Flexible display device
A flexible display device. A plurality of back bars are attached to a rear surface of a display panel and a side cap coupled to the back bars while covering an edge of the display panel. A portion of a front surface of the display is provided adjacent to the edge. The flexible display device prevents edges of the display panel from being damaged, light from leaking through the edges, and the display panel from being scratched or damaged by friction during rolling of the display panel. The edges of an ultrathin display panel are protected from external impacts so that the edges are not damaged, and light leakage on the edges of the display panel is prevented. The display panel is prevented from being scratched or damaged while being rolled.
1. A flexible display device, comprising:
a display panel;
a plurality of back bars attached to a rear surface of the display panel, each of the back bars having opposing first and second ends positioned adjacent to or overlapping opposite edges of the display panel; and
a side cap coupled to the back bars, the side cap covering an edge of the opposite edges of the display panel and a portion of a front surface of the display panel adjacent to the edge,
wherein the back bars are hollow, and the side cap is inserted and fitted into the back bars.
2. The flexible display device according to claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive member between the rear surface of the display panel and front surfaces of the back bars.
3. The flexible display device according to claim 2 , wherein
the side cap comprises:
a side support covering the edge of the display panel and the first ends or the seconds ends of the back bars,
inserts fitted into the back bars, and
a front support positioned on a front surface of the display panel adjacent to the edge.
4. The flexible display device according to claim 3 , wherein each of the inserts comprises a protrusion protruding from an outer surface thereof, the protrusion configured to be elastically deformed while being pressed against an inner surface of a respective back bar of the plurality of back bars.
5. The flexible display device according to claim 3 , wherein the side cap further comprises a rear support extending from one end of the side support, the rear support being spaced apart from the inserts and configured to support rear surfaces of the back bars.
6. The flexible display device according to claim 3 , wherein the front support extends to a boundary portion between an active area and a non-active area of the display panel.
7. The flexible display device according to claim 3 , wherein the side cap further comprises a grooved panel seat between the inserts and the front support, the edge of the display panel being seated in the grooved panel seat.
8. The flexible display device according to claim 3 , wherein the side cap comprises:
two or more inserts disposed adjacently to each other,
two or more front supports, edges of adjacent front supports being connected to one another, and
two or more side supports, edges of adjacent side supports being connected to one another, the side cap being coupled to two or more of the back bars.
9. The flexible display device according to claim 8 , wherein the side cap further comprises an elastically-deformable groove recessed in an outer side surface of the side support.
10. The flexible display device according to claim 9 , wherein the elastically-deformable groove is provided in a position corresponding to a joint between the two or more of the back bars.
11. The flexible display device according to claim 8 , wherein the side cap further comprises connector ribs in joints between the edges of the front supports and between the edges of the side supports, the connector ribs being thinner than the front supports and the side supports.
12. The flexible display device according to claim 11 , wherein the connector ribs are provided in a position corresponding to a joint between the two or more of the back bars.