English:
[0001] The emergence and popularity of mobile computing has made portable computing devices, due to their compact design and light weight, a staple in today's marketplace. Smartphones, tablet computers, and all-in-one devices are examples of portable computing devices that are widely used. Such devices generally employ a touchscreen on a display surface of the device that may be used for both viewing and input. Users of such devices may interact with the touchscreen via finger or stylus gestures.
[0002] FIGs. 1A-B illustrate a foldable display unit in a folded and unfolded state, respectively, according to an example; and
[0003] FIGs. 2A-B illustrate components of the foldable display unit in the folded and unfolded state, respectively, for operably coupling a plurality of brackets to each other, according to an example.
[0004] In the efforts of building compact portable computing devices, various ways of scaling down sizes of such devices have been devised. One such way is by providing the devices to be foldable. As an example, devices such as smartphones and tablet computers may have foldable bodies and displays.
[0006] With reference to the figures, FIGs. 1A-B illustrate a foldable display unit 100 in a folded and unfolded state, respectively, according to an example. As illustrated, the foldable display unit 100 includes a flexible display component 102 that is foldable. For instance, the flexible display component 102 can have a folding edge, indicated by arrow 104, along which the flexible display component 102 can be folded. As an example, the flexible display component 102 can be a flexible mirror, or a flexible element, such as a flexible screen.
[0007] Further, the foldable display unit 100 can include a hinge 110 extending longitudinally along the folding edge of the flexible display component 102. As an example, the hinge 110 can be used in the foldable display unit 100 and bent for folding the foldable display unit 100. The hinge 110 can support the flexible display component 102 and securely hold the flexible display component 102, for instance, in the folded and unfolded state, as illustrated. The hinge 110, in accordance with the present subject matter, is durable and can operate effectively even over prolonged usage.
[0008] As illustrated, the hinge 110 can include a plurality of brackets 112. As will be further described, each bracket 112 from among the plurality of brackets 112 can be operably coupled to an adjacent bracket 112 and can abut against the adjacent bracket 112. Further, an assembly of the brackets 112 can be folded into an arcuate shape, as illustrated in FIG. 1 A. When folded in the arcuate shape, each bracket 112 can be supported by and locked against the adjacent bracket 112, to provide rigidity for maintaining the hinge 110 in the folded condition. As an example, each bracket 112 may be coupled to the flexible display component 102 using a coupler. For instance, each bracket 112 can be coupled to the flexible display component 102 using a fastener, such as a nut and bolt, a screw, a rivet, or using an adhesive, or a combination thereof.
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1 B, when the hinge 110 is in an unfolded state, edges of brackets 112 from the plurality of brackets 112 may abut against corresponding edges of adjacent brackets 112, effectively acting as a stopper to limit the unfolding of the foldable display unit 100 to 180 degrees, as illustrated. As an example, an abutting surface of each of the brackets 112, i.e., the surface at which one bracket 112 abuts against the adjacent bracket 112, can be treated with surface hardening processes or, in other words, can be surface treated to harden the abutting surface. For instance, in case the brackets 112 are comprised of a metal or a metal alloy, the abutting surface of each bracket 112 can be hardened by case hardening. In another example, the abutting surface of each bracket 112 can be coated with a hard coating, using techniques, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and spray coating. For instance, the hard coating can generally include boron nitride, titanium nitride (TiN), aluminum nitride, chromium nitride (CrN), aluminum titanium nitride (AITiN), titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN), titanium cyanide (TiCN), TiAISiN, and carbon exhibiting properties similar to diamond.
[0010] FIGs. 2A-B illustrate components of the foldable display unit 100 in a folded and unfolded state, respectively, for operably coupling the plurality of brackets 112 to each other, according to an example. As illustrated, the hinge 110 includes a plurality of links 202a-l for operably coupling the plurality of brackets 112 to each other. As an example, the links 202a-l may be rotatably connected to each other by a first set of axes 204 according to a first frictional value, and a second set of axes 206 according to a second frictional value less than the first frictional value.
