TWI619102B - Foldable display device and holding structure thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable display device includes a load bearing structure and a flexible display panel. The load bearing structure includes a soft outer casing, a first inner casing, a second inner casing, a first support platform, a second support platform, a first hinge, a first elastic member, a second hinge and a second elastic member. The first inner casing and the second inner casing are located in the accommodating space of the soft outer casing. The first support platform and the second support platform are respectively located above the first inner casing and the second inner casing. The first hinge connects the first inner casing to the side of the first support platform. The first elastic member connects the first inner casing to the other side of the first support platform. The second hinge connects the second inner casing to the side of the second support platform. The second elastic member connects the second inner casing and the other side of the second support platform. The flexible display panel is located on the first support platform and the second support platform.

Description

Foldable display device and bearing structure thereof

The present invention relates to a foldable display device and a load bearing structure.

Due to the advent of bendable display panels, such as electrophoretic display panels, collapsible display devices have emerged in the current electronics market. The foldable display device has a foldable housing, and the flexible display panel is disposed on the foldable housing, and the user can expand or fold the display panel by opening the housing. In general, the housing may have two portions connected by a hinge, and the flexible display panel is disposed on each of the support platforms of the two portions of the housing, and is unfolded or folded with the housing opening.

When the foldable display device is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the display panel may be laterally outward tensile stress due to bending, that is, the display panel may be facing away from the support platform direction (ie, toward Tension in the direction of the user). The above tensile stress acts on the area of the display panel near the bend. If the adhesion between the display panel and the support platform is insufficient, the display panel may be detached from the support platform of the housing, or the tensile stress and adhesion may be The stress concentration causes damage to the display panel.

One aspect of the present invention is a foldable display device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a foldable display device includes a load bearing structure and a flexible display panel. The load bearing structure includes a soft outer casing, a first inner casing, a second inner casing, a first support platform, a second support platform, a first hinge, a first elastic member, a second hinge and a second elastic member. The flexible outer casing has an accommodation space therein. The first inner casing is located in the accommodating space. The second inner casing is located in the accommodating space and has a first gap with the first inner casing. The first support platform is located above the first inner casing. The second support platform is located above the second inner casing and has a second gap with the first support platform. The first hinge connects the side of the first inner casing away from the first gap from the side of the first support platform away from the second gap. The first elastic member connects the side of the first inner casing close to the first gap and the side of the first supporting platform close to the second gap. The second hinge connects the side of the second inner casing away from the first gap and the side of the second supporting platform away from the second gap. The second elastic member connects the side of the second inner casing close to the first gap and the side of the second supporting platform close to the second gap. The flexible display panel is located on the first support platform and the second support platform.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second gap is smaller than the first gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible display panel covers the second gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, the position of the second gap corresponds to the position of the first gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first elastic member and the second elastic member The elastic member is a spring or a rubber column.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first inner casing and the second inner casing are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space, and the first supporting platform and the second supporting platform are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first support platform has a third gap at least partially between the first inner casing and the first inner casing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second support platform has a third gap at least partially between the second inner casing and the second inner casing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible outer casing has an opening, and the flexible display panel is located in the opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible display panel is an electrophoretic display panel or an organic light emitting diode display panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the soft outer casing is made of leather, rubber or plastic.

One aspect of the present invention is a load bearing structure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a load bearing structure includes a flexible outer casing, a first inner casing, a second inner casing, a first support platform, a second support platform, a first hinge, a first elastic member, and a second hinge. The second elastic member. The flexible outer casing has an accommodation space therein. The first inner casing is located in the accommodating space. The second inner casing is located in the accommodating space and has a first gap with the first inner casing. The first support platform is located above the first inner casing. The second support platform is located above the second inner casing and has a second gap with the first support platform. The first hinge connects the side of the first inner casing away from the first gap from the side of the first support platform away from the second gap. a first elastic member connecting the first inner casing to a side of the first gap and the first A support platform is adjacent to one side of the second gap. The second hinge connects the side of the second inner casing away from the first gap and the side of the second supporting platform away from the second gap. The second elastic member connects the side of the second inner casing close to the first gap and the side of the second supporting platform close to the second gap.

