Foldable support structure for rolling up display screen

Abstract

A foldable support structure (1) for a roll-up display device (2), comprising a foldable sheet (3) and a support device (4), wherein the support device (4) comprises a plurality of support rods (5) arranged to support the foldable sheet (3). The central axes (A1) of the support rods (5) are parallel to each other and extend parallel to the foldable sheet (3). The foldable sheet (3) comprises a sheet material and a through slit pattern, wherein the through slit pattern enables the sheet material to be folded around a folding axis (A2) parallel to the central axis (A1). Each support rod (5) is connected to the foldable sheet (3) via a plurality of attachments (6). The solution provides a foldable support structure, which helps to minimize the stretching and compression of the display screen when the display screen is folded, thereby reducing the amount of deformation experienced by the display screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable supporting structure for a roll-up display device, and an electronic device comprising the roll-up display device. Background Art

[0002] The size of mobile devices such as tablets and phones is an important consideration when designing mobile devices. In order to provide the best mobile experience possible, the external dimensions of the device should be as small as technically possible, while the display of the device should be as large as possible.

[0003] For example, this object can be achieved by a foldable electronic device, which includes one or more supports, which are interconnected by hinges, for example, and are covered by a display screen. The one or more supports and the display screen can be folded together to make the electronic device as small as possible, i.e., at least partially cover two main faces of the device, and can be unfolded to make the display screen as large as possible, i.e., the display screen only covers one main face of the device and protrudes from the main face.

[0004] As the bending radius of the display changes, the display will inevitably deform to a greater or lesser extent. This is because, when the display is folded around the electronic device, the display is stretched on one side of the neutral axis and compressed on the other side of the neutral axis. The neutral axis is the axis of the display or housing that remains unchanged when the device is folded, that is, the neutral axis is neither stretched nor compressed.

[0005] The situation is further complicated when the display is expandable. In this case, the display bends around the device and moves around the sides of the device as the device expands. The display bends and expands over a large area and needs to be supported so that the entire affected display area can withstand the bending and expansion without permanent deformation. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object is to provide an improved roll-up display device. The above and other objects are achieved by the features claimed in the independent claims. Other implementations are obvious from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a foldable support structure for a roll-up display device is provided, the foldable support structure comprising: a foldable sheet; a support device comprising a plurality of support rods arranged to support the foldable sheet; the central axes of the support rods are parallel to each other and extend parallel to the foldable sheet, the foldable sheet comprises a sheet material and a through slit pattern, the through slit pattern enables the sheet material to be folded around a folding axis parallel to the central axis, and each support rod is connected to the foldable sheet via a plurality of attachments.

[0008] The solution provides a foldable support structure that helps minimize stretching and compression when the display screen is folded around an electronic device, thereby reducing the amount of deformation experienced by the display screen.

[0009] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the slit pattern includes a plurality of first slit arrangements having a first configuration and a plurality of second slit arrangements having a second configuration, and the first slit arrangements and the second slit arrangements are alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the folding axis. This is conducive to making the support structure sufficiently rigid to keep the surface of the display supported by the support structure flat.

[0010] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first slit arrangement includes a plurality of first slits arranged sequentially, the first slits extend parallel to the folding axis, and each first slit is separated from at least one adjacent first slit by a section of the overall sheet.

[0011] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the second slit arrangement includes a plurality of second slits arranged sequentially, the second slits extend parallel to the folding axis, and each second slit is separated from at least one adjacent second slit by a section of the entire sheet.

[0012] In another possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first slit and the second slit have the same size in the first direction, thereby providing uniform flexibility on the foldable sheet.

[0013] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the second slit is offset relative to the first slit in the first direction so that the point where the end of the first slit is located along the folding axis is different from the point where the end of the second slit is located, thereby making the foldable sheet sufficiently rigid in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the foldable sheet.

[0014] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, each of the first slit and the second slit extends between two adjacent support rods, so that the first slit and the second slit prevent any of the support rods from overlapping, thereby allowing the foldable sheet to be directly supported by the support rods as much as possible.

[0015] In another possible implementation manner of the first aspect, at least one attachment is disposed on each side of each first slit and each second slit, so that a plurality of attachments are disposed between each pair of adjacent first slit arrangements and second slit arrangements.

[0016] In another possible implementation manner of the first aspect, when the foldable sheet is folded about the folding axis, a shape and / or a size of at least one first slit and at least one second slit changes so that the foldable sheet bends.

[0017] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the sheet includes a plurality of sub-regions, each sub-region being defined by two second slits in two adjacent second slit arrangements, and the sub-region being partially divided into two longitudinally extending halves by two first slits in a first slit arrangement located between the two adjacent second slit arrangements, so that the sub-region has a substantially H-shaped shape.

[0018] In another possible implementation manner of the first aspect, an attachment is arranged at each corner of the H-shape, which makes the foldable sheet easy to bend and deform.

