KR102275850B1 - Flexible device - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible device according to an embodiment, another embodiment, and another embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible display panel that has a curved surface and is bent, and a support provided at one side of the flexible display panel. In this case, the flexible display panel comes in contact with a portion of the support and is bent while surrounding the support.

Description

Flexible device {FLEXIBLE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a flexible device including a flexible display panel.

In recent years, as society enters a full-fledged information age, a display field that processes and displays a large amount of information is developing.

In response to this, various flexible devices with excellent characteristics such as thinness, light weight, and low power consumption have been introduced, replacing the existing cathode ray tube (CRT) display. Specific examples include a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a plasma display panel device (PDP), a field emission display device (FED), an organic electroluminescence device (OLED) ), and an electrophoretic display device (EPD).

In addition, recently, research on a flexible device manufactured by using a flexible material such as plastic to maintain display performance even when bent like paper is being actively conducted. It is expected as a next-generation display device replacing electronic newspapers or smart cards and print media such as books, newspapers, and magazines.

According to the present invention, when the flexible display panel is bent in the non-display area, cracks occurring in the non-display area due to excessive bending or deformation of the non-display area are prevented by maintaining a constant curvature of the bent state, and to maintain the functionality of the device.

A flexible device according to an embodiment, another embodiment, and another embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible display panel that has a curved surface and is bent, and a support provided at one side of the flexible display panel. In this case, the flexible display panel comes in contact with a portion of the support and is bent while surrounding the support.

The flexible display panel includes a display area in which an image is displayed on a front surface and a non-display area provided at an edge of the display area, and the non-display area is curved in a rear direction.

The non-display area includes a first non-display area and a second non-display area that are spaced apart from each other and face each other in a plan view, and are adjacent to the first non-display area and the second non-display area and are opposite to each other when viewed in a plan view The flexible display panel includes a third non-display area and a fourth non-display area that are spaced apart and face each other, and the flexible display panel is curved in at least one of the first non-display area to the fourth non-display area.

In addition, it further includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the end of the fourth non-display area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible display panel is curved in the fourth non-display area.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the flexible display panel is curved in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. In this case, the flexible display panel is symmetrically bent in the first non-display area and in the second non-display area. Alternatively, the first non-display area and the second non-display area are asymmetrically bent.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the flexible display panel is curved in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. In this case, the flexible display panel is symmetrically bent in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. Alternatively, the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area are asymmetrically bent.

One support may be provided for each bent region of the flexible display panel, or a plurality of supports may be provided to be spaced apart from each other.

The shape of the support may be a three-dimensional shape including at least one curved surface, and the shape of the support may be a cylinder or an elliptical column. In addition, the cross-section of the support may have a bow-shaped shape.

The curved surface of the flexible display panel and the curved surface of the support in contact with the curved surface of the flexible display panel have the same curvature.

The support includes a plastic body or includes an elastic body.

An adhesive is further provided between the support and the flexible display panel.

According to one embodiment, another embodiment, and another embodiment of the present invention, the curvature of the flexible display panel may be maintained constant over time, thereby preventing excessive bending or deformation of the flexible display panel. can

1 is a plan view of a flexible display panel.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a support member is omitted and the flexible display panel is not bent.
FIG. 3A is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an enlarged PXL region of FIG. 1 .
4 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.
5A, 5B, and 5C are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to another exemplary embodiment.
6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to still another exemplary embodiment.

Since the present invention can have various changes and can have various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In describing each figure, like reference numerals have been used for like elements. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are enlarged than the actual size for clarity of the present invention. Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but one or more other features It is to be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Further, when a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is said to be “on” another part, this includes not only the case where the other part is “directly on” but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is said to be "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly under" another part, but also cases where another part is in between.

