HAVING SAME

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No.

62/875,206, filed on July 17, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This description relates, in general, to hinge devices for a foldable device, and, in particular, to hinge devices supporting foldable display systems.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Modem computing devices often attempt to achieve a balance between portability and functionality. The desire for a device that provides for a rich display of information on a single surface (suggesting a device having a relatively large form factor) may conflict with the desire to have a device that is small enough to be easily carried and easily accessible (suggesting a device having a relatively small form factor). A flexible, or foldable, device may enhance the capabilities of a computing device, in that, in a folded configuration, the device may have a relatively small form factor, and in an unfolded configuration, the device may take advantage of a relatively large display area. In some situations, mechanisms guiding and supporting the folding and unfolding of such a device may be relatively complex, and susceptible to failure. These complex mechanisms, including, for example, gearing, sliding mechanisms, and the like, may produce a relatively artificial folding motion, and may introduce stress and/or impact on the foldable device, thus damaging components of the display portion of the foldable device. Flexible support in a bending area of the display portion of the foldable device may provide a more natural folding motion while maintaining a desired contour, or curvature, of the display portion, preventing damage due to excessive compression and/or tension exerted on components of the display portion.

SUMMARY

[0004] In a general aspect, a hinge device for a computing device including a foldable display may include a plurality of joists, defining a respective plurality of rows, in a space between a first body and a second body of a computing device. Each of the plurality of joists may include a plurality of openings extending in a transverse direction through the joist. A plurality of flexible members, or wire springs, may each extend sequentially through cooperating openings in the plurality of joists. Each flexible member, or wire spring, of the plurality of flexible members, or wire springs, may include a first end portion coupled to a first body of a computing device, and a second end portion coupled to a second body of the computing device.

[0005] The hinge device may be for a computing device that includes: the first body; the second body, spaced apart from the first body so as to define a space between the first body and the second body; and the foldable display extending across a surface of the first body, across the space between the first body and the second body, and across a surface of the second body.

[0006] Each of the plurality of joists may define a longitudinal axis. The row of joists may define a first end and a second end, and a row axis may extend between the first end and the second end. The transverse direction may refer to a direction through the joist that is substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and/or may be substantially parallel to the row axis.

[0007] The flexible members may be elastic. The flexible members may be resilient. The flexible members may be wire springs. Each flexible member extending sequentially through cooperating openings in the plurality of joists, may refer to the flexible member extending form the first end portion, through one of the openings of the plurality of openings in each one of the joists in the row and to the second end portion, for example to connect the first body, the plurality of joists and the second body. The cooperating openings may be defined by one of the plurality of openings in each of the joists, for all of the joists in the row. The openings may cooperate by being substantially aligned across the joists in the transverse direction.

[0008] In some implementations, the space between the first body and the second body of the computing device in which the plurality of joists is arranged may correspond to a bendable section of a foldable display of the computing device. In some implementations, in a folded configuration of the computing device, the plurality of joists may be stationary on the plurality of wire springs, and may be arranged such that each joist abuts an adjacent joist so as to define a contour corresponding to a bending radius of the foldable display. The contour may extend across a surface defined along the row of joists between the first body of the computing device and the second body of the computing device. In the folded configuration, the plurality of joists may define two contours, a first contour defining a first bend radius and a second contour defining a second bend radius that is larger the first bend radius, and wherein the first bend radius or the second bend radius may correspond to the bend radius of the foldable display. In the folded configuration, an outer peripheral contour defined by the plurality of joists corresponds to a bend radius of the foldable display. The outer peripheral contour may be the first contour defining the first bend radius so that when in the folded configuration the foldable display is on the outer surface of the computing device. In some implementations, in an unfolded configuration of the computing device, the plurality of joists may be movable along the plurality of wire springs.

[0009] In some implementations, at least one of the plurality of wire springs may be an electrical wire providing for at least one of a power connection or a data connection between the first body and the second body of the computing device. In some implementations, ajoist of the plurality of joists that is adjacent to the first body is fixed to the first body; or ajoist of the plurality of joists that is adjacent to the second body is fixed to the second body. Adjacent may refer to the joist in the row that is closest to the respective body of the computing device. In some

implementations, one or more wire springs of the plurality of wire springs is made of a super-elastic metal material.

