KR20190043349A - Supporting frame for flexible display and flexible display apparatus comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a support frame for displaying a flexible image and a flexible display apparatus including the same. According to the present invention, the support frame for displaying a flexible image includes first and second supporting members coupled and fastened to each other in a flat state. When the first and second supporting members are coupled and fastened to each other, a backing unit of the second support member protrudes toward a front flexible display panel by the first support member, and a back surface of the folded area of the flexible display panel is supported by the protruded backing part. By preventing an occurrence of bending in the folded area of the flexible display apparatus, the inconvenience of the user can be reduced and the reliability thereof can be improved.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a supporting frame for a flexible video display and a flexible display device including the flexible supporting frame. [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a support frame for flexible image display and a flexible display device including the support frame, which can prevent the occurrence of bending in the folding region of the flexible video display device.

A video display device using a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an organic light emitting diode display device, an electrophoretic display device, and an electronic wet display device is mainly applied to a notebook computer, a portable electronic device, a television, . Such a flat display panel uses a glass substrate to withstand the high heat generated during the manufacturing process, and thus has a limitation in giving light weight, thinness, and flexibility.

Therefore, a flexible image display device which is manufactured so as to maintain the display performance even if it is bent like paper by using a flexible material such as plastic instead of a glass substrate having no flexibility is rapidly emerging as a next generation flat panel display device.

The flexible display device utilizes a non-glass plastic thin film transistor substrate to provide a durable, unbreakable, bendable, bendable, rollable, Foldable and the like. Such a flexible display device has advantages of space utilization, interior and design, and can be applied to various application fields.

Particularly, in recent years, studies have been actively made on a foldable display device that displays an image in a folded state and in an unfolded state in order to realize a large size, light weight, miniaturization, and large size.

The folder-type display device can be applied not only to mobile devices such as a mobile phone, an ultra mobile PC, an electronic book, and an electronic newspaper, but also to various fields such as a TV and a monitor. Such a foldable display device mainly includes a display panel for realizing an image, a back plate which is positioned below the display panel and supports the display panel, and a cover window disposed on the front surface of the display panel .

However, the conventional foldable display device constructed as described above has a problem in that the flatness of the folded region, which is subjected to the folding and unfolding compressive force and the contractive force, becomes uneven due to repeated folding and unfolding.

Particularly, if a bend is formed in the direction of folding in the folding region, the peripheral portion of the folding region is also influenced by the bending in the opposite direction, so that the flatness is broadly uneven across the folding region and its periphery. In this case, when external light is reflected or a dark image is displayed, the curvature of areas where the flatness is uneven is visually perceived, which is disadvantageous to users and lowers reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a supporting frame for a flexible video display and a flexible display including the flexible supporting frame so as to prevent the occurrence of bending in the folding area of the flexible display device, The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible image display support frame including first and second support members coupled and fastened to each other in a flat state, When the first and second support members are coupled and fastened together, the support portion of the second support member is protruded by the first support member toward the front flexible display panel so that the back surface of the foldable region of the flexible display panel is supported by the projecting support portion.

The first support member is configured to be inserted into the second support member in a state in which the first support member is deployed in a planar state and the second support member is configured such that when the first support member is inserted into the insertion groove, And is configured to protrude in the folding region direction of the panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible display device including a support frame for flexible image display, including: a flexible display panel including at least one folded region and a plurality of planar regions, A midframe for supporting planar regions of the flexible display panel, respectively, in the backward direction, and a supporting frame for image display for supporting at least one side of the folded region and the midframe of the flexible display panel. A cover window for covering a front outer frame of the flexible display panel, and a bottom case for accommodating the flexible display panel, the midframe, and the support frame.

The midframe includes a plurality of flat plate supporting portions corresponding to the number of planar regions except the folding region of the flexible display panel, and each flat plate supporting portion is attached to the back side of each flat region by an adhesive material.

The supporting frame for image display and the flexible display device including the supporting frame according to the embodiment of the present invention having the technical features as described above can prevent the occurrence of bending in the folding area of the flexible display device, There is an effect that the reliability can be improved.

Particularly, when the flexible display device is spread in a flat shape, the flatness of the folded back portion of the folded region is maintained in a flat shape, so that the flatness of the video display screen can be maintained uniformly as a whole to improve user satisfaction with the display quality .

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a support frame for image display and a flexible display device including the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing an I-I 'cross-section in a state in which the flexible display device of Fig. 1 is assembled.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing a coupling structure of the midframe and the support frame in a state in which the folded region of FIG. 2 is unfolded.
4 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing an I-I 'cross section in a folded state of the folded region of FIG. 2;

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like elements although they may be indicated on other drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a support frame for image display and a flexible display device including the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flexible display device shown in FIG. 1 includes a flexible display panel 100 that displays an image on the front surface including at least one folded region and a plurality of planar regions, a plurality of planar regions of the flexible display panel 100, And a supporting frame 300 (hereinafter referred to as a supporting frame) for supporting at least one side surface of the midframe and the folded area of the flexible display panel 100. [

A cover window 500 for covering the front outer frame of the flexible display panel 100 and a bottom case 400 for accommodating the flexible display panel 100, the midframe 200 and the support frame 300 .

