FLEXIBLE DISPLAY COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20150361696A1
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: TAZBAZ, Errol M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,975,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/06 with two or more pins E05D7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• 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 1/1652 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: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0268 including a flexible display panel

Abstract

The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion and a flexible display secured to the first and second portions. This example can also include a hinge assembly rotatably securing the first and second portions. The hinge assembly can be fixedly secured to the second portion and movably secured to the first portion such that a length of the hinge assembly can change when the first portion and second portion are rotated relative to one another.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising:

a first portion and a second portion;

a flexible display secured to the first and second portions; and

,

a hinge assembly rotatably securing the first and second portions, the hinge assembly being fixedly secured to the second portion and movably secured to the first portion such that a length of the hinge assembly changes when the first portion and second portion are rotated relative to one another.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a housing containing electronic components, and wherein the second portion comprises another housing containing other electronic components.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a radius hinge assembly.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to allow 0 to 180 degrees of rotation of the first and second portions relative to one another.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly provides progressively increased resistance as an angle between the first portion and the second portion increases.

6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a protuberance that is configured to move in a slot formed in the first portion.

7. The computing device of claim 6, wherein movement of the protuberance in the slot is controlled by the hinge assembly.

8. The computing device of claim 6, wherein movement of the protuberance in the slot is not controlled by the hinge assembly.

9. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a slide and a first element of the slide is secured to the hinge assembly and a second element of the slide is secured to the first portion.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the first element comprises a slide carrier and movement of the slide carrier is timed to movement of the first and second portions relative to one another.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a radius hinge assembly that includes timed link elements and wherein the timed link elements drive the movement of the slide carrier.

12. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly maintains a minimum bend radius to protect the flexible display.

13. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the computing device is manifest as an e-reader, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone computer, a home appliance, a component of an airline seat, or a component of a vehicle.

14. A computing device, comprising:

a flexible display secured to a first portion of the computing device and a second portion of the computing device; and

,

a radius hinge assembly rotatably securing the first and second portions of the computing device and configured to maintain a minimum bend radius of the flexible display when the first and second portions are rotated relative to one another.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the flexible display covers an entire planar surface of the first portion and another planar surface of the second portion.

16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the flexible display functions as a neutral axis when the first and second portions are rotated relative to one another.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein a dimension of the radius hinge assembly can change when the first and second portions are rotated relative to one another to decrease stress forces experienced by the flexible display.

18. A computing device, comprising:

a radius hinge assembly rotatably securing first and second rigid portions to allow transition from a deployed configuration to a storage configuration; and

,

a flexible display secured to an inside surface of the first rigid portion and an inside surface of the second rigid portion, and wherein the radius hinge assembly is configured to protect the flexible display from being crimped when the inside surfaces are brought together in the storage configuration.

19. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the radius hinge assembly is fixedly secured to the second rigid portion and movably secured to the first rigid portion.

20. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the deployed configuration orients the first rigid portion at about 180 degrees from the second rigid portion, and wherein the storage configuration orients the first rigid portion at about 0 degrees from the second rigid portion with the flexible display being positioned therebetween.