Patent Description:
The size of electronic devices, such as tablets and mobile phones, is an important consideration when designing electronic devices. The user oftentimes requests the outer dimensions of the device to be as small as possible while still providing a display which is 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, and unfolded to provide an as large display as possible.

However, as the electronic device is folded, the display and/or the support body/bodies will stretch on one side of the neutral axis and compress on the other side of the neutral axis. The neutral axis is the axis along which the display or the housing remains unchanged as it is folded, i.e. it neither stretches nor compresses.

One solution is to provide the electronic device with a resilient connection between the display and the support body, the resilient connection taking up any stretching and compression. However, the resilient connection and the configuration of the hinges still affects the appearance of the display, leaving the surface of the display uneven.

Document <CIT> relates to a flexible display device which includes a base support, a flexible display, and at least one positioning mechanism. The base support includes a first support plate extending lengthwise to terminate at a left end and a right end, a second support plate extending lengthwise to terminate at a left end and a right end, and a support rib unit including a plurality of support ribs which are juxtaposed to each other, and which are configured to be associated with each other to permit the support rib unit to be structurally flexible. The support rib unit is flanked by and configured to loosely interconnect the first and second support plates so as to permit the base support to be structurally flexible between a normal position and a bent position. Each of the support ribs extends lengthwise to terminate at a left end and a right end. The flexible display is supported by the base support to be bendable with the base support. The positioning mechanism is disposed leftward or rightward of the base support, and which includes a first mount, a second mount, a plurality of hinge bodies, a leaf spring unit, a sliding block, and a spring-loaded unit. The first mount is mounted to a corresponding one of the left and right ends of the first support plate to permit the first mount to move with the first support plate, and includes a camming wall with a camming surface, and an abutment wall that is spaced apart from the camming wall to define a first cavity. The second mount is mounted to a corresponding one of the left and right ends of the second support plate to permit the second mount to move with the second support plate, and defines therein a second cavity. The hinge bodies are chained to each other along a chain line. Each of the hinge bodies has a through bore and is configured to be in interference engagement with a corresponding one of the left and right ends of the respective support rib so as to permit the hinge bodies to be structurally flexible with the support rib unit. The through bores of the hinge bodies are arranged in tandem along the chain line. Each of the hinge bodies has a cover wall, and a base wall which is spaced apart from the cover wall to define the through bore, and which has a floor segment and an elevated cantilever segment. The base wall is configured to permit the elevated cantilever segment of one of the hinge bodies to overlie and to slidably engage with the floor segment of an adjacent one of the hinge bodies. The leaf spring unit extends along the chain line to pass through the through bores of the hinge bodies to terminate at a first spring end which is to be disposed in the first cavity, and a second spring end secured in the second cavity. The sliding block is fitted in the first cavity, and is slidable from a distal position corresponding to the normal position, to a proximate position corresponding to the bent position. The sliding block has a retaining segment distal from the second mount, and a securing segment which is proximate to the second mount, and which is configured to secure the first spring end thereto. The retaining segment has a first segment wall and a second segment wall. The first segment wall confronts the camming wall, and has a first opening. The second segment wall confronts the abutment wall, and is spaced apart from the first segment wall to define an accommodation space. The spring-loaded unit is disposed in the accommodation space, and includes a pin stem and a biasing member. The pin stem is disposed in the accommodation space, and extends through the first opening to terminate at a first stem end. The biasing member is disposed to bias the first stem end into frictional engagement with the camming surface of the camming wall such that once a force applied to move the sliding block against a biasing force of the biasing member between the distal and proximate positions ceases to be applied, the sliding block is kept retained between the distal and proximate positions.