In addition, the drawings referenced with respect to the embodiments of the present specification are not intended to limit the connection form and arrangement of the components to the illustrated form, and in particular, in the drawings, in order to help understanding the technical structure and shape of the present invention, some components It is expressed by exaggerating or reducing the scale of

Hereinafter, a flexible device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 . Prior to description, a direction in which an image is output from the display panel is defined as a 'front' direction. In this case, the expressions 'front' and 'rear' are introduced for convenience of description, and may be interchanged with each other in any case.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible display panel, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a support is omitted and the flexible display panel is not bent, and FIG. 3A is an enlarged circuit diagram of the PXL region of FIG. 1 . Also, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

1 to 4 , the flexible device includes a flexible display panel and a driver connected to the flexible display panel or mounted in the flexible display panel. The flexible device may further include a housing (not shown) for accommodating the flexible display panel, and a window member (not shown) provided on a front surface of the flexible display panel to protect the flexible display panel.

When the flexible device is a liquid crystal display, the flexible display panel may include a thin film transistor substrate, a color filter substrate bonded to face the thin film transistor substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the thin film transistor substrate and the color filter substrate. can

When the flexible device is an organic light emitting display device, the flexible display panel includes a thin film transistor substrate (TFS), an organic light emitting element (EL) provided on the thin film transistor substrate (TFS), and the thin film transistor substrate (TFS). may include an encapsulation film SL covering the .

The flexible device may be a flexible electrophoresis device.

In the present specification, it is assumed that the flexible device is a flexible display device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the flexible device may be another flexible electronic device. For example, the flexible device may be a flexible photovoltaic cell.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the flexible display panel includes a display area DA in which an image is displayed on a front surface, a first non-display area NDA1 and a second non-display area NDA2 provided at edges of the display area DA. ), a third non-display area NDA3 , and a fourth non-display area NDA4 . The first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 are spaced apart from each other to face each other in a plan view. Also, the third non-display area NDA3 and the fourth non-display area NDA4 are adjacent to the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2, respectively, and when viewed in a plan view are spaced apart and face each other.

The driver includes a gate driver GD, a data driver (not shown), and a main driver (not shown), each of which is provided in the first non-display area NDA1 to the fourth non-display area NDA4 or can be connected

1 to 3 , the display area DA includes a wiring part and a plurality of pixels PXL connected to the wiring part and having an image.

The wiring unit includes a gate line GL, a data line DL, and a driving voltage line DVL.

The pixel PXL includes a thin film transistor connected to the wiring part, an organic light emitting element EL connected to the thin film transistor, and a capacitor Cst.

The gate line GL extends in the first direction D1 . The data line DL extends in a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1 . The driving voltage line DVL may extend in the same direction as the data line DL. In this case, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may cross each other.

The gate line GL transfers a scan signal to the thin film transistor, the data line DL transfers a data signal to the thin film transistor, and the driving voltage line DVL provides a driving voltage to the thin film transistor. do.

A plurality of the pixels PXL may be provided and arranged in a matrix form. Here, each pixel PXL is illustrated as having a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be deformed into various shapes. Also, the pixels PXL may be provided to have different areas. For example, in the case of pixels having different colors, the pixels PXL may be provided with different areas or different shapes for each color.

The thin film transistor may include a driving thin film transistor TR2 for controlling the organic light emitting element EL, and a switching thin film transistor TR1 for switching the driving thin film transistor TR2. In this specification, it is described that one pixel PXL includes two thin film transistors TR1 and TR2, but is not limited thereto, and one thin film transistor and capacitor Cst, or one pixel PXL, Three or more thin film transistors and two or more capacitors Cst may be provided in the pixel PXL of .

The switching thin film transistor TR1 and the driving thin film transistor TR2 may each include a gate electrode (not shown), a source/drain electrode (not shown), and a semiconductor layer (not shown), which are insulated from each other or contacted and connected. The gate electrode of the switching thin film transistor TR1 and the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor TR2 may be different, and the source/drain electrodes of the switching thin film transistor TR1 and the source/drain of the driving thin film transistor TR2 The electrodes may be different. In addition, the semiconductor layer of the switching thin film transistor TR1 and the semiconductor layer of the driving thin film transistor TR2 may be different.

The semiconductor layer is provided insulated on the gate electrode, and a partial region overlaps the gate electrode.