[0011] Referring to FIG. 2A, a first end of link 202b is rotatably connected via axis 204 to an end of link 202c according to the first frictional value, and a second end of link 202b is rotatably connected via axis 206 to an end of link 202a according to the second frictional value. The two sets of axes 204, 206, with different frictional values, may allow for the hinge 110 of the foldable display unit 100 to fold and unfold in combination with the flexible display component 102, with high reliability after continuous stretching and bending of the hinge 110. The first and second sets of axes 204, 206 may include elements that provide a level of resistance of the rotation of the links around a particular axis. Examples of the elements include, but are not limited to, friction hinges, clutches, washers, or bands. As an example, the elements in the first set of axes 204 may provide a greater level of resistance compared to the elements in the second set of axes 206.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 2A, when the hinge 110 is folded into the arcuate shape, the plurality of brackets 112 are stretched, such that an angle is formed between the edges of a bracket 112 and an adjacent bracket 112 (e.g., also see FIG. 1A). As an example, links from the plurality of links 202a-l connected via axes 204 to adjacent links from the plurality of links 202a-l according to the first frictional value may remain fixed while links connected via axes 206 according to the second frictional value may rotate. As a result, as the plurality of brackets 112 are stretched when the hinge 110 is folded, the links may rotate solely around axes 206, and not around axes 204. Referring to FIG. 2B, when the hinge 110 is in an unfolded state, edges of brackets 112 from the plurality of brackets 112 may abut against corresponding edges of adjacent brackets 112, effectively acting as a stopper to limit the unfolding of the foldable display unit 100 to 180 degrees, as illustrated.
[0013] It should be understood that examples described herein below may include various components and features. It should also be understood that, in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it should be understood that the examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific details. In some instances, well known methods and structures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples. Also, the examples may be used in combination with each other.