It is an object to provide an improved foldable electronic device. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claim. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Thus, the present invention is set out by the set of appended claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a hinge assembly for an electronic device, the hinge assembly being moveable between an unfolded position and at least a first folded end position, the hinge assembly comprising a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades and at least one linear actuator, the hinge blades being aligned in a common plane when the hinge assembly is in the unfolded position, each hinge blade being rotated relative to neighboring hinge blades around a first hinge assembly rotation axis, when the hinge assembly is moved to the first folded end position, the linear actuator comprising a rotation shaft and a plurality of linear drive arrangements having different lengths, the rotation shaft extending in parallel with the first hinge assembly rotation axis and comprising sections having different diameters, a first end of each linear drive arrangement being interconnected with a section of the rotation shaft having one diameter, a second, opposite end of each linear drive arrangement being connected to one hinge blade, an actuator axis extending between the first and second ends of each linear drive arrangement and perpendicular to the first hinge assembly rotation axis, wherein actuation of the linear actuator along the actuator axis urges each hinge blade to rotate relative neighboring hinge blades around the first hinge assembly rotation axis.

Such a solution allows for a hinge assembly which has as small outer dimensions as possible, while having a range of motion which allows, e.g., two components interconnected by the hinge assembly, such as two electronic device frame sections, to be moved between an unfolded position, in which the frame sections extend to provide a maximum electronic device width, and a folded position in which the two sections are superimposed onto each other such that they extend to provide only a minimum electronic device width. Furthermore, the solution provides support to any components which extend the two interconnected components across the hinge assembly. Furthermore, each hinge blade has its own manufacturing and rotation tolerance, however, with this solution the different tolerances do not stack up and hence, the impact on the display is minimized.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, rotation of the neighboring hinge blades is initiated successively in response to the differing diameters of the rotation shaft. Such a solution allows rotation of neighboring hinge blades to be initiated successively in response to the differing diameters of the linear drive arrangements. The smaller the diameter, the less the linear drive arrangement will move and the less the hinge blade will rotate. Hence, the desired turning profile is set for each hinge blade.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge assembly comprises at least a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, the first linear actuator comprising a first rotation shaft and plurality of first linear drive arrangements, the second linear actuator comprising a second rotation shaft and plurality of second linear drive arrangements, the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft extending in parallel, the first linear drive arrangements and the second linear drive arrangements extending in parallel. This allows the smallest diameter to be increased for the hinge blades which rotate the least.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, one of the first linear drive arrangements and one of the second linear drive arrangements are connected to the same hinge blade, synchronizing the actuation of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator, keeping the movement of all rotation shafts and hinge blades synchronized.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, a first dimension of a first outer surface of the hinge assembly is larger than a corresponding second dimension of a second outer surface of the hinge assembly when the hinge assembly is in the first folded end position, the first linear actuator and/or the second linear actuator being actuated by a difference between the first dimension and the second dimension. This allows for a hinge assembly which has as small outer dimensions as possible, while having a range of motion which allows, e.g., the first frame section and the second frame section to be moved between the unfolded position, in which the bodies extend to provide a maximum electronic device width, and a folded position in which the two bodies are superimposed onto each other such that they extend to provide only a minimum electronic device width.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the linear drive arrangement comprises a chain or a wire.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge assembly comprises a neutral axis, a first end of the linear drive arrangement engaging the rotation shaft, and a second end of the linear drive arrangement engaging a first location and a second location of an individual hinge blade, the first location and the second location being located on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis, the linear drive arrangement extending through any hinge blades located in a first area between the individual hinge blade and the rotation shaft, the linear drive arrangement comprising a first section and a second section extending on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis, a first rotation of the rotation shaft rotating the linear drive arrangement in a first direction, and a second rotation of the rotation shaft rotating the linear drive arrangement in a second direction. As a result, the movement generated by the linear actuator is synchronized on both sides of the neutral axis.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the linear drive arrangement comprises a wire partially wound around the rotation shaft, providing a secure, simple, and reliable linear actuation.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge assembly comprises a neutral axis, and the linear drive arrangement comprises a first section and a second section extending through an individual hinge blade and engaging the rotation shaft at a first end of the linear drive arrangement, the first section and the second section extending partially on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis, the first section extending in a first area between the first end and the individual hinge blade, on a first side of the neutral axis, and the second section extending in the first area on a second side of the neutral axis, the first section and the second section furthermore engaging the individual hinge blade by extending through the individual hinge blade such that the first section extends from the first side of the neutral axis to the second side of the neutral axis, and the second section extends from the second side of the neutral axis to the first side of the neutral axis, the first section extending, in a second area between the individual hinge blade and a second end of the linear drive arrangement, on the first side of the neutral axis and the second section extending, in the second area, on the first side of the neutral axis, allowing any hinge blades located in the second area to be pivoted in a first direction around the first hinge assembly rotation axis, and, simultaneously, allowing any hinge blades located in the first area to be pivoted in an opposite, second direction around a second hinge assembly rotation axis extending in parallel with the first hinge assembly rotation axis. This facilitates a hinge assembly which has an as small width as possible while still allowing the hinge to fold the components, which the hinge assembly interconnects, completely together.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first section and the second section furthermore engage a second individual hinge blade by extending through the second individual hinge blade such that the first section extends back from the second side of the neutral axis to the first side of the neutral axis, and the second section extends back from the first side of the neutral axis to the second side of the neutral axis, the first section extending, in a third area between the second individual hinge blade and the second end of the linear drive arrangement, on the first side of the neutral axis, and the second section extending, in the third area, on the second side of the neutral axis, allowing any hinge blades located in the third area to be pivoted in the opposite, second direction around a third hinge assembly rotation axis extending in parallel with the first hinge assembly rotation axis.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising a first frame section, a second frame section, a display connected to at least one of the first frame section and the second frame section, and a hinge assembly according to the above interconnecting the first frame section and the second frame section such that the first frame section and the second frame section are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position and a first folded end position, the first frame section and the second frame section being aligned in a common plane when in the unfolded position, the second frame section being superimposed on the first frame section when in the first folded end position. This facilitates an electronic device having a range of motion which allows, e.g., two components interconnected by the hinge assembly, such as two electronic device frame sections, to be moved between an unfolded position, in which the frame sections extend to provide a maximum electronic device width, and a folded position in which the two sections are superimposed onto each other such that they extend to provide only a minimum electronic device width. Furthermore, each hinge blade of the hinge assembly has its own manufacturing and rotation tolerances, which tolerances do not stack up leaving the impact on the display minimal.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the hinge assembly interconnects the first frame section and the second frame section such that the first frame section and the second frame section are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position and a second folded end position, the first frame section being superimposed on the second frame section when in the second folded end position.

