Patent Description:
The size of mobile devices, such as tablets and mobile phones, is an important consideration when designing mobile devices. In order to provide the best mobile device possible, the outer dimensions of the device have to be as small as is technically feasible, while still allowing the display of the device to be as large as possible.

This problem may be solved, e.g., by means of a foldable electronic device comprising one or several support bodies, e.g. interconnected by means of hinges, covered by a display. The support body/bodies and the display can be folded together to provide an as small electronic device as possible, i.e. at least partially covering both main faces of the device, and unfolded to provide an as large display as possible, i.e. the display covering only one main face of the device and protruding from said main face.

As the bending radius of the display changes, there will inevitably be more or less deformation of the display. This is due to, as the display is folded around the electronic device, the display stretching on one side of the neutral axis and compressing on the other side of the neutral axis. The neutral axis is the axis along which the display or the housing remains unchanged as the device is folded, i.e. it neither stretches nor compresses.

The situation is even more complex when the display is extendable. In this case, the display is both bent around the device and moving around the edge of the device as it is extended. The display is constantly bending and unbending over a large area, and has to be supported such that the entire affected display area manages the bending and unbending without permanently deforming.

The document <CIT> discloses a support arrangement for a slidable display device. The support arrangement is disposed beneath the flexible display and comprises a flat front support member and a flat back support member connected to each other via a plurality of bars configured to roll over a roller, when a sliding movement of the display device is performed.

The document <CIT> discloses a support arrangement for a slidable display device. The support arrangement is disposed beneath the flexible display and comprises a flat front support portion and a flat back support portion. A flexible support portion comprising openings to facilitate bending is located in between.

It is an object to provide an improved sliding display arrangement. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a flexible support structure for a sliding display arrangement, comprising a flexible sheet and a support arrangement comprising a plurality of support rods arranged to support the foldable sheet, center axes of the support rods extending in parallel with each other and with the foldable sheet, the flexible sheet comprising a sheet material and a slit pattern allowing the sheet material to fold around a folding axis parallel with the center axes, each support rod being connected to the flexible sheet by means of a plurality of attachments.

This solution provides a flexible support structure which facilitates that, as the display is folded around the electronic device, there is as little stretching and compression as possible, hence reducing the amount of deformation that the display is subjected to.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the slit pattern comprises a plurality of first slit arrangements having a first configuration and a plurality of second slit arrangements having a second configuration, the first slit arrangements and the second slit arrangements being alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the folding axis. This facilitates a support structure which is stiff enough to keep the surface of a display, supported by the support structure, flat.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first slit arrangement comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged first slits, the first slits extending in parallel with the folding axis, each first slit being separated from at least one adjacent first slit by a section of integral sheet material.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second slit arrangement comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged second slits, the second slits extending in parallel with the folding axis, each second slit being separated from at least one adjacent second slit by a section of integral sheet material.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first slits and the second slits have identical dimensions in the first direction, providing even flexibility across the foldable sheet.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second slits are offset in relation to the first slits, in the first direction, such that ends of the first slits are located along the folding axis at points which are different from points at which ends of the second slits are located, providing a foldable sheet which is sufficiently stiff in the direction perpendicular to the main plane of the foldable sheet.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, each first slit and second slit extends between two adjacent support rods, such that the first slit and second slit do not overlap any of the support rods, allowing as much of the foldable sheet as possible to be directly supported by the support rods.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, at least one attachment is provided on each side of each first slit and each second slit, such that a plurality of attachments are provided between each pair of adjacent first slit arrangement and second slit arrangement.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, a shape and/or dimension of at least one first slit and at least one second slit changes when folding the foldable sheet around the folding axis, facilitating the bending of the flexible sheet.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the sheet material comprises a plurality of sub-areas, each sub-area being delimited by two second slits from two adjacent second slit arrangements, the sub-area being partially divided into two longitudinally extending halves by two first slits from a first slit arrangement being located between the two adjacent second slit arrangements, such that the sub-area has a substantially H-formed shape.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, one attachment is arranged at each corner of the H-formed shape, which allows the foldable sheet to bend and deform easily.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, each support rod is substantially tapered from a base section to an apex section, the base section being arranged adjacent the foldable sheet, and the apex sections being moved towards each other when the foldable sheet is folded around the folding axis, allowing the support rods to rotate around the folding axis without colliding.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the base section comprises a concave surface, the concave surface being in supportive abutment the foldable sheet, and allowing the foldable sheet to extend as smoothly as possible when the foldable support assembly folds.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the support arrangement further comprises end supports located at each end of the support rods, the end supports extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the support rod, each support rod being pivotally interconnected with at least one adjacent support rod by means of the end supports such that center axes of the support rods are located on one side of the foldable sheet, and the interconnections are arranged on an opposite side of the foldable sheet, allowing the support rods to rotate while at the same time keeping the neutral axis at a constant level.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the end supports comprise at least one protrusion and at least one recess, the protrusion and the recess having complimentary shapes, such that a protrusion of one end support interconnects with a recess of an adjacent end support, facilitating simple yet reliable means for rotation.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, each end support is pivotable in relation to an adjacent end support, around a pivot axis, the pivot axis being arranged in a neutral plane of the support arrangement such that the neutral plane remains constant as the foldable sheet is folded.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a sliding display arrangement for an electronic device, the sliding display arrangement comprising a flexible display and the flexible support structure according to the above, the flexible support structure supporting the display. This solution provides a sliding display arrangement which facilitates that, as the display is folded around the electronic device, there is as little stretching and compression of the display as possible.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, a distance between a pivot axis of the end supports of the flexible support structure and the display is such that a neutral axis of the flexible support structure extends as close to the display as possible. This allows the flexible display to be fixed to the flexible support structure such that the neutral axis is as close to the flexible display as possible, hence reducing the amount of deformation that the display is subjected to.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising a chassis module, two end cap modules arranged at opposite short sides of the chassis module, and a sliding display arrangement according to the above, the sliding display arrangement partially enclosing the chassis module, the sliding display arrangement being interlocked with the chassis module by means of grooves extending in the end cap modules in a direction perpendicular to a folding axis of the flexible support structure of the sliding display arrangement, opposing edges of the sliding display arrangement interconnecting with the grooves. This which allows a sliding display arrangement which slides reliably around the electronic device without the display deforming.

