Display device

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0182118, filed on Dec. 22, 2022, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure herein relates to a display device.

In general, an electronic apparatus, which provides users with images, such as a smart phone, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a navigation system, and a smart television, includes a display device for displaying images. The display device generates images and provides the images to users through a display screen.

With the technological development of the display device, various shapes of the display device are being developed. For example, a flexible display device, etc., which is slid or wound to be expandable toward the outside of a case is being developed. The flexible display device, which may be deformed into various shapes, is easy to carry and may improve a user's convenience.

The display device includes a display module. Under the display module, a plurality of supporting plates are disposed. There is a need for development of a structure in which the support plates are not separated from each other when a display device contracts or expands.

The present disclosure provides a display device in which when the display device contracts or expands, support plates disposed under a display module are strongly bonded together and the support plates are not separated from each other.

An embodiment of the invention provides a display device including: a display module; a first support plate disposed under the display module, and including a first flat part and a ductile part, where the ductile part extends from the first flat part in a first direction and has a plurality of openings defined therein: a second support plate including a second flat part disposed under the first flat part and a plurality of support bars disposed under the ductile part and arranged in the first direction; and resin layers disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate.

In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of grooves may be defined in a lower surface of the ductile part or upper surfaces of the support bars.

In an embodiment of the invention, a display device includes: a display module: a first support plate disposed under the display module: a second support plate disposed under the first support plate, and including a flat part and a plurality of support bars arranged from the flat part in the first direction; and a resin layer disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate. A plurality of grooves are defined in upper surfaces of the support bars, and the resin layer fills the grooves.

In an embodiment of the invention, a display device includes: a display module: a first support plate disposed under the display module, and including a first flat part and a ductile part, where the ductile part extends from the first flat part and has a plurality of openings defined therein: and a second support plate including a second flat part disposed under the first flat part and a plurality of support bars disposed under the ductile part and arranged in a first direction. A plurality of grooves are defined in a lower surface of the ductile part and upper surfaces of the support bars.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating that the display device illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a folding state;

FIG. 3 is a view for describing an extension mode of the display device illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 ;

FIGS. 5 A and 5 B are views for describing a contraction mode and an extension mode of a module set illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the module set illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a cross-section of the display module illustrated in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a cross-section of a display panel illustrated in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a display panel illustrated in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an area AA 1 illustrated in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an area AA 2 illustrated in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second support plate illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating that the second support plate illustrated in FIG. 13 is unfolded;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II′ of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one of support bars illustrated in FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 17 is a view for describing a bonding relationship between a first support plate and the second support plate of FIG. 4 ;

FIGS. 18 A to 18 G are views for describing a method for bonding the support bars and a first part according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention:

FIGS. 20 A and 20 B are side views illustrating support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 21 A to 21 C are side views illustrating support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention.

Advantages and features of the invention, and a method for achieving the same will become clear with reference to embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms, the present embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the invention complete, fully informing one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs about the scope of the invention, and the invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals or symbols refer to like elements throughout the specification.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, it refers both being directly on the other element or layer or having intervening elements or layers therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, “a”, “an,” “the,” and “at least one” do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “an element” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” The term “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the mentioned items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or component's relationship to another element(s) or component(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Like reference numerals or symbols refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region or section from another region or section. Thus, a first element, component, region or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The embodiments described herein will be explained with reference to a plan view and a cross-sectional view which are ideal schematic diagrams of the present invention. Therefore, a shape of embodiments may be modified due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to certain forms that are illustrated, and include changes in shapes that occur in a manufacturing process. Therefore, regions that are illustrated in the views have schematic properties, a shape of regions that are illustrated in the views is for illustrating a certain shape of regions of elements, and is not for limiting the scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating that the display device illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a folding state. FIG. 3 is a view for describing an extension mode of the display device illustrated in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 . FIGS. 5 A and 5 B are views for describing a contraction mode and an extension mode of the module set illustrated in FIG. 4 .

For example, FIGS. 5 A and 5 B are side views seen from a second direction DR 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a display device DD may have a rectangular shape having short sides extending in a first direction DR 1 and long sides extending in the second direction DR 2 crossing the first direction DR 1 . However, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and the display device DD may have various shapes such as a circle and a polygon. The display device DD may be a flexible display device.

Hereinafter, a direction crossing the first direction DR 1 is defined as the second direction DR 2 . A direction crossing substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the first and second directions DR 1 , DR 2 is defined as a third direction DR 3 . In this specification, the term “when viewed on a plane” may mean a state of being viewed in the third direction DR 3 .

The display device DD may include a folding region FA and a plurality of non-folding regions NFA 1 , NFA 2 . The non-folding regions NFA 1 , NFA 2 may include a first non-folding region NFA 1 , and a second non-folding region NFA 2 . The folding region FA may be disposed between the first non-folding region NFA 1 and the second non-folding region NFA 2 . The second non-folding region NFA 2 , the folding region FA, and the first non-folding region NFA 1 may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 in this order.