This and other aspects will be apparent from and the embodiments described below.

<FIG> show an electronic device <NUM> comprising a first frame section <NUM>, a second frame section <NUM>, and a display <NUM> connected to at least one of the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM>. A hinge assembly <NUM> interconnects the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> such that the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position P1 and at least a first folded end position P2a around the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala. In a further embodiment, the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> are also pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position P1 and a second folded end position P2b. As the hinge assembly <NUM> is folded, the electronic device <NUM> is also folded from an unfolded position to a folded end position.

The first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> are aligned in a common plane when in the unfolded position P <NUM>, as shown in the center drawings of <FIG>.

Furthermore, the second frame section <NUM> is superimposed on top of the first frame section <NUM> when in the first folded end position P2a, as shown in the top drawings of <FIG>. In a further embodiment, the first frame section <NUM> is superimposed on top of the second frame section <NUM> when in the second folded end position P2b, as shown in the bottom drawings of <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of the hinge assembly <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> is moveable between the unfolded position P1 and at least one folded end position, preferably between the unfolded position P1, a first folded end position P2a, and a second folded end position P2b.

The hinge assembly <NUM> comprises a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades <NUM> and at least one linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM>. The hinge blades <NUM> are at least partially tapered and interconnected by means of an elongated connection element <NUM> extending along the actuator axis A2, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The hinge blades <NUM> may be tapered in one direction, as shown in <FIG>, or in two directions, as shown in <FIG>. One-directional tapering allows the hinge assembly <NUM> to fold in only one direction, e.g. to first folded end position P2a, while bi-directional tapering allows the hinge assembly <NUM> to fold in two directions, i.e. to first folded end position P2a as well as second folded end position P2b.

Each linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a rotation shaft <NUM> and a plurality of linear drive arrangements <NUM> having different lengths <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The rotation shaft <NUM> extends in parallel with the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala and comprises a plurality of sections <NUM> having different diameters <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The rotation shaft <NUM> may extend within the first frame section <NUM> or the second frame section <NUM>, for ease of reading the rotation shaft <NUM> is shown as located within the second frame section <NUM> in the Figs. and in the text below.

