic view of a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5is a partially enlarged view of portion A inFIG.4.

The foldable display device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied in an electronic apparatus. The foldable display device100includes a flexible display screen10, a housing20, and an ornamental member30. The flexible display screen10includes a display module11, a protection layer12disposed on a front surface of the display module11, and a support layer13disposed on a back surface of the display module11. The display module11further has side surfaces111connected between the front surface and the back surface thereof. The housing20includes a bottom housing21and a frame22disposed on a top of the bottom housing21. The frame22extends along borders of the bottom housing21. The flexible display screen10is mounted on the housing20and is located in an area surrounded by the frame22. The support layer13is connected to the bottom housing21. The ornamental member30is disposed between the frame22and the flexible display screen10. An activity space40is formed between the ornamental member30and inner side surfaces of the frame22. The display module11is located on a side of the ornamental member30away from the activity space40. The side surfaces111of the display module11are covered by the ornamental member30. Side edges of the protection layer12are connected to the ornamental member30, and the ornamental member30approaches the inner side surfaces of the frame22along with the side edges of the protection layer12during a folding process of the flexible display screen10. The ornamental member30moves away from the inner side surfaces of the frame22along with the side edges of the protection layer12during an unfolding process of the flexible display screen10. In a direction perpendicular to the flexible display screen10, the ornamental member30and the frame22do not protrude from a surface of the protection layer12away from the bottom housing21.

In this embodiment, the display module11may be an OLED display module11, or may be an QLED display module11or an LCD display module11. The display module11is not limited herein, as long as it is a flexible display module11. The front surface of the display module11is a light-exiting surface, that is, a screen of the display device visible to the user. The back surface of the display module11is a surface opposite to the light-exiting surface. The support layer13may be disposed as a metal support layer, for example, a stainless steel layer, for supporting the display module11. The protection layer12may be a transparent film layer, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) layer, a PE (polyethylene) layer, or a PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) layer. The protection layer12is configured to protect the display module11from damage or scratching. When the flexible display screen10is folded, it is folded from the back surface toward the front surface. Due to the different thickness accumulations and the different bending radius, the side edges of the protection layer12may be outwardly shifted with respect to the display module11, and side edges of the support layer13may be inwardly shifted with respect to the display module11, which results in a dislocation of the flexible display screen10in the folded state, as shown inFIG.1.

The housing20includes a first housing and a second housing (not shown) rotatably connected to each other. Each of the first housing and the second housing includes the bottom housing21and the frame22. The flexible display screen10is mounted in the housing20. The flexible display screen10may be folded by rotating the first housing and the second housing toward each other. In contrast, the flexible display screen10may be unfolded by rotating the first housing and the second housing away from each other.

As shown inFIGS.3and9, the flexible display screen10includes a first display edge101and a second display edge102disposed opposite to each other. The first display edge101and the second display edge102may approach each other as the flexible display screen10is folded, or may move away from each other as the flexible display screen10is unfolded. The frame22includes a first frame edge221adjacent the first display edge101and a second frame edge222adjacent the second display edge102. The ornamental member30includes a first ornamental member edge301between the first display edge101and the first frame edge221and a second ornamental member edge302between the second display edge102and the second frame edge222. The side edges of the protection layer12at the first display edge101and the second display edge102is connected to the first ornamental edge301and the second ornamental edge302, respectively. The first ornamental edge301and the second ornamental edge302may be movable with respect to the first frame edge221and the second frame edge222, respectively.

Please refer toFIG.6andFIG.7together.FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional view of a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7is a partially enlarged view of portion B inFIG.6.

When the flexible display screen10is folded, the side edges of the protection layer12are outwardly shifted with respect to the first display edge101and the second display edge102due to the dislocation, thereby bringing the first ornamental edge301and the second ornamental edge302approach the first frame edge221and the second frame edge222. When the flexible display screen10is unfolded, the side edges of the protection layer12are reset, thereby bringing the first ornamental edge301and the second ornamental edge302to be reset. At least the side surface111of the display module11at the first display edge101is covered by the first ornamental edge301, and at least the side surface111of the display module11at the second display edge102is covered by the second ornamental edge302. Therefore, the dislocation occurring when the first display edge101and the second display edge102are folded may be effectively conceal by the first ornamental edge301and the second ornamental edge302.

In the unfolded state of the flexible display screen10, the support layer13is bond and fixed to the bottom housing21by a backing adhesive. Therefore, both the display module11and the protection layer12are fixed with respect to the housing20, and thus the ornamental member30connected to the protection layer12is also fixed with respect to the housing20, and no problem that the ornamental member30shakes with respect to the housing20will do not arise. Only when the protection layer12is folded, the ornamental members30may move with the offsets of the side edges of the protection layer12.

