KR20200067023A - Display Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device according to the present application comprises: a display panel having a folding area in which a display area is folded or unfolded; a sliding member moving the display panel according to a state in which the display panel is folded or unfolded in at least part of the display panel; and a housing member having a structure for minimizing occurrence of flection in the folding area by fixing or pulling the sliding member in a state in which the display panel is unfolded. Accordingly, the display device according to the present application may increase flatness of the display device when the display device is unfolded.

Description

Display device

The present specification relates to a display device that can be used by folding or unfolding a display panel.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, portable terminals such as a wireless terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an electronic notebook, etc. have a trend of miniaturization in size for portability.

However, since the user wants to receive information from various contents such as text information, moving images, still images, MP3, games, etc. through the screen of the mobile terminal, the size of the display screen is required to be enlarged or widened. Doing.

However, since the miniaturization of a portable terminal causes a reduction in the size of a display screen, there is a limit in meeting both requirements.

As a method for overcoming such limitations, development of a flexible display device such as a bendable display device or a foldable display device has been recently developed.

The flexible display device can be applied to various fields such as mobile phones, ultra-mobile PCs, e-books, and e-newspapers, as well as televisions and monitors, because it can be easily carried when folded and a large screen when unfolded. Can be.

When a foldable display device is used as a flexible display device, the foldable display device should be able to be folded and unfolded. In order to support the display panel or to improve the function of the display panel, various members attached to or coupled to the display panel are all made of a very thin film form including the display panel. For this reason, when folded for a long time, the foldable display device accumulates compressive stress and tensile stress in the folding region.

Over time, the compressive stress and tensile stress that accumulate become stronger and stronger, causing damage to the display panel or the substrate and deteriorating the display quality of the display device.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a display device capable of preventing wear of a device coupled to the display panel by moving the display panel in the process of folding or unfolding the display device.

In addition, the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, the folded display panel is quickly restored to its original state in the unfolding process of the display device, and can be fully flattened to maintain sufficient durability against continuous folding and unfolding, and display image It provides a display device that can improve the quality of.

The present invention is a display panel having a folding area in which a display area is folded or unfolded, and in at least a part of the display panel, a sliding member for moving the display panel according to a folding or unfolding state of the display panel and an unfolding state of the display panel And a housing member having a structure that fixes or pulls the sliding member to minimize bending of the folding area.

The structure of the housing member and the sliding member may maintain the flatness of the display panel in a form in which they are engaged with each other during the unfolding state of the display panel or are fitted with each other.

The display device according to the present invention includes a flexible substrate including a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area between the first display area and the second display area, and folding or unfolding in the third display area, and 1 Sliding member corresponding to the display area and moving the flexible substrate according to the folding or unfolding state of the flexible substrate and one end of the sliding member engaged with each other in the unfolding state of the flexible substrate or fastened or fitted with each other to see the sliding member It includes a housing member having a magnet on at least a portion of the inner side of the.

To this end, one end of the housing member is provided with alternately disposed first protrusions and first inner portions, and one end of the sliding member includes alternately disposed second protrusions and second inner portions, and is provided when the foldable display panel is unfolded. One protrusion is received in the second inner portion of the sliding member, the second protrusion of the sliding member is received in the first inner portion of the housing, and the sliding member is attached to the housing by a magnet. Therefore, the present invention can improve the flatness of the display panel and suppress the quality of the image displayed by the display panel from being distorted by wrinkles because the display panel can be completely flat when unfolded.

According to the display device according to the present invention, since the sliding member coupled with the display panel is coupled to be capable of sliding transport within the housing member, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of wear of fixtures during the folding of the display panel, thereby improving product durability. Can be.

The present invention is provided with a structure and a fastening portion between the sliding member coupled to the display panel and one end of the housing to provide a tensile force so that the display panel not only quickly recovers to a flat surface in an unfolded state but also fully unfolds.

The present invention can improve the flatness of the display panel and suppress the quality of the image displayed by the display panel from being distorted by wrinkles, because the display panel can be completely flat when unfolded.

The present invention provides a sturdy structure in which the display device is fully unfolded and maintained during unfolding while smooth folding is performed. Therefore, the display device according to the present specification can be used semi-permanently for continuous folding and unfolding, and has an effect of stably and smoothly improving folding and unfolding operations of the display device.

1 is a perspective view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the display panel and devices are combined when folding the display panel shown in FIG. 1.
3 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion A of FIG. 2 when viewed from different angles.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a plan view and part B showing a state in which the display panel and the devices are combined when the display panel shown in FIG. 1 is unfolded.
5A to 5C are views for explaining Embodiments 1 to 3 of fixtures according to the present invention.
6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining in-folding and out-folding operations of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for describing an unfolding operation of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a reference diagram illustrated to describe a comparative example.
9 is another embodiment of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that, in the accompanying drawings of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used when possible to indicate the same configuration in other drawings. In addition, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related well-known functions or known configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The component names used in the following description are selected in consideration of the ease of preparing the specification, and may be different from the actual product part names.

