KR20200049925A - Display panel supporting device and foldable display apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display panel support member and a foldable display device including the same. In the display panel support member including a bending guide unit for supporting a bending display area of the display device since a porous pattern is formed on a base substrate, the pattern includes a first pattern formed on an inner surface of the base substrate and a second pattern formed on an outer surface of the base substrate with respect to a bending direction. The first and second patterns have an asymmetric structure that widths of the first and second patterns are narrower as the first and second patterns become deeper from a surface of the base substrate and depths of the first and second patterns are different.

Description

Display panel supporting member and foldable display apparatus including the same

The present invention relates to a display panel support member and a foldable display device including the same.

Recently, as the demand for a large screen increases in portable electronic devices, a device that implements a large screen display by connecting a flat panel display panel has been developed and commercialized. In particular, a foldable display apparatus has been spotlighted as a next-generation technology in the display field due to the advantage of being able to provide a display unit of a large screen while maintaining the convenience of portability.

The foldable display device may be implemented by connecting a flat panel display panel, or may be implemented using a flexible display panel in which the display panel itself is flexible. The flexible display device refers to a display device that is bent, bent, folded, or curled like paper while maintaining the display characteristics of the existing flat panel display device.

Such foldable display devices include portable electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals, electronic notebooks, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation, ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs), mobile phones, smart phones, and tablet PCs. It can be applied to various fields.

In implementing the foldable display device, in addition to the display panel, a case for protecting the display panel and other components inside are also required. Accordingly, there are still many challenges in implementing a foldable display device in which the entire display device is deformable into an arbitrary shape. The foldable display device can be implemented with a mechanical structure that can be simply folded and unfolded only at a relatively specific position, and folding means can be implemented for the entire area of the flexible display panel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a support member of a foldable display device capable of improving durability by minimizing stress applied to a bending area of a support member supporting a panel.

In addition, the present invention provides a foldable display device in which the bending curvature of the folded display panel is stably maintained and the bending display area of the unfolded display panel can be maintained in a flat state.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a support member and a foldable display device of a display device advantageous for realizing a narrow bezel by minimizing the side edge width of the panel support member.

The present invention for achieving the above object, in a display panel support member including a bending guide portion for supporting a bending display area of the display device is formed a porous pattern on the base substrate, the pattern, with respect to the bending direction, It includes a first pattern formed on the inner surface of the base substrate and a second pattern formed on the outer surface of the base substrate, the first pattern and the second pattern, the narrower the width is deeper from the surface of the base substrate It is characterized by forming an asymmetric structure with different depths.

Here, with respect to the total depth of the pattern, the first pattern is formed to a depth of 20 to 40%, and the second pattern is formed to a depth of 60 to 80%.

In addition, the second pattern is characterized in that the inclination angle of the inner wall with respect to the surface is 45 ° to 80 °.

In addition, the base substrate is characterized in that an antistatic coating layer is formed on the surface.

And the display device of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a display panel having a display portion including a bending display area, and a panel support member having a bending guide portion supporting the bending display area; and The bending guide portion has a porous pattern consisting of a first pattern formed on the inner surface of the base substrate and a second pattern formed on the outer surface of the base substrate, with respect to the bending direction, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern include: The deeper the surface from the base substrate, the narrower the width, and is characterized by forming an asymmetric structure with different depths.

According to the present invention, the bending guide portion for guiding the bending area includes first and second patterns of asymmetric structures formed on both sides of the base substrate, thereby minimizing the stress applied to the bending area to extend the life of the display device. There is an effect that can improve the reliability of.

In addition, the present invention has an advantageous effect in realizing a display device having a slim bezel or a full screen structure because the surface of the panel support member is charged with coating.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a display device according to the present embodiment,
2 is a cross-sectional view of a main configuration of a display device according to the present embodiment,
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing in detail the porous pattern of the support member according to the present embodiment.

The present invention and the technical problems achieved by the practice of the present invention will be clarified by the preferred embodiments described below. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that differences between the embodiments described below are not mutually exclusive. That is, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the specific shapes, structures, and properties described may be implemented in other embodiments in relation to one embodiment, and the location of individual components within each disclosed embodiment Or, it should be understood that the arrangement may be changed, and similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same or similar functions over various aspects, and the length, area, thickness, and the like may be exaggerated for convenience.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a display device according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main configuration of a display device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a porous pattern of a support member according to this embodiment It is an enlarged sectional view showing in detail.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable display device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a display panel 100 and a panel support member 200.

