Electronic device with display

Abstract

An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis. The flexible display may be mounted to a foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge aligned with the bending axis. The foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state. The translation assembly may be configured to slide the display relative to the housing when the device is moved between a flat state and a folded state. A compression assembly may be used to apply compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state. A tensioning assembly may be used to apply tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in a flat state. The translation assembly, compression assembly, and tensioning assembly may be combined into a module if desired.

Description

Electronic devices with displays

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 326,570, filed September 11, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 713,996, filed October 30, 2024, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to electronic devices, and more specifically to electronic devices having a display. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices typically have a display. Portability may be a concern for some devices, which often limits the available space for the display. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An electronic device may include a flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis. The flexible display may be mounted to a foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge overlapping the bending axis. The foldable housing may be operable in both a flat and folded state.

[0005] The electronic device may include one or more translational components for driving movement of the display relative to the housing. For example, the translational components may be used to slide the display relative to the housing as the housing moves between an open (flat) state and a closed (folded) state. The translational components may include belts, springs, and / or linkages to slide the display relative to the housing during the opening and closing of the electronic device.

[0006] The compression assembly applies compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is folded, pushing the display into the hinge and preventing it from bulging or lifting relative to the hinge. The tension assembly applies tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is flat, preventing wrinkles in the display. The tension and compression assemblies can be combined into a single module if needed.

[0007] The foldable housing may have a roller hinge or any other suitable type of hinge. In a roller hinge (sometimes called a constant-length hinge), the hinge length between the first and second housing sections remains constant when the device is folded and unfolded, creating an offset between the bending axis of the display and the bending axis of the hinge. A translation module can be used to apply load to the display (e.g., to apply tension to a display in a flat position to prevent wrinkles) and also to facilitate the translation of the display required due to the offset between the bending axis of the hinge and the bending axis of the display. In other hinge arrangements such as teardrop hinges, the bending axes of the display and the hinge are already aligned, so the primary function of the translation module can be to apply tension to the display in a flat position and to facilitate the translation of the display required for tolerances and / or reliability over time. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementation schemes.

[0009] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic device with a display according to some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 3 is a side view of an exemplary electronic device according to some implementation schemes.

[0011] Figure 4 is a side view of an exemplary electronic device with a foldable display according to some embodiments, the electronic device having a translation component, a tensioning component and a compression component.

[0012] Figure 5 is a side view of the electronic device of Figure 4 according to some embodiments, illustrating how the tensioning component can apply tension to a foldable display in a flat state to eliminate creases in the display.

[0013] Figure 6 is a side view of the electronic device of Figures 4 and 5 according to some embodiments, showing how the compression component can apply compression to a foldable display in a folded state to press the display against the hinge.

[0014] Figure 7 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device according to some embodiments, the electronic device having a foldable housing and one or more sets of tensioning and compression components on opposite sides of the hinge.

[0015] Figure 8 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression assembly according to some implementation schemes.

[0016] Figure 9 is a graph showing how the compressive and tensile forces applied to a foldable display change as the display moves from a flat state to a folded state, according to some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 10 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device with a foldable housing and a translation assembly according to some embodiments, the translation assembly including a pair of belts for driving the movement of a display and a linkage for amplifying the movement of the display.

[0018] Figure 11 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device with a foldable housing and a translation assembly according to some embodiments, the translation assembly including a belt and a return spring for driving the movement of the display and a linkage for amplifying the movement of the display.

[0019] Figure 12 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device having a foldable housing and a translational assembly according to some embodiments, the translational assembly including a belt coupled to a lever and a slider that slides within a slot when the lever is rotated.

[0020] Figure 13 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device having a foldable housing and a translational assembly according to some embodiments, the translational assembly including a belt and spring coupled to a lever and a slider that slides within a slot when the lever is rotated.

[0021] Figure 14 is a top view of an exemplary electronic device having a foldable housing and a translational assembly according to some embodiments, the translational assembly including a spring coupled between a crank lever.

[0022] Figure 15 is a top view of an exemplary translation assembly including four links according to some embodiments.