The semiconductor layer may be formed selected from an inorganic semiconductor or an organic semiconductor. For example, the semiconductor layer may be formed of a semiconductor, an amorphous silicon semiconductor, a crystalline or polycrystalline silicon semiconductor, or the like. The oxide semiconductor may be formed of an oxide including at least one of indium (In), gallium (Ga), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn). For example, the semiconductor layer may include zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, indium-zinc oxide, and indium-tin oxide. , indium-galium-zinc oxide, indium-zinc-tin oxide, indium-gallium-zinc-tin oxide, etc. The same oxide semiconductor may be included.

The switching thin film transistor TR1 is connected to the gate line GL, the data line DL, and the driving thin film transistor TR2. Accordingly, the switching thin film transistor TR1 transmits the data signal applied to the data line DL to the driving thin film transistor TR2 according to the scan signal applied to the gate line GL.

The driving thin film transistor TR2 is connected to the switching thin film transistor TR1 , the driving voltage line DVL, and the organic light emitting element EL.

The organic light emitting diode EL includes a light emitting layer (not shown), a pixel electrode (not shown) and a common electrode (not shown) facing each other with the light emitting layer interposed therebetween. A common voltage may be applied to the common electrode, and the light emitting layer may display an image by emitting light according to an output signal of the driving thin film transistor TR2.

The light emitting layer may include a light emitting material that emits red, green, and blue corresponding to each pixel PXL. In this case, the pixels emitting red, green, and blue light become red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels corresponding to the red pixel area, the green pixel area, and the blue pixel area, respectively. Here, one red pixel, one green pixel, and one blue pixel may form one main pixel. However, the color of the light emitted from each pixel PXL, that is, the emission wavelength, is not limited thereto, and an additional color such as yellow or magenta is emitted in addition to red, green, and blue, or one pixel PXL emits white light. may emit.

One of the pixel electrode and the common electrode may be an anode, and the other one may be a cathode.

The capacitor Cst is connected to the driving thin film transistor TR2, and may charge and maintain the data signal input to the driving thin film transistor TR2.

The gate pad (not shown) provided to extend from the gate line GL and a gate driver GD electrically connected to the gate pad may be provided in the second non-display area NDA2 . The gate driver GD may be mounted in the second non-display area NDA2 or may be provided by connecting an additional flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The gate pad transfers the scan signal received from the main driver to the gate driver to the gate line GL.

A data pad (not shown) extending from the data line DL is provided in the fourth non-display area NDA4 . In addition, the data driver connected to the data pad may be provided.

The data pad transfers the data signal received from the main driver to the data driver to the data line DL.

In addition, the driving voltage line DVL is connected to the main driver, and the driving voltage is transferred from the main driver to the driving voltage line DVL.

The data driver may be mounted in the fourth non-display area NDA4 in a chip on glass (COG) manner. In this case, the main driver is provided on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the data driver. For example, the main driver may be connected to an end of the data driver. The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may include the flexible printed circuit (FPC) and a multi-layered printed circuit board (PCB).

The data driver may be connected to the fourth non-display area NDA4 using a tape-automated bonding (TAB) method. In this case, the data driver and the main driver may be provided on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) electrically connected to the data pad of the fourth non-display area NDA4. For example, the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) includes a tape carrier package (TCP) on which the data driver is mounted, and a multilayer printed circuit board on which the main driver is mounted and connected to the tape carrier package. can do.

The main driver and the data driver are electrically connected to each other by fine wiring formed on the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Additionally, the driving unit may further include an external voltage source input unit connected to the main driving unit. The external voltage source input unit may receive an external voltage source and an image signal.

The gate driver, the data driver, and the main driver are not limitedly provided to the second non-display area NDA2 and the fourth non-display area NDA4 , and if necessary, the first non-display area NDA1 ) to the fourth non-display area NDA4 may change positions in various ways.