[0019] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, each support rod basically tapers from a base portion to a vertex portion, wherein the base portion is arranged near the foldable sheet, and when the foldable sheet is folded about the folding axis, the vertex portions move toward each other, which enables the support rod to rotate about the folding axis without colliding.

[0020] In another possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the base portion includes a concave surface, which is supportingly adjacent to the foldable sheet and enables the foldable sheet to extend as smoothly as possible when the foldable support assembly is folded.

[0021] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the support device further includes an end support member located at each end of the support rod, and the end support member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the support rod.

[0022] Each support rod is pivotally interconnected with at least one adjacent support rod via the end support member, so that the central axis of the support rod is located on one side of the foldable sheet, and the interconnecting member is arranged on the opposite side of the foldable sheet, thereby enabling the support rod to maintain the neutral axis at a constant level while rotating.

[0023] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the end support includes at least one protrusion and at least one recessed portion, and the protrusion and the recessed portion have complementary shapes, so that the protrusion of one end support is interconnected with the recessed portion of an adjacent end support, thereby facilitating the realization of a simple and reliable rotating device.

[0024] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, each end support is pivotable relative to an adjacent end support about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is arranged in a neutral plane of the support device such that the neutral plane remains constant when the foldable sheet is folded.

[0025] According to a second aspect, a roll-up display device for an electronic device is provided, the roll-up display device comprising: a foldable display screen and a foldable support structure as described above, the foldable support structure supporting the display screen. The scheme provides a roll-up display device, which helps to minimize the stretching and compression of the display screen when the display screen is folded around the electronic device.

[0026] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the distance between the pivot axis of the end support of the foldable support structure and the display screen is such that the neutral axis of the foldable support structure extends as close to the display screen as possible. This enables the foldable display screen to be fixed to the foldable support structure so that the neutral axis is as close to the foldable display screen as possible, thereby reducing the amount of deformation experienced by the display screen.

[0027] According to a third aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising a frame module, two end cap modules arranged on opposite short sides of the frame module and a roll-up display device according to the above, the roll-up display device partially surrounds the frame module, the roll-up display device is interlocked with the frame module by a groove, the groove extends in the end cap module in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis of the foldable support structure of the roll-up display device, and the opposite sides of the roll-up display device are interconnected with the groove. This allows the roll-up display device to slide reliably around the electronic device without deforming the display.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the roll-up display device may be in one of a retracted position and an extended position.

[0029] This and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following detailed description of the present invention, various aspects, embodiments and implementations are explained in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1a An exploded view of an electronic device provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 1bA cross-sectional side view of an electronic device including a roll-up display device provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the roll-up display device is in a retracted position and an extended position;

[0033] Figure 2 A perspective view of a foldable support structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 a cross-sectional side view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4a A perspective view of a non-folded portion of a foldable support structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 4b Shows Figure 4a A perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the foldable support structure is folded about a folding axis;

[0037] Figure 5 A top view of a foldable sheet of a foldable support structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 6a A perspective view of a foldable support structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 6b Shows Figure 6a a cross-sectional side view of a non-folded portion of the illustrated embodiment;

[0040] Figure 6c Shows Figure 6a and Figure 6b a perspective view of an illustrated embodiment in which the foldable support structure is folded about a folding axis;

[0041] Figure 6d A schematic side view of a support device of a foldable support structure provided by one embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4a-4b and Figure 6a-6d A foldable support structure 1 for a roll-up display device 2 is shown.

[0043] The foldable support structure 1 comprises a foldable sheet 3 and a support device 4 comprising a plurality of support rods 5 arranged to support the foldable sheet 3. The central axes A1 of the support rods 5 extend parallel to each other and to the foldable sheet 3. The support rods 5 are preferably made of a rigid material so that they do not bend in any direction but remain substantially straight regardless of their position.

[0044] The foldable sheet 3 comprises a sheet material and a through slit pattern, wherein the through slit pattern enables the sheet material to be folded about a folding axis A2 parallel to the central axis A1, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The sheet material is preferably rigid enough to keep the surface of the display screen of the roll-up display device flat in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the foldable support structure 1 and perpendicular to the central axis A1 and the folding axis A2.

[0045] The slit pattern may include a plurality of first slit arrangements 7 having a first configuration and a plurality of second slit arrangements 8 having a second configuration. The first slit arrangements 7 and the second slit arrangements 8 may be alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the folding axis A2.

[0046] The first slit arrangement 7 may comprise a plurality of first slits 7a arranged in sequence, the first slits 7a extending parallel to the folding axis A2. Each first slit 7a is separated from at least one adjacent first slit 7a by a section of the integral sheet.