In the description of the embodiment, each layer (membrane), region, pattern or structure is a substrate, each layer (membrane), region, pad or pattern "on/on" or "under/under" of the patterns. In the case described as being formed in, "top/on" and "bottom/under" include both "directly" or "indirectly" formed through another layer. do.

When'include','have','consist of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless'~man' is used. When a component is expressed as a singular number, the plural number is included unless otherwise specified.

The first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention are exemplary and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated matters.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out.

1 is a perspective view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the display panel and devices are combined when the display panel shown in FIG. 1 is folded, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part A of FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view and an enlarged view showing a state in which the display panel and devices are combined when the display panel shown in FIG. 1 is unfolded.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display apparatus 100 according to the present invention physically facilitates folding and unfolding of the display panel 10 and the display panel 10 having a display area 12 representing an image. Includes a hinge 90, mechanisms for supporting and storing the display panel 10, and a case 90 for storing and protecting various components and structures for driving the display panel 10 or the display device 100 do.

The display panel 10 may be positioned both inside and outside in a folded state, and the display panel 10 has a rectangular shape and is configured in the form of a screen screen of a mobile phone having a vertical width greater than a horizontal width. . The form of the display panel 10 is not limited to this, and may be in the form of a screen screen of a PC or TV. The shape of the display panel 10 may be provided in a circular or polygonal shape in addition to a square, and may be implemented in the form of ellipse, triangle, rhombus, etc. through folding and unfolding processes.

The hinge 50 is disposed in an area where the display panel 10 is folded in order to maintain the shape or a folded angle of the display panel 10, and the case 90 is a hinge 50 to protect the display panel 10 ) Combined with a structure surrounding the entire side and back surfaces of the display panel 10, or may be arranged in a single form or in a combination of several forms.

The display device 100 may be folded at various folding angles. The display device 100 may be folded at a specific angle according to a user's intention. Also, the display device 100 may be completely folded or unfolded according to a user's intention. The display device 100 may be folded to be in-folded so that the display panel 10 is disposed inside. Conversely, the display apparatus 100 may be folded so that the display panel 10 is disposed outside by being out-folded.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, for convenience of description, the structures coupled to the display panel 10 among the components of the display device 100 are briefly illustrated as the sliding member 20 and the housing member 30, but in practice Various components may be further included by further including components for driving the display apparatus 100.

2 and 3, the display panel 10 has a display area 12 on which an image is displayed and a non-display area 14 located on the edge of the display panel 10 outside the display area 12. , It has a flexible characteristic that can bend flexibly around the folding axis (FA).

The display area 12 can be folded in response to the first display area 121, the second display area 122, and the folding axis FA between the first display area 121 and the second display area 122. It may be divided into a third display area 123 which is an area. The folding axis FA displays a center of the third display area 123 as a virtual line with a set curvature due to folding. Since the display panel 10 is not folded to have a certain angle at the folding axis FA set when the display panel 10 is folded, folding may be performed based on the folding axis FA because folding may be performed with a set curvature. The display area 123 may be positioned as a constant area.

The first display region 121 and the second display region 122 may have the same size as each other, but are not limited thereto, and any one of them may have a wide size. In this case, in the folded state of the display panel 10, a part of the display area having a relatively wide size is exposed to the outside, and a part of the display area exposed to the outside is date and time even when the display device 100 is turned off. , Battery level, notifications, etc. may be continuously displayed.

In the case of the present invention, the case where the display panel 10 is a structure that can be folded in the middle part is exemplified, but the display panel 10 may have a structure in which all parts can be folded freely. In the first display area 121, the second display area 122, and the third display area 123, images are seamlessly implemented.

In the non-display area 14, an extension line of the signal line and a bonding area to which the extension line and the circuit member 80 are connected may be provided. The circuit member 80 is for applying an electrical signal for driving the display panel 10, and includes a circuit board provided with a circuit pattern and an integrated circuit chip (IC chip; not shown) mounted on the circuit board. .

The circuit board may include a main board on which an integrated circuit is mounted, and a connecting board connecting the main board and the display panel 10. The main board may be a rigid printed circuit board (PCB), which itself is difficult to bend or fold, or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having flexibility. The connection substrate is provided in a single layer or multi-layer wiring pattern, and is preferably in a form that can be bent or folded by itself. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) may be applied as a connection substrate, and a chip-on-film (COF) chip may be mounted on the film. The integrated circuit chip may be mounted on the display panel 10 in a COP (Chip On Panel) method.

The display panel 10 includes a flexible substrate 102, a back plate 104 and a support member 106. The display panel 10 may further include a plurality of members (not shown) for facilitating or supporting and fixing the folding of the display panel 10.

The flexible substrate 102 is a device layer for displaying an image on a base layer in which the display area 12 is folded inward or outward. The flexible substrate 102 includes a TFT device layer and a light emitting device layer, and includes a touch assembly for enabling touch sensing. do. The base layer may have a structure in which a barrier coating is treated on both sides of a base film. In the case of the base material, it may be implemented with various materials such as PI (Polyimide), PC (Polycarbonite), PET (Polyethyleneterephtalate), PES (Polyethersulfone), PEN (Polythylenenaphthalate), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic). In addition, the barrier coating is performed on surfaces facing each other in the base material, and an organic film or an inorganic film may be used to maintain flexibility.

