TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly for an electronic device, the hinge assembly being moveable between an unfolded position and at least a first folded end position.

BACKGROUND

The size of electronic devices, such as tablets and mobile phones, is an important consideration when designing electronic devices. The user oftentimes requests the outer dimensions of the device to be as small as possible while still providing a display which is as large as possible.

This problem may be solved by means of a foldable electronic device comprising one or several support bodies, interconnected by means of a hinge, covered by a display. The support body/bodies and the display can be folded together to provide an as small electronic device as possible, and unfolded to provide an as large display as possible.

In order to support the display also in the hinge area, the hinge may comprise a saw-toothed structure, the gaps provided by the structure allowing the hinge, and hence the electronic device, to fold in at least one direction. Such a structure is a middle-ground solution which is neither flexible enough to withstand and pass a folding cycle test, nor rigid enough to be able to carry and support all loads applied onto it by the user.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide an improved foldable electronic device. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claim. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. According to a first aspect, there is provided a hinge assembly for an electronic device, the hinge assembly being moveable between an unfolded position and a first folded end position, the hinge assembly comprising a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades, the hinge blades being aligned in a common plane when the hinge assembly is in the unfolded position, each hinge blade having a first area of contact against neighboring hinge blades, wherein, when the hinge assembly is moved to the first folded end position, each hinge blade is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades around a hinge assembly rotation axis such that the hinge blade has a second area of contact against the neighboring hinge blades, the second area of contact being at least partially different from the first area of contact.

Such a solution allows a hinge assembly which allows the electronic device, in which it is fitted, to fold while still preventing the surface layer, such as the display of the electronic device, from becoming wrinkled and/or permanently deformed due to the folding. This also allows for a hinge assembly which has as small outer dimensions as possible, while having a range of motion which allows the electronic device to be moved between the unfolded position, in which the electronic device has a maximum width, and a folded position in which the sections of the electronic device are superimposed onto each other such that the electronic device has a minimum width.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge assembly is moveable between an unfolded position and a second folded end position, each hinge blade having a third area of contact against the neighboring hinge blades, the second area of contact and the third area of contact being located at opposite sides of the first area of contact, wherein when the hinge assembly is moved to the second folded end position, each hinge blade is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades around the hinge assembly rotation axis such that the hinge blade has the third area of contact against the neighboring hinge blades.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge blade is elongated with a longitudinal axis extending in parallel with the hinge assembly rotation axis, and the hinge blade has a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which comprises a center part and a first tapered part extending in a first direction from the center part, in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first area of contact being located at the center part, the second area of contact being located at the first tapered part. The hinge assembly provides both a stable unfolded position as well as a stable folded end positions which prevents accidental folding beyond the mechanical limits of the device.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge blade cross-section comprises a second tapered part extending from the center part in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the third area of contact being located at the second tapered part.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first tapered part and/or the second tapered part comprises abase section and an apex section, the base section being arranged adjacent, or comprising, the center part, and neighboring apex sections of neighboring hinge blades being moved towards each other when the hinge assembly is moved to the first folded end position or to the second folded end position.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, at least two of the hinge blades are interconnected at the center part by means of an elongated connection element which extends along a third axis perpendicular to the hinge assembly rotation axis and, when the hinge assembly is in the unfolded position, in the common plane, facilitating a hinge assembly which takes up minimal space and which is inherently stable when being folded together.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the elongated connection element extends along a neutral axis of the hinge assembly, interconnecting the hinge assembly in a plane in which the length of the elongated connection element is not affected while folding. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the elongated connection element comprises a bendable material. This allows the hinge blade to be dynamically flexible yet still provide sufficient static support for, e.g., a display extending across the hinge assembly.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, a longitudinal length of the elongated connection element, along the third axis, remains the same as the hinge assembly is moved between the unfolded position and the first folded end position or the second folded end position. This facilitates a hinge assembly which is flexible enough to withstand and pass a folding cycle test, while still is rigid enough to be able to carry and support all loads applied onto it by the user.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the elongated connection element comprises a resilient portion allowing the elongated connection element to lengthen as the hinge assembly is moved from the unfolded position to the first folded end position or the second folded end position, and shorten as the hinge assembly is moved from the first folded end position or the second folded end position to the unfolded position, providing the hinge assembly with additional flexibility and resilience.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the base section of the first tapered part and the base section of the second tapered part have abutting sections at the center part, allowing the hinge blades to pivot in relation to each other without significant effort.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the center part comprises flat surfaces extending in a plane perpendicular to the common plane and parallel with the hinge assembly rotation axis, providing a hinge assembly which is more stable when in the unfolded position. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinge blades and/or the elongated connection element comprise a metal and/or aramid material, providing sufficient static support for, e.g., a display extending across the hinge assembly.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising a first frame section, a second frame section, a display connected to at least one of the first frame section and the second frame section, and a hinge assembly according to the above interconnecting the first frame section and the second frame section such that the first frame section and the second frame section are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position and a first folded end position, the first frame section and the second frame section being aligned in a common plane when in the unfolded position, the second frame section being superimposed on the first frame section when in the first folded end position.