The connection between the protection layer12and the ornamental member30may be a movable connection, or may be a fixed connection. It should be noted that the ornamental member30may cover only the side surfaces111of the display module11, or may cover both the side surfaces111of the display module11and the side edges of the protection layer12. In the case that the ornamental member30covers only the side surfaces111of the display module11, although the side edges of the protection layer12are not covered, the dislocation between the protection layer12and the display module11is effectively concealed.

Neither the ornamental member30nor the frame22protrudes from the protection layer12in a thickness direction of the display device, thereby avoiding the edges of the screen front surface of the flexible display screen10from being covered or coated. Therefore, the flatness and smoothness of the screen of the display device are ensured, and the look-and-feel and the grip effect of the foldable display device100are effectively improved. Further, since the side edges of the protection layer12are not covered by the ornamental members30or the frame22, the screen ratio of the foldable display device100may be effectively increased. In addition, the front frame is also omitted in the foldable display device100according to the present embodiment. Therefore, an internal structure of the foldable display device100may be simplified, to improve the processing production efficiency and to reduce the processing production cost.

For example, as shown inFIGS.5and7, the ornamental member30includes a support portion31and a lap-jointed portion32. The activity space40is formed between the support portion31and the inner side surfaces of the frame22. The protection layer12is connected to one end of the support portion31away from the bottom housing21. The lap-jointed portion32is connected to the one end of the support portion31away from the bottom housing21, and is lap-jointed with an end surface of the frame22away from the bottom housing21.

In this embodiment, the support portion31extends in the thickness direction of the flexible display screen10. The support portion31is movably abutted against the bottom housing21, and the other end of the support portion31is connected to the side edges of the protection layer12. The activity space40is formed between the support portion31and the frame22. The lap-jointed portion32is connected to a side of the support portion31away from the flexible display screen10. The lap-jointed portion32is lap-jointed with an top end of the frame22. That is, the lap-jointed portion32is located above the activity space40, so that the activity space40may be concealed and hidden to achieve the dust-proof and water-releasing effect. The protection layer12may be connected to an top end surface of the support portion31, and may also be connected to side surfaces of the support portion31away from the frame22, which is not limited herein. It should be noted that the surfaces of both the support portion31and the lap-jointed portion32are not protruded from the protection layer12, so that the screen surface of the foldable display device100is ensured to be flat.

For example, as shown inFIGS.5and7, the side edges of the protection layer12protrudes from side edges of the display module11and are connected to the end surface of the support portion31. The surface of the protection layer12is flushed with and smoothly transits from a surface of the lap-jointed portion32. The protection layer12and the support portion31may be bonded and fixed by the adhesive layer50. The protection layer12is connected to the end surface of the support portion31, and the connection area between the protection layer12and the support portion31may be increased, thereby improving the connection strength. The surface of the lap-jointed portion32protrudes from the end surface of the supporting portion31and is flush with the protection layer12, thereby making screen edges of the foldable display device100smoother. The surface of the lap-jointed portion32may be disposed as a convex arc surface, to further improve the look-and-feel and the grip effect of the display device at the corners thereof.

Since the protection layer12is flexible and has a smaller thickness, the limiting effect on the ornamental member30in the thickness direction is weak. If the ornamental member30is not effectively limited, it is easy to lift up or out of the bottom housing21in the thickness direction. Thus, a structure for limiting the ornamental member30may be disposed on the housing20. For example, a sliding fit may be achieved between the lap-jointed portion32and the frame22by a limiting structure, to maintain the lap-jointed relationship between the lap-jointed portion32and the frame22.

Please refer toFIG.8andFIG.9together.FIG.8is a schematic cross-sectional view of a foldable display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.9is a partially enlarged view of portion C inFIG.8.

For example, the ornamental member30further includes a limiting portion33connected to one end of the support portion31close to the bottom housing21. A limiting space50is formed between the side edges of the support layer13and the bottom housing21, and one end of the limiting portion33extends to the limiting space50.

The bottom housing21may be disposed with a protuberance211for supporting a middle portion of the support layer13. The side edges of the support layer13protrude from the side edges of the protuberance11, so that the limiting space50is formed between the side edges of the support layer13and the bottom housing21. The support layer13and the protuberance211may be bond and fixed by a backing adhesive. The limiting portion33extends in a direction parallel to the flexible display screen10. One end of the limiting portion33is connected to a bottom end of the support portion31, and the other end of the limiting portion33extends into the limiting space50, so that the limiting portion33may be effectively limited between the flexible display screen10and the bottom housing21in the thickness direction. In this way, the flexible display screen10may be configured to limit the ornamental member30, thereby preventing the ornamental member30from being detached from the housing20and preventing the lap-jointed portion32from being warped to expose the activity space40. Since the support layer13is a stainless steel layer, even when subjected to a force from the limiting part, the support layer13may be not easily deformed or damaged, thereby ensuring structural stability of the display module11.

The limiting portion33is sandwiched between the support layer13and the bottom housing21. During the folding and unfolding processes of the foldable display device100, the limiting portion33needs to be moved integrally with the ornamental member30. Therefore, the limiting portion33can be rubbed against at least one of the support layer13and the bottom housing21. The friction can cause resistance to the movements of the limiting portion33and the ornamental member30, and thus the folding and unfolding processes of the foldable display device100are hindered.

