Flexible display devices

• US 10,104,787 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rothkopf, Fletcher R., Janis, Andrew J. M., Dabov, Teodor
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US15/270,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20170013729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0268 including a flexible display panel
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 Hinges

Abstract

Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together. The hinges may be provided with rotational detents to help hold the flexible display in desired positions.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing having first and second housing portions;

a flexible hinge coupled between the first and second housing portions, wherein the flexible hinge flexes to allow the first housing portion to rotate relative to the second housing portion;

a flexible display mounted to the housing, wherein the flexible display has a first display portion mounted to the first housing portion and a second display portion mounted to the second housing portion, wherein the flexible display is movable between a planar position in which the first and second display portions are coplanar and a folded position in which the first display portion is parallel to the second display portion, and wherein when the flexible display is in the folded position, the first and second display portions face away from each other in opposite directions; and

a support structure interposed between the flexible display and the housing, wherein the support structure comprises a material selected from the group consisting of;

metal, polymer, and shape memory alloy.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising electronic components mounted in the first and second housing portions.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2 further comprising a flexible communications path that conveys signals between the electronic components in the first and second housing portions.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible hinge comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

polymer and fabric.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible hinge comprises a flexible portion of the housing.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 5 wherein the housing is formed from a flexible material and wherein the flexible material is backed with a rigid support layer in the first and second housing portions.

7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second display portions face toward each other in the folded position.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing having a first rigid portion with a first outer surface and a second rigid portion with a second outer surface;

a flexible polymer material coupled between the first and second rigid portions of the housing, wherein the flexible polymer material flexes to allow the housing to move between a first configuration in which the first and second outer surfaces face away from each other and a second configuration in which the first and second outer surfaces face towards each other;

a display that overlaps the first rigid portion of the housing, the second rigid portion of the housing, and the flexible polymer material, wherein the display bends as the housing moves between the first and second configurations; and

a flexible metal sheet interposed between the display and the housing.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 8 further comprising electrical components mounted within the first and second rigid portions of the housing.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 9 further comprising a flexible communications path that conveys signals between the electrical components mounted within the first and second rigid portions of the housing.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the flexible metal sheet has at least one opening.

12. An electronic device comprising:

a foldable housing having a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion flexes to allow the foldable housing to move between open and closed positions; and

a foldable display mounted to the foldable housing, wherein the foldable display has first and second display portions separated by a third display portion, wherein the third display portion overlaps the flexible portion of the housing, wherein the first and second display portions face toward each other when the foldable housing is in the closed position, wherein the first and second display portions face away from each other when the foldable housing is in the open position, and wherein the flexible portion of the housing comprises fabric.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 12 further comprising a foldable support structure interposed between the foldable housing and the foldable display.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 12 wherein the foldable support structure comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

metal, polymer, and shape memory alloy.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 12 wherein the foldable support structure has a plurality of openings.