Although one folding region FA and two non-folding regions NFA 1 , NF A 2 are exemplarily illustrated, the numbers of the folding region FA and the non-folding regions NFA 1 , NFA 2 are not limited thereto. For another example, the display device DD may include a plurality of non-folding regions, the number of which is greater than two, and a plurality of folding regions disposed between the plurality of the non-folding regions.

An upper surface of the display device DD may be defined as a display surface DS, and the display surface DS may have a flat surface defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . Through the display surface DS, images IM generated by the display device DD may be provided to users.

The display surface DS may include a display region DA and a non-display region NDA around the display region DA. The display region DA may display an image, and the non-display region NDA may not display an image. The non-display region NDA may surround the display region DA and may define an edge of the display device DD, which is printed with a predetermined color.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display device DD may be folded or unfolded. In an embodiment, for example, the folding region FA may be bent with respect to a folding axis FX parallel to the second direction DR 2 , and the display device DD may be folded. The folding axes FX may be defined as a long axis parallel to the long sides of the display device DD.

When the display device DD is folded, the display device DD may be in-folded such that the first non-folding region NFA 1 and the second non-folding region NFA 2 may face each other and the display surface DS is not exposed to an outside. However, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the display device DD may include a module set MST and a case CS. The case CS may accommodate the module set MST. Opposite sides of the case CS, which are opposed to each other in the first direction DR 1 , may each have a curved shape.

The case CS may include a first case CS 1 and a second case CS 2 . The second case CS 2 may move along the first direction DR 1 so as to be far away from the first case CS 1 or close to the first case CS 1 .

The module set MST may be accommodated in the case CS and may display the images IM. One side of opposite sides of the module set MST, which are opposed to each other in the first direction DR 1 , may be accommodated in the first case CS 1 . The other side of the module set MST may be accommodated in the second case CS 2 . Accordingly, when the second case CS 2 moves away from the first case CS 1 along the first direction DR 1 , more part of the module set MST may be unfolded in the first direction DR 1 . When the second case CS 2 moves in the first direction DR 1 , an area of an exposed surface of the module set MST may be adjusted according to a movement of the second case CS 2 . According to the movement of the second case CS 2 , the contraction mode and extension mode of the display device DD may be implemented.

Referring to FIGS. 4 , 5 A and 5 B , the module set MST may include a display module DM, a first support plate MTP 1 , and a second support plate MTP 2 . The display module DM may be a flexible display module. The display module DM may include a stationary region DFP and an extendable region DEP. When the display device DD is in the contraction mode, a portion of the display module DM, which is exposed flat to the outside, may be defined as the stationary region DFP and a portion of the display module DM, which is not exposed flat to the outside, may be defined as an extendable region DEP.

When the display module DM is in the extension mode, a part of the extendable region DEP may be exposed flat to the outside. The extendable region DEP may extend from the stationary region DFP in the first direction DR 1 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 B , when in the extension mode, the stationary region DFP and extendable region DEP may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 in this order. When the display device DD is in the contraction mode, the extendable region DEP may be disposed under the stationary region DFP, as illustrated in FIG. 5 A .

The display module DM may be supported by the first support plate MTP 1 and the second support plate MTP 2 disposed under the display module DM. The first support plate MTP 1 may be disposed between a display panel DP and the second support plate MTP 2 . The second support plate MTP 2 may be disposed under the first support plate MTP 1 and bonded thereto. A bonding relationship between the first support plate MTP 1 and the second support plate MTP 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17 .

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the module set illustrated in FIG. 4 .

Opposite sides of the display module DM, which are opposed to each other in the first direction DR 1 , may each have a curved shape. Although not illustrated, when the display module DM is unfolded, the display module DM may have a rectangular shape having short sides extending in the first direction DR 1 and long sides extending in the second direction DR 2 .

The first support plate MTP 1 may be disposed under the display module DM. An upper surface of the first support plate MTP 1 may be attached to a lower surface of the display module DM.

The first support plate MTP 1 may include a first stationary part LF 1 and a first extendable part LE 1 . The first stationary part LF 1 may overlap the stationary region DFP of the display module DM. The first extendable part LE 1 may overlap the extendable region DEP. The first extendable part LE 1 may extend from the first stationary part LF 1 .

The first stationary part LF 1 may include a first flat surface PLT 1 , a first folding part PLF 1 , and a second flat surface PLT 2 . The first flat surface PLT 1 , the first folding part PLF 1 , and the second flat surface PLT 2 may be arranged in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 in this order. The first folding part PLF 1 may extend from the first flat surface PLT 1 in a direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 . The second flat surface PLT 2 may extend from the first folding part PLF 1 in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 . The first flat surface PLT 1 , the first folding part PLF 1 , and the second flat surface PLT 2 may be formed integrally. The first folding part PLF 1 may be disposed between the first flat surface PLT 1 and the second flat surface PLT 2 . The first flat surface PLT 1 may overlap the first non-folding region NFA 1 . The first folding part PLF 1 may overlap the folding region FA. The second flat surface PLT 2 may overlap the second non-folding region NFA 2 .