The encapsulation layer SL is provided on the common electrode and may cover only the display area DA, a part of the display area DA and the non-display area, or the display area DA and the non-display area. can

The encapsulation layer SL prevents moisture and oxygen from penetrating into the emission layer provided in the display area DA, thereby preventing deterioration of the emission layer. A passivation layer including at least one of an organic material and an inorganic material may be provided between the common electrode and the encapsulation layer SL. The protective layer may be made of a material that is cured by heat or light, and may allow the flexible display panel and the encapsulation layer SL to be easily bonded.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in order to reduce the thickness of the flexible device and minimize exposure of the non-display area in a plan view, the flexible display panel is bent from a front direction to a rear direction in the fourth non-display area NDA4 can be provided as

In this case, the flexible display panel has a curved surface and is curved, and a support SBR is provided at one side of the curved area of the flexible display panel. The flexible display panel is in contact with a portion of the support SBR and is bent while surrounding the support SBR. The flexible display panel may be bent by 90° or more. When viewed from the front direction, an area of the fourth non-display area NDA4 of the flexible display panel is smaller than an area of the fourth non-display area NDA4 before the flexible display panel is bent.

The support SBR includes at least one curved surface. For example, the support SBR may have only one closed surface and may be a cylinder or an elliptical pillar. In addition, the support (SBR) may include one curved surface and at least one plane, and a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support (SBR) may have a segment of a circle shape or a sector shape. have.

When the support SBR is a cylinder or an oval pillar, an angle between the end of the curved area of the flexible display panel and the display area DA may be greater than or equal to about 0° and less than about 45°. When the angle is 0°, the flexible printed circuit board FPCB connected to the end of the fourth non-display area NDA4 may be parallel to the display area DA.

When the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support SBR has a bow or sector shape, the angle between the end of the curved area of the flexible display panel and the display area DA may be about 45° or more and about 90° or less. . When the angle is 90°, the flexible printed circuit board FPCB connected to the end of the fourth non-display area NDA4 may be perpendicular to the display area DA.

As described above, a bending angle and a curved shape of the flexible display panel vary according to the shape of the support SBR. Accordingly, the bending angle of the flexible display panel may be variously adjusted as needed by changing the shape of the support SBR.

A curvature of a curved surface of the supporter SBR in contact with the flexible display panel may be the same in the longitudinal direction of the supporter SBR. However, a surface of the support SBR that does not contact the flexible display panel may have any shape. For example, a surface that is not in contact with the flexible display panel may have a wavy shape or a sawtooth shape. Alternatively, heights of both ends of the plane not in contact with the flexible display panel may be different from each other with respect to the flexible display panel.

A length of the supporter SBR may be less than or equal to a length of the flexible display panel. The supporter SBR may be provided as a single supporter SBR, but a plurality of supporters SBR may be provided to be spaced apart from each other in contact with the bent region of the flexible display panel. In this case, the plurality of supports SBR may have the same shape or different shapes. However, curvatures of curved surfaces in contact with the flexible display panel of the plurality of supports SBR are the same.

An adhesive may be further included between the support SBR and the flexible display panel. The adhesive may be an optically clear adhesive (OCA). As the adhesive is provided, the support SBR and the flexible display panel may be more firmly attached.

In order to allow light to be emitted to the display area DA to pass through the support SBR, an area of the support SBR overlapping the display area DA is transparent.

The support SBR may include a non-elastic material, that is, a sintered body. For example, the support SBR may include plastic, metal, or wood. In this case, the support SBR may firmly maintain the bent state of the flexible display panel.

The support SBR may include an elastic material, that is, an elastic body. For example, the support SBR may include rubber or silicone resin. In this case, the supporter SBR absorbs external shocks that may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel so that the flexible display panel can better withstand external shocks than when the supporter SBR is not an elastic body. can do.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a flexible device is provided, the curvature of the flexible display panel can be maintained constant over time. When the support SBR is not provided on the flexible display panel, the curvature of the flexible display panel cannot be maintained constant over time. Accordingly, the curved area and the curvature of the flexible display panel may be changed, so that a crack may occur in the area where the circuit of the flexible display panel is formed, and the display function may be damaged or lost.