[0047] Correspondingly, the second slit arrangement 8 may comprise a plurality of second slits 8a arranged in sequence, the second slits 8a extending parallel to the folding axis A2. Each second slit 8a is separated from at least one adjacent second slit 8a by a section of the integral sheet.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first slit 7a and the second slit 8a have the same size in the first direction.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the second slit 8a may be offset in the first direction relative to the first slit 7a so that the end of the first slit 7a is located at a different point along the folding axis A2 than the end of the second slit 8a.

[0050] Each first slit 7 a and each second slit 8 a may extend between two adjacent support rods 5 , such that the first slit 7 a and the second slit 8 a prevent any support rod 5 from overlapping.

[0051] Each support rod 5 is connected to the foldable sheet 3 by a plurality of attachments 6. At least one attachment 6 may be provided on each side of each first slit 7a and each second slit 8a, so that a plurality of attachments 6 are provided between each pair of adjacent first and second slit arrangements 7,8.

[0052] When the foldable sheet 3 is folded about the folding axis A2, the shape and / or size of the at least one first slit 7a and the at least one second slit 8a may change.

[0053] The sheet may comprise a plurality of sub-regions, each sub-region being defined by two second slits 8a in two adjacent second slit arrangements. The sub-region is partially divided into two longitudinally extending halves by two first slits 7a in the first slit arrangement 7 located between the two adjacent second slit arrangements 8, so that the sub-region has a substantially H-shaped shape. An attachment 6 is arranged at each corner of the H-shaped shape.

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 6a-6d As shown in FIG. 1 , each support rod 5 may be substantially tapered so that the support rods 5 do not collide when the foldable support structure 1 is folded. The taper extends from a base portion 9 to an apex portion 10, and the base portion 9 is arranged near the foldable sheet 3. When the foldable sheet 3 is folded about the folding axis A2, the apex portions 10 move toward each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 6c The base portion 9 may include a concave surface (not shown) which supportingly abuts the foldable sheet 3. This allows the foldable sheet 3 to extend as smoothly as possible when the foldable support assembly 1 is folded.

[0055] The support device 4 may further include an end support member 11 located at each end of the support rod 5, such as Figure 6a-6d As shown. The end support 11 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis A1 of the support rod. Each support rod 5 is pivotally interconnected with at least one adjacent support rod 5 through the end support 11, so that the central axis A1 of the support rod 5 is located on one side of the foldable sheet 3, and the interconnection is arranged on the opposite side of the foldable sheet 3.

[0056] The end support 11 may include at least one protrusion 12 and at least one recess 13. Figure 6d The protrusion 12 and the recess 13 have complementary shapes, so that the protrusion 12 of one end support 11 is interconnected with the recess 13 of an adjacent end support 11 .

[0057] Each end support 11 can pivot about a pivot axis A3 relative to an adjacent end support 11. The pivot axis A3 is arranged in the neutral plane of the support device 4 so that the neutral plane remains constant when the foldable sheet 3 is folded. This allows the support rod 5 to rotate while keeping the neutral axis at a constant level.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a roll-up display device 2 for an electronic device 14. Figure 1aAs shown, the roll-up display device 2 includes a foldable display screen 15 and the foldable support structure 1 . The foldable support structure 1 supports the display screen 15 .

[0059] The distance between the pivot axis A3 of the end support 11 of the foldable supporting structure 1 and the display screen 15 is such that the neutral axis of the foldable supporting structure 1 extends as close as possible to the display screen 15 .

[0060] The present invention also relates to a Figure 1a and Figure 1b The electronic device 14 shown includes a frame module 16 , two end cover modules 17 arranged on opposite short sides of the frame module 16 , and the roll-up display device 2 as described above.

[0061] The roll-up display device 2 partially surrounds the frame module 16 and is interlocked with the frame module 16 by a groove extending in the end cover module 17 in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A2 of the foldable support structure 1 of the roll-up display device 2. The opposite sides of the roll-up display device 2 are interconnected with the groove, which enables the roll-up display device 2 to slide around the electronic device 14.

[0062] The roll-up display device 2 can be in one of the retracted position P1 and the extended position P2. Figure 1b shown.

[0063] Various aspects and implementations have been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art, in practicing the subject matter for which protection is sought, can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may satisfy the functions of several items described in the claims. The listing of some measures in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to gain advantage. The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided together with other hardware or as part of other hardware, and may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems.

[0064] The reference signs used in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportions, degrees, etc.) should be read in conjunction with the specification and should be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. As used in the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "upward" and "downward", as well as their adjective and adverbial derivatives, such as "horizontal", "rightward", "upward", etc., refer only to the orientation of the structure shown when a particular drawing is facing the reader. Similarly, the terms "inward" and "outward" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation or axis of rotation, as the case may be.