The first flat surface PLT 1 , the first folding part PLF 1 and the second flat surface PLT 2 may be a flat surface defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 in the unfolded state. A plurality of first openings OP 1 may be defined in the first folding part PLF 1 . The first openings OP 1 will be described in detail in FIG. 10 .

The second support plate MTP 2 may include a second stationary part LF 2 and a second extendable part LE 2 .

The second stationary part LF 2 may overlap the first stationary part LF 1 and the stationary region DFP. The second extendable part LE 2 may overlap the first extendable part LE 1 and the extendable region DEP. The second extendable part LE 2 may include a plurality of support bars MSB. The second support plate MTP 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16 .

The second stationary part LF 2 may include a third flat surface PLT 3 , a second folding part PLF 2 , and a fourth flat surface PLT 4 . The third flat surface PLT 3 , the second folding part PLF 2 , and the fourth flat surface PLT 4 may be arranged in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 in this order. The second folding part PLF 2 may extend from the third flat surface PLT 3 in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 . The fourth flat surface PLT 4 may extend from the second folding part PLF 2 in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 . The third flat surface PLT 3 , the second folding part PLF 2 , and the fourth flat surface PLT 4 may be formed integrally. The second folding part PLF 2 may be disposed between the third flat surface PLT 3 and the fourth flat surface PLT 4 . The third flat surface PLT 3 may overlap the first flat surface PLT 1 and the first non-folding region NFA 1 . The second folding part PLF 2 may overlap the first folding part PLF 1 and the folding region FA. The fourth flat surface PLT 4 may overlap the second non-folding region NFA 2 and the second flat surface PLT 2 .

The third flat surface PLT 3 , the second folding part PLF 2 , and the fourth flat surface PLT 4 may be a flat surface defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 in the unfolded state. A plurality of second openings OP 2 may be defined in the second folding part PLF 2 . The second openings OP 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a cross-section of the display module illustrated in FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the display module DM may include a display panel DP, an input sensing part ISP, an anti-reflection layer RPL, a window WIN, a panel protection film PPF, and a first to third adhesive layers AL 1 -AL 3 .

The display panel DP may be a flexible display panel. The display panel DP according to an embodiment of the invention may be a light-emitting display panel, but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel DP may be an organic light-emitting display panel or an inorganic light-emitting display panel. A light-emitting layer of the organic light-emitting display panel may include an organic light-emitting material. A light-emitting layer of the inorganic light-emitting display panel may include quantum dots, quantum rods, etc. Hereinafter, the display panel DP will be described as the organic light-emitting display panel.

The input sensing part ISP may be disposed on the display panel DP. The input sensing part ISP may include a plurality of sensing parts (not shown) for sensing an external input in a capacitive manner. When the display device DD is manufactured, the input sensing part ISP may be directly produced onto the display panel DP. However, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, the input sensing part ISP may be manufactured as a separate panel from the display panel DP and attached to the display panel DP by an adhesive layer in another embodiment.

The anti-reflection layer RPL may be disposed on the input sensing part ISP. The anti-reflection layer RPL may be defined as an external light anti-reflection film. The anti-reflection layer RPL may reduce a reflectance of external light incident from above the display device DD toward the display panel DP.

If the external light proceeding toward the display panel DP is reflected from the display panel DP and provided back to a user outside, the user may view the external light as if the light were reflected from a mirror. To prevent such phenomenon, for example, the anti-reflection layer RPL may include a plurality of color filters that display same colors as pixels of the display panel DP.

The color filters may filter the external light into the same colors as the pixels. In this case, the external light may not be viewed by a user. However, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, the anti-reflection layer RPL may include a phase retarder and/or a polarizer in order to reduce the reflectance of the external light in another embodiment.

The window WIN may be disposed on the anti-reflection layer RPL. The window WIN may protect the display panel DP, the input sensing part ISP, and the anti-reflection layer RPL from an external scratch and impact.

The panel protection film PPF may be disposed under the display panel DP. The panel protection film PPF may protect a lower surface of the display panel DP. The panel protection film PPF may include a flexible plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”).

The first adhesive layer AL 1 may be disposed between the display panel DP and the panel protection film PPF, and the display panel DP and the panel protection film PPF may be bonded together by the first adhesive layer AL 1 . The second adhesive layer AL 2 may be disposed between the anti-reflection layer RPL and the input sensing part ISP, and the anti-reflection layer RPL and the input sensing part ISP may be bonded together by the second adhesive layer AL 2 . The third adhesive layer AL 3 may be disposed between the window WIN and the anti-reflection layer RPL, and the window WIN and the anti-reflection layer RPL may be bonded together by the third adhesive layer AL 3 .