[0010] In another general aspect, a computing device may include a first body, a second body, spaced apart from the first body so as to define a space between the first body and the second body, a foldable display extending across a surface of the first body, across the space between the first body and the second body, and across a surface of the second body, and a hinge device between the first body and the second body. The hinge device may include a plurality of joists, arranged in a respective plurality of rows in the space defined between the first body and the second body, and a plurality of wire springs extending from the first body, sequentially through a plurality of openings respectively formed in the plurality of joists, to the second body. The hinge device may be the hinge device as described herein in relation to the general aspect or any implementation and/or combination thereof. For example, the hinge device may comprise: a plurality of joists, arranged in a row, in a space between a first body and a second body of the computing device. Each of the plurality of joists may include: a plurality of openings extending in a transverse direction through the joist. The hinge device may further include a plurality of flexible members, each flexible member extending sequentially through cooperating openings in the plurality of joists, wherein each flexible member of the plurality of flexible members includes a first end portion coupled to the first body of the computing device; and a second end portion coupled to the second body of the computing device.

[0011 ] In some implementations, the space between the first body and the second body may correspond to a bendable section of the foldable display. In some implementations, in a folded configuration, the plurality of joists may be stationary on the plurality of wire springs, and may be arranged such that each joist abuts an adjacent joist so as to define a contour corresponding to a bending radius of the foldable display. In some implementations, the folded configuration, an outer peripheral contour defined by the plurality of joists may correspond to a bend radius of the foldable display. In some implementations, in an unfolded configuration, the plurality of joists may be movable along the plurality of wire springs. In some implementations, a first end of each of the plurality of wire springs may be fixedly coupled to the first body, and a second end of each of the plurality of wire springs may be fixedly coupled to the second body.

[0012] In some implementations, a joist of the plurality of joists that is adjacent to the first body may be fixed to the first body, and a joist of the plurality of joists that is adjacent to the second body may be fixed to the second body. In some implementations, at least one wire spring of the plurality of wire springs may be an electrical wire providing for at least one of an electrical connection or a data connection between the first body and the second body.

[0013] Implementations can include one or more of the following features, in isolation, or in any combination with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIGs. 1A-1D illustrate an exemplary computing device including an exemplary foldable display.

[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary computing device 200 in a folded configuration, in accordance with implementations described herein. [0016] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIG. 2A, in an unfolded configuration, in accordance with implementations described herein.

[0017] FIG. 3 A is a partial perspective view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIGs. 2 A and 2B, with a foldable layer removed, in accordance with implementations described herein.

[0018] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, with the foldable layer removed, in accordance with

implementations described herein.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIGs. 2A-3B, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2A, in accordance with implementations described herein.

[0020] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIGs. 2A-3B, taken along line B-B of FIG. 2B, in accordance with implementations described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021 ] A computing device including a hinge device, in accordance with implementations as described herein, may provide a relatively simple, and a relatively reliable, mechanism to support the folding and unfolding of a foldable display of the computing device, using a relatively natural folding and unfolding motion. The hinge device, in accordance with implementations described herein, may accomplish this without the use of complicated gearing and sliding mechanisms, which would otherwise add to the cost and complexity of the computing device, which produce a relatively unnatural, restrictive folding and unfolding motion, and which detract from the utility and reliability of the computing device. The relatively simple and reliable hinge device, in accordance with implementations described herein, may guide and support the natural folding and unfolding of the computing device including the foldable display, while still providing support to the foldable display, and while still maintaining the foldable display within allowable bending radius limits.

[0022] A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge device that is positioned between a first body and a second body of the foldable device. The hinge device may include a plurality of joists arranged in a plurality of rows. A plurality of wire springs may extend from the first body, through the plurality of joists, to the second body. In a folded configuration of the foldable device, the plurality of joists are stationary on the plurality of wire springs, with each joist abutting an adjacent joist to define a contour corresponding to a bending radius of the foldable layer. In an unfolded configuration, the plurality of joists is movable along the plurality of wire springs.

