U.S. patent application number 15/808775 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for display device and method for manufacturing the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Baoming Cai, Hong Li, Lu Liu, Weifeng Zhou.
Application Number | 20180309086 15/808775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59162805 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180309086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Hong ; et al. |
October 25, 2018 |
DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Abstract
A display device and a method for manufacturing a display device
are provided. The method includes: forming a material layer on a
first face of a display panel; forming a touch panel and a
polarizer sequentially on a second face of the display panel, the
display panel having an end projecting beyond lateral faces of the
touch panel and the polarizer; removing a portion of the material
layer located in a first area on the display panel, the first area
being located out of an effective display region of the display
panel; and bending the first area of the display panel towards the
first face such that a second area and a third area of the display
panel are located on both sides of the material layer respectively,
wherein the second area and the third area are connected to two
ends of the first area respectively.
Inventors: |
Li; Hong; (Beijing, CN)
; Cai; Baoming; (Beijing, CN) ; Zhou; Weifeng;
(Beijing, CN) ; Liu; Lu; (Beijing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD. |
Beijing |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
59162805 |
Appl. No.: |
15/808775 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 51/5246 20130101;
G06F 3/0412 20130101; H01L 2227/323 20130101; H05K 2203/0228
20130101; H05K 2201/10128 20130101; H05K 3/0044 20130101; H05K 3/22
20130101; H05K 1/189 20130101; H05K 2201/0257 20130101; H01L
27/3288 20130101; H01L 51/56 20130101; H01L 27/3276 20130101; H01L
2251/5338 20130101; H01L 27/323 20130101; H05K 1/028 20130101; G06F
2203/04102 20130101; H01L 51/5281 20130101; H05K 3/4644 20130101;
G06F 2203/04103 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 51/52 20060101
H01L051/52; H05K 1/02 20060101 H05K001/02; H05K 3/46 20060101
H05K003/46; H05K 3/00 20060101 H05K003/00; H05K 3/22 20060101
H05K003/22; H01L 51/56 20060101 H01L051/56; H01L 27/32 20060101
H01L027/32; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2017 |
CN |
201710263577.5 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a display device, the method
comprising: forming a material layer on a first face of a display
panel; forming a touch panel and a polarizer sequentially on a
second face of the display panel, the display panel having an end
projecting beyond lateral faces of the touch panel and the
polarizer, the second face being opposite to the first face;
removing a portion of the material layer located in a first area on
the display panel, the first area being located out of an effective
display region of the display panel; and bending the first area of
the display panel towards the first face of the display panel such
that a second area and a third area of the display panel are
located on opposite sides of the material layer respectively,
wherein the second area is connected to a first end of the first
area and the third area is connected to a second end of the first
area.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material layer and
the display panel have a same length.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a flexible circuit
board is formed at an end of the second face of the display panel
and the first area is arranged at a side of the display panel
towards the flexible circuit board, the second area adjoining the
flexible circuit board.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second area of the
display panel is parallel to the third area of the display
panel.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material layer
comprises an optical adhesive layer and a support film, the forming
the material layer on the first face of the display panel
comprising: forming the optical adhesive layer on the support film;
processing a portion of the optical adhesive layer located in the
first area to reduce viscosity of the portion; and adhering the
support film to the first face of the display panel by the
processed optical adhesive layer.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the support film and
the display panel have a same length.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the optical adhesive
layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprising: illuminating the first area from the
first face of the display panel using a laser, such that the
portion of the optical adhesive layer located in the first area is
heated to be cracked and degraded; and cutting a boundary of
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer in the
first area such that the portions of the support film and the
optical adhesive layer in the first area fall from the display
panel.
8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the optical adhesive
layer is an ultraviolet curing adhesive layer, the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprising: cutting a boundary of portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer in the first area such
that the portions of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer in the first area fall from the display panel; wherein after
removing the portion of the material layer located in the first
area on the display panel, the method further comprises:
illuminating the optical adhesive layer left on the display panel
using an ultraviolet light to cure the optical adhesive layer left
on the display panel.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprises: removing the portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area to form a residual
support film and a residual optical adhesive layer on the display
panel, wherein orthographic projections of the touch panel and the
polarizer on the display panel are both located within orthographic
projections of the residual support film and the residual optical
adhesive layer on the display panel.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprises: removing the portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area to form a residual
support film and a residual optical adhesive layer on the display
panel, wherein orthographic projections of the touch panel and the
polarizer on the display panel are both located within orthographic
projections of the residual support film and the residual optical
adhesive layer on the display panel.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprises: removing the portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area to form a first
residual support film and a second residual support film separated
from each other and a first residual optical adhesive layer and a
second residual optical adhesive layer separated from each other on
the display panel, wherein orthographic projections of the touch
panel and the polarizer on the display panel coincide with
orthographic projections of the first residual support film and the
first residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, the
second residual support film and the second residual optical
adhesive layer being located in the second area; and wherein the
bending the first area of the display panel towards the first face
of the display panel comprises: bending the first area of the
display panel towards the first face of the display panel such that
a U-shaped structure is formed at an end of the display panel and
the second residual support film contacts with the first residual
support film.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel comprises: removing the portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area to form a first
residual support film and a second residual support film separated
from each other and a first residual optical adhesive layer and a
second residual optical adhesive layer separated from each other on
the display panel, wherein orthographic projections of the touch
panel and the polarizer on the display panel coincide with
orthographic projections of the first residual support film and the
first residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, the
second residual support film and the second residual optical
adhesive layer being located in the second area; and wherein the
bending the first area of the display panel towards the first face
of the display panel comprises: bending the first area of the
display panel towards the first face of the display panel such that
a U-shaped structure is formed at an end of the display panel and
the second residual support film contacts with the first residual
support film.
