KR102524141B1 - Flexible device - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible device according to one 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 on one side of the flexible display panel. At this time, the flexible display panel comes into contact with a part of the support and wraps around the support and is bent.

Description

Flexible device {FLEXIBLE DEVICE}

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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, as society has entered an information age in earnest, a display field for processing and displaying a large amount of information has been developed.

In response to this, various flexible devices with excellent characteristics such as thinness, light weight, and low power consumption have been introduced to replace conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Specific examples include a Liquid Crystal Display device (LCD), a Plasma Display Panel device (PDP), a Field Emission Display device (FED), and an organic electroluminescence device (OLED). ), and an electrophoretic display device (EPD).

In addition, recently, research on flexible devices manufactured using flexible materials such as plastic to maintain display performance even when bent like paper has been actively conducted. These flexible devices are It is expected to be a next-generation display device that replaces electronic newspapers, smart cards, and printed media such as books, newspapers, and magazines.

In the present invention, when a flexible display panel is bent in a non-display area, the curvature in the bent state is maintained constant so that cracks occurring in the non-display area due to excessive bending or deformation of the non-display area are prevented. This is to keep the device functioning.

A flexible device according to one 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 on one side of the flexible display panel. At this time, the flexible display panel comes into contact with a part of the support and wraps around the support and is bent.

The flexible display panel has 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 bent in a rear direction.

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

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

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

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible display panel is bent in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. At this time, the flexible display panel is bent symmetrically with each other in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. Alternatively, the first non-display area and the second non-display area are bent asymmetrically.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flexible display panel is bent in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. At this time, 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 bent asymmetrically.

One supporter may be provided for each bent area of the flexible display panel, or a plurality of supporters may be provided spaced apart from each other.

The shape of the support is 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 support may have a cross section of a bow shape.

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

The support includes a plastic body or 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 can be maintained constant over time, and thus excessive bending or deformation of the flexible display panel can be prevented. can

1 is a plan view of a flexible display panel.
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which the flexible display panel is not bent with the support bar omitted.
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 of the present invention.
5A, 5B, and 5C are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a flexible display panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

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

Like reference numerals have been used for like elements throughout the description of each figure. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structures are shown enlarged than actual for clarity of the present invention. Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

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

In addition, the drawings referred to the embodiments of the present specification are not intended to limit the connection form and arrangement of components to the illustrated form, and in particular, some components are included in the drawings to help understand the technical structure and shape of the present invention. The scale of is exaggerated or reduced.

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

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible display panel, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible display panel when the support is omitted and the flexible display panel is not bent, and FIG. 3A is an enlarged circuit diagram of the PXL area of FIG. 1 . 4 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

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 the 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). It may include an encapsulation film (SL) covering the.

The flexible device may be a flexible electrophoretic device.

In this specification, the flexible device is assumed and described as a flexible display device, but is not limited thereto, and the flexible device may be other flexible electronic devices. For example, the flexible device may be a flexible photovoltaic cell.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the flexible display panel includes a display area DA where an image is displayed on the front surface, a first non-display area NDA1 and a second non-display area NDA2 provided at the 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 and face each other when viewed from 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, when viewed from a plane. spaced apart from each other and facing 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 to fourth non-display area NDA1 to 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 a 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 of the pixels 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 have different areas. For example, in the case of pixels having different colors, the pixels PXL may be provided in different areas or 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 the present 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 a capacitor Cst or one thin film transistor and one capacitor Cst are included in one pixel PXL. Three or more thin film transistors and two or more capacitors Cst may be provided in the pixel PXL.

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 electrode of the switching thin film transistor TR1 and the source/drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor TR2 may be different. Electrodes can be different. Also, 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 insulated and provided on the gate electrode and partially overlaps the gate electrode.

The semiconductor layer may be formed by being selected from inorganic semiconductors or organic semiconductors. 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 containing at least one element among 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, or 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 transfers 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 element 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 emission 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 colors corresponding to each pixel PXL. In this case, the pixels emitting red, green, and blue light are red, green, 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 emission light of each pixel PXL, that is, the emission wavelength, is not limited thereto, and in addition to red, green, and blue, additional colors such as yellow or magenta may be emitted, 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 may be a cathode.

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

The gate pad (not shown) extending from the gate line GL and the 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 provided by being connected to 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.

Also, 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) method. 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 multilayer 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 driving unit and the data driving unit are electrically connected through fine wires 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 limited to the second non-display area NDA2 and the fourth non-display area NDA4, and are provided in the first non-display area NDA1 as needed. ) to the fourth non-display area NDA4, positions may be changed in various ways.