[0023] FIGs. 1A-1D illustrate an exemplary computing device 100 that includes a foldable layer 102. In particular, FIG. 1A is a front view of the exemplary computing device 100 in an unfolded configuration. FIG. IB is a perspective view of the exemplary computing device 100 in a partially folded configuration. FIGs. 1C and ID are side views of the exemplary computing device 100 in a fully folded configuration. In the exemplary computing device 100 shown in FIGs. 1A-1C, the foldable layer 102 is a foldable display 102 that is mounted so that a display surface 104 faces outward in the folded configuration. The foldable display 102 can include a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer. In some implementations, the foldable display 102 may be mounted on the computing device 100 so that the display surface 104 faces inward when the device 100 is in the folded configuration, as shown in FIG. ID. In some implementations, the foldable display 102 can include a first relatively flat, relatively rigid, or-semi-rigid, section 112, a second relatively flat, relatively rigid, or semi-rigid, section 114, and a foldable portion or bendable section 116. In some implementations, the foldable display 102 can include more than two flat, rigid sections 112, 114 and/or more than one bendable section 116. In some implementations, the foldable display 102 can include zero, or only one, flat rigid section 112, 114. For example, when a foldable display 102 includes zero flat rigid sections, the display 102 may be substantially continuously bendable, and may be rolled up, as in a scroll. The exemplary foldable display 102 shown in FIGs. 1A-1D includes a bendable section 116 that allows the foldable display 102 to bend about an axis. In some implementations, the foldable display 102 can include more than one bendable section that allows the flexible display 102 to bend about more than one axis.

[0024] In the exemplary computing device 100 shown in FIGs. 1 A-1D, the bendable section 116 may allow the foldable display 102 to bend, or fold, for example, in an arcuate shape, that has a bending radius, and/or radius of curvature. In some implementations, a hinge device, in accordance with implementations described herein, may support and guide a folding and an unfolding of the foldable display 102 at the bendable section 116. In some implementations, a hinge device, in accordance with implementations described herein, may prevent the foldable display 102 from bending beyond a minimum bending radius (e.g., less than approximately 10 millimeters, less than approximately 5 millimeters, or less than approximately 2 millimeters) and/or from bending beyond a maximum bending radius, or radius of curvature that may cause damage to fragile components of the foldable display 102.

[0025] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary computing device 200 including a foldable layer 202, such as, for example, a foldable display 202, in the folded configuration, supported by an exemplary hinge device 220, in accordance with implementations described herein. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIG. 2A, in the unfolded configuration.

[0026] In the example shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the foldable display 202 is mounted on the computing device 200 so that a display surface 204 of the foldable display faces outward when the device 200 is in the folded configuration. However, in some implementations, the foldable display 202 may be mounted so that the display surface 204 faces inward when the device 200 is in the folded configuration (not shown). In the example shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the foldable display 202 includes a foldable portion 216, or a bendable section 216. In the example shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the bendable section 216 is at a central portion of the computing device 200, simply for purposes of discussion and illustration. In some implementations, the foldable display 202 can include more, or fewer, bendable sections. In some implementations, the foldable display 202 can be substantially continuously bendable. In the exemplary foldable display 202 shown in FIGs. 2A-2B, the bendable section 216 allows the foldable display 202 to bend about an axis. The computing device 200 may include a hinge device 220 at a location in the computing device 200

corresponding to the bendable section 216 of the foldable display 202. The hinge device 220 may support and guide the folding and the unfolding of the foldable display 202. The hinge device 220 may provide for a relatively natural folding and unfolding motion between the folded configuration shown in FIG. 2A and the unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2B. The exemplary hinge device 220 will be described in more detail below with respect to FIGs. 3A and 3B.

[0027] FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of the exemplary computing device 200 in the folded configuration, with the foldable display 202 removed from the device 200, so that the hinge device 220 is visible. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the exemplary computing device 200 in the unfolded configuration, with the foldable display 202 removed from the device 200, so that the hinge device 220 is visible. FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary computing device 200 in the folded configuration, including the foldable display 202, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary computing device 200 in the unfolded configuration, including the foldable display 202, taken along line B- B of FIG. 2B.

