Display device including support structure for bending
In a general aspect, a display device may include a flexible display having a substantially flat central portion and an end portion, a printed circuit film disposed on the end portion of the display, a panel member attached to the printed circuit film, the panel member being bent around a bend axis to form an edge of the display, and a support structure disposed inside of formed edge of the panel member, the support structure being non-parallel to the flat central portion of the display. The panel member may conform to a shape of the support structure.
1. A display device, comprising:
a display having a substantially flat central portion and an end portion;
a printed circuit film including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being attached to the end portion of the display;
a flexible panel member attached to the printed circuit film, the flexible panel member being bent around a bend axis to form an edge of the display;
a coating member attached to a surface of the flexible panel member, one end of the coating member being attached to the second end portion of the printed circuit film; and
a support structure disposed inside of the formed edge of the flexible panel member, the support structure having a tapered portion to bend the flexible panel member,
wherein the flexible panel member conforms to a shape of the support structure.
2. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the tapered portion of the support structure has a trapezoidal shape.
3. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the second side surface being non-parallel to the first side surface.
4. The display device of claim 3 , wherein one of the first side surface or the second side surface is curved.
5. The display device of claim 3 , wherein one of the first side surface or the second side surface includes more than one surface.
6. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is formed of a plastic material.
7. The display device of claim 6 , wherein the plastic material is at least one of polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, or a combination of polymers.
8. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is formed of a metal material.
9. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is formed of a foam material.
10. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive between the panel member and the support structure.
11. The display device of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
12. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the coating member conforms to a shape of the support structure.
13. A display device, comprising:
a flexible display having a substantially flat central portion and an end portion, the flat central portion including a first end portion and a second end portion defining a longitudinal line;
a printed circuit film attached to the display;
a panel member attached to the printed circuit film, the panel member being bent around a bend axis to form an edge of the display;
a support structure disposed inside of the formed edged of the panel member, the support structure includes an elongated body portion and a rounded end portion, the elongated body portion including a first side surface and a second side surface, the first side surface being parallel to the longitudinal line and the second side surface being non-parallel to the longitudinal line,
wherein the panel member conforms to a shape of the elongated body portion and the rounded end portion of the support structure.
14. The display device of claim 13 , wherein the second side surface of the elongated body portion is curved.
15. The display device of claim 13 , wherein the second side surface of the elongated body portion includes at least two surfaces.
16. The display device of claim 13 , wherein the printed circuit film includes a flat portion and a curved portion, the curved portion being at a non-zero angle with respect to the flat portion.
17. The display device of claim 16 , further comprising a display driver integrated circuit device, the display driver integrated circuit device being disposed on the flat portion of the printed circuit film.
18. The display device of claim 13 , further comprising an adhesive between the panel member and the support structure.
19. The display device of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive is disposed on the elongated body portion of the support structure.
20. The display device of claim 18 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.