The flexible display panel 100 may be a flexible organic light emitting display panel, a flexible electrophoretic display panel, or a flexible electro-wetting display panel. . Hereinafter, an example in which a flexible organic light emitting display panel is applied will be described for convenience.

Since the organic light emitting display panel uses the organic light emitting diode, which is a self-luminous element, it is advantageous to make it light and thin because no separate backlight is required. Further, the organic light emitting display panel has a better viewing angle and contrast ratio than the liquid crystal display device, and is advantageous in terms of power consumption. It has the advantage of being able to drive low-voltage direct current, fast response speed, strong internal components, strong external shock, and wide operating temperature range. Particularly, since the manufacturing process is simple, it is advantageous in that the production cost can be saved more than the conventional liquid crystal display device.

The flexible display panel 100 using the organic light emitting diode may be configured such that a substrate on which a plurality of thin film transistors and organic light emitting diodes are formed is encapsulated by a protective film or the like.

Specifically, the flexible display panel 100 includes a display area 112 for displaying an image by a pixel array made up of a plurality of pixels.

The display area 112 of the flexible display panel 100 may be divided into a first display area DA1, a second display area DA2 and a folded area BDA.

The folded area BDA is an area where the image is displayed together with the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2, but is folded at the time of bending.

The first display area DA1 may be defined as a first area (for example, an upper area) of the flexible display panel 100 positioned at one side of the folded area BDA of the display area 112. [ The second display area DA2 may be defined as a second area (for example, a lower area) of the flexible display panel 100 positioned on the other side of the folded area BDA of the display area 112. [

1, the first display area DA1, the second display area DA2, and the folded area BDA form one display area 112 when the flexible display panel 100 is unfolded in a planar state. Thereby providing a wide, wide screen on the front side.

When the folded area BDA of the flexible display panel 100 is folded at a predetermined curvature, no image is displayed in the entire display area 112 including the folded area BDA. The image can be displayed only in a state in which the flexible display panel 100 is opened in a planar state.

The flexible display panel 100 further includes a signal applying unit 114 extended to have a certain width and length from the edge portion of the second display area DA2. The signal applying unit 114 may be formed of a flexible circuit film including signal transmission lines connected to signal lines formed in the pixel array. Such a signal applying unit 114 is connected to a separate system driving unit (not shown) disposed at the rear side by being bent toward the rear side of the mid frame 200 and the support frame 300.

The signal applying section 114 includes a driving integrated circuit 116. [ The driving integrated circuit 116 drives the pixels formed in the display area 112 based on the pixel driving signal and the data signal provided from the system driving unit and displays the image on the display area 112. [

The first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 are supported in a flat state by the midframe 200 disposed on the back surface in a state where the flexible display panel 100 is flatly spread. The folding region BDA is supported in a flat state by the receiving portion 320a of the supporting frame 300 disposed on the backside.

The midframe 200 includes a plurality of flat panels 200 corresponding to the number of flat display areas except the folding area BDA of the flexible display panel 100, for example, the number of the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2, And supports 13,15.

The midframe 200 may include a first flat plate support portion 13 corresponding to the back surface of the first display area DA1 and a second flat plate supporting portion 15 corresponding to the back surface of the second display area DA2 have.

The flat plate supports 13 and 15 provided on the midframe 200 are bonded to the back surface of the flexible display panel 100 excluding the folded area BDA of the flexible display panel 100 by an adhesive material. Thus, each of the flat plate supports 13 and 15 is held in a flat state when the flexible display panel 100 is folded by the folding area BDA with respect to the folding area BDA or unfolded in a flat state.

Each of the flat plate supports 13 and 15 may be formed of any one of a plastic material such as PI (Polyimide), PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate), PEN (Polyethylenapthanate), PC (Polycarbonate), PNB (Polynorborneen), and PES . ≪ / RTI >

The support frame 300 supports the back surface of the folded area BDA of the flexible display panel 100 when the flexible display panel 100 is unfolded in a planar shape and supports the side surface of each of the flat plate supporting parts 13, In the backward direction.

The support frame 300 is formed so that the support portion 320a of the central region corresponding to the folded region of the flexible display panel 100 supports the backside of the folded region BDA when the flexible display panel 100 is unfolded in a planar state So that the flatness of the folded region is maintained. At this time, both side inclined portions of the receiving portion 320a are also protruded to support a side portion of each of the flat plate supporting portions 13 and 15. [ Thus, the flatness between the folded area BDA and the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 on both sides can be maintained uniformly.