In an embodiment of the invention, the soft outer casing has an opening, and the first supporting platform and the second supporting platform are exposed from the opening.

In the above embodiment of the present invention, since the first support platform is located above the first inner casing, and the first support platform and the first inner casing are connected to the first elastic member via the first hinge, the first support platform One side can be pivoted through the first hinge and the other side can stretch or compress the first elastic member. Similarly, one side of the second support platform can be pivoted through the second hinge and the other side can stretch or compress the second elastic member. When the foldable display device is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, although the flexible display panel may have lateral tensile stress due to bending, the first elastic member and the second elastic member have elastic force, and The first support platform and the second support platform are movable, so the influence of the tensile stress on the flexible display panel can be reduced due to the presence of the elastic force, so that the integration between the flexible display panel and the first support platform and the second support platform The stress difference is reduced. In this way, the flexible display panel can be prevented from being detached from the first support platform and the second support platform, and the flexible display panel can be prevented from being damaged at the stress concentration of the tensile stress and the adhesive force.

100‧‧‧Foldable display device

110‧‧‧bearing structure

111‧‧‧ accommodating space

112‧‧‧Soft outer casing

113‧‧‧ openings

114a‧‧‧First inner casing

114b‧‧‧Second inner casing

116a‧‧‧First support platform

116b‧‧‧second support platform

118a‧‧‧First hinge

118b‧‧‧Second hinge

119a, 119c‧‧‧ first elastic parts

119b, 119d‧‧‧ second elastic parts

120‧‧‧Flexible display panel

2-2‧‧‧ segments

D1‧‧‧First gap

D2‧‧‧Second gap

D3a, D3b‧‧‧ third gap

F1, F2‧‧‧ tensile stress

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view of the open state.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable display device of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device of Fig. 2 when it is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device of Fig. 2 in a folded state.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the following drawings, and in the drawings, FIG.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the foldable display device 100 in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable display device 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2. Referring also to FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable display device 100 includes a carrier structure 110 and a flexible display panel 120. The load bearing structure 110 can be used to carry the flexible display panel 120. The load bearing structure 110 includes a flexible outer casing 112, a first inner casing 114a, a second inner casing 114b, a first support platform 116a, a second support platform 116b, a first hinge 118a, a first elastic member 119a, and a second hinge 118b. And the second elastic member 119b.

The flexible outer casing 112 has an accommodation space 111 therein. The flexible outer casing 112 has an opening 113 in which the flexible display panel 120 is located. The flexible outer casing 112 is flexible and may be made of leather, rubber or plastic. scratch The display panel 120 can be an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, but is not intended to limit the present invention.

The first inner casing 114a and the second inner casing 114b are located in the accommodating space 111 of the soft outer casing 112, and the first inner casing 114b and the first inner casing 114a have a first gap D1. The first gap D1 allows the flexible outer casing 112 below it to be bent. In this embodiment, the first inner casing 114a and the second inner casing 114b may be located on the bottom plate of the soft outer casing 112, and the first inner casing 114a and the second inner casing 114b respectively abut the soft outer casing 112. The first inner casing 114a and the second inner casing 114b are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space 111.

The first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b are located in the accommodating space 111 of the flexible outer casing 112. The first support platform 116a is located above the first inner casing 114a, and the second support platform 116b is located above the second inner casing 114b. There is a second gap D2 between the second support platform 116b and the first support platform 116a. In the present embodiment, the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space 111.

The flexible display panel 120 is located on the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b, and the flexible display panel 120 covers the second gap D2. The second gap D2 allows the flexible display panel 120 above it to be bent. Moreover, when the load bearing structure 110 does not carry the flexible display panel 120, the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b are exposed from the opening 113 of the flexible outer casing 112. In addition, in other embodiments, the carrying structure 110 can also be used to carry other flexible articles, such as photos, paper, foil, leather, cloth, etc., and is not intended to limit the present invention.