Specifically, the display panel 100 may be a flexible display panel using a flexible substrate. As an example, the display panel 100 is a flexible organic light emitting display panel, a flexible electrophoretic display panel, a flexible liquid crystal display panel, or a flexible It may be an electronic wet display panel (Flexible Electro-Wetting Display Panel).

The display panel 100 includes a flexible substrate including a pixel array having a plurality of pixels for displaying an image, and a cover member formed on the flexible substrate to cover the pixel array.

The foldable display device according to the present exemplary embodiment may further include a touch screen (not shown) for a user interface using a user's touch, and the touch screen is attached to the display panel 100 or formed in a pixel array. In addition, it may be embedded in the display panel 100.

As such, the display panel 100 includes a display unit DA formed of a plurality of pixels, and the display unit DA may be a display screen displaying a predetermined image according to driving of the panel driving unit (not shown). The display unit DA may be divided into a first display area DA1, a second display area DA2, and a bending display area BA.

The first display area DA1 may be defined as a first area (for example, an upper area) of the display panel 100 positioned on one side of the bending display area BA among the display units DA, and the second display area DA1 may be defined. The area DA2 may be defined as a second area (eg, a lower area) of the display panel 100 positioned on the other side of the bending display area BA among the display units DA.

When the display panel 100 is unfolded in a flat state, the first display area DA1, the second display area DA2, and the bending display area BA constitute a display unit DA to provide a relatively wide screen. do.

The display panel 100 includes a signal applying unit extending to have a constant width and length from the edge portions of the first area or the second area. Link lines connected to signal lines formed in the pixel array are formed in the signal applying unit. The signal applying unit may be connected to the system driving unit disposed on the rear surface of the second support unit 220 by passing through the second support unit 220 of the panel support member 200 and bending toward the rear surface.

2, the display panel 100 may have an outer bending structure. Here, the outer bending structure means that the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 of the display panel 100 are folded toward the outside of the display device so as not to face each other directly.

When the display panel 100 is bent outside, the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 may display the same or different images simultaneously or selectively, in this case, on the front and rear surfaces of the foldable display device. The same or different images may be displayed simultaneously or selectively.

The bending display area BA is an area that forms a bending part of the display panel 100 when the display panel 100 is folded, and a part of the display part DA corresponding to the curvature and width of the bending part, for example, the first And an area between the second display areas DA1 and DA2. An auxiliary image may be displayed in the bending display area BA when bending the display panel 100. For example, when the foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a portable information device, the auxiliary image may be a battery level, wireless communication sensitivity, time information, and a message reception icon.

When the display panel 100 is unfolded, the bending display area BA is formed in a flat shape between the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2, together with the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2. One wide screen can be configured.

Meanwhile, the display panel 100 may have an inner bending structure. Here, the inner bending structure means that the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 of the display panel 100 are folded toward the inside of the display device so as to directly face each other.

The panel support member 200 includes a first support part 210 and a second support part 220 supporting the first display area DA1, the second display area DA2, and the bending display area BA of the display panel 100. ) And a bending guide part 230.

The panel support member 200 may be formed of a plate or sheet or film of a rigid or soft material, and may include one or two or more materials such as metal, synthetic resin, rubber, and silicon.

When the panel support member 200 is formed of a plate made of a metal material, it is preferable that a coating treatment for preventing static electricity is applied to the surface of the plate. Therefore, the panel support member 200 does not have a separate projecting structure for preventing anti-static, which is advantageous for implementing a slim bezel or a full screen without a bezel.

The bending guide unit 230 is configured to guide bending of the display panel 100, and includes a base substrate 232 and a porous pattern 234 formed on the base substrate 232.

When bending the display panel 100, a length difference occurs due to a difference in the radius of curvature between the display panel 100 and the panel support member 200 in the bending area, and accordingly, the bending display area BA of the display panel 100 Is stressed by tension or compression. In addition, when bending the display panel 100, the panel support member 200 itself also has a length difference due to a difference in the radius of curvature of the inner and outer surfaces, and the bending guide portion 230 of the panel support member 200 is tensioned. Or stress from compression.

Accordingly, since the length of the bending guide portion 230 is changed by the porous pattern 234 during the unfolding and bending of the display panel 100, the length due to the difference in the radius of curvature of the display panel 100 and the panel support 200 The difference can be compensated, and the bending display area BA and the panel support of the display panel 100 are supported by guiding the bending display area BA of the display panel 100 to bend at a constant curvature while supporting the display panel 100. The bending stress applied to the bending guide portion 230 of the member 200 is minimized to improve the reliability of the display device.