In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the sliding display arrangement may be in one of a retracted position and an extended position.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show a flexible support structure <NUM> for a sliding display arrangement <NUM>.

The flexible support structure <NUM> comprises a flexible sheet <NUM> and a support arrangement <NUM> comprising a plurality of support rods <NUM> arranged to support the flexible sheet <NUM>. The center axes A1 of the support rods <NUM> extend in parallel with each other and with the flexible sheet <NUM>. The support rods <NUM> are preferably made of stiff material such that they do not bend in any direction, but remain essentially straight regardless of their position.

The flexible sheet <NUM> comprises a sheet material and a slit pattern allowing the sheet material to fold around a folding axis A2 parallel with the center axes A1, as shown <FIG>. The sheet material is preferably stiff enough to keep the surface of the display of the sliding display arrangement flat in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the flexible support structure <NUM>, and perpendicular to the center axes A1 and folding axis A2.

The slit pattern may comprise a plurality of first slit arrangements <NUM> having a first configuration and a plurality of second slit arrangements <NUM> having a second configuration. The first slit arrangements <NUM> and the second slit arrangements <NUM> may alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the folding axis A2.

The first slit arrangement <NUM> may comprise a plurality of sequentially arranged first slits 7a, the first slits 7a extending in parallel with the folding axis A2. Each first slit 7a is separated from at least one adjacent first slit 7a by a section of integral sheet material.

Correspondingly, the second slit arrangement <NUM> may comprise a plurality of sequentially arranged second slits 8a, the second slits 8a extending in parallel with the folding axis A2. Each second slit 8a is separated from at least one adjacent second slit 8a by a section of integral sheet material.

In one embodiment, the first slits 7a and the second slits 8a have identical dimensions in the first direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the second slits 8a may be offset in relation to the first slits 7a, in the first direction, such that ends of the first slits 7a are located along the folding axis A2 at points which are different from points at which ends of the second slits 8a are located.

Each first slit 7a and each second slit 8a may extend between two adjacent support rods <NUM>, such that the first slit 7a and second slit 8a do not overlap any of the support rods <NUM>.

Each support rod <NUM> is connected to the foldable sheet <NUM> by means of a plurality of attachments <NUM>. At least one attachment <NUM> may be provided on each side of each first slit 7a and each second slit 8a, such that a plurality of attachments <NUM> are provided between each pair of adjacent first slit arrangement <NUM> and second slit arrangement <NUM>.