13. The method according to claim 5, wherein the processing the
portion of the optical adhesive layer located in the first area to
reduce the viscosity of the portion comprises: processing the
portion of the optical adhesive layer located in the first area to
reduce the viscosity of the portion by laser ablation, chemical
process or physical process.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the processing the
portion of the optical adhesive layer located in the first area to
reduce the viscosity of the portion by physical process comprises:
spraying non-adhesive powders towards the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the non-adhesive
powders comprise nano-particles.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first area has a
length not greater than 2 millimeters in a direction parallel to a
lengthwise direction of the display panel.
17. A display device comprising: a display panel having a first
area located out of an effective display region of the display
panel, the first area having a first end connected to a second area
of the display panel and a second end connected to a third area of
the display panel; a material layer arranged on a first face of the
display panel; a touch panel arranged on a second face of the
display panel opposite to the first face; and a polarizer arranged
on a side of the touch panel away from the display panel, wherein
the second area and the third area are arranged on opposite sides
of the material layer respectively.
18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein a flexible
circuit board is arranged on an outer side of the second area, the
flexible circuit board having a lengthwise direction parallel to a
lengthwise direction of the material layer.
19. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the material
layer comprises a support film and an optical adhesive layer
arranged between the support film and the display panel, wherein a
sum of a thickness of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer is less than a distance between the second area and the third
area, and a space between the support film and the second area is
filled with a residual support film and a residual optical adhesive
layer stacked sequentially, the residual support film contacting
with the support film.
20. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the flexible
circuit board comprises a chip on film.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of the Chinese Patent
Application No. 201710263577.5, filed with the State Intellectual
Property Office of China on Apr. 20, 2017, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of
display, and in particular, to a display device and a method for
manufacturing a display device.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] A flexible display is made from flexible material and is a
deformable and bendable display device, for example, a flexible
organic light-emitting diode (abbreviated as OLED) display device.
The flexible OLED display device (such as a flexible active matrix
organic light emitting diode (abbreviated as AMOLED) display
device) has drawn attention broadly due to its characteristics such
as high response speed, high contrast, wide field of view and
flexibility.
[0004] In the related art, the flexible AMOLED display device may
be regarded as an example. The flexible AMOLED display device
includes a support film. Optical clear adhesive (abbreviated as
OCA), a display panel, a touch panel and a polarizer are provided
sequentially on the support film. An end of the display panel is
connected to a flexible printed circuit board (abbreviated as FPC)
by a chip on film (abbreviated as COF). The display panel includes
polyimides (abbreviated as PI) substrate.
SUMMARY
[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method
for manufacturing a display device, the method including: forming a
material layer on a first face of a display panel; forming a touch
panel and a polarizer sequentially on a second face of the display
panel, the display panel having an end projecting beyond lateral
faces of the touch panel and the polarizer, the second face being
opposite to the first face; removing a portion of the material
layer located in a first area on the display panel, the first area
being located out of an effective display region of the display
panel; and bending the first area of the display panel towards the
first face of the display panel such that a second area and a third
area of the display panel are located on both sides of the material
layer respectively, wherein the second area is connected to one end
of the first area and the third area is connected to the other end
of the first area.
[0006] In an embodiment, the material layer and the display panel
have a same length.
[0007] In an embodiment, a flexible circuit board is formed at an
end of the second face of the display panel and the first area is
arranged at a side of the display panel towards the flexible
circuit board, the second area adjoining the flexible circuit
board.
[0008] In an embodiment, the second area of the display panel is
parallel to the third area of the display panel.
[0009] In an embodiment, the material layer includes an optical
adhesive layer and a support film, the forming the material layer
on the first face of the display panel including: forming the
optical adhesive layer on the support film; processing a portion of
the optical adhesive layer located in the first area to reduce
viscosity of the portion; and adhering the support film to the
first face of the display panel by the processed optical adhesive
layer.
[0010] In an embodiment, the support film and the display panel
have a same length.
[0011] In an embodiment, the optical adhesive layer is a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer, the removing the portion of the material
layer located in the first area on the display panel including:
illuminating the first area from the first face of the display
panel using a laser, such that the portion of the optical adhesive
layer located in the first area is heated to be cracked and
degraded; cutting a boundary of portions of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer in the first area such that the portions
of the support film and the optical adhesive layer in the first
area fall from the display panel.
