Foldable display device including a slideable plate

1 . A foldable display device, comprising:

a display panel having a first area, a second area, and a foldable area between the first area and the second area;

a first casing supporting the first area of the display panel;

a second casing supporting the second area of the display panel;

a slidable plate supporting the second area of the display panel and movably coupled to the second casing;

an adhesive member adhered to the slidable plate on one side and the second area of the display panel on an opposite side to the one side; and

a hinge coupled to the first casing and the second casing,

wherein the slidable plate is entirely disposed inside of the second casing under the second area of the display panel, the slidable plate being configured to move in a horizontal direction,

wherein, in an unfolded state, the slidable plate and the hinge do not contact each other and a top surface of the slidable plate does not overlap a top surface of the hinge in the horizontal direction of the foldable display device, and

wherein, in a folded state, a portion of the display panel is located between the slidable plate and the hinge so that the slidable plate does not contact the hinge.

2 . The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the second casing includes a second sliding-guiding groove for guiding a movement of the slidable plate.

3 . The foldable display device of claim 2 , wherein the second casing further includes a receiving space, and

wherein the foldable area of the display panel is accommodated in the receiving space of the second casing during an in-folding operation of the foldable display device.

4 . The foldable display device of claim 3 , wherein the second sliding-guiding groove extends into the receiving space, and

wherein a portion of the slidable plate is disposed in the receiving space in the unfolded state of the foldable display device.

5 . The foldable display device of claim 1 , further comprising a slidable support having a first end movably connected to the first casing and a second end fixed to the second casing,

wherein the slidable support supports the foldable area of the display panel during both an unfolding operation and an out-folding operation of the foldable display device.

6 . A foldable display device, comprising:

a display panel having a foldable area;

a first casing supporting a first area of the display panel and a second casing supporting a second area of the display panel, the first and second casings being spaced from one another and supporting the display panel;

a hinge coupled to the first casing and the second casing;

a slidable plate supporting the display panel and movably coupled to the second casing; and

an adhesive member adhered to the slidable plate on one side and the second area of the display panel on an opposite side to the one side,

wherein the slidable plate is entirely disposed inside of the second casing under the second area of the display panel, the slidable plate being configured to move in a horizontal direction

wherein, in an unfolded state, the slidable plate and the hinge do not contact each other and a top surface of the slidable plate does not overlap a top surface of the hinge in the horizontal direction of the foldable display device, and

wherein, in a folded state, a portion of the display panel is located between the slidable plate and the hinge so that the slidable plate does not contact the hinge.

7 . The foldable display device of claim 6 , wherein the second casing includes a second sliding-guiding groove and a receiving space,

wherein the second sliding-guiding groove guides a movement of the slidable plate, and

wherein the foldable area of the display panel is accommodated in the receiving space of the second casing during an in-folding operation of the foldable display device.

8 . The foldable display device of claim 7 , wherein the second sliding-guiding groove extends into the receiving space, and

wherein a portion of the slidable plate is received in the receiving space in the unfolded state of the foldable display device.

9 . The foldable display device of claim 6 , further comprising a shape variable support having a first end movably connected to the first casing and a second end fixed to the second casing,

wherein a shape of the shape variable support varies based on an unfolded, in-folded or out-folded state of the foldable display device.

10 . The foldable display device of claim 7 , wherein the second sliding-guiding groove extends at an edge portion of the second casing.

11 . The foldable display device of claim 8 , wherein the slidable plate is not disposed in the receiving space in an in-folded state of the foldable display device.

12 . The foldable display device of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the slidable plate is received in the receiving space in an out-folded state of the foldable display device.

13 . The foldable display device of claim 2 , wherein the second sliding-guiding groove extends at an edge portion of the second casing.

14 . The foldable display device of claim 3 , wherein the slidable plate is not disposed in the receiving space in an in-folded state of the foldable display device.

15 . The foldable display device of claim 3 , wherein a portion of the slidable plate is received in the receiving space in an out-folded state of the foldable display device.

16 . The foldable display device of claim 5 , wherein the slidable support includes a plurality of segments connecting the second end fixed to the second casing to the first end movably connected to the first casing.

17 . The foldable display device of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of segments are configured to be flat in the unfolded state and have a curvature in the folded state.

18 . The foldable display device of claim 16 , wherein the slidable support further includes a rotation stopper provided on each of the plurality of segments.