Examples of the light emitting device layer include a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel, a field emission display device, an electroluminescence display, and an electrochromic display device. display) One of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) may be used. In the present invention, it will be described as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) that can maintain display performance even if it is curved like paper. OLED is a self-luminous element, and since it does not require a backlight used in a liquid crystal display device, it is possible to form a light and thin body. The light emitting element layer made of such an OLED and the TFT element layer on which a driving thin film transistor is formed are sealed by an encapsulation layer. In order to prevent external oxygen and moisture from penetrating into the device layers, the encapsulation layer may be used by laminating an inorganic layer and interposing an organic layer to compensate for impact resistance.

The first display area 121, the second display area 122, and the third display area 123 may be positioned outside or inside corresponding to the outer or inner folding in the folding state of the flexible substrate 102. have.

The back plate 104 corresponds to the size of the flexible substrate 102 and is disposed on the rear surface of the flexible substrate 102 to support the flexible substrate 102. The overall size of the back plate 104 may be formed of a first back plate and a second back plate that are separated from or separated from the third display region 123 which is an area corresponding to the folding region of the flexible substrate 102.

The support member 106 is located on the back surface of the flexible substrate 102 and the back plate 104 and can be attached to the back surface of the display panel 10 through an adhesive layer. The support member 106 supports the flexible substrate 102 and facilitates folding and unfolding of the flexible substrate 102. The support member 30 may be referred to as a mid frame. The support member 30 may be formed larger than the size of the flexible substrate 102. The support member 30 maintains rigidity and a thin metal plate for supporting the flexible substrate 102 and an organic material layer filling between the metal pattern layer and the patterns of the metal pattern layer to facilitate folding of the flexible substrate 102 It may be configured to include.

A form in which the sliding member 20 supporting the display panel 10 on the rear surface of the first display area 121 of the display panel 10 and allowing movement is accommodated in the first housing 31 of the housing member 30 Is placed as

When the display member 100 is folded, the sliding member 20 moves away from one end of the first housing 31 along a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FA, and moves in a direction closer to the connection member 35 and the display device When unfolding (100), it moves closer to one end of the first housing (31) and moves away from the connecting member (35). In the unfolding state of the display device 100, the sliding member 20 is in a state in which the first housing 31 is fastened. To this end, the sliding member 20 includes body parts 22 supporting the first display area 121 of the display panel 10 and both side parts of the body part 22 to allow sliding of the sliding member 20. It includes a sliding portion 24 and a fastening portion 21 that is fastened to the housing member to fix the display panel 10.

The body portion 22 of the sliding member 20 is disposed in a plate shape on the rear surface of the first display area 121 of the display panel 10. On both sides of the body portion 22, the sliding portion 24 is located in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member 20 or the display panel 10. The sliding part 24 is accommodated inside the first housing 31 in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member 20 so that the sliding member 20 reciprocates according to the folding or unfolding state of the display panel 10. Can move. At this time, the sliding member 20 moves in response to a changing length from one end to the other end of the connecting member 35 according to a change in the folding or unfolding state of the display panel 10.

A fastening part fastened to the first housing 31 on one end surface of the body part 22 facing one end of the first housing 31 in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding member 20 or the display panel 10 21 is located. The fastening portion 21 is formed of a metal material.

The fastening portion 21 is made of a second protrusion 216 and a second inner portion 218 on one side of the body portion 22 looking at one end of the first housing 31.

The second protrusion 216 and the second inner portion 218 are arranged in a structure that can be engaged or fastened by engaging one end portion of the first housing 31 between both guide portions 314 of the first housing 31. do. The second protrusion 216 and the second inner portion 218 are disposed adjacent to one end of the display panel 10 from one end of the first housing 31. The second protrusion 216 is plural and the second inner portion 218 is plural.

The second protrusion 216 has a predetermined width from the second inner portion 218 and protrudes more than the second inner portion 218 toward one end of the first housing 31. The second inner portion 218 based on the second protrusion 216 has a predetermined depth than the first protrusion 316 and enters more in one direction of the display panel 10. The second protrusion 216 is disposed to be spaced apart with the second inner portion 218 therebetween, and the second inner portion 218 is spaced apart from the second protrusion 216 with the second protrusion 216 therebetween. The inner portions 218 are alternately arranged.

When the display panel 10 is unfolded, the structure of the housing member 31 and the second protrusion 216 and the second protruding portion 318 of the sliding member 20 are engaged with each other and fastened or fitted with each other. It is possible to prevent bending that may occur in the display panel 10 and to prevent deformation of the display panel 10 even after a long time passes. During folding and unfolding, sliding stress is applied due to friction generated by the movement of the sliding member 20, and wear of the instruments may occur during long periods of use due to sliding. Wear can be reduced to a minimum.

The housing member 30 supports and accommodates the display panel 10 and the slide member 20 to change the position of the display panel 10 according to the folding and unfolding state of the display panel 10, and a pair of agents The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 and the connecting member 35 coupled to the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 between the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 Includes.