As the supporter SBR is provided on the flexible display panel, a curved shape of the flexible display panel may be maintained to prevent bending in an undesired region of the flexible display panel. In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the support SBR are adjusted, a neutral plane (not shown) in which the vector sum of the tensile and compressive forces applied in the bent state of the flexible display panel becomes zero becomes the thin film of the flexible display panel. It may be positioned on the transistor substrate TFS. Accordingly, the circuit provided in the flexible display panel and the inorganic film may be protected from cracks.

Hereinafter, a flexible device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same or similar components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are given the same or similar reference numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

5A to 5C are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5A to 5C , the flexible display panel is bent in a first non-display area NDA1 and a second non-display area NDA2. Accordingly, at least two supports are provided, and the two first supports SBR1 may be provided on one side of the first non-display area NDA1 and one side of the second non-display area NDA2, respectively.

The first supporter SBR1 may have a cylindrical shape having the same or different radius as that of the supporter SBR according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, it may not have a cylindrical shape.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5B , the first supporter SBR1 and the second supporter SBR2 having different shapes may be provided on one side of the first non-display area NDA1 and one side of the second non-display area NDA2 . can Accordingly, the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 may be asymmetrically bent. For example, when the flexible display panel is bent and wrapped around the first support SBR1 in the second non-display area NDA2, the flexible display panel and the display area DA form 0°, and the first The flexible display panel and the display area DA may form a 90° angle by bending while surrounding the second support SBR2 in the non-display area NDA1.

In this case, the elasticity of the first supporter SBR1 and the second supporter SBR2 may be the same or different.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C , the two first supports SBR1 are provided in the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2, respectively, or the two second supports SBR2 are provided in the first non-display area NDA1 and NDA2, respectively. It may be provided in the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2. Accordingly, the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 may be symmetrically bent. In this case, the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 may be bent by 90° or more.

When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 includes a non-elastic material, the supporter may firmly maintain a bent state of the flexible display panel.

When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 includes an elastic material, the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel. By absorbing external shocks, the flexible display panel may be able to withstand external shocks better than when the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is not an elastic body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when a flexible device is provided, the curvature of the flexible display panel can be maintained constant over time. When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is not provided on the flexible display panel, the curvature of the flexible display panel cannot be maintained constant over time. Accordingly, the curved area and the curvature of the flexible display panel may be changed, so that a crack may occur in the area where the circuit of the flexible display panel is formed, and the display function may be damaged or lost.

As the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is provided in the flexible display panel, a curved shape of the flexible display panel may be maintained to prevent bending in an undesired area of the flexible display panel. .

In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 are adjusted, a neutral plane (zero) in which the vector sum of tensile and compressive forces applied in a bent state of the flexible display panel becomes zero. (not shown) may be positioned on the thin film transistor substrate of the flexible display panel. Accordingly, various circuits and inorganic layers provided in the flexible display panel can be protected from cracks.

Hereinafter, a flexible device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same or similar components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5C are given the same or similar reference numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

6A to 6B are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to another exemplary embodiment.

6A and 6B , the flexible display panel is bent in the third non-display area NDA3 and the fourth non-display area NDA4. Accordingly, the two first supports SBR1 may be provided on one side of the first non-display area NDA1 and one side of the second non-display area NDA2, respectively. Accordingly, the third non-display area NDA3 and the fourth non-display area NDA4 may be symmetrically bent.

The flexible display panel may include the first supporter SBR1 and the second supporter SBR2 having different shapes. Accordingly, the third non-display area NDA3 and the fourth non-display area NDA4 may be asymmetrically bent. For example, the flexible display panel is bent in the fourth non-display area NDA4 and includes the first support SBR1 to form an angle between the flexible printed circuit board FPCB and the display area DA. may be 0° or more and less than 45°. At the same time, the flexible display panel is curved in the third non-display area NDA3 and includes the second support SBR2 , so that an end of the second non-display area NDA2 and the display area DA form The angle may be greater than or equal to 45° and less than 90°.

When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 includes a non-elastic material, the supporter may firmly maintain a bent state of the flexible display panel.

When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 includes an elastic material, the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel. By absorbing external shocks, the flexible display panel may be able to withstand external shocks better than when the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is not an elastic body.