For example, as shown inFIGS.5,7and9, in order to reduce the influence of the limiting portion33on the folding and unfolding processes of the foldable display device100, a first protrusion331is disposed at one end of the limiting portion33in the limiting space50. The first protrusion331abuts against the bottom housing21. The first protrusion331, instead of the limiting portion33, may be slidably abutted against the bottom housing21, so as to reduce a contact friction area of the ornamental member30as a whole with the bottom housing21. Therefore, the resistance caused by the friction may be reduced, so as to make the folding and unfolding processes of the foldable display device100become smoother. A surface of the first protrusion331is a convex arc surface, and the contact surface between the first protrusion331and the bottom housing21may be disposed to be a convex arc surface, so that a contact friction force between the first protrusion331and the bottom housing21may be further reduced.

Similarly, a second projection332is disposed at the one end of the limiting portion33in the limiting space50. The second protrusion332abuts against the support layer13. The second protrusion332, instead of the stop portion33, may be slidably abutted against the support layer13, to reduce the contact friction area of the ornamental member30as a whole with the support layer13. Therefore, the resistance caused by the friction may be reduced, so as to make the folding and unfolding processes of the foldable display device100become smoother. A surface of the second protrusion332is a convex arc surface, and the contact surface between the second protrusion332and the support layer13may be disposed to be a convex arc surface, so that a contact friction force between the second protrusion332and the support layer13may be further reduced.

During the folding process of the foldable display device100, the support portion31may approach the inner side surface of the frame22, but the lap-jointed portion32may be hindered by sharp corners between the inner side surfaces of the frame22. Accordingly, for example, as shown inFIGS.5and7, an abutting inclined surface221is formed at one end of the inner side surface of the frame22close to the lap-jointed portion32. An lap-jointed inclined surface34corresponding to the abutting inclined surface221is formed at a connection portion between the support portion31and the lap-jointed portion32. By the abutting inclined surface221, it is possible to reduce the hindrance to movable approach between the lap-jointed portion32and the support portion31due to the sharp corners of the frame22, thereby improving the movement smoothness of the ornament member30. The contact area between the ornamental member30and the frame22when the ornamental member30is adjacent to the frame22may be increased by the lap-jointed inclined surface34, which stabilizes the contact state of the ornamental member30with the frame22.

For example, the width of the activity space40is set in a range from 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm, specifically, 0.05 mm, to increase the effective utilization for the internal space in the housing20meanwhile ensuring the dislocation distance for the protection layer12. The foldable display device100further includes an elastic resetting member disposed at the activity space40and configured for resetting the ornamental member30to a position away from the inner side surface of the frame22. The elastic resetting member may be disposed as a spring, or may be disposed as an elastic layer, such as a silicone layer or a sponge layer. When the foldable display device100is folded, the elastic resetting member may be compressed as the ornamental member30approaches to the frame22, so that an elastic potential energy is generated in the elastic resetting member. When the foldable display device100is unfolding, the ornamental member30gradually moves away from the frame22, and the elastic potential energy in the elastic resetting member is released, thereby resetting the ornamental member30to the position away from the frame22. In this way, during the unfolding process of the foldable display device100, it is not necessary to reset the ornamental member30by means of the contraction of the protection layer12, to reduce the force acting on the protection layer12, thereby improving the structural stability of the protection layer12.

For example, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an electronic apparatus including a controller, a drive circuit, and a foldable display device100as described above. The controller is connected to the drive circuit, and the drive circuit is connected to the foldable display device100.

In the foldable display device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protection layer12as an outermost layer of a flexible display screen10is connected to an ornamental member30, and an activity space40is reserved between the ornamental member30and inner side surfaces of a frame22. As such, when the flexible display screen10is folded, side edges of the protection layer12may be shifted forward with respect to a display module11, and then the ornamental member30may approach the frame22in a direction in which the protection layer12is shifted, so that the ornamental member30may conceal the dislocation occurring when the flexible display screen10is folded along with the protection layer12, so as to improve the user's look-and-feel. That is, in the foldable display device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a reserved space and a concealing structure are provided for a folding dislocation of the flexible display screen10without a front frame, as so to avoiding the front frame shielding side edges of a front screen of the flexible display screen10. Therefore, the screen surface of the foldable display device100may become more flat and smooth, and the look-and-feel and the grip effect of the foldable display device100may be improved. In addition, the screen ratio of the foldable display device100may be increased.

In the above-described embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For a part not described in detail in some embodiments, reference may be made to the related description of other embodiments.

In descriptions of the present disclosure, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

The flexible display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail above. The principles and implementations of the present disclosure are described herein by employing specific examples. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of the present disclosure. Meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present disclosure, there will be some changes in specific embodiments and application scope. In conclusion, the contents of the present specification shall not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.