[0028] As shown in FIGs. 3A through 4B, the hinge device 220 may include a plurality of elongated segments 230, or elongated joists 230. The plurality of elongated segments 230, or elongated joists 230, may be longitudinally arranged, side by side, in a rows, in a portion of the computing device 200 corresponding to the bendable section 216 of the foldable display 202. The joists 230 may each define a longitudinal axis, and longitudinally arranged may mean that the longitudinal axes of the joists 230 are arranged in parallel. As shown in the exemplary computing device 200 illustrated in FIGs. 3A through 4B, a plurality of wire springs 240 may extend through the plurality of joists 230. In some implementations, a first end 240A of each wire spring 240 may be connected or attached to a first body 210A of the computing device 200. In some implementations, a second end 240B of each wire spring 240 may be connected to a second body 210B of the computing device 200. In some implementations, a first joist 230A at a first end of the arrangement of the plurality of joists 230, for example at a first end of the row, may be attached to the first body 210A, for example it may be fixedly coupled along a surface of the joist 230A. In some implementations, a second joist 230B at a second end of the arrangement of the plurality of joists 230, for example at a second end of the row, may be attached to the second body 210B for example it may be fixedly coupled along a surface of the joist 230B. In this case, the first joist and the second joist in the row of joists may not be movable on the wire springs 240 when the hinge device and/or the computing device are in the unfolded configuration. However, the other joists 230 in the row may be movable on the wire springs 240 in the unfolded configuration. Each wire spring 240 may extend through the plurality of joists 230, for example, through openings 232, or slots 232, formed in the plurality of joists 230. The openings 232 may extend through the joists 230 in a transverse direction through the joists 230, relative to the longitudinal orientation of the joists 230. For example, the opening 232 defined in a joist 230 may be substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The row may define a first end and a second end, and a row axis may extend between the first end and the second end. The opening 232 may be defined in the joist 230 such that it extends through the joist 230 parallel to the row axis. The opening 232 may be elongated and may be such that a longitudinal axis of the opening 232 is parallel to the row axis. The wire springs 240 extending through the openings 232 in the joists 230, and connection of the wire springs 240 and/or the joists 230A, 230B to the first and second bodies 210A, 210B of the computing device 200 in this manner, may maintain a relative arrangement of the plurality of joists 230 relative to the first and second bodies 210A, 210B, and relative to the bendable section 216 of the foldable display 202.

[0029] In some implementations, the first body 210A may be a first substrate 210A, or a first housing 210A, or other component of the computing device 200. In some implementations, the second body 210B may be a second substrate 210B, or a second housing 210B, or other component of the computing device 200.

[0030] In some implementations, a cross-sectional shape, or a peripheral contour, of each of the plurality of segments 230, or joists 230, may be arranged so as to accommodate the folding and unfolding of the foldable display 202 in a desired manner. For example, as shown in FIGs. 3A through 4B, in some implementations, the cross-sectional shape, or peripheral contour, of the plurality of joists 230 may allow the plurality of joists 230 to abut one another in the folded configuration so as to correspond to an allowable bending radius R of the foldable display 202. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cross-sectional shape of the plurality of joists 230, as well as, for example, a number of joists 230, a length of the wire springs 240 (i.e., from the first end 240A to the second end 240B), and other such factors, may cause the plurality of joists 230 to abut each other, and remain substantially stationary, in the folded configuration, with substantially no gaps between adjacent joists 230, to define a contour corresponding to a desired bending radius R of the foldable display 202. For example, the plurality of joists 230 may have cooperating shapes for cooperating with a bending radius of a foldable display coupled thereto. For example, the row of joists 230 may define a first outer surface for supporting a foldable display, and a second inner surface opposite the first outer surface. The first inner surface may also be suitable for supporting a foldable display. Each of the joists 230 may have a cross-sectional shape (an example of which can be seen in FIG. 4B) in which a first side of the cross section is for cooperating with the first outer surface and has a first width, and a second side of the cross section is for cooperating with the second outer surface and has a second width. The other sides of the cross section joining the first side of the cross section and the second side of the cross section may be tapered. The first width may be larger than the second width so that the other sides of the cross-section taper outwards from the second width to the first width. In the unfolded configuration, the other sides and in some cases the second sides of the cross section may not abut, and in the folded configuration the other sides and the second sides of the cross section may abut. This may provide added stability in the folded configuration or allow the joists 230 to be effectively stationary in this position.