The cover window 500 may be configured to cover all the front outer edges of the flexible display panel 100. The cover window 500 is also configured to flexibly fold the folded portion 530 together with the flexible display panel 100. [ In other words, elastic material such as silicon or rubber is mixed with the both-side folding part 530 corresponding to the folding area BDA of the flexible display panel 100 or is made of an elastic material so as to be folded together with the flexible display panel 100 .

The bottom case 400 includes a flexible display panel 100, a midframe 200 and a support frame 300 in this order. The bottom case 400 also includes a flexible display panel 100, a midframe 200, , And the folded portion (430) folds together with the support frame (300). Likewise, both side surfaces and the lower folded portion 430 corresponding to the folding region BDA of the flexible display panel 100 are made of an elastic material such as silicone or rubber or mixed with the flexible display panel 100 Can be folded.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing an I-I 'cross-section in a state in which the flexible display device of Fig. 1 is assembled. And FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing a coupling structure of the midframe and the support frame in a state in which the folded region of FIG. 2 is unfolded.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support frame 300 includes first and second support members 310 and 320 which are coupled and fastened to each other in the direction of arrow " A "

When the first and second supporting members 310 and 320 are coupled and fastened to each other, the receiving portion 320a of the second supporting member 320 is moved in the direction of the flexible display panel 100 Quot; C " arrow direction). Thus, the back side of the foldable area (BDA) of the flexible display panel 100 is supported by the protruding support part 320a.

The first support member 310 is attached to one side of the folded or unfolded bottom case 400 and is configured to be inserted into the second support member 320 when the bottom case 400 is unfolded in a flat state.

The first support member 310 has a length for allowing the end portion 310b of the first thickness to be inserted into the end portion of the insertion groove 320d of the second support member 320 when the bottom case 400 is folded, . The end 310b of the first thickness and the engaging portion 310a of the second thickness are both inserted into and engaged with the insertion groove 320d of the second support member 320 in a state in which the bottom case 400 is flat, .

The second support member 320 is attached to the other side surface of the bottom case 400 so that when the first support member 310 is inserted into the insertion groove 320d, the support portion 320a contacts the first support member 310 (In the direction of the arrow "C") of the flexible display panel 100 so as to correspond to the thickness thereof.

The first and second support members 310 and 320 may be made of an elastic material having a hardness capable of maintaining a shape, that is, a silicon or rubber material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 310a of the second thickness formed on the first support member 310 may be configured to be thicker than the end 310b of the first thickness.

The end portion 310b of the first thickness is configured to be easily inserted into the insertion groove 320d of the second support member 320. The thickness of the end portion 310b may be made thinner or thicker. The connecting portion 310a of the second thickness and the connecting portion 310b of the first thickness may be configured to have an inclined surface for facilitating insertion. .

The insertion groove 320d of the second support member 320 is configured to correspond to the shape of the end portion 310b and the coupling portion 310a of the first support member 310, So that the end portion 310b of the member 310 and the engaging portion 310a can be inserted and engaged. When the engaging portion 310a of the first supporting member 310 is engaged with the engaging portion 310a of the first supporting member 310, the receiving portion 320a is moved in the folding direction of the flexible display panel 100 Respectively.

The support portion 320a of the second support member 320 is flattened so that the front surface in the direction of the arrow "C" corresponding to the folding region of the flexible display panel 100 can support the back surface of the folding region in a flat manner. On both sides of the flat front surface portion, oblique portions 320b and 320c are respectively formed.

When the support portion 320a of the second support member 320 is projected to support the back surface of the folded region BDA, both side inclined portions 320b and 320c of the support portion 320a are also protruded, 15). ≪ / RTI >

The side portions 12a and 13a of the flat plate supporting portions 13 and 15 forming the midframe 200 may be formed with inclined surfaces corresponding to the inclination angles of the both side inclined portions 320b and 320c of the receiving portion 320a. As a result, the supporting portions 320a of the second supporting member 320 are urged by the projecting force of the side portions of the flat plate supporting portions 13 and 15 in the lateral direction, which is the direction of arrow B, respectively. Thus, the flatness between the folded area BDA and the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 on both sides can be maintained uniformly.

If the inclined surfaces corresponding to the inclined portions of both side inclined portions 320b and 320c of the receiving portion 320a are formed on the side surface portions 12a and 13a of the flat plate supporting portions 13 and 15, 15 and the receiving portion 320a can be kept the same.

4 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing an I-I 'cross section in a folded state of the folded region of FIG. 2;

4, when the force is applied to the bottom case 400 in the direction of the arrow "D" to fold the flexible display panel 100 together with the bottom case 400, the first and second supporting members 320, Are moved in directions opposite to each other.