The encapsulation layer SL is provided on the common electrode and may cover only the display area DA, or cover 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 light emitting layer provided in the display area DA, thereby preventing deterioration of the light emitting layer. A protective 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 provided with a material that is cured by heat or light and can easily bond the flexible display panel and the encapsulation film SL.

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

At this time, the flexible display panel is bent with a curved surface, and a support (SBR) is provided on one side of the curved area of the flexible display panel. The flexible display panel comes into contact with a portion of the support member SBR and is bent while surrounding the support member SBR. The flexible display panel may be bent by 90° or more. When viewed from the front direction, the area of the fourth non-display area NDA4 of the flexible display panel is smaller than the 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 be formed of only one closed surface and may be a cylindrical column or an elliptical column. In addition, the support member SBR may include one curved surface and at least one flat surface, and a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support member SBR may have a segment of a circle shape or a sector shape. there is.

When the support SBR is a cylindrical column or an elliptical column, an angle between an end portion 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 a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support member SBR has a bow or fan shape, an angle between an end of the curved area of the flexible display panel and the display area DA may be greater than or equal to about 45° and less than or equal to about 90°. . 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, the bending angle and bending shape of the flexible display panel vary according to the shape of the support base SBR. Accordingly, the bending angle of the flexible display panel can be adjusted in various ways as needed by changing the shape of the support base SBR.

It is preferable that the curvature of the curved surface of the supporter SBR contacting the flexible display panel is the same in the longitudinal direction of the supporter SBR. However, the surface of the supporter SBR that does not come into contact with the flexible display panel may have any shape. For example, a surface 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 that do not contact the flexible display panel may be different from each other with respect to the flexible display panel.

The length of the support base SBR may be smaller than or equal to the length of the flexible display panel. The support bar SBR may be provided as one support bar SBR, but a plurality of support bars SBR may be provided in a spaced apart state by contacting the curved area of the flexible display panel. At this time, the plurality of supports SBR may have the same shape or different shapes. However, the curvatures of the curved surfaces of the plurality of supports SBR contacting the flexible display panel are equal to each other.

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

A region of the support SBR overlapping the display area DA is transparent so that light to be emitted to the display area DA can pass through the support SBR.

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

The support base 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 an external impact that may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel so that the flexible display panel can better withstand the external impact than when the supporter SBR is not an elastic body. can do.

In the case of providing a flexible device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the curvature of the flexible display panel can be maintained constant over time. If the support SBR is not provided on the flexible display panel, the curvature of the flexible display panel cannot be maintained constant over time. Therefore, the curved area and curvature of the flexible display panel may change, causing cracks to occur in the area where the circuit is formed, and the display function may be damaged or lost.

As the support (SBR) is provided on the flexible display panel, it is possible to prevent bending of the flexible display panel in an undesirable area by maintaining the bent shape of the flexible display panel. In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the support member SBR are adjusted, a neutral plane (not shown) at which the vector sum of the tensile force and the compressive force applied when the flexible display panel is bent becomes zero is the thin film of the flexible display panel. It may be placed on the transistor substrate (TFS). Accordingly, the circuit and the inorganic film 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, components identical or similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are given the same or similar reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are 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. Therefore, 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 support member SBR1 may have a cylindrical shape having the same radius as or a different radius from that of the support member SBR according to an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, it may not be cylindrical shape.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5B , the first support SBR1 and the second support 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 curved asymmetrically. For example, as the flexible display panel is bent along the first supporter SBR1 in the second non-display area NDA2, the flexible display panel and the display area DA form an angle of 0°, and the first As the non-display area NDA1 surrounds the second supporter SBR2 and is bent, the flexible display panel and the display area DA may form an angle of 90°.

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

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the two first supporters 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 respectively. The first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 may be provided. Accordingly, the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2 may be bent symmetrically with each other. 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 can firmly maintain the bent state of the flexible display panel.

When the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 includes an elastic material, the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel. Possible external shock may be absorbed so that the flexible display panel can better withstand external shock than when the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 is not an elastic body.

In the case of providing a flexible device according to another embodiment of the present invention, 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. Therefore, the curved area and curvature of the flexible display panel may change, causing cracks to occur in the area where the circuit is formed, and the display function may be damaged or lost.

As the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 is provided on the flexible display panel, the flexible display panel maintains its bent shape, thereby preventing the flexible display panel from bending in an undesirable area. .