A first end 13a of each linear drive arrangement <NUM> is interconnected with one section <NUM> of the rotation shaft <NUM> having one diameter <NUM>, and a second, opposite end of each linear drive arrangement <NUM> is connected to one hinge blade <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The actuator axis A2 extends between the first and second ends 13b of the linear drive arrangement <NUM> and perpendicular to the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala. The connection may be releasable or fixed using, e.g., adhesive or fasteners such as screws.

Since the smallest diameter <NUM> on the rotation shaft <NUM> might be too small for the hinge blades <NUM> which rotate the least, i.e. the hinge blades <NUM> located nearest to the second frame section <NUM>, and hence the rotation shaft <NUM>, the smallest diameter <NUM> may be increased by providing two or more linear actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. a first rotation shaft 12a connected to a first plurality of linear drive arrangements <NUM> and a second rotation shaft 12b connected to a second plurality of linear drive arrangements <NUM>. In order to keep all rotation shafts and hinge blades synchronized, one linear drive arrangement <NUM> of the first linear actuator <NUM> and one linear drive arrangement <NUM> of the second linear actuator <NUM> are connected to the same hinge blade <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the first rotation shaft 12a and the second rotation shaft 12b extend in parallel, and the first linear drive arrangements <NUM> and the second linear drive arrangements <NUM> extend in parallel, as indicated by <FIG>.

The hinge blades <NUM> are aligned in a common plane when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in the unfolded position P1, and each hinge blade <NUM> is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades <NUM> around the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala, when the hinge assembly <NUM> is moved to the first folded end position P2a or to the second folded end position P2b.

Actuation of the linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> along the actuator axis A2 may urge each hinge blade <NUM> to rotate relative neighboring hinge blades <NUM> around the first hinge assembly rotation axis A1a. Rotation of the neighboring hinge blades <NUM> is initiated successively in response to the differing diameters <NUM> of the linear drive arrangements <NUM>. The smaller the diameter, the less the linear drive arrangement <NUM> will move, and the less the hinge blade <NUM> will rotate. Hence, the desired turning profile is set for each hinge blade <NUM>.

In one embodiment, pivoting of the first frame section <NUM> and/or the second frame section <NUM> around the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala actuates the first linear actuator <NUM> and the second linear actuator <NUM>, such that one of the display <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> are urged to move, in relation to the hinge assembly <NUM>, along the actuator axis A2. Movement of the display <NUM> in relation to the hinge assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Movement of the second frame section <NUM> in relation to the hinge assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

In a further embodiment the hinge assembly <NUM> comprises a foldable back cover, the linear actuator <NUM> being connected to the display and the linear actuator <NUM> being connected to the back cover (not shown). In such an embodiment, the linear actuator <NUM> urges the back cover to move, in relation to the hinge assembly <NUM>, along the actuator axis A2 but in a direction opposite to that of the display <NUM>. In one embodiment, the display <NUM> moves in a first direction and the back cover moves in an opposite, second direction along the actuator axis A2. This opposite movement is indicated in <FIG> by means of arrows.

A first dimension of a first outer surface 8a of the hinge assembly <NUM>, i.e. the outer circumference of the folded hinge assembly <NUM>, is larger than a corresponding second dimension of a second outer surface 8b of the pivot hinge <NUM> the inner circumference of the folded hinge assembly <NUM>, when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in a folded end position, as shown in <FIG>. The linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> is actuated by the difference between the first dimension and the second dimension. As the hinge assembly <NUM> is folded to end position P2a, the dimensions of the first outer surface 8a increases and the linear drive arrangement <NUM> is pulled in one direction, as is shown in the lowermost drawing of <FIG>, <FIG>. Correspondingly, as the hinge assembly <NUM> is folded to the opposite end position P2b, the dimensions of the first outer surface 8a decreases and the linear drive arrangement <NUM> is pulled in the opposite direction, as is shown in the uppermost drawing of <FIG>, <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the hinge assembly <NUM> comprises a neutral axis N as indicated in <FIG>. A first end 13a of the linear drive arrangements <NUM> engages the rotation shaft <NUM>, and a second end 13b of each linear drive arrangement <NUM> engages a first location and a second location of an individual hinge blade 9a. The first location and the second location are located on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N. Each linear drive arrangement <NUM> extends through any hinge blades 9b located in a first area between the individual hinge blade 9a and the rotation shaft <NUM>. In other words, each linear drive arrangement <NUM> comprises a first section 13c and a second section 13d extending on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N, see e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>. A first rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates the linear drive arrangements <NUM> in a first direction, and a second opposite rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates the linear drive arrangements <NUM> in a second opposite direction. The center axis of the rotation shaft <NUM> intersects the neutral axis N.