Claims

1. A foldable support structure (1) for a roll-up display device (2), characterized in that: include: Foldable sheet (3); A supporting device (4) comprising a plurality of supporting rods (5) arranged to support the foldable sheet (3); The central axes (A1) of the support rods (5) are parallel to each other and extend parallel to the foldable sheet (3), The foldable sheet (3) comprises a sheet material and a through slit pattern, the through slit pattern enabling the sheet to be folded about a folding axis (A2) parallel to the central axis (A1), Each support rod (5) is connected to the foldable sheet (3) via a plurality of attachments (6); Wherein, the supporting device (4) further comprises an end support member (11) located at each end of the supporting rod (5).

2. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slit pattern comprises a plurality of first slit arrangements (7) having a first configuration and a plurality of second slit arrangements (8) having a second configuration, wherein the first slit arrangements (7) and the second slit arrangements (8) are alternately arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the folding axis (A2).

3. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first slit arrangement (7) comprises a plurality of first slits (7a) arranged in sequence, the first slits (7a) extending parallel to the folding axis (A2), each first slit (7a) being separated from at least one adjacent first slit (7a) by a section of the integral sheet.

4. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The second slit arrangement (8) comprises a plurality of second slits (8a) arranged in sequence, the second slits (8a) extending parallel to the folding axis (A2), each second slit (8a) being separated from at least one adjacent second slit (8a) by a section of the integral sheet.

5. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The first slit (7a) and the second slit (8a) have the same size in the first direction.

6. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The second slit (8a) is offset relative to the first slit (7a) in the first direction so that the end of the first slit (7a) is located at a point different from the end of the second slit (8a) along the folding axis (A2).

7. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that Each of the first slit (7a) and the second slit (8a) extends between two adjacent support rods (5), so that the first slit (7a) and the second slit (8a) prevent any of the support rods (5) from overlapping.

8. The foldable supporting structure (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that At least one attachment (6) is arranged on each side of each first slit (7a) and each second slit (8a), so that a plurality of attachments (6) are arranged between each pair of adjacent first slit arrangements (7) and second slit arrangements (8).

9. The foldable supporting structure (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that When the foldable sheet (3) is folded about the folding axis (A2), the shape and / or size of at least one first slit (7a) and at least one second slit (8a) changes.

10. The foldable supporting structure (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that The sheet comprises a plurality of sub-regions, each sub-region being defined by two second slits (8a) in two adjacent second slit arrangements, the sub-region being partially divided into two longitudinally extending halves by two first slits (7a) in a first slit arrangement (7) located between the two adjacent second slit arrangements (8), so that the sub-region has a substantially H-shaped shape.

11. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that An attachment (6) is arranged at each corner of the H-shape.

12. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that Each support bar (5) is substantially tapered from a base portion (9) to an apex portion (10), said base portion (9) being arranged adjacent to said foldable sheet (3), When the foldable sheet (3) is folded about the folding axis (A2), the apex portions (10) move towards each other.

13. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The base portion (9) includes a concave surface which supportingly abuts the foldable sheet (3).

14. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The end support (11) extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis (A1) of the support rod, Each support rod (5) is pivotally interconnected with at least one adjacent support rod (5) via the end support member (11), so that the central axis (A1) of the support rod (5) is located on one side of the foldable sheet (3), and the interconnecting member is arranged on the opposite side of the foldable sheet (3).

15. The foldable support structure (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The end support (11) comprises at least one protrusion (12) and at least one recess (13), wherein the protrusion (12) and the recess (13) have complementary shapes so that the protrusion (12) of one end support (11) is interconnected with the recess (13) of an adjacent end support (11).

16. The foldable supporting structure (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that Each end support (11) is pivotable relative to an adjacent end support (11) about a pivot axis (A3), The pivot axis (A3) is arranged in the neutral plane of the supporting device (4) so ​​that when the foldable sheet (3) is folded, the neutral plane remains constant.

17. A roll-up display device (2) for an electronic device (14), characterized in that: The roll-up display device (2) comprises: A foldable display screen (15) and a foldable support structure (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the foldable support structure (1) supporting the display screen (15).

18. The roll-up display device (2) according to claim 17, characterized in that: The distance between the pivot axis (A3) of the end support (11) of the foldable support structure (1) and the display screen (15) is such that the neutral axis of the foldable support structure (1) extends as close as possible to the display screen (15).

19. An electronic device (14), characterized in that: comprising a frame module (16), two end cover modules (17) arranged on opposite short sides of the frame module (16) and a roll-up display device (2) according to claim 17 or 18, The roll-up display device (2) partially surrounds the frame module (16), The roll-up display device (2) is interlocked with the frame module (16) by means of a groove extending in the end cover module (17) in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis (A2) of the foldable support structure (1) of the roll-up display device (2), Opposite sides of the roll-up display device (2) are interconnected with the grooves.

20. The electronic device (14) according to claim 19, characterized in that The roll-up display device (2) can be in one of a retracted position (P1) and an extended position (P2).

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