Patent Description:
The document <CIT> discloses a foldable device which includes: a flexible display including: a first part; a second part; and a third part provided between the first and second parts; a first body supporting the first part; and a second body supporting the second part.

The present concepts relate to devices, such as computing devices employing hinge assemblies that can rotationally secure first and second device portions. A flexible display can be secured to both the first and second portions. The hinge assembly can provide several features that facilitate the use of a single flexible display across both portions. During rotation of the first and second portions, the hinge assembly can change the effective length of the device that lies beneath the flexible display to reduce stresses imparted on the flexible display. This aspect can be achieved with a cord that connects the first portion to the hinge assembly. A length of a pathway of the cord (e.g., cord pathway) can change during the rotation so that the cord draws the first portion toward the hinge assembly and/or allows the first portion to be biased away from the hinge assembly depending on the orientation. Another aspect relates to a deployable bridge support that can support the flexible display in some orientations. The deployment of the bridge support can be controlled by a cam that can operate independently of the cord.

Introductory <FIG> shows an example device <NUM> that has first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> that are rotatably secured together by a hinge assembly <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> can extend from a hinge end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. A flexible display <NUM> can be positioned over the first portion <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM>. An example flexible display that is commercially available is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, though other types may be available and/or become available. The flexible display <NUM> can be secured to a housing <NUM> of both the first and second portions at a bezel <NUM>. For purposes of explanation, the device can be described as having a first side or surface <NUM> (facing upwardly in <FIG>) upon which the flexible display <NUM> is positioned and a second opposite side or surface <NUM> (facing downwardly in <FIG>).

A support member <NUM>, such as a deployable bridge structure <NUM> (shown in ghost because it underlies the flexible display <NUM>) can be positioned between the flexible display <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The support member <NUM> can support the flexible display <NUM> over the hinge assembly <NUM>.

In the illustrated case, the deployable bridge structure <NUM> can be positioned between the flexible display <NUM> and the hinge assembly (<NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>). In the open orientation of <FIG>, the deployable bridge structure <NUM> can function to support the flexible display <NUM> over the hinge assembly <NUM> to create a uniform tactile feel across the device <NUM>. Stated another way, without the deployable bridge structure <NUM>, the flexible display might feel 'mushy' to the user over the hinge assembly <NUM> and solid over the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The flexible display <NUM> can be fixedly secured to both the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> can have a length LF. The portion of the device <NUM> underlying the flexible display <NUM> can have a length LD. To facilitate the fixedly secured configuration, the hinge assembly <NUM> can change the length LD of the device <NUM> (e.g., effective length) underlying the flexible display at various orientations of the rotation to reduce forces being imparted on the flexible display <NUM>. Briefly, at the <NUM>-degree orientation of <FIG>, the length of the device LD and the length of the flexible display LF are approximately equal. The flexible display <NUM> tends to be above the neutral axis of the device. As such, during rotation the length of the flexible display <NUM> would traditionally have to change during rotation. Instead, in the present implementations, the hinge assembly <NUM> (e.g., the device) can change length LD during rotation to accommodate the flexible display. This aspect will be discussed in more detail below relative to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows regions of the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> joined to the hinge assembly <NUM> and oriented at <NUM>-degrees. In this view, the second surface or side <NUM> is facing toward the reader and the first side <NUM> is facing away from the reader. In this case, there are two deployable bridge structures <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) associated with the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The deployable bridge structures <NUM> can be deployed to a position that supports the flexible display at the hinge assembly <NUM> in the illustrated <NUM>-degree position.

Further, independent of the position of the bridge structures <NUM>, the length of the device (LD) underlying the flexible display <NUM> (e.g., length LF) can be adjusted depending on the orientation. In the illustrated <NUM>-degree orientation the length of the device LD is relatively long. In other orientations, such as the zero-degree orientation and the <NUM>-degree orientation, the length of the device LD can be relatively shorter to reduce stresses imparted on the flexible display.

In this case, the deployable bridge structures <NUM> can be deployed over the hinge assembly <NUM> in the <NUM>-degree orientation. The deployable bridge structures <NUM> can support the flexible display <NUM>. The support offered by the bridge structures <NUM> can contribute to tactile symmetry across the flexible display <NUM> over the first portion <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> in the <NUM>-degree orientation. Stated another way, the flexible display can feel substantially the same to the user across the entire device <NUM>, such as when the user touches the flexible display as an input command.