In a further embodiment, the hinge assembly <NUM> comprises a neutral axis N, and the linear drive arrangements <NUM> comprise a first section 13c and a second section 13d extending through an individual hinge blade 9a and engaging the rotation shaft <NUM> at a first end 13a of the linear drive arrangement <NUM>. The first section 13c and the second section 13d extend partially on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N. The first section 13c extends in a first area between the first end 13a of the linear drive arrangement <NUM> and the individual hinge blade 9a, on a first side of the neutral axis N, and the second section 13d extends in the first area between the first end 13a of the linear drive arrangement <NUM> and the individual hinge blade 9a, on a second side of the neutral axis N, as indicated in <FIG>. The first section 13c and the second section 13d may furthermore engage the individual hinge blade 9a by extending through the individual hinge blade 9a such that the first section 13c extends from the first side of the neutral axis N to the second side of the neutral axis N, and the second section 13d extends from the second side of the neutral axis N to the first side of the neutral axis N, the first section 13c and the second section 13d effectively crossing each other in the area of the individual hinge blade 9a. The first section 13c may subsequently extend, in a second area between the individual hinge blade 9a and the second end 13b of the linear drive arrangement <NUM>, on the second side of the neutral axis N, and the second section 13d extend, in the second area, on the first side of the neutral axis N between the individual hinge blade 9a and the second end 13b of the linear drive arrangement <NUM>.

The first section 13c and the second section 13d may furthermore engage a second individual hinge blade 9d and extend through the second individual hinge blade 9d such that the first section 13c extends back from the second side of the neutral axis N to the first side of the neutral axis N, and the second section 13d extends back from the first side of the neutral axis N to the second side of the neutral axis N, the first section 13c and the second section 13d effectively crossing each other in the area of the second individual hinge blade 9d. The first section 13c may thereafter extend, in a third area between the second individual hinge blade 9d and the second end 13b of the linear drive arrangement <NUM>, on the first side of the neutral axis N, and the second section 13d extend, in the third area, on the second side of the neutral axis N between the second individual hinge blade 9d and the second end 13b of the linear drive arrangement <NUM>.

This allows any hinge blades 9c located in the second area to be pivoted in a first direction around the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala, and, simultaneously, allows any hinge blades 9b located in the first area to be pivoted in an opposite, second direction around a second hinge assembly rotation axis A1b, and any hinge blades 9e located in the third area to be pivoted in the opposite, second direction around a third hinge assembly rotation axis A1c, the second hinge assembly rotation axis A1b and the third hinge assembly rotation axis A1c both extending in parallel with the first hinge assembly rotation axis Ala.

The linear drive arrangement <NUM> may comprise a chain (not shown) or a wire, as shown in <FIG>.

When the linear drive arrangement <NUM> comprises a wire, it may be partially wound around the rotation shaft <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and extend through the hinge assembly along the actuator axis A2. A first rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates the linear drive arrangement <NUM> in a first direction, and an opposite, second rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> rotates the linear drive arrangement <NUM> in a second direction. The wire may comprise two separate wire sections 13a, 13b extending in parallel between the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM>, or the wire may comprise an uninterrupted loop.