The housing member 30 is coupled with the display panel 10 to cover a portion of the side surface of the display panel 10, a portion of the non-display area 14 of the upper surface, and a back surface to support and receive the display panel 10. The portion where the connecting member 35 on the rear surface of the display panel 10 is positioned may be disposed such that the housing member 30 does not cover the side and bottom surfaces of the display panel 10 along the folding direction of the display panel 10. have. This is to prevent the housing member 30 from interfering with the connecting member 35 or the folding area of the display panel 10 in the process of folding the display panel 10.

The housing member 30 includes a first housing 31 and a display panel 10 that support or accommodate various parts corresponding to the first display area 121 and the first display area 121 of the display panel 10. ) And a second housing 32 supporting or accommodating various parts corresponding to the second display area 122 and the second display area 122.

The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are disposed in one area and the other area where folding and unfolding of the display panel 10 are performed, and the third display area 123 which is an area where folding and unfolding is performed is provided. The connecting member 35 is disposed to enable folding and unfolding of the display panel 10. The display device 100 is folded or unfolded based on a connecting member 35 positioned at a boundary between the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 by an external force exerted by the user, thereby folding operation It can be done. The other end of the first housing 31 is coupled to the connecting member 35 and one end of the second housing 32 is coupled to the connecting member 35 to enable in-folding or out-folding.

The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 may be arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the folding axis FA of the display panel 10. The first housing 31 is coupled to support and receive at least the first display area 121 of the display panel 10 so that the display panel 10 can be moved, and the second housing 32 comprises 2 It is combined to support and fix the display area 122, so it has a different shape from the first housing 31. In the present invention, the second housing 32 and the first housing 31 are described as having different shapes by allowing at least a portion of the display panel 10 to move relative to the housing member 30, but the housing member is displayed. The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 may have the same shape to enable the panel to be horizontally or vertically.

The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 move by a folding rotation angle according to the folding or unfolding operation of the connecting member 35, while supporting the display panel 10 when unfolding, and the first housing when folding. A space is formed in the housing 31 so that the sliding member 20 and the display panel 10 can be moved. According to the folding or unfolding state of the display panel 10, the display panel 10 or the sliding member 20 and the housing member 30 may correspond to a change in relative length, which causes the display panel 10 to be damaged. Can be prevented. The other end of the first housing 31 may be disposed such that the connecting member 35 is centered and one end of the second housing 32 faces each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first housing 31 has a flat upper surface and storage of the plate portion 312 and the sliding member 20 having a shape similar to that of the display panel 10 and the sliding member 20 and the display panel It includes a guide portion 314 to enable the movement of (10). The first housing 31 further includes a first protruding portion and a first inner portion having a structure that engages with the sliding member 20 at one end and an upper surface of the plate portion 312.

The plate portion 312 has a long plate shape in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FA of the display panel 10 or a long side of the display panel 10 and corresponds to the first display area 121 of the display panel 10. So that it is located on one side of the connecting member (35). The plate portion 312 supports at least the first display area 121 and the sliding member 20 of the display panel 10.

The guide portion 314 extends in the direction of the display panel 10 along the longitudinal direction of the display panel 10 or at both sides of the plate portion 312 in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FA of the display panel 10. The display panel 10 and the sliding member 20 has a form that can be stored. The guide portion 314 is located on both sides of the first housing 31 so that the display panel 10 and the sliding member 20 are movable in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis FA of the display panel 10. The direction perpendicular to the folding axis FA is the same as the direction in which the sliding member 20 slides.

The guide portion 314 is the first housing 31 so as to cover at least both sides of the sliding member 10, or to cover at least both sides of the sliding member 10, or to surround both sides of the sliding member 10 ) And is disposed at the edge of the sliding member 20. The guide portions 314 are disposed to face each other with a sliding member 20 therebetween. The guide portion 314 is larger than the length of the sliding member 20 in the sliding direction so that the sliding member 20 is sufficiently movable within the first housing 31. The guide portion 314 may be disposed starting from the first protrusion 316 of the first housing 31 and extending to one end of the connecting member 35.

In the present invention, the first housing 31 is described as an embodiment in which the first protrusion 316 is disposed at the edge of the structure of the first housing 31 in the structure of the first housing 31 that is fastened to the sliding member 20. ), the first inner portion 318 may be disposed at the edge of the structure. At this time, the guide portion 314 may start from the first inner portion 318 of the first housing 31 and extend to one end of the connecting member 35.

The guide part 314 may be disposed in a form extending from the structure of the first housing 31 to a position spaced apart from the connecting member 35 at a predetermined distance. One end of the guide portion 314 adjacent to one end of the first housing 31 has a step difference with the protruding surface of the first protruding portion 316 or the side surface of the first inner portion 318 disposed at the outermost portion of the first housing 31. Can match without.

The first protruding portion 316 and the first inner portion 318 are disposed in a structure that can be engaged or engaged with one side surface of the sliding member 20 between both guide portions 314 of the first housing 31. . The first protrusion 316 and the first inner portion 318 are integrally extended from one side of the plate portion 312 on the opposite side of the connecting member 35 in the direction of the display panel, or a separate mechanism is coupled. The first protrusion 316 and the first inner portion 318 have a sliding member 20 and a display panel 10 in a form of looking at the sliding member 20 and the display panel 10 inside one end of the first housing 31. ). A plurality of first protrusions 316 and a plurality of first inner portions 318 are also disposed.