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a cross-section of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 7 .

For example, the cross-section of the display panel DP seen from the second direction DR 2 is illustrated in FIG. 8 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the display panel DP may include a substrate SUB, a circuit element layer DP-CL disposed on the substrate SUB, a display element layer DP-OLED disposed on the circuit element layer DP-CL, and a thin-film encapsulation layer TFE disposed on the display element layer DP-OLED.

The substrate SUB may include a display region DA and a non-display region NDA around the display region DA. The substrate SUB may include a flexible plastic material such as polyimide (“PI”). The display element layer DP-OLED may be disposed on the display region DA.

A plurality of pixels may be disposed in the circuit element layer DP-CL and the display element layer DP-OLED. The pixels each may include transistors disposed in the circuit element layer DP-CL and a light-emitting element disposed in the display element layer DP-OLED and connected to the transistors. A configuration of the pixels will be described in detail below.

The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the circuit element layer DP-CL so as to cover the display element layer DP-OLED. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may protect the pixels from moisture, air, and external dirt.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 8 .

Referring to FIG. 9 , the display panel DP may include a scan driver SDV, a data driver DDV, a light emission driver EDV, and a plurality of pads PD.

A shape of the display panel DP may be a rectangular shape having short sides extending in the first direction DR 1 and long sides extending in the second direction DR 2 , but the shape of the display panel DP is not limited thereto. The display panel DP may include a display region DA and a non-display region NDA surrounding the display region DA.

The display panel DP may include a plurality of pixels PX, a plurality of scan lines SL 1 -SLm, a plurality of data lines DL 1 -DLn, a plurality of light emission lines EL 1 -ELm, a first and second control lines CSL 1 and CSL 2 , a first and second power lines PL 1 and PL 2 , and connection lines CNL. The m and n are natural numbers.

The pixels PX may be disposed in the display region DA. The scan driver SDV and the light emission driver EDV may be disposed in the non-display region NDA adjacent to the long sides of the display panel DP, respectively. The data driver DDV may be disposed in the non-display region NDA adjacent to one of the short sides of the display panel DP. In a plan view, the data driver DDV may be adjacent to a lower end of the display panel DP.

The scan lines SL 1 -SLm may extend in the second direction DR 2 to be connected to the pixels PX and the scan driver SDV. The data lines DL 1 -DLn may extend in the first direction DR 1 to be connected to the pixels PX and the data driver DDV. The light emission lines EL 1 -ELm may extend in the second direction DR 2 to be connected to the pixels PX and the light emission driver EDV.

The power line PL may extend in the first direction DR 1 to be disposed in the non-display region NDA. The power line PL may be disposed between the display region DA and the light emission driver EDV, but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, the power line PL may be disposed between the display region DA and the scan driver SDV in another embodiment.

The connection lines CNL may extend in the second direction DR 2 and be arranged in the first direction DR 1 to be connected to the power line PL and the pixels PX. A driving voltage may be applied to the pixels PX via the power line PL and the connection lines CNL connected to each other.

The first control line CSL 1 may be connected to the scan driver SDV, extending toward the lower end of the display panel DP. The second control line CSL 2 may be connected to the light emission driver EDV, extending toward the lower end of the display panel DP. The data driver DDV may be disposed between the first control line CSL 1 and the second control line CSL 2 .

The data lines DL 1 -DLn may be connected to the corresponding pads PD through the data driver DDV. In an embodiment, for example, the data lines DL 1 -DLn may be connected to the data driver DDV, and the data driver DDV may be connected to the pads PD corresponding to the data lines DL 1 -DLn, respectively.

Although not illustrated, the pads PD may be connected to a printed circuit board, and a timing controller and a voltage generation unit may be disposed on the printed circuit board. The timing controller may be manufactured as an integrated circuit chip and mounted on the printed circuit board. The timing controller and the voltage generation unit may be connected to the pads PD through the printed circuit board.

A scan control signal may be provided to the scan driver SDV via the first control line CSL 1 . A light emission control signal may be provided to the light emission driver EDV via the second control line CSL 2 . A data control signal may be provided to the data driver DDV. The timing controller may receive an image signal from outside and convert a data format of the image signal so as to be compatible with interface specifications of the data driver DDV, which may be provided to the data driver DDV.

The scan driver SDV may generate a plurality of scan signals in response to the scan control signal. The scan signals may be applied to the pixels PX via the scan lines SL 1 -SLm. The scan signals may be sequentially applied to the pixels PX.

In response to the data control signal, the data driver DDV may generate a plurality of data voltage corresponding to the image signal. The data voltage may be applied to the pixels PX via the data lines DL 1 -DLn. The light emission driver EDV may generate a plurality of light emission signals in response to the light emission control signal. The light emission signals may be applied to the pixels PX via the light emission lines EL 1 -ELm.

