KR20190040156A - Foldable apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a foldable display device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the foldable display device can prevent deformation of a bending area. The foldable display device includes: a first housing; a second housing arranged to be spaced apart from the first housing; a multi-joint structure which is arranged between the first and second housings and includes multiple joints connected to each other; and a sliding structure coupled to the first housing.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable apparatus,

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a foldable display device, and more particularly, to a foldable display device capable of preventing deformation of a bending area.

Recently, with the development of display related technologies, flexible flexible display devices or rollable display devices that can be bent and foldable display devices capable of folding and unfolding display panels themselves have been developed and developed, Is being developed.

Such a display panel can be embodied as a flexible, rollable, and folderable plastic substrate, and flexibility can be further increased by reducing the thickness of the display panel. The flexible display can be used not only in the form of a plane but also in a three-dimensional form modified by its flexibility.

The background art described above is technical information acquired by the inventor for the derivation of the embodiments of the present invention or obtained in the derivation process and can not necessarily be known technology disclosed to the general public before the application of the embodiments of the present invention none.

However, such a conventional foldable display device has a problem that buckling occurs in a flexible display panel located in a folding area when folded.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a folderable display device capable of solving such problems of a folder.

An embodiment of the present invention is a portable terminal including a first housing, a second housing disposed apart from the first housing, and a plurality of joints disposed between the first housing and the second housing and connected to each other And a sliding structure coupled to the first housing, wherein the sliding structure is movable relative to the first housing in a second direction opposite to a first direction in which the first housing moves relative to the sliding structure, Wherein the second direction is a direction toward or away from the multi-joint structure, the first housing comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, Wherein the multi-joint structure has a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side, the second housing has a second side that is the fifth side and the second side, The first side, the third side, and the fifth side are on the same side when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, and the second side, the fourth side, And the sixth side are located on the same side, and when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the sliding structure is not inserted into the second housing, and the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other, Wherein the width of the sliding structure measured along the second direction is greater than the width of the first sliding surface measured along the second direction, Discloses a foldable device that is smaller than the width of the housing.

In the present embodiment, the second side, the fourth side and the sixth side may be flat while the multifunctional structure is unfolded.

In this embodiment, the multi-joint structure is configured to be folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other, And may increase along the direction from the third side toward the fourth side.

In the present embodiment, the joints may have a trapezoidal cross section.

In this embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, the multi- Sectional view of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the multi-joint structure is configured to be folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed opposite to each other, The fourth side may be more flat than the third side.

In the present embodiment, at least a part of the sliding structure may be a hard plate.

In the present embodiment, the sliding structure has a first guide portion, and the multi-joint structure has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion of the sliding structure. In order that the multi-joint structure is unfolded or folded, The first guide portion and the second guide portion may be configured to move relative to each other while guiding the sliding structure and the multi-joint structure.

In this embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the first guide portion may be inserted into the second guide portion.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded, the first guide portion may not be inserted into the second guide portion.

In the present embodiment, the joint includes a sub guide portion into which the first guide portion is inserted when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, and the second guide portion may include the sub guide portion.

In this embodiment, the sub guide portion may have a trapezoidal cross section.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the multi-joint structure and the sliding structure may overlap with each other.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, The structures may be in a non-overlapping state.

In the present embodiment, in order to unfold the articulated structure, the sliding structure can be moved relative to the first housing in the direction toward the articulated structure.

In the present embodiment, in order that the multifunctional structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other, And can be moved relative to the first housing in the direction away from the structure.

In this embodiment, the articulated structure includes a first portion located on the right side of the center portion of the multi-joint structure and a second portion located on the left side of the center portion, and the first portion and the second portion The part can be folded or unfolded at the same time.

In the present embodiment, the second side, the fourth side, and the seventh side facing the sixth side, which are continuously located on the second side, the fourth side, and the sixth side, Further comprising a flexible display panel having an eighth side opposite to the seventh side, the second side and the sixth side being disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side being disposed opposite each other When the articulated structure is folded, a tensile force may be applied to a part of the eighth side corresponding to the articulated structure.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible display panel can be folded in only one direction by using the hinge holder for restricting the folding of the folding unit. Thus, the flexible display panel A foldable display device capable of preventing a buckling phenomenon occurring can be realized. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these effects.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a side view showing operation examples of the present embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view schematically showing the disassembled view of the display device of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of a part of the folding unit of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the first housing and the second housing of Fig. 3;
6A and 6B are side cross-sectional views illustrating an example of operation of the hinge holder of FIG.
7A and 7B are side sectional views showing examples of operation of the folding portion.
8 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a foldable display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be implemented in various forms.