In addition, the first hinge 118a connects the side of the first inner casing 114a away from the first gap D1 and the side of the first support platform 116a away from the second gap D2, that is, connects the first inner casing 114a and the second figure of FIG. One supports the left side of the platform 116a. The two ends of the first elastic member 119a are respectively connected to the side of the first inner casing 114a close to the first gap D1 and the first supporting platform 116a is close to the second gap D2, that is, the first inner casing is connected to the second figure. 114a is on the right side of the first support platform 116a. With such a design, when the first support platform 116a is stressed, the first elastic member 119a can be compressed or stretched, and the first support platform 116a can be pivoted above the first inner casing 114a through the first hinge 118a. In the present embodiment, the first support platform 116a has a third gap D3a between at least a portion and the first inner casing 114a.

Similarly, the second hinge 118b connects the side of the second inner casing 114b away from the first gap D1 and the side of the second support platform 116b away from the second gap D2, that is, connects the second inner casing 114b of FIG. The right side of the second support platform 116b. The two ends of the second elastic member 119b are respectively connected to the side of the second inner casing 114b adjacent to the first gap D1 and the second supporting platform 116b adjacent to the second gap D2, that is, the second inner casing of FIG. 114b is on the left side of the second support platform 116b. When the second support platform 116b is stressed, the second elastic member 119b can be compressed or stretched, and the second support platform 116b can be pivoted over the second inner casing 114b through the second hinge 118b. In the present embodiment, the second support platform 116b has a third gap D3b between at least a portion and the second inner casing 114b.

In this embodiment, the first elastic member 119a and the second elastic member 119b may be springs, but are not used to limit the present invention, and other retractable bombs. The material may also serve as the first elastic member 119a and the second elastic member 119b, such as rubber, silicone or soft plastic.

It should be understood that the component connection relationships and materials that have been described will not be repeated, and will be described first. In the following description, different states when the foldable display device 100 is used will be described.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device 100 of FIG. 2 when it is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 simultaneously, the position of the second gap D2 corresponds to the position of the first gap D1, and the second gap D2 is smaller than the first gap D1. With such a design, in addition to the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b, the flexible display panel 120 can be provided with sufficient supporting force. When the foldable display device 100 is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first gap D1 can be made. The outer flexible outer casing 112 has a sufficient bending area to prevent the first inner casing 114a and the second inner casing 114b from interfering with each other during folding to cause the folding to be unsmooth.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device 100 of Fig. 2 in a folded state. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, one side (left side) of the first support platform 116a is pivotable through the first hinge 118a, and the other side (right side) can stretch or compress the first elastic member 119a. Similarly, one side (right side) of the second support platform 116b can be pivoted through the second hinge 118b, and the other side (left side) can stretch or compress the second elastic member 119b. When the foldable display device 100 is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, although the flexible display panel 120 may be laterally outward (upward) tensile stress F1, F2 (tensile stress) due to bending, the first elastic member The 119a and the second elastic member 119b can be compressed to have an elastic force, and the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b are movable, so the tensile stresses F1 and F2 are opposite. The influence of the flexible display panel 120 may be lowered due to the presence of the elastic force, so that the difference in the integrated stress between the flexible display panel 120 and the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b is reduced.

For example, when the first elastic member 119a and the second elastic member 119b are compressed, the elastic force can support the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b, respectively, and the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b can be avoided. The pivot angle is too large.