When the bottom case 400 is folded, a predetermined portion 310b of the first thickness is inserted into the end of the insertion groove 320d of the second support member 320. [ At this time, the support portion 320a of the second support member 320 is also moved to a lowered state. Therefore, even when the flexible display device is folded or unfolded, the thickness of the flexible display device can be kept the same regardless of the structure of the support frame 300 composed of the first and second support members 310 and 320. [

When the flexible display panel 100 and the like are spread out flat together with the bottom case 400 as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second support members 310 and 320 are coupled to each other, So that the backside of the folded area BDA is supported.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the supporting frame for image display and the flexible display device including the image display according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent the occurrence of bending in the folding region of the flexible display device, thereby reducing the inconvenience of the user, Can be improved.

Particularly, when the flexible display device is spread in a flat shape, the flatness of the folded back portion of the folded region is maintained in a flat shape, so that the flatness of the video display screen can be maintained uniformly as a whole to improve user satisfaction with the display quality .

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Will be clear to those who have knowledge of. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: Flexible display panel
112: display area
200: Midframe
300: Support frame for video display
310: first supporting member
320: second supporting member
400: Bottom case
500: Cover window

Claims (12)

And first and second support members coupled and fastened to each other in a planar state,
The supporting portion of the second supporting member is protruded in the direction of the front flexible display panel by the first supporting member so that the back surface of the folding region of the flexible display panel is supported by the projecting supporting portion Support frame for flexible video display.
The method according to claim 1,
The first support member
And is inserted into the second support member in a state of being spread in a flat state,
And the second support member is configured to protrude in the direction of the folding region of the flexible display panel corresponding to the thickness of the first support member when the first support member is inserted into the insertion groove.
3. The method of claim 2,
The first support member
The second support member has a length such that an end portion of the first thickness is inserted into the insertion groove end portion of the second support member in a folded state,
Wherein the engaging portion of the end portion of the first thickness and the engaging portion of the second thickness are both inserted into and engaged with the insertion groove of the second support member in a flat state.
The method of claim 3,
The insertion groove of the second support member
The end portion of the first supporting member and the engaging portion can be inserted and coupled into the insertion groove,
Wherein when the engaging portion of the first supporting member is inserted and engaged, the supporting portion is protruded in the folding direction of the flexible display panel according to the thickness of the engaging portion.
5. The method of claim 4,
The support portion of the second support member
A front surface corresponding to a back surface of the folded area of the flexible display panel is configured to be flat so as to support the back surface of the folded area in a flat manner and inclined parts are formed on both sides of the front surface,
Wherein when the support portion of the second support member is protruded so as to support the back surface of the folded region, both side surface inclined portions of the support portion protrude to support a side portion of each flat plate supporting portion constituting the mid frame.
A flexible display panel including at least one folded region and a plurality of planar regions to display an image on the front side;
A midframe for supporting planar regions of the flexible display panel in a backward direction; And
An image display support frame for supporting a folded area of the flexible display panel and at least one side face of the midframe;
And a flexible display device.
The method according to claim 6,
The mid-
And a plurality of flat plate supporting portions corresponding to the number of planar regions except the folding region of the flexible display panel,
Wherein each of the flat plate supporting portions is attached to the back surface of each of the planar regions by an adhesive material.
8. The method of claim 7,
The image display support frame
And first and second support members coupled and fastened to each other in a planar state,
When the first and second support members are engaged and fastened to each other, the support portion of the second support member is projected toward the front flexible display panel by the first support member, and the flexible display panel The back surface of the folded region of the panel and a side portion of each of the flat plate supporting portions are supported
Flexible display.
9. The method of claim 8,
The first support member
And is inserted into the second support member in a state of being spread in a flat state,
Wherein when the first support member is inserted into the insertion groove, the second support member protrudes toward the folding region of the flexible display panel corresponding to the thickness of the first support member.
10. The method of claim 9,
The first support member
The second support member has a length such that an end portion of the first thickness is inserted into the insertion groove end portion of the second support member in a folded state,
Wherein the engaging portion of the end portion of the first thickness and the portion of the second thickness are both inserted into and engaged with the insertion groove of the second support member in a flat state.
11. The method of claim 10,
The insertion groove of the second support member
The end portion of the first supporting member and the engaging portion can be inserted and coupled into the insertion groove,
Wherein when the engaging portion of the first supporting member is inserted and engaged, the receiving portion is protruded toward the folding region of the flexible display panel by the thickness of the engaging portion.
12. The method of claim 11,
The support portion of the second support member
A front surface corresponding to a back surface of the folded area of the flexible display panel is configured to be flat so as to support the back surface of the folded area in a flat manner and inclined parts are formed on both sides of the front surface,
Wherein when the support portion of the second support member is protruded to support the back surface of the folded region, the side surface inclined portions of the support portion are protruded to support a side portion of each of the plate support portions.

Images