TWM559510U - Flexible display, foldable apparatus, and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model is realted to a flexible display and an apparatus including a flexible display. The flexible display includes a display screen including several foldable sub-displays or a single bendable display. The display can be configured in stacks, scrolling, or pleated. The display can also have a flexible light emitting layer corresponding to the sub-diaply. The flexible light emitting layer includes edges that are adjacent but not overlapped. The display also has a transparent protection layer configured as a cover on the light emitting layer and peripheral circuits, which are for the flexible display.

Description

Flexible display, foldable device and device with flexible display

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of electronic applications, and in particular to flexible displays and devices having flexible displays.

With the development of electronic technology and semiconductor technology, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, media players and tablets are becoming more and more common. These types of devices typically include display devices to display information to the user, and even to provide an interactive interface. The problem is that the user wants the electronic device to be as small as possible to carry it on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is desirable that the display screen of the electronic device can be large enough to be easier to view and operate. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the art to fabricate an electronic device having a multi-functional, small footprint, portability, high performance, and large display screen using flexible and rigid materials.

Correspondingly, flexible, collapsible and/or scalable electronic products are becoming a compelling and promising emerging industry. At present, there are two main types of mainstream technologies for display expansion: one is that a plurality of displays are retractably mounted on the device, and the other is a direct use of a flexible display. And with the development of materials and semiconductor technology, flexible displays are increasingly relying heavily. In particular, recently, flexible displays are being commercialized in accordance with the development of display element technology. Unlike conventional hard display panels, flexible displays can also be referred to as electronic paper. It is a display that can be fabricated on a flexible panel that can be twisted, bent and rotated without losing display characteristics. Flexible displays are lighter, thinner, and have greater impact resistance than conventional hard displays, and have features that are free to bend. In the case of a flexible display, the panel can be made of metal foil, ultra-thin glass or plastic panels. Specifically, in the case of a plastic panel, a PC panel, a PET panel, a PES panel, a PI panel, a PEN panel, an AryLite panel, or the like can be used. However, the current flexible display is easily damaged by environmental factors when folded, and the folding method is relatively simple; in the highly competitive electronic consumer market, the industry needs to continuously innovate.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a flexible display that has a flexible folding pattern that can be further reduced in size but at the same time has a better appearance.

The second object of the present invention is to provide a foldable device that can be used alone or in conjunction with a flexible display for a wide variety of products.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flexible display includes: a display screen configured as a plurality of foldable sub-display screens or a single flexible display screen configured to be stacked, rolled or pleated Expanding or folding; the display screen further comprising: a flexible luminescent layer configured to provide a display area corresponding to the sub-display screen, the portions of the flexible luminescent layer having adjacent but non-overlapping or overlapping edges And a transparent protective layer configured to encapsulate the flexible luminescent layer; and peripheral circuitry configured to provide the circuit configuration required for operation of the flexible display.

In another embodiment of the present creation, the display bezel is configured to be unfolded or folded in a stack, the plurality of sub-displays being configured to expand or collapse in a lateral, longitudinal, or lateral and longitudinal combination with respect to a reference. The plurality of sub-displays may include a base screen as the reference. The plurality of sub-displays may include a main screen configured to display system information of the flexible display or information required by the user. The edge of the display screen may further be provided with a slide rail. The two sub-displays are detachable between the two. The display screen can also be configured to be pleated or folded, the number Each of the sub-displays has a crest and a valley fold. The distance between the peak fold and the adjacent valley fold is less than 2 mm. The flexible display unit further includes real or virtual keys that are configured to control the display screen to automatically expand or collapse. The plurality of sub-displays are configured to display the same picture or different pictures. The expansion or folding of the plurality of sub-display screens is a flip or slide. The flexible display can further include an extended indicator capable of indicating a fully expandable area or expanded/expandable ratio information of the display. The several sub-displays are connected by a seamless hinge. The plurality of sub-display screens have a uniform or non-uniform size. The display screen is unfolded into a circular cylinder or a flat plate. The flexible light emitting layer includes an organic light emitting diode.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a foldable device that can include the aforementioned flexible display.

In an embodiment of the present creation, the foldable device further includes: a body having a functional zone and a non-functional zone; and an attachment configured to attach the flexible display to the body. The flexible display is part or all of the non-functional area of the body. The attachment includes a lug and lug interface, the lug and lug interface being located on the body and the flexible display, respectively. The attachment member can further include a first snap portion and a second snap portion respectively located on the body and the flexible display, the second snap portion being configured to engage with the first snap portion. The first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are magnets or have a tenon structure. The body may also include a slide rail for the plurality of sub-display screens to be unfolded or folded. The body further includes a receiving slot for receiving the display screen in a folded state. The display partially or completely covers the body. The foldable device is a cell phone, watch, bracelet, tablet, glasses or jewelry.

The flexible display and the foldable device provided by the embodiments of the present invention have a variable folding manner, which not only meets the miniaturization portability requirements, but also can be flexibly extended to provide a comfortable experience, and is not susceptible to environmental factors when not folded. Damage.

10,20,30,40‧‧‧flexible display device

11,31,41‧‧‧Flexible substrate

12‧‧‧ components

13‧‧‧ first surface

13a‧‧‧Part 1

13b‧‧‧Part II

14‧‧‧ second surface

14a‧‧‧Part III

14b‧‧‧Part IV

15,15a, 15b‧‧‧ bendable area

20‧‧‧Flexible display device

21‧‧‧Flexible area

31a‧‧‧ first surface

31b‧‧‧ second surface

31c, 31d‧‧‧ both ends

32‧‧‧First support structure

33‧‧‧Predefined bendable areas

42‧‧‧Bumps

42a‧‧‧ top surface

50,60,70‧‧‧flexible display device

51‧‧‧Display area

51a‧‧‧First area

51b‧‧‧Second area

52‧‧‧Drive Circuit

53‧‧‧ Scheduled bendable area

60a‧‧‧ first end

60b‧‧‧ second end

60c‧‧‧ inside

60d‧‧‧ outside

61‧‧‧Substrate

61x, y‧‧‧subsubstrate

62‧‧‧Flexible display screen

62a, 62b‧‧‧ both ends

63‧‧‧Connectors

64‧‧‧Border

71‧‧‧Frame

71a, b, c‧ ‧ sub-framework

72‧‧‧Flexible display

73‧‧‧Flexible materials

81‧‧‧Flexible display

82‧‧‧Single fold

83‧‧‧Bending area

84‧‧‧Double fold

89‧‧‧Encapsulation layer

100,110‧‧‧Flexible electronic devices

101‧‧‧First adjustable part

102‧‧‧Second adjustable part

103‧‧‧ display panel

104‧‧‧Folding structure

104a, b, c‧‧‧ folding structure

105‧‧‧ Third adjustable part

111‧‧‧Flexible substrate

112‧‧‧Folding structure

113‧‧‧Flexible structure

120,130‧‧‧Folding device

121‧‧‧Ontology

122,142‧‧‧flexible display

124‧‧‧ Attachments

126‧‧‧Folding display

126a‧‧‧Base Screen

126b‧‧‧ main screen

128‧‧‧Joint parts

131‧‧‧Ontology

131a‧‧‧ functional area

131b‧‧‧non-functional area

132‧‧‧Flexible display

134‧‧‧ Attachments

135‧‧‧Lug structure

136‧‧‧ display screen

137‧‧ ‧ lug interface

144‧‧‧ Attachments

146‧‧‧Sub Display

146a, b‧‧‧Foldable

The aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings. It should be noted that various components are not drawn to scale according to standard practice in the industry. In fact, the dimensions of the various components may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing the flexible display device shown in FIG. 1A flipped by 180°.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a schematic view showing the bending of the flexible display device shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a front elevational view of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6B is a plan view showing the structure shown in Fig. 6A.