In this way, the flexible display panel 120 can be prevented from being detached from the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b, or the tensile stresses F1, F2 and the flexible display panel 120 and the first support platform 116a, the second can be avoided. The stress concentration of the adhesion between the support platforms 116b causes damage to the flexible display panel 120.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the foldable display device 100a in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the foldable display device 100a includes a carrier structure 110 and a flexible display panel 120. The load bearing structure 110 includes a flexible outer casing 112, a first inner casing 114a, a second inner casing 114b, a first support platform 116a, a second support platform 116b, a first hinge 118a, a first elastic member 119c, and a second hinge 118b. And the second elastic member 119d. The difference from the embodiment of Fig. 2 is that the first elastic member 119c and the second elastic member 119d are rubber posts instead of springs.

With such a design, when the foldable display device 100a is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first elastic member 119c and the second elastic member 119d can be compressed to have an elastic force, and the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b Is movable, so the influence of tensile stress on the flexible display panel 120 can be caused by the bullet The presence of force is reduced, resulting in a reduction in the overall stress difference between the flexible display panel 120 and the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b. In this way, the flexible display panel 120 can be prevented from being detached from the first support platform 116a and the second support platform 116b, and the flexible display panel 120 can be prevented from being damaged at the stress concentration of the tensile stress and the adhesive force.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

Claims (18)

A foldable display device comprising: a load-bearing structure comprising: a flexible outer casing having an accommodating space therein; a first inner casing located in the accommodating space; and a second inner casing located at the a first gap between the accommodating space and the first inner casing; a first supporting platform located above the first inner casing, and the first supporting platform at least partially and the first inner casing There is a third gap between the second inner casing and a second gap between the second inner casing and a first supporting platform; a first hinge connecting the first inner casing away from the second inner casing One side of the first gap and a side of the first supporting platform away from the second gap; a first elastic member connecting a side of the first inner casing close to the first gap to the first supporting platform One side of the second gap; a second hinge connecting a side of the second inner casing away from the first gap and a side of the second supporting platform away from the second gap; and a second elastic member, Connecting the second inner casing to a side of the first gap and the first Side of the supporting platform adjacent to the second gap; and a flexible display panel, located on the first support and the second support platform internet. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the second gap is smaller than the first gap. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the flexible display panel covers the second gap. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the position of the second gap corresponds to a position of the first gap. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the first elastic member and the second elastic member are springs or rubber posts. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the first inner casing and the second inner casing are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space, and the first supporting platform and the second supporting platform are accommodated in the accommodating space. Symmetrical settings in space. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the second support platform has a third gap at least partially between the second inner casing. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the flexible outer casing has an opening, and the flexible display panel is located in the opening. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the flexible display panel is an electrophoretic display panel or an organic light emitting diode display panel. The foldable display device of claim 1, wherein the The soft outer casing is made of leather, rubber or plastic. A load-bearing structure includes: a flexible outer casing having an accommodating space therein; a first inner casing located in the accommodating space; and a second inner casing located in the accommodating space and a first gap is disposed between the inner casings; a first supporting platform is located above the first inner casing, and the first supporting platform has a third gap at least partially between the first inner casing; a second supporting platform is disposed above the second inner casing and has a second gap with the first supporting platform; a first hinge connecting the side of the first inner casing away from the first gap The first supporting platform is away from a side of the second gap; a first elastic member is connected to a side of the first inner casing adjacent to the first gap and a side of the first supporting platform adjacent to the second gap; a second hinge connecting a side of the second inner casing away from the first gap and a side of the second supporting platform away from the second gap; and a second elastic member connecting the second inner casing One side of the first gap and the second support platform are adjacent to the second gap Side. The load bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the second gap is smaller than the first gap. The load bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the position of the second gap corresponds to a position of the first gap. The load-bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the first elastic member and the second elastic member are springs or rubber posts. The load-bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the first inner casing and the second inner casing are symmetrically disposed in the accommodating space, and the first supporting platform and the second supporting platform are in the accommodating space. Symmetrical settings. The load-bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the second support platform has a third gap at least partially between the second inner casing. The load-bearing structure of claim 11, wherein the flexible outer casing has an opening, and the first support platform and the second support platform are exposed from the opening. The load-bearing structure according to claim 11, wherein the soft outer casing is made of leather, rubber or plastic.