When the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> are rotated to other orientations (e.g., less than or more than <NUM> degrees) the deployable bridge structures <NUM> can move to allow room for the flexible display to bend at the hinge assembly <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> collectively show more details of hinge assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> are exploded perspective views that show hinge assembly <NUM> at the <NUM>-degree orientation (as indicated in <FIG>). <FIG> show a portion of hinge assembly <NUM> at the zero-degree orientation. <FIG> show a portion of hinge assembly <NUM> at the <NUM>-degree orientation. <FIG> show a portion of hinge assembly <NUM> at the <NUM>-degree orientation. Of course, these orientations are only representative. The present concepts described relative to these orientations also apply to intervening orientations.

Looking at <FIG> and <FIG>, example hinge assembly <NUM> can include hinge guides <NUM> that can be secured to housings <NUM> of the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>). For instance, the hinge guides <NUM> can be secured to the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>) by fasteners <NUM> through holes <NUM> (not all of which are shown or designated with specificity). The hinge guides <NUM> can slideably receive hinge arms <NUM>. A biasing element <NUM>, such as hinge springs <NUM> can bias the hinge guides <NUM> and the hinge arms <NUM> apart (e.g., away) from one another. Stated another way, the hinge springs <NUM> can bias the hinge guides <NUM> and hence the first and second portions (<FIG>, <NUM> and <NUM>) away from the hinge assembly <NUM>. In this case, the hinge springs <NUM> can be received in cavities <NUM> in hinge arms <NUM>. The hinge springs <NUM> can be guided by pins <NUM> that slide in and are constrained by slots <NUM>.

The hinge arms <NUM> can receive hinge shafts <NUM> that define hinge axes (HA). The hinge shafts <NUM> can be associated with a timing element, such as timing gears. In this case, the timing gears include primary gears <NUM>, which can interact with secondary gears <NUM>. (An alternative implementation can omit the secondary gears and employ directly engaging primary gears). The primary and secondary gears can control rotation of the hinge arms <NUM> so that equal degrees of rotation occur around each hinge axis (HA). For instance, <NUM> degrees of rotation of hinge arm <NUM>(<NUM>) around hinge axis HA<NUM> occurs concurrently with <NUM> degrees of rotation of hinge arm <NUM>(<NUM>) around hinge axis HA<NUM>.

The hinge shafts <NUM> can be positioned relative to a friction sleeve <NUM>. The friction sleeve <NUM> can in turn be received in a communication member <NUM>. The friction sleeve <NUM> can provide resistance to rotation between the communication member <NUM> and the hinge arms <NUM> so that the hinge arms maintain an orientation set by the user until the user changes the orientation (e.g., the device maintains whatever orientation the user puts it in).

Cords <NUM> can be secured between the communication member <NUM> (e.g., the hinge axes) and the first and second portions (e.g., in this case, the hinge guides <NUM>). In this implementation, there are two cords <NUM>: cord <NUM>(<NUM>) relates to hinge axis HA<NUM> and hinge guide <NUM>(<NUM>) and cord <NUM>(<NUM>) relates to hinge axis HA<NUM> hinge guide <NUM>(<NUM>). The cords <NUM> can be secured to the hinge guides <NUM>, such as by locks <NUM>. In some implementations, the cords <NUM> can extend around cams (e.g. cord cams) <NUM> and pins <NUM> associated with the communication member <NUM>. The cams <NUM> and pins <NUM> can, at least in part, define pathways <NUM> for the cords <NUM>.

The hinge shafts <NUM> can also engage a mechanism for controlling the position of the support member, such as bridge structures <NUM>. In this case, the controlling mechanism entails primary cam gears or bridge gears <NUM> positioned on the hinge shafts <NUM>. The primary cam gears <NUM> can engage secondary cam gears or bridge gears <NUM>. The secondary cam gears <NUM> drive shafts <NUM>, which pass through caps <NUM>. In this case, the shafts <NUM> are parallel to, but not coextensive with the hinge axes. In other cases, the shafts can be coextensive with the hinge axes. The shafts <NUM> drive cams (e.g., bridge cams) <NUM>. The primary cam gears <NUM> and secondary cam gears <NUM> can provide timed relation between the hinge shafts <NUM> and shafts <NUM> (and hence the cams <NUM>).