[0031] In some implementations, all of the joists 230 may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape. In some implementations, the joists 230 may have different cross-sectional shapes. In some implementations, a number of joists 230 included in the hinge device 220 may be determined based on, for example, an allowable size (for example, thickness, transverse dimension, and the like) of the computing device 200, an allowable bend radius R of the foldable display 202, and other such factors. In some implementations, some, or all, of the joists 230 may be made of a relatively rigid material to provide a desired amount of stiffness and/or strength in the joists 230 (and to the hinge device 220), and a desired amount of planarity, or flatness to maintain flatness of the display 202 in the unfolded configuration. For example, in some implementations, the plurality of joists 230 may be made of a stainless-steel material, an injection molded liquid metal material, and the like. In some implementations, some, or all, of the plurality of joists 230 may be substantially solid to enhance strength and/or stiffness of the joists 230.

[0032] As shown in the exemplary computing device 200 illustrated in FIGs. 3A through 4B, in some implementations, the plurality of spring wires 240 may extend between the first body 210A and the second body 210B. In some

implementations, more, or fewer, spring wires 240 than illustrated in the exemplary computing device 200 shown in FIGs. 3A through 4B may be connected between the first body 210A and the second body 210B. In some implementations, the hinge device 220 may include as few as one spring wire 240. The use of multiple spring wires 240 may provide for redundancy in the connection between the first and second bodies 210A, 210B, and the relative arrangement of the plurality of joists 230. In some implementations, one or more of the plurality of spring wires 240 may be electrical wire(s) 250, to provide for power connection/communi cation and/or data connection/communication between the first body 210A and the second body 210B.

In some implementations, some, or all, of the spring wires 240 may be made of a material having a relatively high modulus of elasticity, to support a relatively high level of cyclic loading (for example, on the order of approximately 200,000 bending cycles or more). For example, in some implementations, one or more of the spring wires 240 may be made of a super-elastic metal, such as, for example, Nitinol. Super elasticity in the wire springs 240 may allow the wire springs 240 to undergo deformation in response to an external force, to maintain the deformed shape, and then return to the original undeformed shape, substantially immediately, upon removal of the external force. Super-elasticity in the wire springs 240 may allow the wire springs 240 to deform considerably more than wires made of other, non-super- elastic materials. For example, in some situations, super-elastic materials may provide for between approximately 5-30 times as much elastic deformation as other metal materials. In some implementations, one or more of the spring wires 240 may be made of another type of material such as, for example, a stainless-steel material. In some implementations, the plurality of spring wires 240 may be made of a variety of different materials.

[0033] In some implementations, a length of the spring wires 240, and a number and/or a size and/or a cross-sectional shape of the plurality of joists 230, may allow for relative movement of the plurality of joists 230, particularly in positions outside of the fully folded configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, gaps G formed between adjacent joists 230 in the unfolded configuration may allow for some movement of the joists 230 along the wire springs 230. This movement may provide for planarity in the bendable section 216 of the foldable display 202 by, for example, providing for some adjustment of a distance between the first body 210A and the second body 210B in the unfolded configuration (for example, increasing a distance between the first body 210A and the second body 210B compared to an arrangement in which the joists 230 abut each other). This movement may also allow for a relatively natural folding and unfolding motion, while still providing support to the foldable display 202, and maintaining the foldable display 202 within the allowable bending radius.

[0034] In a computing device including a hinge device, in accordance with implementations as described herein, a relatively simple, and relatively reliable, mechanism may support the folding and unfolding of a foldable display, with a relatively natural motion. The hinge device may accomplish this without the use of complicated gearing and sliding mechanisms which add cost and complexity, which produce a relatively unnatural, restrictive folding and unfolding motion, and which may detract from the utility and reliability of the computing device. This relatively simple and reliable hinge device may guide and support the folding and unfolding of the computing device including the foldable display, while still providing support to the foldable display, and while still maintaining the foldable display within allowable bending radius limits.

[0035] The devices and apparatuses described herein can be included as part of a computing device, that includes, for example, a processor for executing instructions and a memory for storing the executable instructions. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

[0036] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.).

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, and an, are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

[0039] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0041 ] It should be home in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion, terms such as processing or computing or calculating or determining of displaying or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronic quantities within the computer system’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0042] Lastly, it should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features or embodiments herein disclosed irrespective of whether or not that particular combination has been specifically enumerated in the accompanying claims at this time.