This allows the electronic device to fold while still preventing the surface layer, such as the display of the electronic device, from becoming wrinkled and/or permanently deformed due to the folding.

In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the hinge assembly interconnects the first frame section and the second frame section such that the first frame section and the second frame section are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position and a second folded end position, the first frame section being superimposed on the second frame section when in the second folded end position.

In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the first frame section, the second frame section, and the hinge plates of the hinge assembly have the same longitudinal dimension in the direction of the hinge assembly rotation axis, providing sufficient support to the display also in the hinge assembly area. This and other aspects will be apparent from and the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. la shows a schematic perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the foldable assembly is in a folded end position;

Fig. lb shows a partial perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the foldable assembly is in a folded end position;

Fig. 2a shows a schematic side view of a pivot hinge of the hinge assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pivot hinge is in an unfolded position as well as in both folded end positions;

Fig. 2b shows a schematic side view of a pivot hinge of the hinge assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pivot hinge is in an unfolded position and in a folded end position;

Fig. 3a shows a schematic side view of a hinge assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3b shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 3a, wherein the pivot hinge is in an unfolded position; Fig 3c shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figs. 3a and 3b, wherein the pivot hinge is in a folded end position;

Fig. 4a shows a schematic side view of a hinge assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4b shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 4a, wherein the pivot hinge is in an unfolded position;

Fig 4c shows a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figs. 4a and 4b, wherein the pivot hinge is in a folded end position;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hinge assembly is in a folded end position;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hinge assembly is in a folded end position;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electronic device is in an unfolded position as well as in both folded end positions;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 7 shows an electronic device 15 comprising a display 2 and a hinge assembly 1 which is moveable between an unfolded position PI and at least a first folded end position P2a. In a further embodiment, the foldable assembly 1 is also moveable between the unfolded position PI and a second folded end position P2b. As the foldable assembly 1 is folded, the electronic device 15 is also folded from an unfolded position to a folded end position. The electronic device 15 may also comprise a back cover arranged oppositely to the display 2. The electronic device 15 also comprises a first frame section 4 and a second frame section 5. The display 2 is connected to at least one of the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5, and the hinge assembly 1 interconnects the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 such that the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 are pivotable, relative each other, between the above-mentioned unfolded position PI and the first folded end position P2a. The first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 are pivotable relative each other around the hinge assembly rotation axis Ala, Alb of the hinge assembly 1.

As shown in Figs. 2a, 2b, and 6, the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 are aligned in a common plane when in the unfolded position PI , and the second frame section 5 is superimposed on the first frame section 4 when in the first folded end position P2a.

The first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 may also be pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position PI and a second folded end position P2b, the first frame section 4 being superimposed on the second frame section 5 when in the second folded end position P2b.

As shown in Figs lb to 4c, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades 9. The hinge blades 9 are aligned in a common plane when the hinge assembly 1 is in the unfolded position PI, such that each hinge blade 9 has a first area of contact Cl against neighboring hinge blades 9. The hinge blades 9, and/or the elongated connection element 10, may comprise a metal and/or aramid material such as woven aramid or kevlar.

