Flexible display structure

• US 10,310,565 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2015
• Issued: 06/04/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Aoki, Russell S., Magi, Aleksander, MacDonald, Mark Angus, Ahrens, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, James
• Application Number:
  US15/577,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20180150112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,438 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• 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: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0268 including a flexible display panel

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that includes a flexible display and a support for the flexible display. The support includes a main support structure, at least one curve crease, and a curve region, wherein the curve region includes a curve support.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display; and

a support for the flexible display, wherein the support includes;

a main support structure;

at least one curve crease; and

a curve region, wherein the curve region includes a curve support, wherein the curve support includes;

individual vertebrae, wherein the individual vertebrae each include a first end and a second end and the individual vertebrae are interlocked at the first end and the second end, wherein a first individual vertebra and a second individual vertebra share a common axis of rotation, wherein the common axis of rotation includes a threaded rod on the first end of the first individual vertebra that passes through a snap slot on the first end of the second individual vertebra.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of each of the individual vertebrae include a male interlocking feature and a female interlocking feature.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main support structure includes a securing fastener channel and the curve support is coupled to the main support structure using securing fasteners coupled to the securing fastener channel.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main support structure includes flanges to couple the flexible display to the main support structure.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the threaded rod is secured to the snap slot using a Belleville washer.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the Belleville washer produces a friction torque.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the individual vertebrae includes a cam surface that limits rotation.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main support structure is a thin bi-stable steel stamped sheet.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main support structure includes one or more slots to serve as a mechanical attachment area to couple the curve region to the main support structure.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the one or more slots can control a mismatch in arc lengths as the flexible display is bent from one direction to another.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the support for the flexible display is pocketed and relieved to allow for cable routing and other electrical component placement.

12. A support for a flexible display, the support comprising:

a main support structure;

at least one curve crease; and

a curve region, wherein the curve region includes a curve support, wherein the curve support includes;

a plurality of vertebrae having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the plurality of vertebrae can rotate in one rotational axis while providing stability in another axis, wherein each vertebra is interlocked with another vertebrae at the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, wherein the vertebrae nest in one another and share a common axis of rotation, wherein the common axis of rotation includes a threaded rod on one end of a first vertebra that passes through a snap slot on a same end of a second vertebra, wherein the curve support is fixed to the main support structure to help control a bending location.

13. The support of claim 12, wherein the first end and the second end of each of the plurality of vertebrae include a male interlocking feature and a female interlocking feature.

14. The support of claim 12, wherein the main support structure includes a securing fastener channel and the curve support is coupled to the main support structure using securing fasteners coupled to the securing fastener channel.

15. The support of claim 12, wherein the main support structure includes flanges to couple the flexible display to the main support structure.

16. A system, comprising:

an electronic device; and

a flexible display, wherein the flexible display includes a support for the flexible display, wherein the support includes;

a main bi-stable steel support structure that includes a low stress region and at least one high stress region;

at least one curve crease located in the high stress region; and

a curve region located in the low stress region to allow for a relatively smooth bending of the flexible display, wherein the curve region includes a curve support, wherein the curve support includes individual vertebrae that can rotate in one rotational axis while providing stability in another axis, wherein the individual vertebrae nest in one another and share a common axis of rotation, wherein the common axis of rotation includes a threaded rod on one end of a first vertebra that passes through a snap slot on a same end of a second vertebra, wherein the curve support is fixed to the main bi-stable steel support structure to help control a bending location.