The shape and/or dimensions of at least one first slit 7a and at least one second slit 8a may change when folding the flexible sheet <NUM> around the folding axis A2.

The sheet material may comprise a plurality of sub-areas, each sub-area being delimited by two second slits 8a from two adjacent second slit arrangements. The sub-area is partially divided into two longitudinally extending halves by two first slits 7a from a first slit arrangement <NUM> being located between the two adjacent second slit arrangements <NUM>, such that the sub-area has a substantially H-formed shape. One attachment <NUM> may be arranged at each corner of the H-formed shape.

Each support rod <NUM> may be substantially tapered, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, such that the support rods <NUM> do not collide as the flexible support structure <NUM> folds. The tapering extends from a base section <NUM> to an apex section <NUM>, the base section <NUM> being arranged adjacent the flexible sheet <NUM>. The apex sections <NUM> are moved towards each other when the flexible sheet <NUM> is folded around the folding axis A2, as shown in <FIG>. The base section <NUM> may comprise a concave surface (not shown), the concave surface being in supportive abutment the flexible sheet <NUM>. This allows the flexible sheet <NUM> to extend as smoothly as possible when the flexible support assembly <NUM> folds.

The support arrangement <NUM> may further comprise end supports <NUM> located at each end of the support rods <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The end supports <NUM> extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center axis A1 of the support rod. Each support rod <NUM> is pivotally interconnected with at least one adjacent support rod <NUM> by means of the end supports <NUM> such that center axes A1 of the support rods <NUM> are located on one side of the flexible sheet <NUM>, and the interconnections are arranged on an opposite side of the flexible sheet <NUM>.

The end supports <NUM> may comprise at least one protrusion <NUM> and at least one recess <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The protrusion <NUM> and the recess <NUM> have complimentary shapes, such that a protrusion <NUM> of one end support <NUM> interconnects with a recess <NUM> of an adjacent end support <NUM>.

Each end support <NUM> is pivotable in relation to an adjacent end support <NUM> around a pivot axis A3. The pivot axis A3 is arranged in a neutral plane of the support arrangement <NUM> such that the neutral plane remains constant as the flexible sheet <NUM> is folded. This allows the support rods <NUM> to rotate while at the same time keeping the neutral axis at a constant level.

The present invention further relates to a sliding display arrangement <NUM> for an electronic device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the sliding display arrangement <NUM> comprises a flexible display <NUM> and the flexible support structure <NUM> described above. The flexible support structure <NUM> supports the display <NUM>.

A distance between a pivot axis A3 of the end supports <NUM> of the foldable support structure <NUM> and the display <NUM> is such that a neutral axis of the foldable support structure <NUM> extends as close to the display <NUM> as possible.

The present invention also relates to an electronic device <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, comprising a chassis module <NUM>, two end cap modules <NUM> arranged at opposite short sides of the chassis module <NUM>, and a sliding display arrangement <NUM> according to the above.

The sliding display arrangement <NUM> partially encloses the chassis module <NUM>, and is interlocked with the chassis module <NUM> by means of grooves extending in the end cap modules <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A2 of the flexible support structure <NUM> of the sliding display arrangement <NUM>. Opposing edges of the sliding display arrangement <NUM> interconnect with the grooves, which allows the sliding display arrangement <NUM> to slide around the electronic device <NUM>.

The sliding display arrangement <NUM> may be in one of a retracted position P1 and an extended position P2, as shown in <FIG>.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

Claim 1:
Flexible support structure (<NUM>) for a sliding display arrangement (<NUM>), comprising
a flexible sheet (<NUM>) and
a support arrangement (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of support rods (<NUM>) arranged to support said flexible sheet (<NUM>),
center axes (A1) of said support rods (<NUM>) extending in parallel with each other and with said flexible sheet (<NUM>),
said flexible sheet (<NUM>) comprising a sheet material and
a slit pattern allowing said sheet material to fold around a folding axis (A2) parallel with said center axes (A1),
each support rod (<NUM>) being connected to said flexible sheet (<NUM>) by means of a plurality of attachments (<NUM>),
wherein the flexible support structure (<NUM>) is capable of performing a sliding movement,
wherein a path of the sliding movement comprises two linear parts coupled to each other via a curve part, and
wherein an axis of the curve part is parallel to the center axes (A1) of said support rods (<NUM>).