[0012] In an embodiment, the optical adhesive layer is an
ultraviolet curing adhesive layer, the removing the portion of the
material layer located in the first area on the display panel
including: cutting a boundary of portions of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer in the first area such that the portions
of the support film and the optical adhesive layer in the first
area fall from the display panel; wherein after removing the
portion of the material layer located in the first area on the
display panel, the method further includes: illuminating the
optical adhesive layer left on the display panel using an
ultraviolet light to cure the optical adhesive layer left on the
display panel.
[0013] In an embodiment, the removing the portion of the material
layer located in the first area on the display panel includes:
removing the portions of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer in the first area to form a residual support film and a
residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, wherein
orthographic projections of the touch panel and the polarizer on
the display panel are both located within orthographic projections
of the residual support film and the residual optical adhesive
layer on the display panel.
[0014] In an embodiment, the removing the portion of the material
layer located in the first area on the display panel includes:
removing the portions of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer in the first area to form a residual support film and a
residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, wherein
orthographic projections of the touch panel and the polarizer on
the display panel are both located within orthographic projections
of the residual support film and the residual optical adhesive
layer on the display panel.
[0015] In an embodiment, the removing the portion of the material
layer located in the first area on the display panel includes:
removing the portions of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer in the first area to form a first residual support film and a
second residual support film separated from each other and a first
residual optical adhesive layer and a second residual optical
adhesive layer separated from each other on the display panel,
wherein orthographic projections of the touch panel and the
polarizer on the display panel coincide with orthographic
projections of the first residual support film and the first
residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, the second
residual support film and the second residual optical adhesive
layer being located in the second area; and wherein the bending the
first area of the display panel towards the first face of the
display panel includes: bending the first area of the display panel
towards the first face of the display panel such that a U-shaped
structure is formed at an end of the display panel and the second
residual support film contacts with the first residual support
film.
[0016] In an embodiment, the removing the portion of the material
layer located in the first area on the display panel includes:
removing the portions of the support film and the optical adhesive
layer in the first area to form a first residual support film and a
second residual support film separated from each other and a first
residual optical adhesive layer and a second residual optical
adhesive layer separated from each other on the display panel,
wherein orthographic projections of the touch panel and the
polarizer on the display panel coincide with orthographic
projections of the first residual support film and the first
residual optical adhesive layer on the display panel, the second
residual support film and the second residual optical adhesive
layer being located in the second area; and wherein the bending the
first area of the display panel towards the first face of the
display panel includes: bending the first area of the display panel
towards the first face of the display panel such that a U-shaped
structure is formed at an end of the display panel and the second
residual support film contacts with the first residual support
film.
[0017] In an embodiment, the processing the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area to reduce the viscosity of
the portion includes: processing the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area to reduce the viscosity of
the portion by laser ablation, chemical process or physical
process.
[0018] In an embodiment, the processing the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area to reduce the viscosity of
the portion by physical process includes: spraying non-adhesive
powders towards the portion of the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area.
[0019] In an embodiment, the non-adhesive powders include
nano-particles.
[0020] In an embodiment, the first area has a length not greater
than 2 millimeters in a direction parallel to a lengthwise
direction of the display panel.
[0021] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display
device including: a display panel having a first area located out
of an effective display region of the display panel, the first area
having one end connected to a second area of the display panel and
the other end connected to a third area of the display panel; a
material layer arranged on a first face of the display panel; a
touch panel arranged on a second face of the display panel in
opposite to the first face; and a polarizer arranged on a side of
the touch panel away from the display panel, wherein the second
area and the third area are arranged on both sides of the material
layer respectively.
[0022] In an embodiment, a flexible circuit board is arranged on an
outer side of the second area, the flexible circuit board having a
lengthwise direction parallel to a lengthwise direction of the
material layer.
[0023] In an embodiment, the material layer includes a support film
and an optical adhesive layer arranged between the support film and
the display panel, wherein sum of thickness of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer is less than distance between the second
area and the third area, and a space between the support film and
the second area is filled with a residual support film and a
residual optical adhesive layer stacked sequentially, the residual
support film contacting with the support film.
[0024] In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board includes a chip
on film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In order to describe technical solutions in embodiments of
the present disclosure more clearly, figures that are needed to
explain the embodiments will below be described briefly.
Apparently, the following figures only show some of the embodiments
of the present disclosure. From these figures, the skilled person
in the art can derive other figures without any creative
efforts.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a
display device provided by an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 2-1 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing
another display device provided by an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 2-2 is a structural schematic view showing a material
layer is formed in a display panel in the embodiment shown in FIG.
2-1;
[0029] FIG. 2-3 is a flow chart of forming the material layer in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0030] FIG. 2-4 is a structural schematic view showing an optical
adhesive layer is formed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0031] FIG. 2-5 is a structural schematic view showing an optical
adhesive layer is processed to reduce viscosity in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0032] FIG. 2-6 is a structural schematic view showing a support
film is adhered in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0033] FIG. 2-7 is a structural schematic view showing a touch
panel and a polarizer are formed in the embodiment shown in FIG.
2-1;
[0034] FIG. 2-8 is a right view of the display panel shown in FIG.