When the hinge assembly 1 is moved to the first folded end position P2a, each hinge blade 9 is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades 9 around the hinge assembly rotation axis A1 such that the hinge blade 9 has a second area of contact C2 against the neighboring hinge blades 9. The second area of contact C2 is at least partially different from the first area of contact Cl, as shown in the lowermost drawings of Figs. 2a and 2b. When the hinge assembly 1 is moved to the second folded end position P2b, each hinge blade 9 is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades 9 around the hinge assembly rotation axis A1 such that each hinge blade 9 has a third area of contact C3 against the neighboring hinge blades 9, as shown in the uppermost drawing of Fig. 2a. Hence, the second area of contact C2 and the third area of contact C3 are located at opposite sides of the first area of contact Cl.

As indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the first frame section 4, the second frame section 5, and the hinge plates 9 of the hinge assembly 1 , which are described in more detail below, may have the same longitudinal dimension in the direction of the hinge assembly rotation axis A1. Each hinge blade 9 may be elongated with a longitudinal axis A2 extending in parallel with the hinge assembly rotation axis Al, as shown in Fig. lb. Hence, the hinge assembly covers 1 not only the gap which extends between the first frame section 4 and the second frame section 5 , but also substantially the entire gap which extends between the top and bottom edges of the outer device frame.

Each hinge blade 9 may have a cross-section, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A2, which comprises a center part 6 and a first tapered part 7. The first tapered part 7 extends in a first direction from the center part 6, in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A2, as shown in Fig. 2b. The first area of contact Cl is located at the center part 6, and the second area of contact C2 is located at the first tapered part 7, as shown in Figs. 3a to 4c.

Each hinge blade 9 may have a cross-section which also comprises a second tapered part 8 extending from the center part 6 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, as shown in Figs. 2a, and 3a to 4c. The third area of contact C3 is located at the second tapered part 8.

The first tapered part 7 and the second tapered part 8 each comprises a base section 11 and an apex section 12 each, the base section 11 being arranged adjacent, or comprising, the center part 6. Neighboring apex sections 12 of neighboring hinge blades 9 are moved towards each other when the hinge assembly 1 is moved to the first folded end position P2a or to the second folded end position P2b, as is shown in Figs la to 2b.

Fig. 3a shows an embodiment wherein the base sections 11 of the first tapered part 7 and the second tapered part 8 have abutting sections 3 arranged such that they are essentially the same, and the center part 6 comprises only a point around which the hinge blade 9 can pivot.

Figs. 4a to 4c shows an embodiment wherein the first taperedpart 7 and the second tapered part 8 are separated by the center part 6, such that each section 3 of the two base sections 11 abut opposite sides of the center part 6. This is illustrated by means of dashed lines in Fig. 4a. The center part 6 may comprise flat surfaces 14 extending between these opposite sides, in a plane perpendicular to the common plane and parallel with the hinge assembly rotation axis Al.

At least two of the hinge blades 9 may be interconnected at the center part 6 by means of an elongated connection element 10, as shown in Figs. 2a and 4a to 4c. The elongated connection element 10 extends along a third axis A3 which is perpendicular to the hinge assembly rotation axis Al and, when the hinge assembly 1 is in the unfolded position PI, extends in the common plane, as shown in Fig. 7. The elongated connection element 10 may be a wire or a chain.

In one embodiment, the elongated connection element 10 extends along a neutral axis N of the hinge assembly 1. The longitudinal length of the elongated connection element 10, along the third axis A3, may remain the same as the hinge assembly 1 is moved between the unfolded position PI and the first folded end position P2a or the second folded end position P2b.

The elongated connection element 10 may comprise a bendable material. The material of the elongated connection element 10 may furthermore be resilient yet essentially not stretchable in the longitudinal direction, i.e. along third axis A3. In one embodiment, shown in Figs. 4a to 4c, the elongated connection element 10 comprises a resilient portion 13 allowing the elongated connection element 10 to lengthen as the hinge assembly 1 is moved from the unfolded position PI to the first folded end position P2a or the second folded end position P2b, and shorten as the hinge assembly 1 is moved from the first folded end position P2a or the second folded end position P2b to the unfolded position PI .

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.