The linear drive arrangement <NUM> may furthermore comprise at least one chain, as shown in <FIG>. The linear drive arrangement <NUM> may comprise two separate chain sections extending in parallel between the first frame section <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM>. In one embodiment, the rotation shaft <NUM> comprises at least one pinion and the linear drive arrangement <NUM> furthermore comprises at least a first rack connected to the chain and engaging the pinion at a first location. A first rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> and the pinion moves the rack in a first direction along the actuator axis A2, hence pulling the chain in the first direction, and an opposite, second rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> and the pinion moves the rack in a second direction along the actuator axis A2, hence pushing the chain in the second direction. The linear drive arrangement <NUM> may further comprise a second rack connected to the chain and engaging the pinion at a second location opposite the first location and extending along the actuator axis A2. A first rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> and the pinion simultaneously moves the first rack in the first direction and the second rack in the second direction, such that the first rack pulls the chain in the first direction and the second rack, simultaneously, pushes the chain in the first direction. An opposite, second rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> and the pinion simultaneously moves the first rack in the second direction and the second rack in the first direction, such that the first rack pushes the chain in the second direction and the second rack, simultaneously, pulls the chain in the second direction. The first rack may be connected to the display <NUM> while the second rack is connected to the back cover, such that the display <NUM> and the back cover are moved simultaneously in opposite directions, along the actuator axis A2, when the linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> is actuated.

As previously mentioned, the present disclosure also relates to an electronic device <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, comprising the above described hinge assembly <NUM>. In one embodiment, the display <NUM> and/or the back cover of the electronic device are fixedly connected to the first frame section <NUM>, and pivoting the first frame section <NUM> or the second frame section <NUM> will actuate the linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM>. The linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> urges the display <NUM> and/or the back cover to slide in relation to the hinge assembly <NUM> such that an overlap between the display <NUM> and/or the back cover and the second frame section <NUM> varies, as shown in, e.g., <FIG>. The overlap between the display <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> is at a minimum when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in the first folded end position P2a. The overlap between the display <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> is at a maximum when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in the second folded end position P2b.

In a further embodiment, the display <NUM> or the back cover is fixedly connected to the first frame section <NUM> and second frame section <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> comprises sliding rails interconnecting the hinge assembly <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM>, and pivoting the first frame section <NUM> or the second frame section <NUM> actuates the linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM>. The linear actuator <NUM>, <NUM> urges the second frame section <NUM> to slide, on the sliding rails <NUM>, in relation to the hinge assembly such that the distance between the hinge assembly <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> varies, as shown in <FIG>. The distance between the hinge assembly <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> is at a minimum when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in the first folded end position P2a. The hinge assembly <NUM> may, correspondingly, be moveable between an unfolded position P1 and a second folded end position P2b, the distance between the hinge assembly <NUM> and the second frame section <NUM> being at a maximum when the hinge assembly <NUM> is in the second folded end position P2b.

Claim 1:
A hinge assembly (<NUM>) for an electronic device (<NUM>), said hinge assembly (<NUM>) being moveable between an unfolded position (P1) and at least a first folded end position (P2a),
said hinge assembly (<NUM>) comprising a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades (<NUM>) and at least one linear actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>),
said hinge blades (<NUM>) being aligned in a common plane when said hinge assembly (<NUM>) is in said unfolded position (P1), each hinge blade (<NUM>) being rotated relative to neighboring hinge blades (<NUM>) around a first hinge assembly rotation axis (A1a), when said hinge assembly (<NUM>) is moved to said first folded end position (P2a),
said linear actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a rotation shaft (<NUM>) and a plurality of linear drive arrangements (<NUM>) having different lengths (<NUM>),
said rotation shaft (<NUM>) extending in parallel with said first hinge assembly rotation axis (Ala) and comprising sections (<NUM>) having different diameters (<NUM>),
a first end (13a) of each linear drive arrangement (<NUM>) being interconnected with a section (<NUM>) of said rotation shaft (<NUM>) having one diameter (<NUM>),
a second, opposite end (13b) of each linear drive arrangement (<NUM>) being connected to one hinge blade (<NUM>), an actuator axis (A2) extending between said first and second ends (13a, 13b) of each linear drive arrangement and perpendicular to said first hinge assembly rotation axis (Ala),
wherein actuation of said linear actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) along said actuator axis (A2) is configured to urge each hinge blade (<NUM>) to rotate relative neighboring hinge blades (<NUM>) around said first hinge assembly rotation axis (Ala).