In this case, the cams <NUM> are teardrop shaped and rotate around a large radius end of the teardrop shape and have cam surfaces (e.g., bearing surfaces) <NUM> on the smaller radius end. Cam surfaces <NUM> of the cams <NUM> can engage cam followers <NUM> on the bridge structures <NUM>. (Note that in this implementation, the bearing surfaces <NUM> are positioned below the cams <NUM> in the x-reference direction (e.g., along the hinge axes). Thus, the bearing surfaces <NUM> lie in-line with the cam followers <NUM> and below the cams <NUM>. This aspect is very difficult to illustrate in the 2D drawings that follow, such as <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Bridge biasing elements <NUM>, such as bridge springs <NUM> can bias the bridge structures <NUM> toward one another (e.g., toward the hinge axes). In the illustrated configuration, the bridge springs <NUM> are positioned between the hinge guides <NUM> and tabs <NUM> on the bridge structures <NUM>. The bridge springs <NUM> can bias the bridge structures together unless the bias is overcome by the cams <NUM> operating on the bridge structures <NUM>.

<FIG> collectively illustrate the control aspects relating to the device length and the support element position examples. <FIG> show the device <NUM> at a zero-degree orientation, <FIG> show the device at a <NUM>-degree orientation, and <FIG> show the device at a <NUM>-degree orientation. In the zero-degree orientation, the flexible display <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) is facing inwardly (e.g., against itself). In the <NUM>-degree orientation, the flexible display <NUM> is facing outwardly (e.g., on the outside of the device).

As mentioned above, <FIG> collectively show the device <NUM> in the zero-degree orientation with the flexible display <NUM> on the inside. To accommodate the flexible display, the effective length of the device underlying the flexible display can be decreased by forcing the hinge guides <NUM> (and thereby the first and second portions) toward the hinge assembly <NUM>. In this case, the force can be accomplished by the cords <NUM> pulling the hinge guides <NUM> toward the hinge assembly as reflected by gap GL<NUM> (See, <FIG>) between the hinge guides <NUM> and the hinge arms <NUM>. Recall that the hinge springs (<NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>) can bias the hinge guides away from the hinge arms <NUM> (and hence the hinge assembly). However, this bias can be overcome by the cords <NUM> when the cords experience relatively long pathways <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the hinge springs <NUM> bias the hinge guides <NUM> and the hinge arms <NUM> away from one another. Movement of the hinge arms in the hinge guides can be facilitated and defined by pins <NUM> associated with the ends of the hinge springs <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, movement of the pins <NUM> can be defined by the slots <NUM> in the hinge arms. In this orientation, the hinge springs are compressed by cords <NUM> as evidenced by the pins <NUM> moving toward the hinge assembly (e.g., toward the end of slots <NUM> proximate to the communication member <NUM>).

Moving the hinge guides <NUM> and hinge arms <NUM> away from one another serves to lengthen the device (e.g. the effective length). This bias can be countered by the cords <NUM> pulling the hinge guides <NUM> toward the hinge assembly <NUM>. The extent that the cords <NUM> pull the hinge guides <NUM> depends upon the length of the pathways <NUM> experienced by the cords <NUM> at a given orientation. The pathways <NUM> can be affected, at least in part, by cams <NUM> (e.g., the orientation of the cams can change the length of the pathways). In some implementations, the cams <NUM> can be approximately D-shaped and can rotate around the hinge axes HA. In the zero-degree orientation of <FIG>, the pathways <NUM> are relatively long because they extend around the curved portion of the D-shape and include a 'jog' around pins <NUM>.

In this implementation, the cords <NUM> are relatively inelastic. The cords <NUM> are attached to the hinge guides <NUM>. When exposed to the relatively long pathways <NUM> of the zero-degree orientation, the cords overcome the bias of the hinge springs <NUM> and pull the hinge guides <NUM> partway toward the hinge assembly <NUM> (e.g., toward the communication member <NUM>). This aspect can be evidenced by the gap GL<NUM> between the hinge guides <NUM> and the hinge arms <NUM> (e.g., gap length at orientation zero (GL<NUM>)) being relatively small.