The first protrusion 316 has a predetermined width from the first inner portion 318 and protrudes more toward the sliding member 20 than the first inner portion 318. The first inner portion 318 based on the first protrusion 316 has a predetermined depth than the first protrusion 316 from the inside of the side of the first housing 31 and further enters one direction of the first housing 31. Form. The first protrusion 316 is disposed to be spaced apart from the first inner portion 318, and the first inner portion 318 is spaced from each of the first protrusions 316 to be spaced apart from the first protrusion 316. Each of the inner portions 318 is arranged to alternate with each other.

The first protrusion 316 is positioned to correspond to the second inner portion 218 of the sliding member 20, and the first inner portion 318 of the first housing 31 is the second protrusion 216 of the sliding member 20. It is positioned to correspond to. As shown in FIG. 4, when the display panel 10 is unfolded, the first protrusion 316 of the housing member 30 is accommodated in the second inner portion 218 of the sliding member 20 and the sliding member 20 is The second protrusion 216 is accommodated in the first inner portion 318 of the housing member 30 so that the housing member 30 and the sliding member 20 are engaged with each other to fasten the display panel 10 in a flat state.

When the display panel 10 is unfolded, the first protrusion 316 which is the structure of the housing member 30, the first inner portion 318, and the second protrusion 216 and the second protrusion 318 of the sliding member 20 ) Are engaged with each other and fastened or fitted with each other to prevent bending of the display panel 10 due to folding, and deformation of the display panel 10 even after a long period of time. When folding and unfolding, sliding stress may be applied due to friction generated by the movement of the sliding member 20, and wear of the instruments may occur during long-term use due to sliding. It can reduce the wear of the equipment to a minimum.

The structure that is fastened with the sliding member 20 at one end of the first housing 31 has a magnetic body 70. A magnet may be used as the magnetic body 70. The magnet can be a permanent magnet. The magnetic body 70 is disposed on the first inner portion 318 of the first housing 31 so that an attractive force pulling the sliding member 20 opposite to one end of the sliding member 20 acts. The first protrusion 316 and the first inner portion 318 are made of metal.

When the display panel 10 in the folded state is restored to the unfolded state, the attraction force of the magnetic body 70 of the first housing 31 is as shown in FIG. 4 by pulling the sliding member 20 as shown in FIG. 4. ) To quickly recover or secure the flatness or to keep it flat. In addition, the magnetic body 70 of the first housing 31 eliminates minute movements when the sliding member 20 is engaged with the first protrusion 316 and the first inner portion 318 of the first housing 31 and the fastened member The state can be kept fixed. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of bending in the folding area of the display panel 10 and maintain the horizontal state, thereby securing the flatness of the display panel 10.

In addition, the fastening structure of the housing member 30 and the sliding member 20 and the magnetic body 70 disposed therebetween prevents friction due to movement, thereby minimizing abrasion and stress in parts that come into contact with each other, so that the display panel ( The flattening control of 10) becomes easy. In this way, the display device according to the present invention can quickly recover and maintain the flatness of the display panel 10 even after a long period of use, thereby ensuring visibility of the display panel 10.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the magnetic body 70 is disposed on the first inner portion 318 of the housing member 30 that can accommodate the second protrusion 216 of the sliding member 20, the display panel 10 ) To minimize the influence on the display panel 10. The magnetic body 70 may be disposed on the first inner portion 318 and the first protrusion 316 of the housing member 30 when the strength of the magnet is weak, as shown in FIG. 5B. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5C, the magnetic body 70 may be disposed on the second inner portion 218 of the sliding member 20 that can accommodate the first protrusion 316 of the housing member 30.

A plurality of magnetic bodies 70 may be disposed according to the structure of the housing member 30 or the structure of the fastening portion of the sliding member 2, the size of the display panel 10 or the horizontal and vertical ratio and size of the sliding member 20 It may vary. The strength of the magnetic body 70 can be controlled by adjusting intensity or size per unit area. In the present invention, the magnetic body 70 is flexible in folding of the display panel 10, but is flexible when the display panel 10 is unfolded. The flatness of (10) has a strength that can be quickly recovered. The strength or number of the magnetic body 70 may be controlled in consideration of a material in the display panel 10, for example, a film or an adhesive layer.

On the other hand, the external force applied to the display device 100 by the user may be greater than the attraction force between the magnetic body 70 and the sliding member 20 or the magnetic body 70 and the housing member 30. Accordingly, even when an attraction force is generated between the magnetic body 70 and the sliding member 20 or the magnetic body 70 and the housing member 30, the user can fold or unfold the display device 100 at a desired angle.

2 and 4, the second housing 32 is disposed on the other side of the connecting member 35 and is disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 10 to support the display panel 10. Unlike the first housing 31, the second housing 32 secures and supports the second display area 122 of the display panel 10 in a plate shape, not in a form for accommodating a mechanism such as a sliding member 20. . When the display panel 10 is unfolded, one end of the second housing 32 is disposed to face the other end of the first housing 31 with the connecting member 35 therebetween.