In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 are adjusted, the neutral plane at which the vector sum of the tensile force and the compressive force applied when the flexible display panel is bent becomes zero ( (not shown) may be positioned on the thin film transistor substrate of the flexible display panel. Therefore, various circuits and inorganic films 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, components identical or similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5C are given the same or similar reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

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

Referring to FIGS. 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 bent symmetrically with each other.

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 curved asymmetrically. For example, the flexible display panel is bent in the fourth non-display area NDA4 and includes the first supporter SBR1 to form an angle between the flexible printed circuit board FPCB and the display area DA. may be greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45°. At the same time, the flexible display panel is bent in the third non-display area NDA3 and includes the second supporter SBR2 so that the 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 can firmly maintain the bent state of the flexible display panel.

When the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 includes an elastic material, the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 may be applied to the bent portion of the flexible display panel. Possible external shock may be absorbed so that the flexible display panel can better withstand external shock than when the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 is not an elastic body.

In the case of providing a flexible device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the curvature of the flexible display panel can 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. Therefore, the curved area and curvature of the flexible display panel may change, causing cracks to occur in the area where the circuit is formed, and the display function may be damaged or lost.

As the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 is provided on the flexible display panel, the flexible display panel maintains its bent shape, thereby preventing the flexible display panel from bending in an undesirable area. .

In addition, when the thickness and elasticity of the first support member SBR1 or the second support member SBR2 are adjusted, the neutral plane at which the vector sum of the tensile force and the compressive force applied when the flexible display panel is bent becomes zero ( (not shown) may be positioned on the thin film transistor substrate of the flexible display panel. Therefore, 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 preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art or those having ordinary knowledge in the art do not deviate from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention described in the claims to be described later. It will be understood that the present invention can be variously modified and changed within the scope not specified.

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

DA: display area PXL: pixels
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: driving voltage line TR1: switching thin film transistor
TR2: drive thin film transistor TFS: thin film transistor substrate SL: encapsulation film
SBR: support bar SBR1: first support bar SBR2: second support bar

Claims (20)

flexible display panel; and
including support,
The support is in contact with one surface of the flexible display panel;
the flexible display panel is bent while surrounding the support;
The support is fixed without rotation, and a bent state of the flexible display panel surrounding the support is maintained;
When the flexible display panel is maintained in a bent state, positions of the first and second parts of the flexible display panel extending from the portion of the flexible display panel surrounding the support and passing through the support and facing each other are fixed; ,
The first part and the second part are disposed parallel to each other. According to claim 1,
The flexible display panel,
display area; and
A non-display area disposed adjacent to the display area;
one side of the flexible display panel adjacent to the non-display area surrounding the support extends in a direction different from a curved surface of the support, passing through the support;
The flexible device of claim 1 , wherein the non-display area is bent toward a rear surface of the flexible display panel opposite to a front surface of the flexible display panel displaying an image. According to claim 2,
The non-display area includes a first non-display area and a second non-display area spaced apart from each other and facing each other when viewed in a plan view, each adjacent to the first non-display area and the second non-display area, and mutually adjacent to each other when viewed in a plan view. It includes a third non-display area and a fourth non-display area spaced apart from each other,
The flexible display panel is flexible in at least one of the first non-display area to the fourth non-display area. According to claim 3,
The flexible device further includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to an end of the fourth non-display area. According to claim 4,
The flexible display panel is bendable in the fourth non-display area. According to claim 3,
The flexible display panel is bendable in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. According to claim 6,
The flexible display panel is bent symmetrically with each other in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. According to claim 6,
The flexible display panel is bent asymmetrically in the first non-display area and the second non-display area. According to claim 3,
The flexible display panel is bendable in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. According to claim 9,
The flexible display panel is bent symmetrically with each other in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. According to claim 9,
The flexible display panel is bent asymmetrically in the third non-display area and the fourth non-display area. According to claim 1,
The flexible device of claim 1 , wherein one supporter is provided for each bent area of the flexible display panel or a plurality of supporters are provided spaced apart from each other. According to claim 1,
At least a portion of the support has a three-dimensional shape including a curved surface. According to claim 13,
A curved surface of the flexible display panel surrounding the support has the same curvature as the curved surface of the support. According to claim 14,
The shape of the support is a flexible device. According to claim 14,
The flexible device of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the support has a bow shape. According to claim 14,
The support is a flexible device comprising a plastic body. According to claim 17,
The flexible device further comprises an adhesive disposed between the support and the flexible display panel. According to claim 14,
The flexible device of claim 1 , wherein the support includes an elastic body. According to claim 19,
The flexible device further comprises an adhesive disposed between the support and the flexible display panel.

Images