2-7;
[0035] FIG. 2-9 is a structural schematic view showing a flexible
circuit board is formed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0036] FIG. 2-10 is a structural schematic view showing a first
area is illuminated by a laser in the embodiment shown in FIG.
2-1;
[0037] FIG. 2-11 is a structural schematic view showing the optical
adhesive layer is heated to be cracked and degraded in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2-10;
[0038] FIG. 2-12 is a structural schematic view showing the support
film and the optical adhesive layer are cut in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2-1;
[0039] FIG. 2-13 is a structural schematic view showing the support
film and the optical adhesive layer fall from the display panel in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0040] FIG. 2-14 is another structural schematic view showing the
support film and the optical adhesive layer fall from the display
panel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-1;
[0041] FIG. 2-15 is a structural schematic view showing the display
panel shown in FIG. 2-13 is bent;
[0042] FIG. 2-16 is a structural schematic view showing the display
panel shown in FIG. 2-14 is bent;
[0043] FIG. 3-1 is a flow chart of another method for manufacturing
a display device provided by an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 3-2 is a structural schematic view showing the support
film and the optical adhesive layer are cut in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3-1;
[0045] FIG. 3-3 is a structural schematic view showing the optical
adhesive layer is illuminated by an ultraviolet light in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3-1;
[0046] FIG. 3-4 is a schematic graph showing an adhesive force of
the ultraviolet curing adhesive; and
[0047] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic view showing a display
device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0048] In order to further explain objects, technical solutions and
advantages more clearly, the exemplified embodiments of the present
disclosure will below be explained in detail with reference to the
accompanied drawings.
[0049] In addition, in the following detailed description, for
purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed
embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well-known structures and devices are
schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.
[0050] The inventors have found that the related art at least has
the following problems: in order to achieve a narrow border, when
an end of the display panel towards the COF is bent towards the
optical clear adhesive layer, total thickness of the support film
and the optical clear adhesive layer is relatively large and there
is stress between the PI substrate and the support film; thus, the
display panel cannot be bent completely or some metal connection
points on the display panel are cracked.
[0051] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method
for manufacturing a display device. As shown in FIG. 1, the method
includes:
[0052] Step 101 of forming a material layer on a first face of a
display panel, as an example, the material layer and the display
panel may have a same length, for example, the display panel
includes a PI substrate;
[0053] Step 102 of forming a touch panel and a polarizer
sequentially on a second face of the display panel, the display
panel having an end projecting beyond lateral faces of the touch
panel and the polarizer, the second face being opposite to the
first face, for example, the second face is parallel to the first
face;
[0054] Step 103 of forming a flexible circuit board at an end of
the second face of the display panel;
[0055] Step 104 of removing a portion of the material layer located
in a first area on the display panel, the first area being located
out of an effective display region of the display panel; and
[0056] Step 105 of bending the first area of the display panel
towards the first face of the display panel such that a second area
and a third area of the display panel are located on both sides of
the material layer respectively, wherein the second area is
connected to one end of the first area and the third area is
connected to the other end of the first area.
[0057] The above Step 103 is an optional step.
[0058] As an example, an intersection line of lateral faces of the
touch panel and the polarizer with the second face has a lengthwise
direction parallel to a widthwise direction of the display
panel.
[0059] In summary, in the method for manufacturing a display device
provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, material in
the first area on the display panel is removed, thus, when the
first area of the display panel is bent towards the first face of
the display panel, it fails to be affected by stress between the PI
substrate and the material in the display panel. In this way, the
display panel can be bent completely, so as to achieve narrow
border design.
[0060] As an example, when a flexible circuit board is formed at an
end of the second face of the display panel, the first area may be
arranged on a side of the display panel towards the flexible
circuit board, and the second area may adjoin the flexible circuit
board.
[0061] As an example, the second area of the display panel may be
parallel to the third area of the display panel. However, the
present disclosure is not limited to this, for example, the second
area of the display panel may also be inclined at a certain angle
with respect to the third area of the display panel.
[0062] As an example, the material layer may include an optical
adhesive layer and a support film. Correspondingly, the Step 101
includes: forming the optical adhesive layer on the support film,
for example, the support film has the same length as the display
panel; processing a portion of the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area to reduce viscosity of the portion; and adhering
the support film to the first face of the display panel by the
processed optical adhesive layer.
[0063] In an example, the optical adhesive layer is a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer. Correspondingly, the Step 104 includes:
illuminating the first area from the first face of the display
panel using a laser, such that the portion of the optical adhesive
layer located in the first area is heated to be cracked and
degraded; cutting a boundary of portions of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer in the first area such that the portions
of the support film and the optical adhesive layer located in the
first area fall from the display panel.
[0064] In another example, the optical adhesive layer is an
ultraviolet curing adhesive layer. Correspondingly, the Step 104
includes: cutting a boundary of portions of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer located in the first area such that the
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area fall from the display panel. After the Step 104,
the method may further include:
[0065] illuminating the optical adhesive layer left on the display
panel using an ultraviolet light to cure the optical adhesive layer
left on the display panel.
[0066] As an example, the Step 104 may include: removing the
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area to form a residual support film and a residual
optical adhesive layer on the display panel. Orthographic
projections of the touch panel and the polarizer on the display
panel are both located within orthographic projections of the
residual support film and the residual optical adhesive layer on
the display panel.