When a flexible device is provided according to another embodiment of the present invention, the curvature of the flexible display panel may be maintained. When the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is not provided on the flexible display panel, the curvature of the flexible display panel cannot be maintained constant over time. Accordingly, a bent region and a curvature of the flexible display panel may be changed, and thus a crack may occur in a region in which a circuit of the flexible display panel is formed, and a display function may be damaged or lost.

As the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 is provided on the flexible display panel, a curved shape of the flexible display panel may be maintained to prevent bending in an undesired area of the flexible display panel. .

In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the first supporter SBR1 or the second supporter SBR2 are adjusted, a neutral plane (zero) in which the vector sum of the tensile force and the compressive force applied when the flexible display panel is bent (not shown) may be positioned on the thin film transistor substrate of the flexible display panel. Accordingly, various circuits and inorganic films provided on the thin film transistor substrate can be protected from cracks.

Although the above has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art or those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field will not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention described in the claims to be described later. It will be understood that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

DA: Display area PXL: Pixel
NDA1: first non-display area NDA2: second non-display area
NDA3: third non-display area NDA4: fourth non-display area
GD: Gate Driver FPCB: Flexible Printed Circuit Board
GL: gate line DL: data line
DVL: drive voltage line TR1: switching thin film transistor
TR2: driving thin film transistor TFS: thin film transistor substrate SL: encapsulation film
SBR: support SBR1: first support SBR2: second support

Claims (20)

a flexible display panel including a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area; and
a support provided on a portion of the flexible display panel adjacent to one side of the flexible display panel;
The non-display area is in contact with a portion of the support and is curved around the support,
an end of the flexible display panel adjacent to the non-display area surrounding the supporter extends in a direction different from the curved surface of the supporter,
a rear surface of the non-display area partially in contact with the support extends from the rear surface of the display area;
the rear surface of the non-display area extending past the support and adjacent to the end of the flexible display panel faces the rear surface of the display area;
The support is fixed rather than rotated, and a bent state of the curved non-display area surrounding the support is maintained. According to claim 1,
The flexible display panel includes:
a front surface including the display area and the non-display area; and
comprising a rear surface opposite to the front surface;
The non-display area is curved toward the rear surface of the flexible device. 3. The method of claim 2,
The non-display area includes a first non-display area and a second non-display area that are spaced apart from each other and face each other in a plan view, and are adjacent to the first non-display area and the second non-display area and face each other when viewed in a plan view. It includes a third non-display area and a fourth non-display area that are spaced apart and face each other,
The flexible display panel is curved in at least one of the first non-display area to the fourth non-display area. 4. The method of claim 3,
The flexible device further comprising a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to an end of the fourth non-display area. 5. The method of claim 4,
A flexible device that is bent in the fourth non-display area. 5. The method of claim 4,
A flexible device in which the flexible display panel is bent in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. 7. The method of claim 6,
The flexible display panel is symmetrically bent to each other in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. 7. The method of claim 6,
A flexible device in which the flexible display panel is asymmetrically bent to each other in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. 5. The method of claim 4,
A flexible device in which the flexible display panel is bent in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. 10. The method of claim 9,
The flexible display panel is symmetrically bent to each other in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. 10. The method of claim 9,
The flexible display panel is asymmetrically bent to each other in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. 5. The method of claim 4,
A flexible device in which one support is provided for each bent region of the flexible display panel, or a plurality of supports are provided to be spaced apart from each other. 13. The method of claim 12,
At least a portion of the support is a flexible device having a three-dimensional shape including the curved surface. 14. The method of claim 13,
A curved surface of the flexible display panel surrounding the support has the same curvature as the curved surface of the support. 15. The method of claim 14,
The shape of the support is a cylindrical flexible device. 15. The method of claim 14,
The cross-section of the support is a flexible device in the shape of a bow. 15. The method of claim 14,
The support is a flexible device including a sintered body. 18. The method of claim 17,
The flexible device further comprising an adhesive disposed between the support and the flexible display panel. 15. The method of claim 14,
The support is a flexible device including an elastic body. 20. The method of claim 19,
The flexible device further comprising an adhesive disposed between the support and the flexible display panel.

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