[0023] Figure 16 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning assembly including a four-bar linkage according to some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 17 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression assembly configured to apply tension and pressure to a display according to some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 18 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression assembly according to some embodiments, in which a lever travels past the display to help relieve the compressive load on the display when the display is in the closed position.

[0026] Figure 19 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression assembly according to some embodiments, which uses a spring-loaded lever on one side to apply tension and pressure to the display. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Electronic devices may be equipped with a display. The display can be used to show images to a user. The display may be formed from an array of light-emitting diode pixels or other pixels. For example, the device may have an organic light-emitting diode display or a display formed from an array of micro light-emitting diodes (e.g., diodes formed from crystalline semiconductor dies).

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device with a display. Device 10 may be a cellular phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wristwatch or other wearable device, television, stand-alone computer monitor or other monitor, computer monitor with an embedded computer (e.g., desktop computer), system embedded in a vehicle, multimedia terminal or other embedded electronic device, media player or other electronic equipment. Configurations where device 10 is a cellular phone, tablet computer or other portable electronic device are sometimes described herein as examples. This is exemplary. In general, device 10 may be any suitable electronic device with a display.

[0029] Device 10 may include control circuitry 20. Control circuitry 20 may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of device 10. This storage and processing circuitry may include storage devices such as non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically programmable read-only memory configured to form a solid-state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), etc. The processing circuitry in control circuitry 20 may be used to acquire input from sensors and other input devices, and may be used to control output devices. The processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors and other wireless communication circuits, power management units, audio chips, application-specific integrated circuits, etc. During operation, control circuitry 20 may use displays and other output devices to provide visual output and other outputs to the user.

[0030] To support communication between device 10 and external equipment, control circuitry 20 may communicate using communication circuitry 22. Circuitry 22 may include an antenna, radio frequency transceiver circuitry (wireless transceiver circuitry), and other wireless communication circuitry and / or wired communication circuitry. Circuitry 22, sometimes referred to as control circuitry and / or control and communication circuitry, may support bidirectional wireless communication between device 10 and external devices via a wireless link (e.g., circuitry 22 may include radio frequency transceiver circuitry, such as a wireless LAN transceiver circuitry configured to support communication via a wireless LAN link, a near-field communication transceiver circuitry configured to support communication via a near-field communication link, a cellular transceiver circuitry configured to support communication via a cellular phone link, or a transceiver circuitry configured to support communication via any other suitable wired or wireless communication link). For example, this may be possible via Bluetooth. ® Link, WiFi ®The link, a wireless link operating at frequencies between 6 GHz and 300 GHz, a 60 GHz link or other millimeter-wave link, a cellular phone link, a wireless LAN link, a personal area network communication link, or other wireless communication link supports wireless communication. Device 10 (if desired) may include power circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving wired and / or wireless power, and may include a battery or other energy storage device. For example, device 10 may include a coil and a rectifier to receive wireless power supplied to the circuitry in device 10.

[0031] Device 10 may include input-output devices, such as device 24. Input-output device 24 may be used to acquire user input, to acquire information about the user's surrounding environment, and / or to provide output to the user. Device 24 may include one or more displays, such as display 14. Display 14 may be an organic light-emitting diode display, a liquid crystal display, an electrophoretic display, an electrowetting display, a plasma display, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, a display having a pixel array formed of crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies (sometimes referred to as microLEDs), and / or other displays. Configurations in which display 14 is an organic light-emitting diode display or a microLED display are sometimes described herein as examples.

[0032] Display 14 may have an array of pixels configured to display images to a user. The pixels may be formed as part of a flexible display panel. This allows device 10 to fold and unfold about a bending axis. For example, a flexible (bendable) display in device 10 may be folded so that device 10 can be placed in a compact shape for storage and unfolded when it is desired to view an image on the display.

