Flexible display flexure assembly

• US 9,176,535 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Bohn, David D., Fleck, Rod G.
• Primary Examiner(s): THAKER, NIDHI VIVEK
• Application Number:
  US13/152,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20120307423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901-67945, 36167955-67959, 345/156, 345/157, 345/168, 345/169, 345/905, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 163/68, 163/69, 163/71
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• 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 1/0268 including a flexible display panel

Abstract

In embodiments of a flexible display flexure assembly, a flexure assembly includes a structure of pivotable links that couples first and second housing parts of a foldable electronic device. The first housing part of the foldable electronic device includes a flexible display, and the first housing part is integrated with a first section of the flexible display. The second housing part of the foldable electronic device is integrated with a second section of the flexible display. The pivotable links are implemented to collapse relative to each other to form a bend radius of the flexible display and support the flexible display in a closed position of the foldable electronic device. The structure of the pivotable links is also implemented to support the flexible display in an open position of the foldable electronic device.

Claims

1. A flexure assembly, comprising:

a first housing part of a foldable electronic device that includes a flexible display, the first housing part integrated with a first section of the flexible display;

a second housing part of the foldable electronic device, the second housing part integrated with a second section of the flexible display; and

a structure of one or more pivotable links that couples the first and second housing parts of the foldable electronic device along a first axis, the pivotable links having an outer surface, the pivotable links bendably movable between a curved position corresponding to a closed position and a generally linear position corresponding to an open position, the pivotable links contained between the flexible display and the first and second housing parts when the pivotable links are in the curved position, each pivotable link having a cross-section generally perpendicular to the first axis with a length extending along a long axis generally perpendicular to the flexible display and a width extending along a short axis generally parallel to the flexible display, the width being shorter than the length;

a middle section of the flexible display extending over the outer surface of the pivotable links.

2. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the structure of the pivotable links includes stops to prevent overtravel of the flexible display in the open position of the foldable electronic device.

3. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivotable links are integrated in a structure material to form the structure of the pivotable links.

4. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivotable links of the structure are individual links that are movably coupled together to form the structure of the pivotable links.

5. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the structure of the pivotable links comprises one of a flexure with integrated links or a track of individual links that are movably coupled together.

6. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the pivotable links faces away from the first and second housing parts when in the closed position.

7. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the first section of the flexible display, the second section of the flexible display, and the middle section of the flexible display face outward when in the closed position.

8. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the first section of the flexible display, the second section of the flexible display, and the middle section of the flexible display face in a same direction when in the open position.

9. A flexure assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each pivotable link has a cross-section perpendicular to the first axis which is generally triangular in shape, the structure of pivotable links forming trenches between pivotable links, each trench having a cross-section perpendicular to the first axis which is generally triangular in shape and oriented inverse to the generally triangular cross-sections of the pivotable links.

10. A foldable electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display having an outwardly-facing display surface, the flexible display being configured to fold into a closed position of the foldable electronic device in which portions of the outwardly-facing display surface face away from one another;

a first housing part integrated with a first section of the flexible display;

a second housing part integrated with a second section of the flexible display; and

a structure of pivotable links that couples the first and second housing parts of the foldable electronic device along a first axis, the pivotable links bendably movable between a curved position corresponding to the closed position and a generally linear position corresponding to an open position, the pivotable links contained between the flexible display and the first and second housing parts when the pivotable links are in the curved position, each pivotable link having a cross-section generally perpendicular to the first axis with a length extending along a long axis generally perpendicular to the display surface and a width extending along a short axis generally parallel to the display surface, the width being shorter than the length.

11. A foldable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the structure of the pivotable links includes stops to prevent overtravel of the flexible display in the open position of the foldable electronic device.

12. A foldable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the pivotable links are integrated in a structure material to form the structure of the pivotable links.

13. A foldable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the pivotable links of the structure are individual links that are movably coupled together to form the structure of the pivotable links.

14. A method, comprising:

providing collapsible pivotable links of a structure that are collapsible relative to each other to form a bend radius of a flexible display that has a viewable display surface, the structure of the pivotable links coupling first and second housing parts of a foldable electronic device along a first axis, each pivotable link having a cross-section generally perpendicular to the first axis with a length extending along a long axis generally perpendicular to the display surface and a width extending along a short axis generally parallel to the display surface, the width being tapered so as to be widest at a point closest to the display surface and narrowest at a point furthest from the display surface;

the foldable electronic device being configured to permit;

bending the flexible display around the pivotable links to fold the flexible display into a closed position of the foldable electronic device when the first and second housing parts are closed relative to each other, the viewable display surface being viewable from opposite sides of the foldable electronic device when in the closed position;

supporting the flexible display with the structure of the pivotable links in the closed position of the foldable electronic device; and

supporting the flexible display with the structure of the pivotable links in an open position of the foldable electronic device.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, the foldable electronic device further configured to permit preventing overtravel of the flexible display in the open position of the foldable electronic device.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the structure of the pivotable links comprises one of a flexure with integrated links or a track of individual links that are movably coupled together.

17. A method as recited in claim 14, the foldable electronic device further configured to permit illuminating the flexible display with a flexible backlight that bends under the flexible display and folds into the closed position of the foldable electronic device.

18. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising each pivotable link having a cross-section perpendicular to the first axis which is generally quadrilateral in shape.

19. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising each pivotable link having a cross-section perpendicular to the first axis which is generally triangular in shape.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the structure of pivotable links forming trenches between pivotable links, each trench having a cross-section perpendicular to the first axis which is generally triangular in shape and oriented inverse to the generally triangular cross-sections of the pivotable links.