The connecting member 35 is disposed to correspond to the hinge 50 of the display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 to enable folding and unfolding of the display device 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the connecting member 35 is disposed at a portion where folding and unfolding of the display panel 10 is performed so as to control folding and unfolding of the display panel 10. The connecting member 35 is disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 10 in correspondence to the third display area 123. The connection member 35 may be coupled to the other end of the first housing 31 and one end of the second housing 32 to mechanically connect the first housing 31 and the second housing 32. Although not shown, parts that serve to fix or couple the components of the connecting member 35 may be coupled to the connecting member 35.

When the display panel 10 is folded by the connecting member 35, the display panel 10 and the sliding member 20 move together. At this time, since the second display area 122 of the display panel 10 is fixed by the second housing 32, the first display area 121 and the third display area 123 of the display panel 10 move.

Hereinafter, a folding operation of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, and an unfolding operation of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. do.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 6A to 7, for convenience of explanation, a cross-section of a fastening portion of the sliding member 20 and the first housing during folding and unfolding of the display device is briefly illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

6A and 6B, a display panel fixed to the sliding member 20 and the sliding member 20 by a changed length due to folding of the connecting member 35 during in-folding and out-folding of the display panel 10 ( 10) This moves. At this time, the sliding member 20 is moved away from the magnet 70 of the housing member 30 away from one end of the housing member 30 and closer to one end of the connecting member 35. During folding of the display panel, the sliding member 20 is moved toward the connecting member 35 in response to a change in the entire length of the housing member 30 that is deformed.

When infolding the display panel 10, the sliding member 20 moves by a distance d1, and when outfolding the display panel 10, the sliding member 20 moves by a distance d2. Distance d1 and distance d2 may be different. In the drawing, the other end of the sliding member 20 is shown to move to one end of the connecting member 35, but the sliding member 20 has a predetermined one and one end of the connecting member 35 according to the folding angle of the display panel 10. It can be moved to a position spaced apart by a distance. In addition, even when the display panel 10 is completely folded, the sliding member 20 may be moved to one end of the connecting member 35 or moved apart by a predetermined distance from one end of the connecting member 35 according to a design change. .

Referring to FIG. 7, when the display panel 10 is unfolded, the sliding member 20 and the display panel 10 fixed to the sliding member 20 move by a length changed due to unfolding of the connecting member 35. . At this time, the sliding member 20 is moved away from one end of the connecting member 35 to be adhered to the magnet 70 of the housing member 30. When the display panel 10 is unfolded, the sliding member 20 moves toward the magnet 70 in response to a change in the entire length of the housing member 30 that is deformed.

When the display panel 10 is unfolded, the other end of the sliding member 20 is spaced a distance d3 from the connecting member 35 and is adhered to the magnet 70. Since the distance d3 is a spaced distance between the other end of the sliding member 20 and one end of the connecting member 35, the sliding member 20 may be different from the distance d1 or distance d2 that is moved when folding.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the general foldable display device 1, when the foldable display device 1 is unfolded, the sliding mechanism 2 cannot be fixed by being fastened to the case 3, so that the folder of the folding part 5 The waviness is generated in the blank display panel 7 to degrade image quality.

On the other hand, the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, while the sliding member 20 is supported on the rear surface of the display panel 10, a fast elastic restoring force by the magnet 70 facing each other Have The display device 100 can be slidable in the unfolding direction of the display panel 10, thereby minimizing the occurrence of wear of objects around the display panel 10, thereby improving the durability of the product.

In addition, the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can implement a permanent holding force by the attraction force of the magnet 70. According to the present invention, one end of the sliding member 20 and one end of the housing member 30 are engaged with each other and fixed and held by a magnet, so that the plate surface of the display panel 10 is formed flat without wrinkles such as bending, and thus the display panel 10 It is possible to suppress the quality of the image indicated by) from being distorted by wrinkles.

As described above, according to the display device of the present invention, sufficient folding and unfolding durability can be secured by providing a sturdy structure capable of fully unfolding and maintaining the display device during unfolding while smooth folding is performed, and a display image can be secured. To improve the quality.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention described above may be applied to various electronic equipment such as a tablet PC, a TV, and a smartphone.

A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can be described as follows.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel having a folding area in which a display area is folded or unfolded, and a sliding member that moves a display panel according to a folding or unfolding state of the display panel in at least a part of the display panel And a housing member having a structure that fixes or pulls the sliding member in the unfolded state of the display panel to minimize bending of the folding area.

The structure of the housing member and the sliding member maintain the flatness of the display panel in a form in which they are engaged with each other during the unfolding state of the display panel or are fitted with each other.

The structure of the housing member has a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of first inner parts on an inner side facing one side of the sliding member, and the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of first inner parts are alternately arranged, and the sliding member Has a plurality of second protrusions and a plurality of second inner parts on one side facing the structure of the housing member, and the plurality of second protrusions and the plurality of second inner parts are alternately arranged, and the first protrusion of the housing member It is located corresponding to the second inner portion of the sliding member, and the first inner portion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second protrusion of the sliding member, so that the structure of the housing member and the sliding member are engaged with each other when the display panel is unfolded.

