IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,288,987
Granted Patent B2
US 11,288,987 · App. 16/623,181 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Foldable display device

Inventor: Zikang Feng (Hubei, CN)
Assignee: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
G09F9/301G06F1/1641G06F1/1675
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,288,987
App. No.
16/623,181
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application discloses a foldable display device, including a display panel including a bendable region; a supporter disposed under the display panel to support the display panel, the supporter including a bending portion located below the bendable region, a buffer space formed between the bending portion and the bendable region; and an air pump mounted on the supporter, and in communication with the buffer space.

Claims (27)

1. A foldable display device, comprising:

a display panel comprising a bendable region;

a supporter disposed under the display panel to support the display panel, the supporter comprising a bending portion located below the bendable region, a buffer space formed between the bending portion and the bendable region; the bending portion provided with a connection hole, and the connection hole formed with an opening on an upper surface of the bending portion, so that one end of the connection hole is in communication with the buffer space;

an air pump mounted on the supporter, and in communication with another end of the connection hole;

a reinforcing plate disposed below the bendable region;

a first controller coupled to the air pump, the first controller configured to receive a flattening signal from the bendable region and control the air pump to draw at least a portion of gas in the buffer space, wherein the supporter is provided with an inflation hole and controls a valve for controlling opening or closing of the inflation hole, one end of the inflation hole is in communication with the buffer space, another end of the inflation hole is in communication with outside air; and

a second controller coupled to the valve, the second controller configured to receive a bending signal from the bendable region and control opening of the valve.

2. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the first controller is further configured to receive a bending signal from the bendable region and control the air pump to charge the buffer space with gas.

3. A foldable display device, comprising:

a display panel, comprising a bendable region;

a supporter disposed under the display panel to support the display panel, the supporter comprising a bending portion located below the bendable region, a buffer space formed between the bending portion and the bendable region, wherein the bending portion is provided with a connection hole, one end of the connection hole is in communication with the buffer space;

an air pump mounted on the supporter, and in communication with another end of the connection hole,

a first controller coupled to the air pump, the first controller configured to receive a flattening signal from the bendable region and control the air pump to draw at least a portion of gas in the buffer space, wherein the supporter is provided with an inflation hole and controls a valve for controlling opening or closing of the inflation hole, one end of the inflation hole is in communication with the buffer space, another end is in communication with outside air; and

a second controller coupled to the valve, the second controller configured to receive a bending signal from the bendable region and control opening of the valve.

4. The foldable display device according to claim 3 , wherein the another end of the connection hole is in communication with the valve.

5. The foldable display device according to claim 4 , wherein the connection hole is formed with an opening on an upper surface of the bending portion, so that one end of the connection hole is in communication with the buffer space.

6. The foldable display device according to claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of connection holes, wherein the plurality of connection holes are formed with openings on the upper surface of the bending portion, and the plurality of the openings are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the bending portion.

7. The foldable display device of claim 6 , wherein the bending portion comprises a plurality of sub-bending portions sequentially distributed along a length direction of the foldable display device, and each of the sub-bending portions is opened with one of the connection holes.

8. The foldable display device of claim 7 , wherein each of the connection holes comprises a first hole section extending downward from an upper surface of the sub-bending portion and a second hole section extending along a length direction of the foldable display device, the first hole section and the second hole section are in communication with each other, and the air pump is in communication with the second hole section.

9. The foldable display device of claim 3 , wherein the first controller is further configured to receive a bending signal from the bendable region and control the air pump to charge the buffer space with gas.

10. The foldable display device of claim 9 , wherein the foldable display device further comprises a sensor coupled to the first controller, the sensor is configurated to send a flattening signal from the bendable region to the first controller when a folding angle of the bendable region greater than or equal to 175° is detected by the sensor.

11. The foldable display device of claim 10 , wherein the sensor is configured to send a flattening signal from the bendable region to the first controller when a folding angle of the bendable region smaller than 175° is detected by the sensor.

12. The foldable display device of claim 3 , further comprising a reinforcing plate disposed below the bendable region.

13. The foldable display device of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing plate is attached to a lower surface of the bendable region.

14. The foldable display device of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing plate is a metal foil or a plastic foil.

15. The foldable display device of claim 3 , wherein a side of the bendable region is further provided with a seal, and the seal joins the bendable region and the bending portion, to seal a gap between the side of the bendable region and the bending portion.

16. The foldable display device of claim 15 , wherein the seal extends along a length direction of the foldable display device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2020
From: FENG, ZIKANG
To: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051422/0495 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 201910868815.4 · Sep 16, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210366319A1 · Nov 25, 2021