Fig. 6C is a schematic view showing the movement of the joint in the structure shown in Fig. 6B.

Figure 7A is a front elevational view of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a schematic view showing the structure shown in Fig. 7A folded in half.

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a flexible display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure.

FIG. 10B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11B and 11C are schematic exploded perspective views of the flexible electronic device of FIG. 11A.

Figure 12A is a perspective view of a foldable device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the flexible display is in a fully folded state.

Figure 12B is a perspective view of a foldable device in accordance with an inventive embodiment in which the flexible display is in a fully deployed state and the display of the foldable device can have a fully folded condition as shown in Figure 12A.

12C-12D are schematic perspective views of the foldable device according to various embodiments of the present invention in a partially deployed state.

12E and 12G are respectively schematic perspective views of a foldable device according to the present creative embodiment.

13A-13C are schematic perspective views of the foldable device according to an embodiment of the present invention in different unfolded states, wherein FIG. 13A shows the normal use state of the foldable device, and 13B and 13C show Adjusted use status of the foldable device

13D-13E are schematic perspective views of different perspectives of a foldable device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

14A is a perspective view of a flexible display in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention when fully retracted.

Figure 14B is a perspective view of the flexible display shown in Figure 14A when fully deployed.

Figure 14C is a perspective view of the flexible display shown in Figure 14A in an intermediate state.

14D and 14E are schematic perspective structural views of a flexible display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention, such description and description are not limiting of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and alternatives may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The flexible display is one of the most desirable features of the next generation portable device or wearable device, and has attracted a lot of attention in industry and academia in the past few years. The user of the flexible display is well balanced in application, can be shrunk when carrying to minimize the volume and expand enough for the user to read and operate during use, so that convenient and extensive human-computer interaction become possible. The flexible display can have a seamless hinge or the like so as not to cause a discontinuity in the image presentation of the display. However, most of the current flexible displays are simply curved into a curved surface or folded in a single direction, which does not maximize the flexible advantages of the flexible display.

Some of the embodiments of the present invention can solve the above problems, and are explained one by one in the following embodiments. In some embodiments the flexible display has an adjustable size, shape, and/or partial structure based on the origami principle.

The flexible display disclosed in the creative embodiment can be folded. In some embodiments, the flexible display includes a flexible, bendable active matrix organic light emitting diode panel or other suitable display panel. Organic light-emitting diode display structure, also known as OLED display structure, OLED structure, organic light-emitting diode structure, organic light-emitting diode layer, light generation A layer, an image generation layer, a display layer or an image pattern layer comprising an array of light emitting diode patterns. If desired, the flexible display may further include a capacitive touch sensor electrode for a capacitive touch sensor array or other touch sensor structure (ie, the flexible display may be touch Screen). The touch sensor electrode may be provided on the touch panel layer interposed between the organic light emitting diode display structure and the transparent cover layer (eg, the cover glass layer), may be formed on the bottom side of the cover layer, or may Other ways to incorporate a flexible display.

In addition, the flexible display also includes other circuits such as signal lines and display driver circuits, etc., which can minimize the circuit portions of these non-display panels by bending the organic light emitting diode array at the edge of the display panel downward. The flexible display can include a planar adjustment feature in the curved region of the display panel that adjusts the plane of the curved portion of the display toward the outer surface of the curved portion for during bending operation or during normal use of the display in a curved configuration Minimize the risk of damage to the bent portion. Furthermore, the curved edge portion of the flexible display can also be illustrated to reduce the non-illuminated area of the display panel by allowing circuitry for operating the device (eg, signal traces and driver circuitry) to be positioned at the back of the display rather than at the display panel. size.

The foldable device provided by the present creative embodiment may include a flexible display, which may be an expandable display capable of expanding the display area. More specifically, the display screen of the flexible display may further comprise a plurality of sub-display screens that can be folded together in whole or in part, and provide the user with the required time by flattening or turning out all or part of the sub-display screens. Display area. The sub-display screens can be displayed without interruption by the design of the seamless hinge display panel, such as the design of the organic LED display panel. The flexible display has a full-expansion (or global) size when the display is in a fully expanded state; the flexible display has a fully-retracted size when the display is in a fully folded state; and when the display is at When partially expanded, it has a corresponding intermediate size. The specific expansion and folding of the flexible display are different, and the main embodiment of the present invention Stack, roller and pleated or combinations between them are provided. The flexible display can further include an extended indicator that can indicate information such as a fully expandable area or an expanded/expandable ratio of the display. The display screen of the flexible display has a flexible luminescent layer, such as an organic light emitting diode luminescent layer or other flexible illuminating structure to provide a display area. And corresponding to the sub-displays, portions of the flexible illuminating layers may have contiguous but non-overlapping edges, may have overlapping edges, or may have edges that bulge along the seams through openings in the support structure. The flexible light-emitting layer may be further coated with a transparent protective layer such as soft glass or the like. Of course, the flexible display also needs to have peripheral circuits necessary for the operation of the driving circuit, etc., which is not the focus of this creation, so it will not be described here.

The flexible display can be attached to a foldable device such as a portable electronic device or a wearable device by an attachment, so that the foldable device can simultaneously provide the user with the application while ensuring a small size. Enough display area to read information and operate. The foldable device can further have a touch sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and other sensors for acquiring input such as user input.

The flexible electronic device disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can freely adjust the display viewing angle of the display screen without an additional external fixing member. In some embodiments, the flexible electronic device includes at least two adjustable portions, which may be flexible substrates. A flexible, bendable active matrix organic light emitting diode panel or other suitable display panel is disposed on one or more of the at least two adjustable portions. A folded structure may be disposed on each of the two adjacent adjustable portions, and the adjustable portion can be folded based on the folded structure. According to the need of displaying the viewing angle, an external force is applied to the adjustable portion to be folded along the folded structure, and the display panel disposed on the adjustable portion can be changed correspondingly according to the folding and/or movement of the adjustable portion, thereby realizing the random adjustment display. The display angle of the curtain.

The flexible electronic device may further comprise a capacitive touch sensor array if needed Or a capacitive touch sensor electrode of another touch sensor structure (ie, the display panel can be a touch screen). In addition, the flexible electronic device also includes other circuits such as signal lines and display driver circuits, etc., which can minimize the circuit portion of these non-display panels by bending the organic light emitting diode array at the edge of the display panel downward.

Example 1

1A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing the flexible display device 10 shown in FIG. 1A flipped by 180°.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the flexible display device 10 can be in three different dimensions, namely an x-axis, a y-axis, a z-axis, bending/folding and de-bending/unfolding, including a flexible substrate 11 and at least one The component 12 is placed on the flexible substrate 11. The flexible substrate 11 can be bent or foldable. The flexible substrate 11 has a first surface 13 and a second surface 14 opposite the first surface 13. The first surface 13 includes a predetermined bendable region 15 with at least one element 12 disposed on the predefined bendable region 15. At least one of the elements 12 can be a piezoelectric element and can be contracted and expanded in accordance with electrical signals received by at least one of the control units 16. The contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element enables the flexible substrate 11 to be deformed along the predetermined bendable region 15.

Specifically, at least one of the elements 12 is contracted after receiving an electrical signal from the control unit 16, and the flexible substrate 11 is bendable along the predetermined bendable region 15 in the first bending direction. That is, the first surface 13 is divided into the first portion 13a where the first point A is located and the second portion 13b where the second point A' is located by the predetermined bendable region 15, and when the at least one element 12 is contracted, the first point A is located The first portion 13a is curved along the predetermined bendable region 15 in a first bending direction (here, in a direction substantially parallel to x) to be adjacent to the second portion 13b where the second point A' is located. The flexible substrate 11 can be bent as the at least one element 12 contracts until the first portion 13a where the first point A is located is in contact with the second portion 13b where the second point A' is located, thereby making the first point A and the second point A 'Contact, ie the flexible substrate 11 along the first bend The curved direction is completely folded.

As shown in FIG. 1B, at least one component 12 is expanded after receiving an electrical signal from the control unit 16, and the flexible substrate 11 is bendable along a predetermined bendable region 15 in a second bending direction, the second bending direction and the first The bending direction is reversed. That is, the second surface 14 is divided by the predetermined bendable region 15 into the fourth portion 14a where the third point B is located and the fourth portion 14b where the fourth point B' is located, when the at least one element 12 is expanded, the third point B The third portion 14a is bent upward along the predetermined bendable region 15 to be adjacent to the fourth portion 14b where the fourth point B' is located. The flexible substrate 11 can be bent as the at least one element 12 expands until the third portion 14a where the third point B is located is in contact with the fourth portion 14b where the fourth point B' is located, thereby making the third point B and the fourth point B' contact, that is, the flexible substrate 11 is completely folded in the second bending direction.

In other embodiments, at least one of the elements 12 can be disposed on a second surface 14 of the flexible substrate 11 over a region corresponding to the predetermined bendable region 15. The size and shape of at least one of the elements 12 is not limited. In other embodiments, at least one of the elements 12 can be disposed on the flexible substrate 12 in other areas than the predefined bendable region 15.

1C is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the flexible substrate 11 can be provided with a plurality of predefined bendable regions 15. Specifically, the predetermined bendable regions 15 are two, respectively a predetermined bendable region 15a extending in the x direction and a predetermined bendable region 15b extending in the y direction. The predetermined bendable region 15a extending in the x direction and the predetermined bendable region 15b extending in the y direction cross each other or orthogonal to each other.

Example 2

2A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the flexible display device 20 includes two portions defined by a pre-definable bendable region 21, which are a first portion M1 and a second portion M2, respectively, wherein the predictive bendable region 21 Can be invisible. The partial first portion M1 and the second portion M2 may have substantially the same weight by weight configuration. In particular, the weight configuration can be implemented by controlling the arrangement of the batteries within the flexible display device 20, for example, the arrangement of the batteries can include the location in which the batteries are configured. However, these are not intended to limit this creation.

2B is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the flexible display device 20 includes at least four portions defined by at least two predetermined bendable regions 21. Specifically, the flexible display device 20 includes four portions of two predetermined bendable regions 21, namely a first portion M1, a second portion M2, a third portion M3, and a fourth portion M4. The two predetermined bendable regions 21 extend in the x and y directions, respectively, and intersect each other. The difference in weight between the first portion M1, the second portion M2, the third portion M3, and the fourth portion M4 is within about 3%.

Example 3

3A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the flexible display device 30 includes a flexible substrate 31 and a first support structure 32. The flexible substrate 31 has a first surface 31a and a second surface 31b opposite to the first surface 31a. The first surface 31a has a predetermined bendable region 33. The first support substrate 32 is disposed within the predetermined bendable region 33.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the both ends 31c and 31d of the flexible substrate 31 may be bent or folded along the side of the predetermined bendable region 33 toward the first support structure 32. Since the first support structure 32 has a certain thickness, the first support structure 32 can be avoided when the flexible substrate 31 is bent until the predetermined bendable region 33 comes into contact with the first support structure 32 (ie, the state shown in FIG. 3B). Further bending of the flexible substrate 31, that is, reducing the bending angle of the predefined bendable region 33, thereby effectively The pressure at the predetermined bendable region 33 is alleviated. The size and shape of the first support structure 32 are not limited. The size and shape of the first support structure 32 can be determined according to the minimum bend radius that the flexible substrate 31 can withstand.

In other embodiments, the flexible substrate 31 may further include a second support structure disposed on the second surface 31b. The flexible substrate 31 is avoided when the both ends 31c and 31d of the flexible substrate 31 are bent or folded toward the side of the second support structure along the region corresponding to the predetermined bendable region 33 on the second surface 31b. Further bending, that is, reducing the bending angle of the predetermined bendable region 33, thereby effectively alleviating the tensile force at the predetermined bendable region 33. The size and shape of the second support structure are not limited. The size and shape of the second support structure can be determined according to the minimum bend radius of the flexible substrate 31.

Example 4

4A is a schematic diagram of a flexible display device 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the flexible display device 40 includes a flexible substrate 41 and a thin film transistor (TFT) array (not shown). The flexible substrate 41 can be curved or foldable. The TFT array is disposed on the flexible substrate 41. The flexible substrate 41 includes a plurality of bumps 42 that protrude from the surface of the flexible substrate 41. Each of the bumps 42 is spaced apart from the adjacent bumps 42 by a predetermined distance. The shape and size of the bumps 42 are not limited. In this embodiment, the bump 42 is trapezoidal. In other embodiments, the bump 42 can be curved or of any desired shape or form.

A plurality of patterns (such as OLED patterns) may be deposited or assembled on the TFT array to form a pattern matrix that emits light upon electrical initiation. Each of the pattern matrices includes at least two sub-patterns, at least two sub-patterns having at least two different colors.

For the pattern matrix formed on the TFT array, each pattern may further include several different portions. Some parts may be more susceptible to physics caused by folding or squeezing than others pressure. In this embodiment, a portion that is more susceptible to physical stress is disposed on the bump 42. Specifically, a portion of the pattern that is susceptible to physical stress is provided on the top surface 42a of the bump 42. Therefore, when the flexible display device 40 is bent or further folded in the bending tendency shown in FIG. 4B, the pressure of the portion of the pattern which is susceptible to physical pressure can be reduced compared to the conventional flexible display device.

Example 5

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a flexible display device 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible display device 50 includes a display area 51 and a driving circuit (such as a MOSFET, TFT or capacitor) 52 for driving display elements of the display area 51, such as light-emitting at the time of electrical start-up. Pattern (not shown). The display area 51 can be divided into a first area 51a and a second area 51b. The first area 51a includes a predetermined bendable area 53. The flexible display device 50 can be bent or folded along a predetermined bendable region 53 located within the first region 51a.

Generally, the driving circuit 52 is disposed across the predetermined bendable region 53 to be disposed at both ends 51c and 51d of the display region 51, and therefore, when the flexible display device 50 is bent or folded along the predefined bendable region 53, it is predetermined The drive circuit 52 at the bendable area causes damage. The driving circuit 52 of the present embodiment is disposed only in the second region 51b, that is, has no overlapping portion with the predetermined bendable region 53, and therefore, when the flexible display device 50 is bent or folded along the predetermined bendable region 53, The drive circuit 52 of the present embodiment does not bend or fold, thereby reducing or even completely eliminating the chance of damage to the drive circuit 52.

In other embodiments, the drive circuit 52 can also be designed to bypass the predetermined curved region 53 to ensure that the drive circuit 52 does not bend or fold when the flexible display device 50 is bent or folded along the predetermined bendable region 53. To avoid damage.

Example 6

FIG. 6A is a front elevational view of a flexible display device 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6B is a plan view showing the structure shown in Fig. 6A.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the flexible display device 60 includes a substrate 61, a flexible display screen 62, and a joint 63. The joint 63 is disposed at a predetermined bendable region of the substrate 61, and the substrate 61 is divided into two sub-substrates 61x and 61y. Wherein, the joint 63 can be a hinge, a pivot, a ratchet or other mechanical joint suitable for the present embodiment. The joint 63 can be fixed at a predetermined angle (e.g., the angle a shown in Fig. 6B) to meet the viewing needs of the user.

Fig. 6C is a schematic view showing the movement of the joint 63 in the structure shown in Fig. 6B.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the position of the joint 63 of the flexible display device 60 can be adjusted. Specifically, the joint 63 can be moved from a position equal to the first end 60a and the second end 60b of the flexible display device 60 toward the first end 60a such that the distance between the joint 63 and the first end 60a is smaller than the joint 63 and The distance between the second ends 60b, thereby causing the flexible display device 60 to fold along the joint 63, transitions from the symmetric fold shown in Figure 6B to the asymmetric fold shown in Figure 6C. The joint 63 can be moved from a position equal to the first end 60a and the second end 60b of the flexible display device 60 toward the second end 60b such that the distance between the joint 63 and the first end 60a is greater than the joint 63 and the second end The distance between 60b, such that the flexible display device 60 is folded in an asymmetrical state when folded along the joint 63.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ends 62a and 62b of the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the flexible display device 60 may be disposed on one side of the flexible display device 60 and surround the joint 63. Specifically, the two ends 62a and 62b of the flexible display screen 62 are hidden in the flexible display device 60 by inserting the two ends 62a and 62b of the flexible display screen 62 into the joint 63 through at least one frame 64. internal. Since the portion of the flexible display screen 62 that is inserted into the joint 63 may produce a larger angle of folding, the portion of the flexible display screen 62 that is inserted into the joint 63 is more flexible than the other portions of the flexible display screen 62.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the bezel 64 of the flexible display screen 62 can be inserted and hidden in the joint 63 at the inner side 60c of the flexible display device 60. In other embodiments, the bezel 64 of the flexible display screen 62 can also be inserted and hidden in the joint 63 on the outside 60d of the flexible display device 60.

In the present embodiment, the joint 63 is a hinge, and the 360° visible flexible display screen 62 is connected and mounted to the hinge 63 on the inner side 60c of the flexible display device 60 by line contact. The flexible display screen 61 is connected and mounted to the hinge 63 on the outer side 60d of the flexible display device 60 by line contact.

However, because the flexible display device 60 has a certain thickness, the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the inner side 60c of the flexible display device 60 and the flexible display screen surrounding the outer side 60d of the flexible display device 60 The ratio of 62 will vary correspondingly as the flexible display device 60 is bent or folded. For example, when the flexible display device 60 is bent or folded toward the inner side 60c along the joint 63, as the degree of bending or folding of the flexible display device 60 is deepened, the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the inner side 60c and the outer peripheral 60d are surrounded. The ratio of the flexible display screen 62 is gradually increased, and vice versa. The ratio can be optimized according to the ratio of the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the inner side 60c and the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the outer side 60d. The flexible display device 60 further includes a detector (not shown), the ratio of the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the inner side 60c and the flexible display screen 62 surrounding the outer side 60d can be determined by the flexible display device detector For example, a detector disposed on the flexible display screen 62 and/or the joint 63 is determined. In other embodiments, the detector can also be used to obtain information about the angle or position of the joint 63, or other detectable environmental parameters that can determine the arrangement of the flexible display screen 62.

Example 7

FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of a flexible display device 70 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7B is a schematic view showing the structure shown in Fig. 7A folded in half.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the flexible display device 70 is wearable glasses and a wearable glasses package. The frame 71, the flexible display screen 72 and the flexible material 73 are included. The flexible display screen 72 is disposed inside the frame 71. The wearable glasses 70 may display the notification content on the display screen in an augmented reality form, a mixed reality form, or a virtual reality form. Among them, the flexible material 73 includes ruthenium.

The wearable eyewear can be folded over by the flexible material 73 when not in use to reduce the length of the frame 71. The flexible material 73 and the frame 71 may be integrally formed or may be separable. When the wearable eyeglasses are folded, the frame 71 separates and exposes the flexible material 73 in the middle.

In other embodiments, the wearable eyewear may also include more elements than those shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

As shown in Figure 7C, the frame 71 can also include other ways of folding. Specifically, the frame 71 includes three layers of sub-frames, which are a first sub-frame 71a, a second sub-frame 71b, and a third sub-frame 71c, respectively. The first sub-frame 71a, the second sub-frame 71b, and the third sub-frame 71c are sequentially sleeved and movable along the thickness direction D of the frame 71. After the first sub-frame 71a, the second sub-frame 71b, and the third sub-frame 71c are moved in the thickness direction D, the second sub-frame 71b and the third sub-frame 71c that originally protrude from the first sub-frame 71a in the thickness direction may be sequentially The folding is folded into the first sub-frame 71a, thereby reducing the thickness of the frame 71.

Example 8

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a flexible display device 80 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible display device 80 includes a flexible display screen 81. The flexible display screen 81 includes a flat layer, an encapsulation layer 89, and a back cover (not shown). When the flexible display screen 81 is double folded as shown in FIG. 8, the bending radius R1 of the predefined bendable region 83 of the flexible display screen 81 at the single fold 82 is smaller than the flexible display screen 81 in the double folding The bend radius R2 of the predefined bendable region 83 at 84. The minimum thickness of the flexible display screen 81 is less than the bending radius R2. In other embodiments, the thickness of the flat layer is substantially the same as the total thickness of the encapsulation layer and the back cover, For example, the thickness of the flat layer is about 100 nm.

Example 9

The flexible display device of Embodiments 1-8 may further include an attachment device that may be disposed on the flexible display device, such as the outer side 60d of the flexible display device 60 described in Embodiment 6, the embodiment 7 is the frame 71 of the flexible display device 70, the back cover of the flexible display device 80 described in the eighth embodiment, and the like. The flexible display device can be attached to a flat or curved plane by the attachment device. The attachment means may comprise a magnetic material, a viscous material or a mechanism that creates a vacuum environment between the flexible display device and the flat or curved surface. The attachment device can further include a buffer layer such that the flexible display device can be attached to the flat or curved surface in a tight manner.

Example 10

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a flexible electronic device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible electronic device 100 can be an electronic device such as a display, a sensor, a solar cell device, a touch device, and a communication device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the flexible electronic device 100 is in an extended state (ie, an unfolded state). The flexible electronic device 100 can include a first adjustable portion 101, a second adjustable portion 102, a display panel 103, and a folded structure 104.

The first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 are flexible substrates, and the display panel 103 is a flexible display panel. As shown, the display panel 103 is located on the second adjustable portion 102. In other embodiments of the present invention, the display panel 103 may also be located on the first adjustable portion 101 or both on the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102. In addition, the display panel 103 can also be embedded inside the first adjustable portion 101 or/and the second adjustable portion 102 to integrate the display panel 103 with the first adjustable portion 101 or/and the second adjustable portion 102. In a further embodiment of the present creation, the adjustable portions 101 and 102 and the display panel 103 may be made of a first flexible material having an elongation of 5% or more. The first flexible material can be made of a single material, a composite material, or a multilayer structure. In an embodiment in accordance with the present creation, the first flexible material may be a material having an elongation of 30% or more.

The folding structure 104 is fixedly disposed on the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102. The first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 are folded by the external force, such as the pushing of the user's hand. Structure 104 is a reference fold. Specifically, the first adjustable portion 101 and one of the adjustable portions of the second adjustable portion 102 (for example, the first adjustable portion 101) are fixed, and an external force is applied to the second adjustable portion 102, and the folded structure 104 is deformed. The second adjustable portion 102 can be folded in accordance with the deformation of the folded structure 104 with the folded structure 104 as an axis, and can be folded from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 9 to be attached to the first adjustable portion 101, and can also be combined with the first The state in which the adjustable portion 101 is attached is opened to the unfolded state shown in FIG. By the above folding, the display viewing angle of the display panel 103 on the second adjustable portion 102 can be freely adjusted without an additional external angle adjusting device.

In other embodiments according to the present invention, the flexible electronic device 100 may further include a conductive line, an electronic component, a liquid crystal cell, a display component, a light emitting component, a sensing component, a touch component, and/or a driving component, etc. The components may be disposed in whole or in part on the flexible electronic device 100.

Although the number of folded structures 104 is shown as only one in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, it should be understood that the number of folded structures 104 shown in FIG. 9 is merely exemplary. In other embodiments of the present creation, the folded structure 104 can be set to two, three or other numbers depending on the folding needs.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the folded structure 104 may be selected from a mechanically folded structure having a folding function such as a rod-shaped folded structure, a pivotal folded structure, a ratchet, or the like.

In a further embodiment of the present creation, the folded structure 104 can be made of a second flexible material The flexible folded structure, the second flexible material may comprise at least one of the following materials: anthrone, polyimine, PET, PP, PEN, PC, PES, COC, and composites thereof. In one embodiment, the flexible folded structure is composed of a composite material of polyimine and anthrone, for example, mixing 10-40% of polyimine with a predetermined ratio of 60%-90% of anthrone, The polyimine and the fluorenone may be formed in a laminated structure, or a film of a plurality of layers of polyimine and anthrone may be formed into a flexible folded structure in a sandwich laminate structure. In addition, the second flexible material forming the flexible folded structure may have a ductility of 30% or more, and the high-expansion flexible folding structure can prevent the flexible electronic device 100 from being broken when folded. Thereby effectively preventing the failure of components and lines caused by the rupture. The second flexible material may also have high temperature resistance properties, such as high temperature resistance up to 100 ° C, making it suitable for use in harsh working environments.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the folding structure 104 is fixed on the surface of the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102, and protrudes from the surface, of course, in the present embodiment, the folded structure 104 The location is only exemplary. In another embodiment according to the present invention, the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 may have a recess, and the folded structure 104 is formed in the recess, and the first adjustable portion 101 and the first The upper surface of the second adjustable portion 102 is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the folded structure 104. In still another embodiment according to the present creation, the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 may have a groove in which the folded structure 104 is formed, and the upper surface of the folded structure 104 is substantially It is lower than the upper surfaces of the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102. In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the folding structure 104 can be fixed on the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 by conventional bonding or mechanical fixing. When the flexible electronic device 100 is folded under the action of the external force, the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 are folded according to the folding structure 104, and the folding manner may be left-right folding, front-back folding or wrapping. Folding and many other ways.

FIG. 10A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flexible electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10A, the flexible electronic device 100 includes three adjustable portions (a first adjustable portion 101, a second adjustable portion 102, and a third adjustable portion 105) and is fixed to any of the above three adjustable portions. A display panel on one or more of them (not shown in FIG. 10A). The three adjustable portions may be a whole, such as a flexible substrate, and the display panel may be a flexible display panel formed of an organic light emitting secondary board or the like. The flexible electronic device further includes two folding mechanisms, a first folded structure 104a and a second folded structure 104b. For example, 104a may be a rod-shaped folded structure, and the second folded structure 104b may be a pivotal folded structure. The first folding structure 104a adjusts the second adjustable portion 102 and the third adjustable portion 105, and the second folding structure 104b adjusts the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102. For example, the first adjustable portion 101 is fixed, and an external force is applied to the second adjustable portion 102 to fold the second adjustable portion 102 with the second folded structure 104b as an axis. Specifically, the second adjustable portion 102 can be The position where the first adjustable portion 101 is at the same horizontal line is folded to a position where it is fitted to the first adjustable portion 101. Further, the second adjustable portion 102 is fixed, and an external force is applied to the third adjustable portion 105 to fold the third adjustable portion 105 with the first folded structure 104a as an axis. Specifically, the third adjustable portion 105 can be It is folded from a position at the same horizontal line as the second adjustable portion 102 to a position where it is fitted to the second adjustable portion 102.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the first adjustable portion 101 and the second folded structure 104b can form a base portion of the flexible electronic device 100, and the base portion functions to support the entire flexible electronic device 100, making the flexible The electronic device 100 remains stable on a particular placement surface (eg, the upper surface of the table). The second adjustable portion 102, the first folded structure 104a, and the third adjustable portion 105 form an upright portion of the flexible electronic device 100. The display panel may be disposed on the second adjustable portion 102 or/and the third adjustable portion 105 to further adjust the first folding structure 104a to achieve adjustment of the display viewing angle.

In a further embodiment of the present creation, by adjusting the first folded structure 104a and the second adjustment structure 104b, the flexible electronic device 100 can be folded into other shapes not limited to FIG. 10A. For example, the second adjustment structure 104b can be adjusted to make the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102, that is, the angle between the first adjustable portion 101 and the second adjustable portion 102 is 0 degree, and further adjusted. The first adjustment structure 104a controls the display viewing angle of the display panel located on the third adjustable portion 105.

FIG. 10B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the difference is that the two folded structures in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B are both flexible folded structures 104c. The flexible folded structure 104c has a threshold force that is related to the physical properties of the second flexible material constituting the flexible folded structure 104c, and the gravity of the flexible electronic device 100 is much smaller than the threshold Force, thereby ensuring the stability of the flexible electronic device 100 during folding. When the external force transmitted to the flexible folding structure 104c is greater than the threshold force, the flexible folding structure 104c is deformed by the external force, and then the two adjacent adjustable portions connected thereto are folded, and finally the flexible The electronic device 100 is adjusted to the desired shape to achieve the purpose of adjusting the viewing angle of view, and the viewing angle can be maintained until a force greater than the threshold force is applied again.

Although the folded structure illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B is a combination of the rod-shaped folded structure 104a and the pivotal folded structure 104b, respectively, and a combination of the two flexible folded structures 104c, it should be understood as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The combination of folded structures is merely exemplary. In one embodiment, the folded structure is a combination of a rod-like folded structure 104a and a flexible folded structure 104c. In an embodiment, the folded structure is a combination of a pivotal folded structure 104b and a flexible folded structure 104c.

Example 11

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a flexible electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible electronic device 110 can be a display, a sensor, a solar battery device, and a touch device. Electronic devices such as communication devices.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, the flexible electronic device 110 is in an extended state (ie, an unfolded state). The flexible electronic device 110 includes a flexible substrate 111 composed of two adjustable portions, a display panel (not shown) on the flexible substrate 111, a folded structure 112, and a telescopic structure 113.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the number of the folding structures 112 is two, respectively disposed on both sides of the flexible substrate 111, and can slide along both sides of the flexible substrate 111, and the folded structure 112 can be self-locking or can be further A locking component (eg, a snap fastener, etc.) is included that can further maintain the deformation of the folded structure 112 to maintain the viewing angle of the flexible electronic device 110. However, it should be understood that the number and position of the folded structures 112 shown in Figure 11A are merely exemplary. In some embodiments, the folded structure 112 can be disposed only on one side of the flexible substrate 111 as needed for folding. In some embodiments, the folded structure 112 can be set to one, three, or other quantities depending on the folding needs. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11A, the folded structure 112 is a rod-like folded configuration in which the rods can be selected from cylindrical, polygonal columns, and other shaped columns.

Further, the two telescopic structures 113 are respectively fixed on both sides of the flexible substrate 111 by conventional bonding or mechanical fixing. The telescopic structure 113 is a hollow slide rail, and the vertical cross-sectional area of the folded structure 112 is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of the hollow portion of the telescopic structure 113, wherein the indicated vertical direction coincides with the object gravity direction. Therefore, the folded structure 112 can slide within the hollow portion of the telescopic structure 113. Additionally, the telescoping structure 113 has an opening that can expose a portion of the folded structure 112. The flexible electronic device 110 can be folded over the length of the opening.

11B and 11C are schematic exploded perspective views of the flexible electronic device of FIG. 11A. The telescopic structure 113 has a hollow structure, and the folded structure 112 can slide in the direction of the arrow in the figure Moving, a portion of the folded structure 112 is slid into the interior of the telescoping structure 113, and correspondingly, another portion connected thereto is slid out from the interior of the telescopic structure 113.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 11B, a portion of the flexible substrate 111 is placed and fixed on a horizontal surface, and the folded structure 112 is slid in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11B, and a part of the folded structure 112 is slid into the interior of the telescopic structure 113, located at The folding line of the two opposite folded structures 112 on the flexible substrate 111 is also moved, and an external force can be applied to the other portion of the flexible substrate 111 so as to be folded about the folding line of the folded structure 112. According to the need of the display viewing angle of the display panel on the flexible substrate 111, the folded structure 112 can also slide on both sides of the flexible substrate 111 along the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11C, the sliding direction and the sliding direction shown in FIG. 11B. in contrast.

Through the arrangement of the folding structure 112 and the telescopic structure 113, the folding axis of the flexible electronic device 110 is not fixed, and can be adjusted according to the needs of the display viewing angle. Compared with the folding axis fixed in the prior art, the flexible drawing of the present invention The electronic device 110 is more flexible.

Example 12

Embodiments of this section are primarily described in terms of stacked folds.

Figure 12A is a perspective view of a foldable device 120 in accordance with an inventive embodiment in which the flexible display 122 is in a fully collapsed state. 12B is a perspective view of a foldable device 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the flexible display 122 is in a fully deployed state, and the flexible display 122 of the foldable device 120 can have the full appearance shown in FIG. 12A. Folded state. 12C-12D are schematic perspective views of the foldable device 120 in a partially deployed state in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, the foldable device 120 can be a wearable device such as a mobile phone, a smart watch, or a wristband. The foldable device 120 includes a flexible display 122, an attachment 124, and a body 121, wherein the body 121 can be the wrist shown in this embodiment Belt or strap. The flexible display 122 can further include a plurality of foldable sub-displays 126 and engaging members 128 at opposite ends of the folded sub-display 126, such as the lug structures of the present embodiment. Correspondingly, the attachment member 124 can be a lug interface disposed at both ends of the body 121. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the attachments 124 can have a variety of different configurations and attachments, and are not described herein. The lug structure or other engagement member 128 of the flexible display 122 can be positioned on the attachment 124, such as in the lug interface, to be attachable to the body 121. In some embodiments, the flexible display 122 can be folded to hide behind the body 121, such as behind or inside the jewelry without damaging its overall aesthetics.

One of the sub-displays 126 is a relatively fixed base screen 126a on which the engagement member 128 is disposed to be secured to the attachment member 124. The other sub-displays 126 serve as expansion screens for performing expansion or folding operations in different directions based on the base screen 126a. In the above embodiment, the outermost sub-display screen 126 can be used as the main screen 126b for displaying necessary or desired information, such as time and the like, when the flexible display 122 is in the fully folded state, which may be the base screen 126a. . For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the flexible display 122 has three sub-displays 126. When the state is fully folded, the remaining three sub-displays 126 are hidden behind the main screen 126b. For another example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12C, the base screen 126a and the main screen 126b are the same sub-display screen; and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12D, the base screen 126a and the main screen 126b are different screens. . In some embodiments, the main screen 126b can be separate from the other sub-displays 126.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12A-12D, the sub-displays 126 of the flexible display 122 can each be laterally expanded or stacked in a fold-like manner with respect to the base screen 126a. For example, in FIGS. 12C and 12D, the sub-display screen 126 is expanded to the right with respect to the base screen 126a; and in FIG. 12B, the sub-display screen 126 is developed with the base screen 126a as the alignment to the left and right sides. The sub-display 126 can be deployed in different ways. Manually, it can also be controlled to automatically flip or slide by button (real or virtual). In contrast, when folded, these sub-displays 126 can be folded based on the base screen 126a. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12C, the sub-display 126 on the right side can be folded below the main screen 126b (also referred to as the base screen 126a in this embodiment), and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12B and 12D, the unfolded The sub-display screens 126 may be located above or below the base screen 126a, respectively, as long as the main screen 126b is on the uppermost side. In other embodiments, the folding mode can be more random without regard to whether the main screen 126b is at the outermost side, and the information can be viewed by freely expanding as needed.

Moreover, the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 is not limited to displaying a single content. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the sub-displays 126 other than the main screen 126b are further grouped for display separately. Different contents (the dotted line portion indicates that the adjacent sub-display screen 126 displays the same picture, the same below).

Moreover, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 can also be unfolded or folded in a longitudinal direction, which can be manually flipped and/or slid, or by a button (real or Virtual) controls its automatic flip and/or slide. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the unfolding and folding directions of the sub-displays 126 of the flexible display 122 may be arbitrary, such as being simultaneously unfolded or folded laterally and longitudinally in a plane, even in some embodiments. It is a three-dimensional expansion or folding to make more efficient use of space or to adapt to the particularity of the design.

12E and FIG. 12F are respectively perspective structural views of the foldable device 120 according to the present creative embodiment, wherein the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 is slid upwardly deployed in FIG. 12E, and may be downward in other embodiments. Slide-expanding, in FIG. 12F, the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 can slide up and down simultaneously. Of course, in other embodiments, the sub-display 126 can also be flipped up or down. 12G is a perspective view of a foldable device 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 can be phased. Flip or slide in the combination direction of the left and the up. The opposite action can be performed when folding, and will not be described here. In other embodiments, the sub-display 126 of the flexible display 122 can also be unfolded or folded in the other lateral and longitudinal combination directions based on the base screen 126a.

Each sub-display screen 126 can be used to display the same sub-picture, such as FIG. 12G, and different screens can be separately displayed as needed. The foldable device 120 can also include a display controller (real or virtual) to toggle the display state of the flexible display 122 between the whole or the partition to adjust the size or number of sheets of the display as needed.

Moreover, in some embodiments in accordance with the present teachings, the plurality of sub-displays 126 of the flexible display 122 can also be received in a folded manner in the foldable device 120, which can be a portable electronic device or a wearable device. For example, the flexible display 122 can be flexibly stored in the foldable device 120, which can enable expansion of the expandable display by flattening the sub-display 126. As another example, the flexible display 122 can be stored in the foldable device 120 in a manner that is transferred in, which enables expansion of the expandable display by transferring the sub-display 126. The reference of the degree of spread of the flexible display 122 may correspond to a folding angle, a bending angle, an extended length, or the like according to a method of storing the sub-display screen 126 in the foldable device 120.

Example 13

Based on the foregoing embodiments, the present invention has more embodiments for foldable devices and flexible displays. For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible display can also be expanded around the body of the foldable device to avoid taking up more space due to display expansion. Embodiments of this section are primarily described in terms of a roller blind fold structure of a flexible display.

13A-13C are schematic perspective views of the foldable device 130 in different deployed states according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A shows the normal use state of the foldable device 130, and 13B, 13C are shown. This is the adjusted state of use of the foldable device 130.

Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A-13C, the foldable device 130 can be a wearable device such as a mobile phone, a smart watch or a wristband. The foldable device 130 includes a flexible display 132, an attachment 134, and a body 131, wherein the body 131 may be a watch or a wristband or the like as shown in this embodiment. The flexible display 132 may further include a display screen 136, which may be a plurality of foldable sub-display screens or a single flexible display screen, and portions of the single flexible display screen may also be similar to several The display is similarly folded, such as stacked, roller blind or pleated. The sub-displays can be rendered seamlessly by seamless hinge or display panel design, such as the design of an organic LED display panel. The attachment member 134 can be a snap mechanism located on either side of the display screen 136, or can be a slide rail structure that surrounds the edge of the display screen 136 as shown in this embodiment, which can be unfolded or contracted with the display screen 136. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the rail structure can be disposed on the body 131. In some embodiments, the attachment member 134 may also be another attachment structure such as a lug interface, which will not be described herein. The sub-display 136 can be pulled back and forth in a manner similar to a roller blind, such as partially or fully unfolding to cover the body or shrink, such as partially contracting to expose the body or fully contracting into one end or a receiving slot. In this embodiment, the sub-display screen 136 can extend to the inner and outer sides of the body 131; and in some embodiments, the sub-display screen 136 can extend outside the body 131; more preferably, in some embodiments, the flexible The display 132 can be hidden from the back of the body 131, such as behind the jewelry without damaging its overall aesthetics; it can be flipped out when in use. The circuit arrangement and the like required for the flexible display 132 can also be hidden from the back surface of the sub-display screen 136, that is, the appearance can be further reduced by the size of the foldable device 130.

As shown in Fig. 13A, in normal use, the functional area 131a of the body 131, such as a dial, may be exposed. The display screen 136 of the flexible display 132 extends only in the non-functional area 131b, such as a watch band. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the user can completely follow his own perspective. Or other viewing needs to adjust the unfolded area of the sub-display 136 at will, unfolding the sub-display 136 in the desired area, such as the functional area 131a, and even making the sub-display 136 completely cover the body 131.

13D-13E are schematic perspective views of different perspectives of the foldable device 130 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 13D and 13E, the non-functional area of the foldable device 130, such as the strap, can be replaced directly by the flexible display 132. Specifically, the foldable device 130 includes a functional area 131a, a flexible display 132, and an attachment 134. The display screen 136 of the flexible display 132 can be a number of sub-display screens or a single curved display screen. The functional area 131a may be a dial, an operation area, or a main ornament or the like. The attachment member 134 further includes a lug structure 135 on the functional area 131a and a lug interface 137 on the flexible display 132. The lug structure 135 is received in the lug interface 137 to make the functional area 131a flexible. The display 132 is attached together. The sub-displays can also be snapped together (as shown in Figure 13E) and can be unfolded when needed. For example, the connection between the two sub-display screens can be removed to have a free end, and then the free end can be folded and contracted in one direction. The contracted display screen 132 may be completely concealed in a receiving groove (not shown) that is folded in a ring shape or both ends are respectively received in the body 131.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in other embodiments, the attachment 134 can have a variety of different configurations and attachments. For example, the lug structure 135 can be located on the flexible display 132 and the lug interface 137 can be located in the functional area 131a. Alternatively, the attachment member 134 can include a snap mechanism having a first snap portion and a second snap portion, the first snap portion being coupleable to the second snap portion. In some embodiments, each of the first snap portion and the second snap portion can include one or more magnets. The magnets of the first and second snap portions can be configured to have a polarity to attract each other to attach the first and second snap portions together. When the first snap portion is coupled to the second snap portion, the front and/or rear side surfaces of the strap form a substantially continuous display without a convex surrounding the snap mechanism Part. In some embodiments, the snap mechanism can also be a tenon structure. Other common attachments 134 are not repeated here.

Example 14

Based on the foregoing embodiments, the present invention has further embodiments for foldable devices and flexible displays. For example, the flexible display according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a pleated flexible layered structure, which may be used alone, attached to a desired electronic device at any time, or integrated into a portable device, such as Wearable devices such as bracelets and watches can also be used in mobile phones, tablets, and the like. The pleated telescopic laminate structure of the flexible display can include a number of crests and trough folds. The flexible display is equally applicable to mobile phones, tablet computing devices, or other wearable devices (eg, glasses, jewelry, etc.). The flexible display can be folded along several peak and trough fold lines. Thus, when the foldable device is idle or the flexible display is idle, its size can be reduced.

14A is a perspective view of the flexible display 142 in a fully retracted manner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the flexible display 142 shown in FIG. 14A when fully deployed, and FIG. 14C is A perspective view of the flexible display 142 shown in FIG. 14A in an intermediate state.

As shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the flexible display 142 has a one-hundred loop shape when contracted, and can be worn on the wrist like a bracelet. The flexible display 142 includes a plurality of sub-displays 146, each of which has opposing foldable edges 146a, 146b, and a foldable edge 146a is located at the peak of the fold when folded (FIG. 14A) The contracted outer edge of the ring, which may be referred to as the crest hem 146a, and the opposite other hem 146b are located in the trough of the fold, referred to as the baffle hem 146b (in the circle after the contraction in Figure 14A) edge). The size of the sub-display 146, that is, the folding width may be uniform or large, or may be non-uniform. a sub-display 146 The design of the seamless hinge or display panel, such as the design of the organic LED display panel, can be rendered without interruption between the peak flange 146a and the valley fold 146b of the adjacent other sub-display screen 146. In some embodiments, the crest hem 146a can be less than 2 mm from the adjacent trough hem 146b. In an embodiment, the connection portion between the sub-displays 146 of the flexible display 142 may be covered by an opaque masking material such as a black ink layer (eg, a polymer filled with carbon black) or an opaque metal layer. The internal components are hidden to further enhance the aesthetics, and this decoration is also applicable to the flexible display of other embodiments of the present creation. In addition, the circuit arrangement and the like required for the flexible display 142 can also be hidden from the back surface of the sub-display screen 146, that is, the appearance can further reduce the planar size of the flexible display 142.

The control circuitry (not shown) of the flexible display 142 can control the flexible display 142 to automatically set to the idle mode when fully retracted, such that the sub-display 146 is in a screen saver mode, such as a black screen or display screen saver pattern. The sub-display screen 146 located at the outermost side of the sub-display 146 is also used as a main screen for intermittently or continuously displaying some performance parameters of the flexible display, such as battery power, or information of interest to the user, such as time, etc., in the idle mode. . In some embodiments, the outermost sub-display 146 can also be used to display some burst messages, such as when used in a cell phone, to display received text message reminders, and the like.

When the screen needs to be viewed, the flexible display 142 can be manually unfolded in a folding direction, or the control button (not shown) can be used to automatically expand the flexible display 142 in a folding direction, which can be a physical key or a virtual key. The expanded state depends on the user's reading needs, such as partially expanding the sub-display 146 when only a small amount of information is required to be roughly viewed, and fully expanding the sub-display 146 when the user wants to read or enjoy the video carefully. The partial expansion sub-display 146 may be uniformly expanded or non-uniformly expanded, such as changing the folding distance between adjacent sub-displays 146, so that the distance between the crests 146a of the sub-display 146 is increased (as shown in FIG. 14E). Show); also Some of the sub-displays 146 are changed from the folded state to the fully flat state, while the other sub-displays 146 remain in the folded state (as shown in FIG. 14E).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the flexible display 142 can be directly worn on the wrist through the wristband-like attachment member 144, and the attachment member 144 can be provided with a slide rail 144a for the child. The display 146 is unfolded or folded back and forth. In some embodiments, the flexible display 142 can be secured in a variety of manners, such as only one side or self-fixing rather than a special attachment 144.

14D and 14E are schematic perspective views of a flexible display 142 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 14D, the foldable device 140 provides a one-handed loop attachment 144. One end of the flexible display 142 can be fixed to one end of the attachment member 144 by a snap or the like, and the opposite end is provided. Then you can freely expand and contract. Due to the positioning of the attachment 144, the flexible display 142 can be positioned relative to the wrist without escaping. In addition, in the present embodiment, the sub-display screen 146 of the flexible display 142 can be expanded into a flat shape (as shown by a broken line in FIG. 14D) instead of a ring shape.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14E, the flexible display 142 can be designed to be closed at both sides, and is relatively fixed to the wrist by the closing structure 144a without coming out. Of course, in another embodiment, the side may be closed, and the positioning function may also be used. In this embodiment, the size of the sub-display 146, i.e., the fold width, may be non-uniform, and the sub-display 146 at the cuff structure 144a may be designed to be unfoldable for improved comfort. In addition, the sub-display screen 146 at the cuff structure 144a is also used as a main screen for intermittently or uninterruptedly displaying some performance parameters of the flexible display 142 in an idle mode, such as battery power, or information of interest to the user, such as time. The technical content and technical features of the present invention have been disclosed as above, but those skilled in the art may still make various substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention based on the teachings and disclosures of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited to the contents disclosed in the embodiments, but should include various alternatives and modifications that do not depart from the present invention and are covered by the present application.

Claims (26)

A flexible display, comprising: a display screen configured as a plurality of foldable sub-display screens or a single flexible display screen configured to be stacked, rolled or pleated Expanding or folding; the display screen further comprising: a flexible luminescent layer configured to provide a display area corresponding to the sub-display screen, portions of the flexible luminescent layer having adjacent but not overlapping or overlapping An edge; a transparent protective layer configured to encapsulate the flexible light-emitting layer; and peripheral circuitry configured to provide a circuit configuration required for operation of the flexible display. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the display screen is configured to be unfolded or folded in a stack, the plurality of sub-displays being configured to be lateral, longitudinal or transverse and longitudinal with respect to a reference. The combination expands or collapses. The flexible display of claim 2, wherein the plurality of sub-displays comprise a base screen, and the base screen serves as the reference. The flexible display of claim 2, wherein the plurality of sub-displays comprise a main screen, the main screen configured to display system information of the flexible display or information required by the user. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the edge of the display screen is further provided with a slide rail. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-displays are detachable. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the display screen is configured to be pleat-folded or folded, each of the plurality of sub-display screens having a crest hem and a trough hem. The flexible display of claim 7, wherein the distance between the peak cuff and the adjacent trough is less than 2 mm. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the flexible display further comprises a real or virtual button configured to control the display screen to automatically expand or collapse. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-displays are configured to display the same picture or different pictures. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-display screens are unfolded or folded in a manner of flipping or sliding. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the flexible display further comprises an extended indicator capable of indicating a fully expandable area or expanded/expandable ratio information of the display. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-display screens are connected by a seamless hinge. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-display screens have a uniform or non-uniform size. The flexible display according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is unfolded into an annular cylinder or a flat plate shape. The flexible display of claim 1, wherein the flexible light emitting layer comprises an organic light emitting diode. A foldable device comprising the flexible display of any of claims 1-16. The foldable device of claim 17, further comprising: a body having a functional zone and a non-functional zone; and an attachment configured to attach the flexible display to the body. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the flexible display is part or all of a non-functional area of the body. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the attachment comprises a lug and lug interface, the lug and lug interface being located on the body and the flexible display, respectively. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the attachment member comprises a first snap portion and a second snap portion respectively located on the body and the flexible display, the second The buckle portion is configured to engage with the first buckle portion. The foldable device of claim 21, wherein the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are magnets or have a tenon structure. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the body further comprises a slide rail for the plurality of sub-display screens to be unfolded or folded. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the body further comprises a receiving slot for receiving the display screen in a folded state. The foldable device of claim 18, wherein the display screen partially or completely covers the body. The foldable device of claim 17, wherein the foldable device is a cell phone, a watch, a wristband, a tablet, glasses, or jewelry.