The bending guide portion 230 of the present embodiment illustrates the configuration formed in a specific region of the panel support member 200 between the first support portion 210 and the second support portion 220, but the entire region of the panel support member 200 It may be formed on.

The porous pattern 234 is formed in a plurality of hole or groove shapes having a predetermined length in the width direction (Y direction) of the panel support member 200, and in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the panel support member 200 within the bending area ), That is, while forming a predetermined gap in the bending direction. The porous pattern 234 may be formed on the base substrate 232 by a process such as etching, punching, press, and laser processing.

On the other hand, a metal sheet 201 may be further coupled between the panel support member 200 and the display panel 100, and the metal sheet 201 is an adhesive film made of a film or sheet of silicon material to reinforce elastic modulus ( 202) may be coupled to the panel support member 200. For example, the adhesive film 202 may be composed of a film or sheet containing at least one or more of polyorganosiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, organohydrogenpolysiloxane, dimethylvinylated silica, and trimethylated silica. Can be. In addition, the adhesive film 202 has a thickness of less than 1.0mm, it is preferable to have an elastic modulus of 120Gpa or more.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the porous pattern 234 includes a first pattern 234-1 on one side and a second pattern 234-2 on the other side. That is, the first pattern 234-1 may be defined as a porous pattern formed on a first surface (eg, an inner surface) side with respect to the thickness direction (Z direction) of the base substrate 232, and the second pattern 234 -2) may be defined as a porous pattern formed on the second side (eg, the outer side), which is the opposite side.

At this time, the first pattern 234-1 and the second pattern 234-2 have a shape in which the width B becomes narrower from the surface to the central region, and are connected to each other in the center, and the thickness direction of the base substrate 232 Holes penetrating each other in the (Z direction) can be formed. That is, the first pattern 234-1 and the second pattern 234-2 have a structure in which the width B of the bending direction (X direction) is relatively wide on the surface. The first pattern 234-1 and the second pattern 234-2 have a structure in which the width B of the surface is relatively wide, thereby minimizing stress generated in the bending guide portion 230 when bending. have.

Further, the porous pattern 234 forms an asymmetric structure in which the first pattern 234-1 and the second pattern 234-2 have different depths. At this time, the second pattern 234-2 of the outer surface with respect to the bending direction has a deeper structure than the first pattern 234-1 of the inner surface. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life by minimizing the stress generated in the bending guide portion 230 when bending to the inner surface.

Looking specifically, the depth D2 of the second pattern 234-2 has a depth of approximately 60 to 80% compared to the total depth D of the porous pattern 234. Accordingly, the depth D1 of the first pattern 234-1 has a depth of approximately 20 to 40% compared to the total depth D of the porous pattern 234. In addition, the second pattern 234-2 has a relatively wide structure on the surface, and the wall surface of the pattern is inclined. At this time, it is preferable that the inclination angle α of the inner wall of the second pattern 234-2 is approximately 45 ° to 80 ° with respect to the surface. When the depth D2 and the inclination angle α of the second pattern 234-2 are outside the above range, the effect of reducing bending stress is reduced.

As described above, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and other embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art. These modifications and other embodiments are all to be considered and included in the appended claims, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

100: display panel
DA1: first display area DA2: second display area
BA: Bending display area DA: Display
200: panel support member
210: first support 220: second support
230: bending guide part 232: base description
234: porous pattern
234-1: 1st pattern 234-2: 2nd pattern

Claims (5)

In the display panel support member including a bending guide portion for forming a porous pattern on the base substrate to support the bending display area of the display device,
The pattern includes, with respect to a bending direction, a first pattern formed on an inner surface of the base substrate and a second pattern formed on an outer surface of the base substrate,
The first pattern and the second pattern, the display panel support member, characterized in that as the depth from the surface of the base substrate becomes narrower, an asymmetric structure having a different depth. According to claim 1,
With respect to the total depth of the pattern, the first pattern is formed to a depth of 20 to 40%, and the second pattern is formed to a depth of 60 to 80%. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pattern,
Display panel support member, characterized in that the inclination angle of the inner wall relative to the surface is 45 ° to 80 °. The method of claim 1, wherein the base substrate,
Display panel support member characterized in that the anti-static coating layer is formed on the surface. A display panel having a display unit including a bending display area; And,
It includes; a panel support member having a bending guide portion for supporting the bending display area;
The bending guide portion, with respect to the bending direction, has a porous pattern consisting of a first pattern formed on the inner surface of the base substrate and a second pattern formed on the outer surface of the base substrate,
The first pattern and the second pattern, a foldable display device, characterized in that as the deeper from the surface of the base substrate, the width becomes narrower and has an asymmetric structure with different depths.

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