The structure of the housing member is magnetic.

The magnetic region of the structure is located in the first inner portion or the first protrusion of the housing member.

The structures of the sliding member and the housing member are made of metal, and a magnet is attached to at least the first inner portion of the structure.

The housing member accommodates the sliding member so that at least one end of the display panel is movable relative to the housing member when the display panel changes to folding or unfolding, the first housing having a structure, and the first housing with a connecting member therebetween. And a second housing spaced apart from and supporting or fixing at least the other end of the display panel.

The structure of the housing member is located on one inner side of the housing member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sliding member, and corresponds to a changing length from one end to the other end of the connecting member according to a change in the folding or unfolding state of the display panel. The sliding member moves.

A display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area between the first display area and the second display area and is folded or unfolded in the third display area. The flexible substrate, the sliding member corresponding to the first display area and moving the flexible substrate according to the folding or unfolding state of the flexible substrate, and the one end of the sliding member in the unfolding state of the flexible substrate are engaged with each other and fastened or fitted to each other and sliding. And a housing member having a magnet on at least a portion of one end of the inner side facing the member.

The first, second, and third display areas of the flexible substrate are positioned outside or inside corresponding to outfolding or infolding in the folding state of the flexible substrate.

When folding or unfolding the flexible substrate, the sliding member moves along a direction perpendicular to the folding axis of the flexible substrate in response to a change in the overall length of the housing member.

The sliding member includes a body part supporting the first display area, sliding parts on both sides of the body part in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member, and one side surface of the body part near the magnet in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. It includes a fastening portion, the fastening portion may be a metal.

The housing member includes a first housing that accommodates the sliding member so that the sliding member is slidable in an area corresponding to the first display area, a connecting member corresponding to the third display area, and a second member in an area corresponding to the second display area A second housing for fixing or supporting the flexible substrate of the display area, the first housing and the second housing being horizontally spaced from the first housing with a connecting member therebetween in an unfolded state of the flexible substrate, In the folded state, they face each other.

The first housing includes a plate portion supporting a sliding member, a guide portion extending from both side surfaces of the plate portion parallel to the sliding direction toward the sliding member to guide the sliding portion, and sliding on one side of the plate perpendicular to the sliding direction. It extends in the direction toward the member and includes a first protrusion and a first inner portion on one inner side facing the fastening portion of the sliding member, and the first protrusion and the first inner portion are alternately arranged on one inner side of one end of the first housing do.

The fastening part of the slide member includes a second protrusion and a second inner part which are alternately arranged at one end facing an inner side surface of the housing member, and the first protrusion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second inner part of the sliding member, The first inner portion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second protrusion of the sliding member.

The magnet is disposed on the first inner portion or the second inner portion, or the magnet is disposed on at least one of the first protrusion and the first inner portion.

The guide portion of the first housing is a structure in which a portion of the upper surface of the sliding portion of the sliding member and a body portion connected to the sliding portion is inserted, and the protruding surface of the first protruding portion located at the outermost portion is without a step with one end of the guide portion near the first protruding portion. Matching, the guide portion may continue from the protruding surface of the first protrusion to the connecting member or may extend from the protruding surface of the first protrusion to a position at a predetermined distance from the connecting member.

When the flexible substrate is unfolded, the first protrusion is accommodated in the second inner portion of the sliding member, and the second protrusion is received in the first inner portion of the first housing.

The display device according to the present invention is connected to a mid frame and a second display area disposed on the rear surface of the flexible substrate between the flexible substrate and the sliding member or the housing member so as to facilitate folding of the flexible member and the support member supporting the flexible substrate. A driving circuit member for driving the elements of the flexible substrate is further included.

The device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a foldable display panel constituting a folded or unfolded state, a housing accommodating the foldable display panel, and a magnetic force to minimize an uneven surface in the unfolded state. It is configured to pull or release the edge of the foldable display panel and includes a slideable mechanism within the housing.

The housing includes a first protruding portion protruding in a direction facing the foldable display panel on one inner side of the one end, and a first inner portion having a predetermined depth inward than the first protruding portion, and the first protruding portion and the first inner portion They are alternately arranged on one inner side of one end of the housing.

The slide is made through the slide member and the housing. The slide member includes a second protrusion and a second inner part which are alternately disposed at one end facing the inner side of the housing, and the first protrusion of the housing is the second inner part of the sliding member. The first inner portion of the housing is positioned to correspond to the second protrusion of the sliding member.

The magnetic is disposed on at least one of the first protrusion and the first inner portion.

When the foldable display panel is unfolded, the first protrusion is accommodated in the second inner portion of the sliding member, the second protrusion of the sliding member is received in the first inner portion of the housing, and the sliding member is attached to the housing by a magnet.