In the following embodiments, the terms first, second, and the like are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element, not the limitative meaning. Also, the singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the terms include, including, etc. mean that there is a feature, or element, recited in the specification and does not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

Also, in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the components may be exaggerated or reduced in size. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. Also, if an embodiment is otherwise feasible, the particular process sequence may be performed differently than the sequence described. For example, two processes that are described in succession may be performed substantially concurrently, and may be performed in the reverse order of the order described.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding components throughout the drawings, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted .

An embodiment of the present invention is a portable terminal including a first housing, a second housing disposed apart from the first housing, and a plurality of joints disposed between the first housing and the second housing and connected to each other And a sliding structure coupled to the first housing, wherein the sliding structure is movable relative to the first housing in a second direction opposite to a first direction in which the first housing moves relative to the sliding structure, Wherein the second direction is a direction toward or away from the multi-joint structure, the first housing comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, Wherein the multi-joint structure has a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side, the second housing has a second side that is the fifth side and the second side, The first side, the third side, and the fifth side are on the same side when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, and the second side, the fourth side, And the sixth side are located on the same side, and when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the sliding structure is not inserted into the second housing, and the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other, Wherein the width of the sliding structure measured along the second direction is greater than the width of the first sliding surface measured along the second direction, Discloses a foldable device that is smaller than the width of the housing.

In the present embodiment, the second side, the fourth side and the sixth side may be flat while the multifunctional structure is unfolded.

In this embodiment, the multi-joint structure is configured to be folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other, And may increase along the direction from the third side toward the fourth side.

In the present embodiment, the joints may have a trapezoidal cross section.

In this embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, the multi- Sectional view of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the multi-joint structure is configured to be folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed opposite to each other, The fourth side may be more flat than the third side.

In the present embodiment, at least a part of the sliding structure may be a hard plate.

In the present embodiment, the sliding structure has a first guide portion, and the multi-joint structure has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion of the sliding structure. In order that the multi-joint structure is unfolded or folded, The first guide portion and the second guide portion may be configured to move relative to each other while guiding the sliding structure and the multi-joint structure.

In this embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the first guide portion may be inserted into the second guide portion.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded, the first guide portion may not be inserted into the second guide portion.

In the present embodiment, the joint includes a sub guide portion into which the first guide portion is inserted when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, and the second guide portion may include the sub guide portion.

In this embodiment, the sub guide portion may have a trapezoidal cross section.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the multi-joint structure and the sliding structure may overlap with each other.

In the present embodiment, when the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, The structures may be in a non-overlapping state.

In the present embodiment, in order to unfold the articulated structure, the sliding structure can be moved relative to the first housing in the direction toward the articulated structure.

In the present embodiment, in order that the multifunctional structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other, And can be moved relative to the first housing in the direction away from the structure.

In this embodiment, the articulated structure includes a first portion located on the right side of the center portion of the multi-joint structure and a second portion located on the left side of the center portion, and the first portion and the second portion The part can be folded or unfolded at the same time.

In the present embodiment, the second side, the fourth side, and the seventh side facing the sixth side, which are continuously located on the second side, the fourth side, and the sixth side, Further comprising a flexible display panel having an eighth side opposite to the seventh side, the second side and the sixth side being disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side being disposed opposite each other When the articulated structure is folded, a tensile force may be applied to a part of the eighth side corresponding to the articulated structure.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a folder-type display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing operation examples of the folder-type display apparatus of FIG.

1 and 2, the display device 100 includes a first housing 110, a second housing 120, a folding unit 130, and a flexible display 140.

The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are spaced apart from each other and the folding unit 130 may be installed in a space where the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are spaced apart from each other .

The folding unit 130 may be installed in a space where the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are spaced from each other and the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be folded The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 can be connected.

The flexible display 140 may include a foldable display panel and elements. The contraction surface 140c side of the flexible display 140 can be supported by the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 and the folding portion 130 while the side of the tension surface 140t can realize a viewable image .

In particular, the flexible display 140 may display images, such as text, video, photographs, two- or three-dimensional images, icons, cursors, etc., that are typically processed in a display device. For example, when the display device is a portable computer, an image such as a UI (user interface) or a graphic use interface (GUI) associated therewith can be displayed.

In addition, the flexible display 140 may include a flexible substrate formed of a collapsible plastic material or a metal foil, a pixel portion formed on the substrate, and a passivation film. The flexible display 140 may be an organic light emitting display, a liquid crystal display, an electrophoretic display, or the like, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

The foldable display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be maintained in an unfolded state as shown in FIG. 2A, folded at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. 2B, The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are folded together to maintain a fully folded state as shown in FIG.

The detailed configuration and structure of the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the foldable display device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a part of the folding unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross- 6A and 6B are side cross-sectional views illustrating an example of operation of the hinge holder of FIG. 5. FIG.