[0067] As an example, the Step 104 may include: removing the
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area to form a first residual support film and a
second residual support film separated from each other as well as a
first residual optical adhesive layer and a second residual optical
adhesive layer separated from each other on the display panel.
Orthographic projections of the touch panel and the polarizer on
the display panel coincide with orthographic projections of the
first residual support film and the first residual optical adhesive
layer on the display panel. The second residual support film and
the second residual optical adhesive layer are located in the
second area. The Step 105 includes: bending the first area of the
display panel towards the first face of the display panel such that
a U-shaped structure is formed at an end of the display panel and
the second residual support film contacts with the first residual
support film.
[0068] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides
another method for manufacturing a display device. As shown in FIG.
2-1, the method may include Step 201 to Step 206.
[0069] Step 201: forming a material layer on a first face of a
display panel, as an example, the material layer and the display
panel may have a same length.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 2-2, a material layer 20 which has the same
length as the display panel 10 is formed on the first face of the
display panel 10. The display panel 10 includes a PI substrate.
[0071] As an example, the material layer includes an optical
adhesive layer and a support film. Correspondingly, as shown in
FIG. 2-3, the Step 201 may include: Step 2011 to Step 2013.
[0072] Step 2011: forming the optical adhesive layer on the support
film, for example, the support film has the same length as the
display panel.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 2-4, the optical adhesive layer 22 is
formed on the support film 21 which has the same length as the
display panel (`10` in FIG. 2-2). In an example, the optical
adhesive layer may be a pressure sensitive layer. When the optical
adhesive layer is formed on the support film, the pressure
sensitive layer may be adhered to the support film by pressing it
by a roller.
[0074] Step 2012: processing a portion of the optical adhesive
layer located in the first area to reduce viscosity of the
portion.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 2-5, a portion of the optical adhesive
layer located in the first area A is processed to reduce viscosity
of the portion.
[0076] As an example, the first area A has a length dl not greater
than 2 millimeters. The lengthwise direction (the direction
indicated by `u` in FIG. 2-5) of the first area A is parallel to
the lengthwise direction (the direction indicated by `v` in FIG.
2-2) of the display panel (`10` in FIG. 2-2). The first area A is
located out of an effective display region of the display panel and
close to the flexible circuit board (`50` in FIG. 2-9).
[0077] As an example, the Step 2012 may include:
[0078] processing the portion of the optical adhesive layer located
in the first area to reduce viscosity of the portion by laser
ablation, chemical process or physical process.
[0079] The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is taken as an
example. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer has characteristic
of thermal separation at high temperature. When the temperature
reaches a special high temperature (such as above 200.degree. C.,
the temperature may be achieved by applying such as treatment
agents or modifying groups thereof to the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer), the pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be
cracked and degraded. In this way, viscosity of the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer may drop rapidly.
[0080] In an example, when the portion of the optical adhesive
layer located in the first area is processed to reduce viscosity of
the portion by chemical process, a certain chemical solvent which
may react with the optical adhesive layer may be sprayed or coated
to the first area.
[0081] As an example, processing the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area to reduce viscosity of the
portion by physical process may include:
[0082] spraying non-adhesive powders towards the portion of the
optical adhesive layer located in the first area.
[0083] As an example, the non-adhesive powders may include
nano-particles. The nano-particles may include nanometer silicon
beads.
[0084] It should be noted that when the portion of the optical
adhesive layer located in the first area is processed to reduce
viscosity, the processed optical adhesive layer needs to have
relatively small thickness so as to avoid air bubbles produced
between the optical adhesive layer and the support film or other
adverse phenomenon.
[0085] Step 2013: adhering the support film to the first face of
the display panel by the processed optical adhesive layer.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 2-6, the support film 21 is adhered by the
processed optical adhesive layer 22 to the first face of the
display panel 10.
[0087] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the portion of
the optical adhesive layer located in the first area is processed
in advance to reduce viscosity thereof, thus, the portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer located in the first
area on the display panel can be removed rapidly in subsequent
steps to improve work efficiency.
[0088] Step 202: forming a touch panel and a polarizer sequentially
on a second face of the display panel, the display panel having an
end projecting beyond lateral faces of the touch panel and the
polarizer, the second face being opposite to the first face, for
example, the second face is parallel to the first face.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 2-7, a touch panel 30 and a polarizer 40
are formed sequentially on a second face of the display panel 10,
and the display panel 10 has an end a projecting beyond lateral
faces of the touch panel 30 and the polarizer 40. The lateral face
of the touch panel 30 and the lateral face of the polarizer 40 may
be located in a same plane. However, the embodiments of the present
disclosure are not limited to this, for example, the lateral face
of the touch panel 30 and the lateral face of the polarizer 40 may
not be located in the same plane. In particular, as shown in FIG.
2-8, an intersection line m of lateral faces of the touch panel 30
and the polarizer 40 with the second face S of the display panel 10
has a lengthwise direction (the direction indicated by `x` in FIG.