[0015] It should be understood that the previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

中文:
[0001]移动计算的出现和普及使得便携式计算设备由于其紧凑的设计和轻重量成为当今市场的主要产品。智能手机、平板电脑和一体机设备是广泛使用的便携式计算设备的示例。这样的设备通常在设备的显示表面上采用既可用于观看又可用于输入的触摸屏。这些设备的用户可以通过手指或触笔手势与触摸屏进行交互。
[0002]图1A-图1B例示根据示例的分别处于折叠状态和展开状态的可折叠显示单元;和
[0003]图2A-图2B例示根据示例的用于可操作地将多个托架彼此联接的、分别处于折叠状态和展开状态的可折叠显示单元的部件。
[0004]在努力构建紧凑的便携式计算设备时,已经设计出缩小这些设备的尺寸的各种方式。一种这样的方式是通过提供可折叠的设备。作为示例,诸如智能电话和平板电脑的设备可具有可折叠的主体和显示器。
[0006]参见附图,图1A-图1B例示根据示例的分别处于折叠状态和展开状态的可折叠显示单元100。如所例示,可折叠显示单元100包括可折叠的柔性显示部件102。例如,柔性显示部件102可具有由箭头104指示的折叠边缘,柔性显示部件102可沿该折叠边缘被折叠。作为示例,柔性显示部件102可以是柔性反射镜或者例如柔性屏的柔性元件。
[0007]另外,可折叠显示单元100可包括沿柔性显示部件102的折叠边缘纵向延伸的铰链110。作为示例,铰链110可被用在可折叠显示单元100中,并且可被弯曲以折叠可折叠显示单元100。如所例示,铰链110可支撑柔性显示部件102并将柔性显示部件102牢固地保持在例如折叠状态和展开状态。根据本主题,铰链110是耐用的,并且即使经过长时间使用也能有效地操作。
[0008]如所例示,铰链110可包括多个托架112。如将进一步描述的,多个托架112中的每个托架112可被可操作地联接到相邻的托架112,并且可抵靠相邻的托架112。另外,托架112的组件可被折叠成弓形,如图1A中所例示。当折叠成弓形时,每个支架112可由相邻支架112支撑并相对于相邻支架112锁定,从而为将铰链110保持在折叠条件提供刚性。作为示例,每个托架112可使用联接件(coupler)联接到柔性显示部件102。例如,每个托架112可使用诸如螺母和螺栓、螺钉、铆钉的紧固件或者使用粘合剂或其组合联接到柔性显示部件102。
[0009]参见图1B,如所例示,当铰链110处于展开状态时,多个托架112的托架112的边缘可抵靠相邻托架112的对应边缘,从而有效地充当止动件,以将可折叠显示单元100的展开限制为180度。作为示例,每个托架112的邻接表面,即一个托架112抵靠相邻托架112的表面可以用表面硬化工艺进行处理,或者换句话说,可以进行表面处理以硬化该邻接表面。例如,在托架112由金属或金属合金构成的情况下,每个托架112的邻接表面可通过表层硬化(case hardening)来硬化。在另一示例中,可以使用诸如物理气相沉积(PVD)、化学气相沉积(CVD)和喷涂等技术用硬涂层涂覆每个支架112的邻接表面。例如,硬涂层通常可包括氮化硼、氮化钛(TiN)、氮化铝、氮化铬(CrN)、氮化铝钛(AlTiN)、氮化钛铝(TiAlN)、氰化钛(TiCN)、TiAlSiN和表现出与金刚石相似的特性的碳。
[0010]图2A-图2B例示根据示例的用于可操作地将多个托架112彼此联接的、分别处于折叠状态和展开状态的可折叠显示单元100的部件。如所例示,铰链110包括用于可操作地将多个托架112彼此联接的多个连杆202a-202l。作为示例,连杆202a-1可通过根据第一摩擦值的第一组轴204以及根据小于第一摩擦值的第二摩擦值的第二组轴206彼此可旋转地连接。
[0011]参见图2A,连杆202b的第一端根据第一摩擦值通过轴204可旋转地连接到连杆202c的一端,并且连杆202b的第二端根据第二摩擦值通过轴206可旋转地连接到连杆202a的一端。具有不同摩擦值的两组轴204、206可允许可折叠显示单元100的铰链110与柔性显示部件102组合折叠和展开,在铰链110的连续拉伸和弯曲之后具有高可靠性。第一和第二组轴204、206可包括提供连杆围绕特定轴线旋转的阻力水平的元件。该元件的示例包括但不限于摩擦铰链、离合器、垫圈或索带。作为示例,第一组轴204中的元件与第二组轴206中的元件相比可以提供更大的阻力水平。
[0012]参见图2A,当铰链110被折叠成弓形时,多个托架112伸展,使得在托架112和相邻托架112的边缘之间形成一角度(例如,也参见图1A)。作为示例,根据第一摩擦值通过轴204连接到多个连杆202a-202l中的相邻连杆的多个连杆202a-202l中的连杆可保持固定,而根据第二摩擦值通过轴206连接的连杆可旋转。结果,随着当铰链110被折叠时多个托架112伸展,连杆可以仅围绕轴206旋转,而不围绕轴204旋转。参见图2B,如所例示,当铰链110处于展开状态时,多个托架112中的托架112的边缘可抵靠相邻托架112的对应边缘,从而有效地充当止动件,以将可折叠显示单元100的展开限制为180度。
[0013]应理解,下面在此描述的示例可包括各种部件和特征。还应理解,在下面的描述中,阐述了许多具体细节以提供对示例的全面理解。然而,应理解,可以在不局限于这些具体细节的情况下实践这些示例。在一些情况下,可能不详细描述公知的方法和结构,以避免不必要地模糊示例的描述。此外,这些示例可以彼此组合使用。
[0015]应理解,提供对所公开的示例的先前描述以使本领域的技术人员能够制造或者使用本公开的内容。对于本领域技术人员来说,对这些示例的各种修改将是显而易见的,并且在此限定的一般原则可被应用于其它示例,而不背离本公开的精神或范围。因此,本公开不旨在被局限于在此所示的示例,而是将被赋予与在此所公开的原理和新颖特征一致的最宽的范围。