In response to the scan signals, the pixels PX may be provided with the data voltage. The pixels PX may display an image by emitting light with a luminance corresponding to the data voltage in response to the light emission signals. A light emission time of the pixels PX may be controlled by the light emission signals.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of AA 1 region illustrated in FIG. 6 . FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of AA 2 region illustrated in FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated in FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIGS. 10 , 11 and 12 , a first support plate MTP 1 may include a metal material (e.g., SUS 316 stainless steel) such as stainless metal, but the metal material of the first support plate MTP 1 is not limited thereto. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, the first support plate MTP 1 may include a non-metal material such as plastic in another embodiment.

The first support plate MTP 1 may include a first stationary part LF 1 and a first extendable part LE 1 . The first extendable part LE 1 may extend from the first stationary part LF 1 in the first direction DR 1 . The first stationary part LF 1 and the first extendable part LE 1 may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 in this order. Hereinafter, the first stationary part LF 1 may be defined as a first flat part PLA 1 , and the first extendable part LE 1 may be defined as a ductile part EFP.

The first flat part PLA 1 may have a flat plate shape defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . The first flat part PLA 1 may have a first flat surface PLT 1 , a first folding part PLF 1 , and a second flat surface PLT 2 . The first flat surface PLT 1 , the first folding part PLF 1 , and the second flat surface PLT 2 may be arranged in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 in this order.

The first openings OP 1 may be defined in the first folding part PLF 1 . The first openings OP 1 may be arranged in a predetermined order. The first openings OP 1 may be arranged in a grid pattern, forming the grid pattern in the first folding part PLF 1 .

As a greater number of the first openings OP 1 are defined in the first folding part PLF 1 , an area of the first folding part PLF 1 may be reduced and a rigidity of the first folding part PLF 1 may decrease. Therefore, when the first openings OP 1 are defined in the first folding part PLF 1 , a ductility of the first folding part PLF 1 may become greater than when the first openings OP 1 are not defined therein. As a result, the first folding part PLF 1 may be more readily folded.

The first folding part PLF 1 may include first regions BRP 1 and second regions BRP 2 . The first regions BRP 1 may be disposed between the first openings OP 1 adjacent to each other in the first direction DR 1 . The second regions BR 2 may be disposed between the first openings OP 1 adjacent to each other in the second direction DR 2 .

The ductile part EFP may include a plurality of first parts PT 1 and a plurality of second parts PT 2 . The first parts PT 1 and the second parts PT 2 may each extend in the second direction DR 2 and may be alternately arranged repeatedly in the first direction DR 1 .

A plurality of first grooves GR 1 may be defined in lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 . The first grooves GR 1 may be recessed from the lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 toward upper surfaces in the third direction DR 3 . The first grooves GR 1 may be defined to extend up to opposite side surfaces of the first parts PT 1 in the second direction DR 2 .

In an embodiment, for example, when seen from the second direction DR 2 , the first grooves GR 1 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a circle, but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and the first grooves GR 1 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a tetragon or a part of a triangle in another embodiment. Such shapes of the first grooves GR 1 will be illustrated in FIGS. 20 A and 20 B below. In FIGS. 10 and 12 , a case that each first part PT 1 defines one first groove GR 1 therein, but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and each first part PT 1 may define a plural number of first grooves GR 1 therein in another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second parts PT 2 may be disposed between the first parts PT 1 adjacent to each other. A plurality of openings LOP may be defined in the second parts PT 2 . The openings LOP may not be defined in the first parts PT 1 .

In a plan view, the openings LOP may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . The openings LOP may extend further in the second direction DR 2 than in the first direction DR 1 . Openings LOP disposed in an h-th column and openings LOP disposed in a h+1-th column are alternately disposed in a staggered manner. The columns may correspond to the second direction DR 2 . The h is a natural number.

The second parts PT 2 may include first branch parts BR 1 and second branch parts BR 2 . The first branch parts BR 1 may be disposed between the openings LOP adjacent to each other in the first direction DR 1 . The second branch parts BR 2 may be disposed between the openings LOP adjacent to each other in the second direction DR 2 . The first branch parts BR 1 may extend in the second direction DR 2 , and the second branch parts BR 2 may extend in the first direction DR 1 . The openings LOP may be defined by the first and second branch parts BR 1 , BR 2 .

As a greater number of the openings LOP are defined, a rigidity of the ductile part EFP may decrease. Therefore, when the openings LOP are defined in the first support plate MTP 1 , a ductility of the first support plate MTP 1 may become greater than when the openings LOP are not defined therein. As a result, the first support plate MTP 1 may be more readily folded. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , a part of the ductile part EFP may be readily folded and accommodated in the second case CS 2 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second support plate illustrated in FIG. 4 . FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating that the second support plate illustrated in FIG. 13 is unfolded. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 14 . FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one of the support bars illustrated in FIG. 13 .