[0033] The sensor 16 in the input-output device 24 may include force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors (such as microphones), touch and / or proximity sensors (such as capacitive sensors, e.g., two-dimensional capacitive touch sensors integrated into the display 14, two-dimensional capacitive touch sensors overlapping the display 14 and / or touch sensors forming buttons, touchpads or other input devices not associated with the display), and other sensors. If desired, sensor 16 may include optical sensors (such as optical sensors that emit and detect light), ultrasonic sensors, optical touch sensors, optical proximity sensors and / or other touch and / or proximity sensors, monochrome and color ambient light sensors, image sensors, fingerprint sensors, temperature sensors, sensors for measuring three-dimensional non-contact posture (“aerial posture”), pressure sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and / or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors (such as compass sensors), gyroscopes, and / or inertial measurement units containing some or all of these sensors), health sensors, radio frequency sensors, depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and / or depth sensors based on stereo imaging devices that capture three-dimensional images), optical sensors (such as self-mixing sensors and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors that collect time-of-flight measurements), humidity sensors, moisture sensors, gaze tracking sensors, and / or other sensors. In some arrangements, device 10 may use sensor 16 and / or other input-output devices to acquire user input. For example, buttons can be used to capture button press input, touch sensors that overlap with the display can be used to capture user touchscreen input, touchpads can be used to capture touch input, microphones can be used to capture audio input, accelerometers can be used to monitor when a finger touches the input surface and therefore can be used to capture finger press input, etc.

[0034] If needed, electronic device 10 may include additional components (see, for example, other devices 18 in input-output device 24). Additional components may include tactile output devices, audio output devices (such as speakers), light-emitting diodes for status indicators, light sources (such as light-emitting diodes) illuminating portions of the housing and / or display structure, other optical output devices, and / or other circuitry for collecting input and / or providing output. Device 10 may also include batteries or other energy storage devices, connector ports for supporting wired communication with auxiliary equipment and receiving wired power, and other circuitry.

[0035] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device 10 in an exemplary configuration, where device 10 is a portable electronic device, such as a cellular phone or tablet computer. As shown in Figure 2, device 10 may have a display, such as display 14. Display 14 may cover part or all of the front of device 10. Touch sensor circuitry, such as two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor circuitry, may be integrated into display 14.

[0036] Display 14 may be mounted in housing 12. Housing 12 may form the front and rear housing walls, side wall structures, and / or internal support structures (e.g., frames, optional intermediate plate members, etc.) of device 10. Glass structures, transparent polymer structures, and / or other transparent structures covering other portions of display 14 and device 10 may provide structural support for device 10 and may sometimes be referred to as housing structures. For example, a transparent housing portion such as a glass or polymer housing structure that covers and protects the pixel array in display 14 may act as a display overlay for the pixel array and also as a housing wall on the front of device 10. In a configuration in which the display overlay is formed of glass, the display overlay may sometimes be referred to as display overlay glass or display overlay glass layer. Portions of housing 12 on the side and rear walls of device 10 may be formed of glass or other transparent and / or opaque structures. The side and rear wall structures may be formed as extensions to the front portion of housing 12 (e.g., as an integral part of the display overlay) and / or may include separate housing wall structures.

[0037] Device 10 may be a foldable electronic device that folds along one or more bending axes, such as bending axis 28. In the example of FIG. 2, device 10 includes a first portion 60 and a second portion 60 joined by a bendable portion 62. The portions 60 of device 10 (e.g., portions 60 of display 14 and housing 12, sometimes referred to as the non-bending regions of device 10) may rotate relative to each other about axis 28. When one portion 60 rotates relative to the other portion 60 (e.g., during the folding and unfolding of device 10), the bendable portion 62 of display 14 may bend and flex (e.g., when portion 60 remains flat).

[0038] The housing 12 may have a flexible structure (e.g., a bendable housing wall structure) and / or a hinge structure, such as hinge 30. Depending on the type of hinge used, hinge 30 may have a hinge axis aligned with or offset relative to the display bending axis 28. The bending axis 28 may be, for example, the bending axis around which the display 14 bends, and hinge 30 may bend around the hinge bending axis. In some arrangements, such as a teardrop hinge arrangement, the hinge bending axis of hinge 30 may be aligned with the display bending axis 28 of the display 14. In other arrangements, such as a constant-length hinge arrangement (e.g., a roller hinge), the hinge bending axis may be offset from the display bending axis 28. Device 10 may include one or more translation modules that facilitate translation of the display 14 relative to housing 12, which may be necessary due to the offset between the display bending axis 28 and the hinge bending axis.