2-8) parallel to a widthwise direction (the direction indicated by
`y` in FIG. 2-8) of the display panel. FIG. 2-8 is a perspective
view of the end of the display panel shown in FIG. 2-7. Regarding
significations of other reference numerals in FIG. 2-7, it may
refer to FIG. 2-6.
[0090] Step 203: forming a flexible circuit board at an end of the
second face of the display panel. The Step 203 is optional.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 2-9, a flexible circuit board 50 is formed
at an end of the second face of the display panel 10. Regarding
significations of other reference numerals in FIG. 2-9, it may
refer to FIG. 2-7.
[0092] As an example, the flexible circuit board 50 includes a COF
501. A FPC 502 is also formed at the end of the COF away from the
display panel. The COF functions to carry chips, connect circuits
and provide support and insulation. The COF has characteristics
such as high wiring density, low weight, low thickness and
flexibility. The FPC is regarded as a substrate for connecting
electronic elements and a medium for transmitting electronic
product signals. The FPC has characteristics such as low weight,
low thickness, small length, small volume and flexibility. The FPC
also has a relatively high heat resistance and can meet the
requirements for high density interconnection and high stability
among elements, such that the signal output quality can be enhanced
significantly. Regarding the COF and FPC, it may refer to the
related art. The details will be omitted herein.
[0093] Step 204: illuminating the first area from the first face of
the display panel using a laser, such that the portion of the
optical adhesive layer located in the first area is heated to be
cracked and degraded.
[0094] The laser has large local energy and high temperature.
However, the first area is located out of the effective display
region of the display panel and has a temperature below temperature
tolerance of the PI substrate, thus, use of the laser to illuminate
the first area cannot cause damage to display elements.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 2-10, the first area A may be illuminated
from the first face of the display panel 10 using a laser p, such
that the portion of the optical adhesive layer 22 located in the
first area A is heated to be cracked and degraded to reduce its
viscosity, as illustrated in FIG. 2-11. In FIG. 2-10 and FIG. 2-11,
the touch panel is indicated by `30`; the polarizer is indicated by
`40` and the support film is indicated by `21`.
[0096] Step 205: cutting a boundary of portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area such that the
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer in the
first area fall from the display panel.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 2-12, a boundary of portions of the support
film 21 and the optical adhesive layer 22 in the first area A is
cut such that the portions of the support film 21 and the optical
adhesive layer 22 in the first area A fall from the display panel
10, as illustrated in FIG. 2-13. In an example, as shown in FIG.
2-13, the portions of the support film 21 and the optical adhesive
layer 22 in the first area A may be removed to form a first
residual support film 2101 and a second residual support film 2102
separated from each other as well as a first residual optical
adhesive layer 2201 and a second residual optical adhesive layer
2202 separated from each other on the display panel 10.
Orthographic projections of the touch panel 30 and the polarizer 40
on the display panel 10 coincide with orthographic projections of
the first residual support film 2101 and the first residual optical
adhesive layer 2201 on the display panel 10. The second residual
support film 2102 and the second residual optical adhesive layer
2202 are located in the second area B.
[0098] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2-14, the portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer in the first area may
also be removed to form a residual support film 2103 and a residual
optical adhesive layer 2203 on the display panel 10. Orthographic
projections of the touch panel 30 and the polarizer 40 on the
display panel 10 are both located within orthographic projections
of the residual support film 2103 and the residual optical adhesive
layer 2203 on the display panel. As an example, the portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer located in the second
area may be removed, or not be removed. FIG. 2-14 shows a schematic
view in which the portions of the support film and the optical
adhesive layer located in the second area are not removed.
[0099] Step 206: bending the first area of the display panel
towards the first face of the display panel such that a second area
and a third area of the display panel are located on both sides of
the material layer respectively, for example, the second area and
the third area may be parallel to each other.
[0100] As an example, the third area is located above the material
layer. The second area is connected to one end of the first area
and close to the flexible circuit board, while the third area is
connected to the other end of the first area.
[0101] In particular, a panel part in the first area on the display
panel is bent towards the first face of the display panel such that
the panel part in the second area on the display panel is parallel
to the panel part in the third area on the display panel. The panel
part in the third area may be located above the material layer. The
panel part in the second area is connected to one end of the panel
part in the first area and close to the flexible circuit board
while the panel part in the third area is connected to the other
end of the panel part in the first area.
[0102] With reference to the example shown in FIG. 2-13, as shown
in FIG. 2-15, the first area A of the display panel 10 is bent
towards the first face of the display panel 10 such that the second
area B of the display panel 10 is parallel to the third area C of
the display panel 10. A U-shaped structure is formed at an end of
the display panel 10 and the second residual support film 2102
contacts with the first residual support film 2101. As shown in
FIG. 2-15, the third area C is located above the first residual
support film 2101 and the first residual optical adhesive layer
2201, that is, it is located on the side away from the material
layer. The second area B is connected to one end of the first area
A and close to the flexible circuit board and the third area C is
connected to the other end of the first area A. As a space between
the first residual support film 2101 and the second area B is
filled with the second residual support film 2102 and the second
residual optical adhesive layer 2202, the display panel has better
stability.