<FIG> show how the position of the bridge structures <NUM> can be controlled based upon orientation of the first and second portions. In this case, the primary cam gears <NUM> are secured to the hinge shafts <NUM>. The primary cam gears <NUM> intermesh with the secondary cam gears <NUM>. The secondary cam gears <NUM> drive shafts <NUM>, which are keyed to cams <NUM>. In this orientation, cams <NUM> are facing toward the hinge guides <NUM> and engaging the cam followers <NUM> on the bridge structures <NUM>. This engagement can overcome bias created by bridge springs <NUM> that is biasing the bridge structures <NUM> toward the hinge axes HA. Instead, the cam engagement can force the bridge structures <NUM> away from the hinge axes and compress the bridge springs <NUM> as evidenced by bridge structure to hinge guide gap GB<NUM> (<FIG>). This can move the bridge structures away from the hinge assembly and allow more room for 'bending' of the flexible display (e.g., allows bigger bend radius of flexible display).

<FIG> show the device in the <NUM>-degree orientation similar to <FIG> and <FIG>. While not shown, the flexible display (<NUM>, <FIG>) would be on the opposite side of the hinge assembly <NUM> as the reader.

<FIG> shows pathways <NUM> shortened relative to the zero-degree orientation of <FIG>. Namely, the cams <NUM> have rotated so that the portion of the pathways defined by the cams are shorter. Further, pins <NUM> are not extending the pathways as they were in the zero-degree orientation. With the shorter pathways <NUM> experienced by cords <NUM>, the cords can allow the hinge springs <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) to bias the hinge guides <NUM> away from the hinge arms <NUM>. This can be evidenced in <FIG> by pins <NUM> moving in slots <NUM> away from the hinge assembly as the hinge springs expand to bias the hinge guides <NUM> away from the hinge assembly <NUM>. Biasing the hinge guides <NUM> away from the hinge arms <NUM> can effectively increase the length of the device underlying the flexible display. This increased length can be evidenced by comparing gap GL<NUM> to gap GL<NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> shows primary cam gears <NUM> positioned on hinge shafts <NUM>. The primary cam gears <NUM> can drive secondary cam gears <NUM>. <FIG> shows the secondary cam gears can drive cams <NUM> via shafts <NUM>. In the <NUM>-degree orientation, the cam <NUM> are facing away from the hinge guides <NUM> (e.g., towards one another). This allows the cam followers <NUM> of the bridge structures <NUM> to be biased toward one another (e.g., toward the hinge assembly) by the bridge springs <NUM>. This can be evidenced by comparing the bridge gap (GB<NUM>) at the <NUM>-degree orientation to the zero-degree orientation (e.g., GB<NUM> of <FIG>). Thus, the bridge structures <NUM> can move toward one another and toward the hinge assembly <NUM> to support the flexible display. Recall that in the <NUM>-degree orientation, the bridge structures support of the flexible display can contribute to a uniform tactile feel of the flexible display across the device (e.g., from distal end <NUM>(<NUM>) to distal end <NUM>(<NUM>) in <FIG>).

<FIG> show the device in the <NUM>-degree orientation. Though not shown so that underlying components can be visualized, in this orientation the flexible display is wrapped around the device like a book cover of a closed book. To accommodate this configuration, the effective length of the device can be shortened as reflected in gap GL<NUM> which can be compared to the longer gap GL<NUM> of <FIG>. The shortening of the effective length can be accomplished by pathways <NUM> being longer in the <NUM>-degree orientation than the <NUM>-degree orientation. The length of the pathways <NUM> can be determined at least in part by the cams <NUM>. The length of the cams over which the cords <NUM> pass is longer in the <NUM>-degree orientation than in the <NUM>-degree orientation. The longer pathways <NUM> of the <NUM>-degree orientation causes the cords <NUM> to overcome the bias of the hinge springs <NUM> and pull the hinge guides <NUM> toward the hinge arms <NUM> as reflected by gap GL <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that cams <NUM> can force the bridge structures <NUM> away from the hinge assembly <NUM> (e.g., away from the hinge axes) in this orientation. Moving the bridge structures <NUM> away from the hinge assembly <NUM> can prevent the bridge structures from interfering with hinge assembly functionalities and/or prevent the bridge structures from contacting the flexible display in this orientation.