100: display device
10: display panel 12: display area
20: sliding member 30: housing member
31: first housing 32: second housing
35: connecting member 70: magnetic material
216: second protrusion 218: second inner portion
316: first protrusion 318: first inner portion

Claims (20)

A display panel having a folding area in which the display area is folded or unfolded;
A sliding member that moves the display panel according to a folding or unfolding state of the display panel in at least a part of the display panel; And
A display device comprising a housing member having a structure that fixes or pulls the sliding member in an unfolded state of the display panel to minimize bending of the folding area. According to claim 1,
A display device that maintains the flatness of the display panel in a form in which the structure of the housing member and the sliding member are engaged with each other during the unfolding state of the display panel or are fitted with each other. According to claim 2,
The structure of the housing member has a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of first inner parts on an inner side facing one side of the sliding member, and the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of first inner parts are alternately arranged. Become,
The sliding member has a plurality of second protrusions and a plurality of second inner parts on one side facing the structure of the housing member, and the plurality of second protrusions and the plurality of second inner parts are alternately arranged,
The first protruding portion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second inner portion of the sliding member, and the first inner portion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second protruding portion of the sliding member so that the housing member when unfolding the display panel The structure of the display device and the sliding member is engaged with each other and fastened. The method of claim 3,
The structure of the housing member has a magnetic display device. The method of claim 4,
A display device having a magnetic region of the structure is located in the first inner portion or the first protrusion of the housing member. The method of claim 3,
The structure of the sliding member and the housing member is made of metal,
A display device with a magnet attached to at least a first inner portion of the structure. According to claim 1,
The housing member includes a first housing having the structure and receiving the sliding member so that at least one end of the display panel is movable relative to the housing member when a state changes to folding or unfolding of the display panel, and
A display device comprising a second housing spaced apart from the first housing with a connecting member therebetween and supporting or fixing at least the other end of the display panel. The method of claim 7,
The structure of the housing member is located on one inner side of the housing member in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the sliding member,
A display device in which the sliding member moves in response to a changing length from one end to the other end of the connecting member according to a change in the folding or unfolding state of the display panel. A flexible substrate including a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area between the first display area and the second display area and being folded or unfolded in the third display area;
A sliding member corresponding to the first display area and moving the flexible substrate according to a folding or unfolding state of the flexible substrate; And
A display device including a housing member having a magnet on at least a portion of an inner side surface of one end of the flexible member that is engaged with each other in the unfolded state of the flexible substrate and fastened or interleaved with each other and facing the sliding member. The method of claim 9,
The display device of the first, second, and third display areas of the flexible substrate is positioned outside or inside in response to outfolding or infolding when the flexible substrate is folded. The method of claim 9,
A display device in which the sliding member moves along a direction perpendicular to the folding axis of the flexible substrate in response to a change in the entire length of the housing member that is deformed when folding or unfolding the flexible substrate. 10. The method of claim 9, The sliding member,
A body part supporting the first display area,
Sliding portions on both sides of the body portion in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member, and
It includes a fastening portion of one side of the body portion near the magnet in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction,
The fastening portion is a metal display device. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing member
A first housing accommodating the sliding member so that the sliding member is slidable in an area corresponding to the first display area;
A connecting member corresponding to the third display area, and
And a second housing fixing or supporting the flexible substrate of the second display area in an area corresponding to the second display area,
The first housing and the second housing are horizontally spaced from the first housing with the connecting member therebetween in the unfolding state of the flexible substrate, and display devices facing each other in the folding state of the flexible substrate. The method of claim 13, wherein the first housing,
A plate part supporting the sliding member,
A guide portion extending from both side surfaces of the plate portion parallel to the sliding direction toward the sliding member to guide the sliding portion, and
It includes a first protrusion and a first inner portion on an inner side surface extending from one side of the plate perpendicular to the sliding direction toward the sliding member and facing the fastening portion of the sliding member,
The first protrusion and the first inner portion are alternately disposed on one inner side of one end of the first housing. The method of claim 14,
The fastening portion of the slide member includes a second protrusion and a second inner portion which are alternately arranged at one end facing an inner side surface of the housing member,
A display device, wherein the first protrusion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second inner portion of the sliding member, and the first inner portion of the housing member is positioned to correspond to the second protrusion of the sliding member. The method of claim 15,
The magnet is a display device disposed on the first inner portion or the second inner portion. The method of claim 15,
The magnet is a display device disposed on at least one of the first protrusion and the first inner portion. The method of claim 14,
The guide portion of the first housing is a structure in which a sliding portion of the sliding member and a portion of an upper surface of the body portion connected to the sliding portion are inserted,
The protrusion surface of the first protrusion located at the outermost part coincides without a step with one end of the guide part near the first protrusion,
The guide unit continues to extend from the protruding surface of the first protrusion to the connecting member, or a display device extending from the protruding surface of the first protrusion to a position at a predetermined distance from the connecting member. The method of claim 15,
When unfolding the flexible substrate, the first protrusion is accommodated in the second inner portion of the sliding member, and the second protrusion of the sliding member is accommodated in the first inner portion of the first housing. The method of claim 9,
A support member supporting the flexible substrate;
A mid frame disposed on a rear surface of the flexible substrate between the flexible substrate and the sliding member or the housing member to facilitate folding of the flexible substrate; And
And a driving circuit member connected to the second display area to drive elements of the flexible substrate.

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