[0103] Alternatively, with reference to the example shown in FIG.
2-14, as shown in FIG. 2-16, the first area A of the display panel
10 is bent towards the first face of the display panel 10 such that
the second area B of the display panel 10 is parallel to the third
area C of the display panel 10. The third area C is located above
the residual support film 2103 and the residual optical adhesive
layer 2203. The second area B is connected to one end of the first
area A and close to the flexible circuit board and the third area C
is connected to the other end of the first area A. In the
embodiment of the present disclosure, the first area is located out
of the effective display area of the display panel. In embodiments
of the present disclosure, sizes of the first area, the second area
and the third area are not limited.
[0104] As discussed above, in the method for manufacturing a
display device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure,
material in the first area on the display panel is removed, thus,
when the first area of the display panel is bent towards the first
face of the display panel, it fails to be affected by stress
between the PI substrate and the material in the display panel. In
this way, the display panel can be bent completely, so as to
achieve narrow border design.
[0105] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a
further method for manufacturing a display device. As shown in FIG.
3-1, the method may include Step 301 to Step 306.
[0106] Step 301: forming a material layer on a first face of a
display panel, as an example, the material layer and the display
panel may have a same length.
[0107] In an example, the material layer includes an optical
adhesive layer and a support film. Regarding the details of the
Step 301, it may refer to the Step 201.
[0108] As an example, the optical adhesive layer in the embodiment
of the present disclosure is an ultraviolet curing adhesive
layer.
[0109] As an example, the ultraviolet curing adhesive layer may be
adhered to the support film by pressing it by a roller.
[0110] Step 302: forming a touch panel and a polarizer sequentially
on a second face of the display panel, the display panel having an
end projecting beyond lateral faces of the touch panel and the
polarizer, the second face being opposite to the first face.
[0111] As an example, an intersection line of lateral faces of the
touch panel and the polarizer with the second face has a lengthwise
direction parallel to a widthwise direction of the display
panel.
[0112] Regarding the details of the Step 302, it may refer to the
Step 202.
[0113] Step 303: forming a flexible circuit board at an end of the
second face of the display panel.
[0114] Regarding the details of the Step 303, it may refer to the
Step 203.
[0115] Step 304: cutting a boundary of portions of the support film
and the optical adhesive layer in the first area such that the
portions of the support film and the optical adhesive layer in the
first area fall from the display panel.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 3-2, a boundary of portions of the support
film 21 and the optical adhesive layer 22 in the first area A is
cut such that the portions of the support film 21 and the optical
adhesive layer 22 in the first area A fall from the display panel
10, as illustrated in FIG. 2-13. In FIG. 3-2, the touch panel is
indicated by `30` and the polarizer is indicated by `40`.
[0117] As such, when the material in the first area on the display
panel, as shown in FIG. 2-13, the portions of the support film and
the optical adhesive layer in the first area may be removed to form
a first residual support film 2101 and a second residual support
film 2102 separated from each other and a first residual optical
adhesive layer 2201 and a second residual optical adhesive layer
2202 separated from each other on the display panel 10.
Orthographic projections of the touch panel 30 and the polarizer 40
on the display panel 10 coincide with orthographic projections of
the first residual support film 2101 and the first residual optical
adhesive layer 2201 on the display panel 10. The second residual
support film 2102 and the second residual optical adhesive layer
2202 are located in the second area B.
[0118] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2-14, the portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer in the first area may
also be removed to form a residual support film 2103 and a residual
optical adhesive layer 2203 on the display panel 10. Orthographic
projections of the touch panel 30 and the polarizer 40 on the
display panel 10 are both located within orthographic projections
of the residual support film 2103 and the residual optical adhesive
layer 2203 on the display panel. As an example, the portions of the
support film and the optical adhesive layer located in the second
area may be removed, or not be removed.
[0119] Step 305: illuminating the optical adhesive layer left on
the display panel using an ultraviolet light to cure the optical
adhesive layer left on the display panel.
[0120] With reference to the example shown in FIG. 2-13, as
illustrated in FIG. 3-3, the first residual optical adhesive layer
2201 and the second residual optical adhesive layer 2202 left on
the display panel 10 are illuminated using an ultraviolet light q
to cure the first residual optical adhesive layer 2201 and the
second residual optical adhesive layer 2202 left on the display
panel 10. In FIG. 3-3, the touch panel is indicated by `30`; the
polarizer is indicated by `40`; the first residual support film is
indicated by `2101`; and the second residual support film is
indicated by `2102`.
[0121] The ultraviolet curing adhesive may be adhered to the
support film by pressing it by a roller. The ultraviolet curing
adhesive has a relatively small adhesive force, even it may be
stripped mechanically. Thus, in the embodiment of the present
disclosure, use of the ultraviolet light to illuminate the optical
adhesive layer left on the display panel may cure the optical
adhesive layer and enhance the adhesive force of the ultraviolet
curing adhesive. FIG. 3-4 is a graph schematically showing the
adhesive force of the ultraviolet curing adhesive. In FIG. 3-4,
time is indicated in horizontal ordinate and the adhesive force is
indicated in vertical ordinate. The solid line represents variation
of the adhesive force of the ultraviolet curing adhesive when the
ultraviolet curing adhesive is adhered to the support film by
pressing it by the roller. The thick dashed line represents
variation of the adhesive force of the ultraviolet curing adhesive
when the ultraviolet light illuminates the optical adhesive layer
left on the display panel. From FIG. 3-4, it can be seen that use
of the ultraviolet light to illuminate the optical adhesive layer
may enhance the adhesive force of the ultraviolet curing
adhesive.