3 and 4, the folding unit 130 includes a plurality of multi-joint members 131 arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the flexible display 140, a support plate 132 supporting the flexible display 140, And an adhesive layer 133 connecting the multi-joint member 131 and the support plate 132. [

The multi-joint member 131 may be made of plastic or metal, and may be configured to have a predetermined elastic force. However, it is preferable that the multi-joint member 131 is made of a material having sufficient rigidity so as to have durability against repetitive folding and unfolding operations of the display device 100.

The support plate 132 may be made of an invar alloy, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the support plate 132 may also be constructed of a metal sheet having sufficient rigidity to withstand the folding and unfolding of the flexible display 140.

The support plate 132 may support the contraction surface 140c of the flexible display 140 and may cover both the first housing 110, the second housing 120, and the folding unit 130. In addition, That is, the support plate 132 may be configured to correspond to the size of the flexible display 140 to correspond to the area occupied by the flexible display 140 on the first housing 110, the second housing 120 and the folding part 130 As shown in FIG.

The adhesive layer 133 may be composed of a material having a predetermined adhesive force which is interposed between the articulating member 131 and the supporting plate 132 and capable of bonding the articulating member 131 and the supporting plate 132.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A and 6B, the foldable display 100 includes a first position (see FIG. 6A) for restricting the folding of the folding unit 130 and a folding position of the folding unit 130 And a second position (see FIG. 6B) that allows the hinge holder 150 to move.

The hinge holder 150 may be installed in the first housing 110 or the second housing 120 so as to be linearly movable in a direction toward the folding unit 130. 5 and 6 illustrate a hinge holder 150 mounted on the first housing 110 for convenience of explanation and the hinge holder 150 may be installed on the second housing 120 .

Also, the multi-joint member 131 of the folding unit 130 may include a holding hole 131h for receiving the hinge holder 150.

6A, when the hinge holder 150 is accommodated in the holding hole 131h of the articulating member 131, the folding of the folding unit 130 is restricted and the folding of the folding display unit 100 Can be restrained.

6B, folding of the folding unit 130 is permitted when the hinge holder 150 is carried out from the holding hole 131h of the articulating member 131, ) May be allowed.

It is possible to easily maintain the unfolded state of the flexible display 140 when the display device 100 includes the same configuration as that of the hinge holder 150. When the flexible display 140 is moved in one direction It is possible to prevent the tensile surface 140t side of the flexible display 140 from being contracted or the contraction surface 140c side to be stretched due to restraining the folding section 130 so that only the folding section 140 can be folded have.

The first housing 110 may include a first hinge cover 112 rotatably connected to the first hinge shaft 111 formed at a position adjacent to the second housing 120, 2 housing 120 may also include a second hinge cover 122 rotatably connected to a second hinge shaft 121 formed at a position adjacent to the first housing 110.

Here, the first hinge cover 112 and the second hinge cover 122 may be connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other about the overlapping axis 50. In this case, the superimposing axis 50 may be provided as a separate member, but the superimposing axis 50 may be connected to the first hinge cover 112 and the second hinge cover 122 so as to be rotatable have. The folding part 130 may be covered by the first hinge cover 112 and the second hinge cover 122 to be installed in the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.

The first housing 110 includes a third hinge shaft 113 formed in a direction away from the second housing 120 relative to the first hinge shaft 111, And a first housing cover 114 rotatably connected to the hinge shaft 113.

The second housing 120 also includes a fourth hinge shaft 123 formed in a direction away from the first housing 110 with respect to the second hinge shaft 121 and a fourth hinge shaft 123 formed on the fourth hinge shaft 122, And a second housing cover 124 which is rotatably connected to the shaft 123.

Referring again to FIG. 3, all the components installed on the lower sides of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B are covered by the case 170 .

7A and 7B are side sectional views showing examples of operation of the folding portion.

7A shows a case in which the hinge holder 150 is carried out from the holding hole 131h to allow folding of the folding part 130. FIG. When the folding unit 130 is folded, the first hinge cover 112 and the second hinge cover 122 rotate together with the overlapping shaft 50 as the folding unit 130 is folded.

7B shows a case where the folding part 130 is completely folded so that the plurality of articulated members 131 are in close contact with each other. That is, when the folding part 130 is completely folded, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are folded together so that the contraction surface 140c of the flexible display 140 contracts and the tension surface 140t May be pulled out and the foldable display device 100 may be folded.

8 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a foldable display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8, the first housing 210 includes a hinge cover 212 which is rotatably connected to a first hinge shaft 211 formed at a position adjacent to the second housing 220 And the second housing 220 may include a guide hole 221 for guiding the other end of the hinge cover 212 to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second housing 220.

The first housing 210 includes a second hinge shaft 213 formed in a direction away from the second housing 120 relative to the first hinge shaft 211 and a second hinge shaft 213 extending in a direction away from the second housing 120. In accordance with rotation of the hinge cover 212, And may further include a housing cover 214 that is pivotally connected to the shaft 213.

8 is a modification of the above-described foldable display apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7A. In the case of the display apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, Can be completely folded as in the case of the foldable display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

That is, the other end of the hinge cover 212 accommodated in the guide hole 221 of FIG. 8 can be slid according to the folding of the folding part 230. When the foldable display device 200 is completely folded, Folding position 221u when the foldable display device 200 is unfolded, while the foldable display device 200 may be located at the folding position 221f of the foldable display device 221,

As the hinge cover 212 is driven, the first housing 210 and the second housing 210 are fully unfolded, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, And can be configured to be rotatable with respect to each other.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

50: overlap axis 122: second hinge cover
100: Foldable display device 123: Fourth hinge axis
110: first housing 124: second housing cover
111: first hinge shaft 130: folding part
112: first hinge cover 131: multi-joint member
113: third hinge shaft 132: support plate
114: first housing cover 133: adhesive layer
120: second housing 140: flexible display
121: second hinge shaft 150: hinge holder

Claims (18)

A first housing;
A second housing disposed apart from the first housing;
A multi-joint structure disposed between the first housing and the second housing and including a plurality of joints connected to each other; And
And a sliding structure coupled to the first housing,
Wherein the sliding structure is coupled with the first housing such that the sliding structure moves relative to the first housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction in which the first housing moves relative to the sliding structure,
Wherein the second direction is a direction toward the multi-joint structure or a direction away from the multi-joint structure,
Wherein said first housing has a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said multifold structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite said third side, 5 and a sixth side opposite to the fifth side,
Wherein the first side, the third side, and the fifth side are located on the same side, and the second side, the fourth side, and the sixth side are on the same side when the multi-joint structure is unfolded,
When the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the sliding structure is not inserted into the second housing,
Wherein the second side and the sixth side are arranged opposite to each other and at least the outfolding in which the multifunctional structure is folded so that the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other,
Wherein the width of the sliding structure measured along the second direction is smaller than the width of the first housing measured along the second direction. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second side, the fourth side and the sixth side are flat with the multi-joint structure unfolded. The method according to claim 1,
The multi-joint structure is configured to be folded so that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other,
Wherein the width of the joint increases along a direction from the third side toward the fourth side. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the joint has a trapezoidal cross section. The method of claim 3,
When the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, the multifunctional structure has a semi-circular cross- Device. The method according to claim 1,
The multi-joint structure is configured to be folded so that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are disposed to face each other,
Wherein the fourth side is flatter than the third side when the multi-joint structure is unfolded. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein at least a portion of the sliding structure is a rigid plate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sliding structure has a first guide portion,
Wherein the multi-joint structure has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion of the sliding structure,
In order for the multi-joint structure to be unfolded or folded, the first guide portion and the second guide portion are slidable
Wherein the structure and the multi-joint structure are configured to be movable relative to each other while being guided by each other. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the first guide portion is inserted into the second guide portion when the multi-joint structure is unfolded. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein when the multi-joint structure is folded, the first guide portion is not inserted into the second guide portion. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the joint has a sub-guide portion into which the first guide portion is inserted when the multi-joint structure is unfolded,
And the second guide portion includes the sub guide portion. 12. The method of claim 11,
And the sub guide portion has a trapezoidal cross section. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the multi-joint structure is unfolded, the multi-joint structure and the sliding structure overlap each other. 14. The method of claim 13,
When the multi-joint structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, the multi-joint structure and the sliding structure are not overlapped with each other Lt; / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sliding structure is relatively moved with respect to the first housing in the direction toward the multi-joint structure so that the multi-joint structure is unfolded. 16. The method of claim 15,
In order for the multifilament structure to be folded so that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, the sliding structure is moved in the direction away from the multi- And the second housing is relatively moved relative to the first housing. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the multi-joint structure includes a first portion located on the right side of the center portion of the multi-joint structure and a second portion located on the left side of the center portion,
Wherein the first portion and the second portion are folded or unfolded simultaneously. The method according to claim 1,
And a sixth side that is located on the second side, the fourth side, and the sixth side, and which is opposite to the second side, the fourth side, and the sixth side, Further comprising a flexible display panel having an eighth side,
Wherein when the multifunctional structure is folded such that the second side and the sixth side are disposed opposite to each other and the first side and the fifth side are opposed to each other, a portion of the eighth side corresponding to the multifunctional structure A foldable device to which a tensile force is applied.

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