Referring to FIGS. 13 , 14 , and 15 , the second support plate MTP 2 may include a metal material (e.g., SUS 316 stainless steel) such as stainless steel, but a material of the second support plate MTP 2 is not limited thereto. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, the second support plate MTP 2 may include a non-metal material such as plastic in another embodiment.

The second support plate MTP 2 may include a second stationary part LF 2 and a second extendable part LE 2 . The second stationary part LF 2 and the second extendable part LE 2 may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 in this order. When the second stationary part LF 2 is unfolded, it may have a flat plate shape defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . Hereinafter, the second stationary part LF 2 may be defined as a second flat part PLA 2 .

The second flat part PLA 2 may include a third flat surface PLT 3 , a second folding part PLF 2 , and a fourth flat surface PLT 4 . The third flat surface PLT 3 , the second folding part PLF 2 , and the fourth flat surface PLT 4 may be arranged in the direction opposite to the first direction DR 1 in this order.

As a greater number of the second openings OP 2 are defined in the second folding part PLF 2 , an area of the second folding part PLF 2 may be reduced and a rigidity of the second folding part PLF 2 may decrease. Therefore, when the second openings OP 2 are defined in the second folding part PLF 2 , a ductility of the second folding part PLF 2 may become higher than when the second openings OP 2 are not defined therein. As a result, the second folding part PLF 2 may be more readily folded.

The second folding part PLF 2 may include third regions BRP 3 and fourth regions BRP 4 . The third regions BRP 3 may be disposed between the second openings OP 2 adjacent to each other in the first direction DR 1 . The fourth regions BR 4 may be disposed between the second openings OP 2 adjacent to each other in the second direction DR 2 .

The second extendable part LE 2 may include a plurality of support bars MSB. The second flat part PLA 2 and the support bars MSB may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 in this order. The support bars MSB may extend in the second direction DR 2 and may be spaced apart from each other and arranged in the first direction DR 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 , each of the support bars MSB may include a first support part MSP 1 and a second support part MSP 2 . The first support part MSP 1 may be adjacent to the first support plate MTP 1 , as illustrated in FIGS. 4 , 5 A and 5 B . Second grooves GR 2 may be defined in each upper surface of the first support part MSP 1 . The second grooves GR 2 may be defined to extend in the second direction DR 2 up to opposite side surfaces of the support bars MSB, which are opposed to each other in the second direction DR 2 .

When seen from the second direction DR 2 , for example, the second grooves GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a circle, but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and the second grooves GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a tetragon, or a part of a triangle in another embodiment. Such shapes of the second grooves GR 2 will be illustrated in FIGS. 20 A and 20 B below.

The second support part MSP 2 may be disposed under the first support part MSP 1 . The second support part MSP 2 may extend downward from the first support part MSP 1 and may be formed with the first support part MSP 1 integrally. A maximum width of the second support part MSP 2 in the first direction DR 1 may be greater than a width of the first support part MSP 1 in the first direction DR 1 . The second support part MSP 2 may include a 2-1-th support part MSP 2 - 1 and a 2-2-th support part MSP 2 - 2 extending downward from the 2-1-th support part MSP 2 - 1 . In an embodiment, for example, in the first direction DR 1 , a width of the 2-1-th support part MSP 2 - 1 may increase downward from the first support part MSP 1 . In the first direction DR 1 , a width of the 2-2-th support part MSP 2 - 2 may be uniform and the maximum width of the second support part MSP 2 . However, a shape of the support bars MSB are not limited thereto and may be various shapes such as a tetragon and a trapezium.

FIG. 17 is a view for describing a bonding relationship between the first support plate and the second support plate.

For example, FIG. 17 is a side view of the first support plate MTP 1 and the second support plate MTP 2 illustrated in FIG. 4 seen from the second direction DR 2 .

A first flat part PLA 1 , a second flat part PLA 2 , first parts PT 1 , second parts PT 2 , support bars MSB, first grooves GR 1 , and second grooves GR 2 are identical with the first flat part PLA 1 , the second flat part PLA 2 , the first parts PT 1 , the second parts PT 2 , the support bars MSB, the first grooves GR 1 , and the second grooves GR 2 illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 16 , and therefore, descriptions of the foregoing components will be omitted or provided briefly.

Referring to FIG. 17 , a second support plate MTP 2 may be disposed under a first support plate MTP 1 . A second flat part PLA 2 may be disposed under a first flat part PLA 1 . The support bars MSB may be disposed under a ductile part EFP. The support bars MSB may be disposed to overlap the first parts PT 1 . Upper surfaces of the support bars MSB and lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 may be disposed to face each other. The first grooves GR 1 may be defined in the lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 of the first support plate MTP 1 , which face the support bars MSB. The first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 may face each other. In an embodiment, for example, the first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 may have the same shape as each other and may be symmetric to each other with respect to a plane defined by the first and second directions DR 1 and DR 2 and disposed between the first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 .