[0122] Step 306: bending the first area of the display panel
towards the first face of the display panel such that a second area
and a third area of the display panel are located on both sides of
the material layer respectively, for example, the second area and
the third area may be parallel to each other.
[0123] The third area may be located above the material layer. The
second area is connected to one end of the first area and close to
the flexible circuit board. The third area is connected to the
other end of the first area.
[0124] Regarding the details of the Step 306 and the corresponding
structural schematic view, it may refer to the Step 206.
[0125] As discussed above, in the method for manufacturing a
display device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the portion of the material layer in the first area on the display
panel is removed, thus, when the first area of the display panel is
bent towards the first face of the display panel, it fails to be
affected by stress between the PI substrate and the material layer
in the display panel. In this way, the display panel can be bent
completely, so as to achieve narrow border design.
[0126] The method for manufacturing the display device provided by
the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied for
flexible OLED display devices such as AMOLED, passive matrix OLED
(abbreviated as PMOLED) and can achieve narrow border design of the
flexible display device.
[0127] It should be noted that the sequence of steps of the method
for manufacturing the display device provided by the embodiments of
the present disclosure may be adjusted suitably and the steps may
also be increased or reduced correspondingly as required. Any
methods that can be envisaged easily by the skilled person in the
art within the scope of the present disclosure should fall within
the scope of the present disclosure. The details thereof will thus
be omitted herein.
[0128] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display
device. As shown in FIG. 4, the display device may include: a
display panel 10, a material layer 20, a touch panel 30 and a
polarizer 40. The display panel 10 has a first area A located out
of an effective display region of the display panel 10. The first
area A has one end connected to a second area B of the display
panel 10 and the other end connected to the third area C of the
display panel 10. The second area B and the third area C are
arranged on both sides of the material layer 20 respectively. For
example, the second area B and the third area C are parallel to
each other. The third area C may be located above the material
layer 20. A flexible circuit board 50 is arranged on an outer side
of the second area B. The flexible circuit board 50 has a
lengthwise direction (the direction indicated by w1 in FIG. 4)
parallel to a lengthwise direction (the direction indicated by w2
in FIG. 4) of the material layer 20.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 4, the material layer 20 is arranged on a
first face of the display panel 10. The touch panel 30 is arranged
on a second face of the display panel 10 in opposite to the first
face. The polarizer 40 is arranged on a side of the touch panel 30
away from the display panel 10.
[0130] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2-15, the material layer
includes a support film (i.e., the first residual support film
2101) and an optical adhesive layer (i.e., the first optical
adhesive layer 2201). The optical adhesive layer is arranged on the
support film. The display panel 10 is arranged on the support film
provided with the optical adhesive layer. The total thickness of
the support film and the optical adhesive layer is less than the
distance between the second area B and the third area C. The space
between the support film and the second area B is filled with a
residual support film (i.e., the second residual support film 2102)
and a residual optical adhesive layer (i.e., the second optical
adhesive layer 2202) stacked sequentially. The residual support
film contacts with the support film.
[0131] As an example, the display device may also be shown in FIG.
2-16. In addition, the support film and the optical adhesive layer
located in the second area in FIG. 2-16 may also be removed.
[0132] As an example, the optical adhesive layer may be a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer or an ultraviolet curing adhesive
layer.
[0133] As an example, the flexible circuit board includes a COF. A
FPC may also be formed at the end of the COF away from the display
panel.
[0134] As discussed above, in the display device provided by the
embodiment of the present disclosure, the first area of the display
panel of the display device has one end connected to the second
area of the display panel and the other end connected to the third
area of the display panel. The first area is located out of the
effective display region of the display panel. The second area and
the third area are located on both sides of the material layer
respectively, in particular, the second area and the third area may
be parallel to each other. In comparison with the display device in
the related art, the display device has a simple structure in the
embodiments of the present disclosure and can achieve narrow border
design.
[0135] As an example, the display panel, the optical adhesive layer
and the support film may be parallel to each other. For example,
the display panel, the optical adhesive layer and the support film
may have the same length; the polarizer and the touch panel may
have the same length; and the length of the display panel may be
greater than the length of the touch panel.
[0136] The skilled person in the art should understand that all or
part of steps for achieving the above embodiments may be
implemented in hardware, or by instructing the related hardware by
programs. The programs may be stored in a computer readable record
medium. The record medium described above may include such as
read-only memory, hard disk or optical disc.
[0137] Only some exemplified embodiments of the present disclosure
are explained in the above description. However, the scope of the
present disclosure is not limited to those. Any modifications,
equivalents or variants made within the spirit and principles of
the present disclosure should fall within the scope of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *