DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH A FLEXIBLE DISPLAY

• US 20150153787A1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creator Technology BV
• Inventors: VERSCHOOR, Volker Barnhart, VAN DIJK, Robert Sjang Josine, HAMERS, Johannes Cornelis Adriaan, MOK, Kwok Wah, GRUNDLEHNER-BOS, Noortje
• Granted Patent: US 9,696,763 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• 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: G09F 9/301 flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0268 including a flexible display panel

Abstract

A display system includes a continuous flexible display, two book halves, two main display supports, and a movement synchronizing coupling. The two book halves is connected to each other via a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism has two hinges, and each hinge is rotatable about respective axis. Each of the two main display supports connects to one of the two book halves and is configured to support the flexible display. The coupling is connected to the two main display supports and rotating about a rotation axis that is parallel to the axis of hinge to enable a synchronized movement of the two main display supports.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a flexible display;

two book halves connected to each other via a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism has two hinges, and each hinge is rotatable about respective axis;

two main display supports, wherein each of the two main display supports connects to one of the two book halves and is configured to support the flexible display; and

a movement synchronizing coupling connected to the two main display supports and rotating about at least one rotation axis that is parallel to the axis of at least one of the hinges, wherein the movement synchronizing coupling enables a synchronized movement of the two main display supports.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the movement synchronizing coupling comprises a spring means providing spring forces on both main display supports to move the display system into an open position or a closed position.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the spring means comprises two legs connecting to the main display supports, wherein each of the two legs rotates about a rotation axis that is parallel to the axis of one of the hinges.

4. The display system of claim 2, wherein in the open position the spring means provides spring forces on both main display supports to pre-stretch the flexible display between the respective portions of the display supported by the main display supports.

5. The display system of claim 2, wherein the spring means comprises an elongated spring extending between the ends of both hinge mechanism.

6. The display system of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of extensions protruding from the two book halves, wherein the elongated spring extends through a free end of each of the extensions.

7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the movement synchronizing coupling comprises at least one pair of wheels arranged near the hinge mechanism, each being connected with one of the main display supports, said wheels being mutually coupled for rotation in opposite directions.

8. The display system of claim 7, wherein the axis of each of the wheels coincides with the axis of the corresponding hinge.

9. The display system of claim 8, wherein each of the wheels is provided with a pulley engaging a belt coupling the wheels for rotation.

10. The display system of claim 8, wherein the wheels are mutually rotatable coupled by a connecting rod or a belt.

11. The display system of claim 1, wherein the movement synchronizing coupling comprises an over center mechanism configured to provide spring force after movement to stably position the display system in an open position and a closed position.

12. The display system of claim 1, wherein an over center mechanism is coupled with the movement synchronizing coupling and at least one additional display support enabling stable positions of the additional display support in either end position.