Resin layers RSL may be disposed between the first support plate MTP 1 and the second support plate MTP 2 . The resin layers RSL may be, for example, urethane or an acrylic adhesive. The first support plate MTP 1 and the second support plate MTP 2 may be bonded together by the resin layers RSL.

The resin layers RSL may include a first resin layer RSL 1 and a plurality of second resin layers RSL 2 . The first resin layer RSL 1 may be disposed between the first flat part PLA 1 and the second flat part PLA 2 . The first flat part PLA 1 and the second flat part PLA 2 may be bonded together by the first resin layer RSL 1 .

The second resin layers RSL 2 may be disposed between the support bars MSB and the ductile part EFP. The second resin layers RSL 2 may be disposed between the support bars MSB and the first parts PT 1 . The second resin layers RSL 2 may be disposed on the lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 . The second resin layers RSL 2 may fill the first grooves GR 1 . The second resin layers RSL 2 may be disposed on the upper surfaces of the support bars MSB. The second resin layers RSL 2 may fill the second grooves GR 2 defined in the upper surfaces of the support bars MSB. The support bars MSB and the ductile part EFP may be bonded together by the second resin layers RSL 2 filled in the first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 .

If an adhesive layer is disposed between support bars with flat upper surfaces and a ductile part with a flat lower surface, an adhesion of the adhesive layer may reduce as a display device repeats extension and contraction motions in a direction parallel to the flat upper surfaces and the flat lower surface. In this case, the support bars MSB may become apart from the ductile part EFP.

In an embodiment of the invention, by first grooves GR 1 defined in lower surfaces of first parts PT 1 of a ductile part EFP and second grooves GR 2 defined in upper surfaces of support bars MSB, an adhesion area of second resin layers RSL 2 to the support bars MSB and an adhesion area of the second resin layers RSL 2 to the first parts PT 1 may increase. Since adhesion may be proportionate to an adhesion area, an adhesion of the second resin layers RSL 2 to the support bars MSB and an adhesion of the second resin layers RSL 2 to the first parts PT 1 may increase. Therefore, an adhesion between the support bars MSB and the ductile part EFP increases due to the second resin layers RSL 2 , and the support bars MSB may not be separated from the ductile part EFP even in the repeated extension and contraction motions of the display device in the direction parallel to the flat upper surfaces and the flat lower surface.

FIGS. 18 A to 18 G are views for describing a bond between support bars and first parts according to an embodiment of the invention.

For example, FIGS. 18 A, 18 B, 18 C, 18 F are perspective views. FIGS. 18 D, 18 E, and 18 G are side views.

For ease of explanation, a first flat part PLA 1 and a second flat part PLA 2 are omitted from FIGS. 18 A to 18 F .

Support bars MSB, first parts PT 1 , second parts PT 2 , a first resin layer RSL 1 and second resin layers RSL 2 illustrated in FIGS. 18 A to 18 G are identical with the supporting bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 , the second parts PT 2 , and the resin layers RSL illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 17 , and therefore, descriptions of the foregoing components will be omitted or provided briefly.

Referring to FIGS. 18 A and 18 B , the support bars MSB may be arranged in the second direction DR 2 . On upper surfaces of the support bars MSB, second grooves GR 2 extending in the first direction DR 1 may be defined. The second grooves GR 2 may be defined by eliminating a part of the upper surfaces of the support bars MSB through wet etching using developer.

Referring to FIGS. 18 C and 18 D , a mask MAS may be disposed on the support bars MSB. The mask MAS may be disposed to be spaced apart from the support bars MSB.

A shape of the mask MAS may be flat defined by the first direction DR 1 and the second direction DR 2 . A plurality of opening patterns OP may be defined in the mask MAS. The opening patterns OP may extend in the second direction DR 2 and may be arranged in the first direction DR 1 . The openings patterns OP may overlap the support bars MSB.

Referring to FIG. 18 E , a sprayer SPR may be disposed above the support bars MSB and the mask MAS. The sprayer SPR may provide resin RS onto the support bars MSB and the mask MAS. The resin RS may pass through the opening patterns OP and may be provided onto an upper surface of the first support part MSP 1 and into the second grooves GR 2 . The resin provided onto the upper surface of the first support part MSP 1 and into the second grooves GR 2 may be defined as second resin layers RSL 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 18 F and 18 G , the mask MAS may be removed, and then, first parts PT 1 and second parts PT 2 may be disposed on the support bars MSB. Although not illustrated, the first grooves GR 1 may be defined in lower surfaces of the first parts PT 1 by wet etching using developer.

The first parts PT 1 may be aligned to face the support bars MSB. The first grooves GR 1 may face the second grooves GR 2 in the third direction DR 3 . If the first parts PT 1 are aligned to face the support bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 may move toward the support bars MSB in the third direction DR 3 and may be disposed on the second resin layers RSL 2 . The second resin layers RSL 2 may fill the first grooves GR 1 . By the second resin layers RSL 2 , the support bars MSB and the first parts PT 1 may be bonded together.