Individual elements of the hinge assemblies <NUM> can be made from various materials, such as metals, plastics, foams, polymers, and/or composites. These materials can be prepared in various ways, such as in the form of sheet metals, die cast metals, machined metals, metal injection moldings, 3D printed materials, molded or 3D printed plastics, and/or molded or 3D printed composites, among others, or any combination of these (and/or other) materials and/or preparations can be employed.

The present hinge assembly concepts can be utilized with any type of device, such as but not limited to notebook computers, smart phones, wearable smart devices, tablets, and/or other types of existing, developing, and/or yet to be developed devices.

Various methods of manufacture, assembly, and/or use for hinge assemblies and devices are contemplated beyond those shown above relative to <FIG>.

Various examples are described above. Additional examples are described below. One example includes a device that has a first portion and a second portion and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly is slideably secured to the first portion and the second portion. The hinge assembly defines a pathway and a bridge cam. The device includes a flexible display secured to the first portion and the second portion, a bridge structure positioned relative to the hinge assembly and the flexible display, and a cord that extends along the pathway between the hinge assembly and the first portion and that is configured to control a gap between the first portion and the hinge assembly depending upon an orientation of the first and second portions. The bridge cam is configured to control a position of the bridge structure depending upon the orientation of the first and second portions and the bridge cam controls the bridge structure independently of the cord controlling the gap.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the hinge assembly defines a cord cam and wherein the pathway is defined at least in part by the cord cam.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the hinge assembly defines a hinge shaft that the first portion rotates around.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the bridge cam operates in timed relation to the hinge shaft.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the device further comprises bridge gears positioned relative to the hinge shaft to provide the timed relation.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the device further comprises bridge biasing elements that bias the bridge structure towards the hinge assembly.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the bridge cam can engage the bridge structure at individual orientations to force the bridge structure away from the hinge assembly.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the cord comprises a first cord extending between the hinge assembly and the first portion and a second cord extending between the hinge assembly and the second portion.

Another example includes a device comprising hinged first and second portions that rotate around a hinge axis, a flexible display positioned over the first and second portions, a cord that determines a length of the hinged first and second portions relative to the flexible display depending on an orientation of the first and second portions, and a cam that controls a position of a support under the flexible display depending on the orientation.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the device further comprises a biasing element that biases the first portion away from the hinge axis.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the device defines a pathway for the cord and wherein the length of the hinged first and second portions is defined at least in part by a length of the pathway at the orientation.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the support comprises a bridge that includes a cam follower and wherein the cam is configured to operate on the cam follower to control the position of the bridge.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the device further comprises a structure that defines a pathway for the cord and wherein a length of the pathway changes when the orientation changes.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the structure comprises a cord cam.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the cord cam is D-shaped.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the first and second portions rotate around an axis of rotation.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the cam rotates around the axis of rotation or wherein the cam rotates around another axis that is parallel to the axis or rotation.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the cam is teardrop shaped and defines a cam surface that engages a cam follower defined by the support.

Another example includes a device comprising first and second portions configured to rotate relative to a hinge axis, a flexible display positioned over the first and second portions, a cord that pulls the hinged first and second portions toward one another to an extent defined by an orientation of the first and second portions, and a cam that forces a support away from the hinge axis unless the orientation is <NUM> degrees.

Another example can include any of the above and/or below examples where the extent is determined by a pathway experienced by the cord at the orientation.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>), comprising:
a first portion (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>);
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>), the hinge assembly being slideably secured to the first portion and the second portion, the hinge assembly defining a pathway (<NUM>) and a bridge cam (<NUM>);
a flexible display (<NUM>) secured to the first portion and the second portion;
a bridge structure (<NUM>) positioned relative to the hinge assembly and the flexible display;
a cord (<NUM>) that extends along the pathway between the hinge assembly (<NUM>) and the first portion (<NUM>) and that is configured to control a gap between the first portion and the hinge assembly depending upon an orientation of the first and second portions; and,
the bridge cam (<NUM>) is configured to control a position of the bridge structure depending upon the orientation of the first and second portions and the bridge cam controls the bridge structure independently of the cord controlling the gap.