A first flat part PLA 1 may be disposed on a second flat part PLA 2 . A first resin layer RSL 1 may be disposed between the first flat part PLA 1 and the second flat part PLA 2 . By the first resin layer RSL 1 , the first flat part PLA 1 and the second flat part PLA 2 may be bonded together.

FIG. 19 is a side view of support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention.

For example, FIG. 19 illustrates the support bars MSB and the ductile part EFP seen from the second direction DR 2 .

In an embodiment, for example, a first flat part PLA 1 and a second flat part PLA 2 are omitted for ease of explanation.

Since the support bars MSB, first parts PT 1 , and second parts PT 2 illustrated in FIG. 19 are identical, descriptions of the foregoing components will be omitted or provided briefly.

Referring to FIG. 19 , a first depth DET 1 of first grooves GR 1 and a second depth DET 2 of second grooves GR 2 may be different from each other. Hereinafter, the first depth DET 1 may be defined as a maximum depth of the first grooves GR 1 recessed toward an upper surface of the ductile part EFP with respect to a lower surface thereof. The second depth DET 2 may be defined as a maximum depth of the second grooves GR 2 recessed toward a lower surface of the support bars MSB with respect to an upper surface thereof.

The first depth DET 1 , for example, may be smaller than the second depth DET 2 , but an embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and the first depth DET 1 may be greater than the second depth DET 2 in another embodiment. In this case, the first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 may not be symmetric to each other with respect to a plane defined by the first and second directions DR 1 and DR 2 and disposed between the first grooves GR 1 and the second grooves GR 2 .

FIGS. 20 A and 20 B are side views of support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention.

For example, FIGS. 20 A and 20 B show the support bars MSB and the first part PT 1 seen from the second direction DR 2 .

For ease of explanation, second parts PT 2 , a first flat part PLA 1 and a second flat part PLA 2 are omitted, and, amongst a plurality of first parts PT 1 and the support bars MSB, one flat part PT 1 and one support bar MSB are illustrated.

The support bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 , and second parts PT 2 illustrated in FIGS. 20 A and 20 B are identical with the support bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 , and the second parts PT 2 illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 17 , and therefore, it will be omitted or abbreviated to explain.

Referring to FIG. 20 A , a first groove GR 1 and a second groove GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a tetragon. The first groove GR 1 and the second groove GR 2 may be symmetric to each other with respect to the third direction DR 3 .

Referring to FIG. 20 B , the first groove GR 1 and the second groove GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a triangle. The first groove GR 1 and the second groove GR 2 may be symmetric to each other in the third direction DR 3 .

Referring to FIG. 20 B , the first groove GR 1 and the second groove GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a triangle. The first groove GR 1 and the second groove GR 2 may be symmetric to each other with respect to the third direction DR 3 .

FIGS. 21 A to 21 C are side views of support bars and a ductile part according to another embodiment of the invention.

For example, FIGS. 21 A to 21 C illustrate the support bars MSB and the ductile part EFP seen from the second direction DR 2 .

For example, for ease of explanation, second parts PT 2 , a first flat part PLA 1 and a second flat part PLA 2 are omitted, and, amongst a plurality of first parts PT 1 and the support bars MSB, one first part PT 1 and one support bar MSB are illustrated.

The support bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 , and second parts PT 2 illustrated in FIGS. 21 A to 21 C are identical with the support bars MSB, the first parts PT 1 , and the second parts PT 2 illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 17 , and therefore, descriptions of the foregoing components will be omitted or provided briefly.

Referring to FIG. 21 A , a second groove GR 2 may be defined in an upper surface of a first support part MSP 1 . Grooves may not be defined in a lower surface of the first part PT 1 . A second resin layer RSL 2 disposed between the first part PT 1 and the first support part MSP 1 may fill the second groove GR 2 .

Referring to FIG. 21 B , a first groove GR 1 may be defined in a lower surface of the first part PT 1 . Grooves may not be defined in an upper surface of the first support part MSP 1 . A second resin layer RSL 2 disposed between the first part PT 1 and the first support part MSP 1 may fill the first groove GR 1 .

Referring to FIG. 21 C , the first groove GR 1 may be defined in the lower surface of the first part PT 1 . The second groove GR 2 may be defined in the upper surface of the first support part MSP 1 . The first groove GR 1 may have a different shape from the second groove GR 2 . In an embodiment, for example, when seen from the second direction DR 2 , the first groove GR 1 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a circle, and the second groove GR 2 may have a shape corresponding to a part of a tetragon.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of grooves are defined each in a first support plate and a second support plate disposed under a display module, and a resin layer having an adhesive component may fill into the plurality of grooves. As the grooves are defined, adhesion areas of the resin layer to the first and the second support plates may increase, and the resin layer may not be separated from the first support plate and the second support plate. Accordingly, the first support plate and the second support plate may not be separated from each other.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, it is understood that the invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.