[0039] The hinge 30 and / or flexible housing structure overlapping the bending axis 28 allow the housing 12 to bend about the hinge bending axis. For example, a portion 60 of the housing 12 may be located on one side of the hinge 30, and another portion 60 of the housing 12 may be located on the opposite side of the bent hinge 30. The portions 60 of the housing 12 may be configured to rotate relative to each other about the hinge 30. The hinge 30 may be a roller hinge comprising one or more rollers, each having a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the bending axis 28. This is merely illustrative. If desired, the hinge 30 may comprise other types of hinge structures.

[0040] When the housing 12 bends about the hinge 30, the flexibility of the display 14 allows it to bend about the axis 28. In an exemplary configuration, the housing 12 and the display 14 can bend 180°. This allows the display 14 to fold backward on itself (e.g., so that the first portion 60 and the second portion 60 of the display 14 face each other). The ability to position the device 10 in a folded configuration in this way helps to make the device 10 compact, allowing it to be stored efficiently. When it is desired to view an image on the display 14, the device 10 can unfold about the axis 28 to position it in the unfolded (e.g., flat) configuration of FIG. 2. This allows the display 14 to lie flat and allows the user to view a flat image on the display 14. The ability to fold the display 14 onto itself allows the device 10 to exhibit inward folding behavior. If desired, the display 14 can be flexible enough to allow the device 10 to fold outward and / or inward.

[0041] The device 10 of Figure 2 has a rectangular profile (rectangular perimeter) with four corners. As shown in Figure 2, the first pair of parallel edges (e.g., the left and right edges of device 10 in the example of Figure 2) may be longer than the second pair of parallel edges (e.g., the upper and lower edges of device 10 in Figure 2), which are oriented at right angles to the first pair of parallel edges. In this type of configuration, the housing 12 extends along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bending axis 28. If desired, the housing 12 may have other shapes (e.g., a shape in which the housing 12 has a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the bending axis 28). Using the arrangement of the type shown in Figure 2, the length of device 10 along its longitudinal axis can be reduced by folding device 10 around axis 28.

[0042] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary foldable electronic device. Device 10 of Figure 3 can be bent about a bending axis 28. The bending axis 28 can be aligned with the display cover layer 14CG or other structures in device 10. For example, the bending axis 28 can pass through a portion of the display cover layer 14CG, or it can be located above or below the layer 14CG.

[0043] Hinge 30 is bendable about hinge bending axis 28H. In an arrangement where hinge 30 is a teardrop-shaped hinge, hinge bending axis 28H of hinge 30 can be aligned with display bending axis 28 of display 14. In an arrangement where hinge 30 is a constant-length hinge such as a roller hinge, hinge bending axis 28H can be offset from display bending axis 28. Device 10 may include one or more translation modules that assist in sliding display 14 relative to housing 12 during opening and closing of device 10 to accommodate the offset between display bending axis 28 and hinge bending axis 28H.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the display 14 includes a pixel P array of a display panel 14P formed under the inward-facing surface of the display cover layer 14CG. The display panel 14P can be, for example, a flexible organic light-emitting diode display or a micro-LED display, wherein the light-emitting pixels are formed on a flexible substrate layer (e.g., a flexible layer of polyimide or a sheet of other flexible polymers). The flexible support layer for the display 14 can also be formed of flexible glass, flexible metal and / or other flexible structures.

[0045] The display overlay 14CG may be formed of a polymer, glass, a crystalline material such as sapphire, other materials, and / or combinations of these materials. To enhance flexibility, a portion of layer 14CG overlapping the bending axis 28 may be locally thinned (e.g., this portion may be thinner relative to a portion of layer 14CG not overlapping the bending axis 28). The thickness of layer 14CG (e.g., the non-thinned portion of layer 14CG) may be 50-200 micrometers, 70-150 micrometers, 100-200 micrometers, 100-600 micrometers, at least 100 micrometers, at least 200 micrometers, less than 600 micrometers, less than 400 micrometers, less than 250 micrometers, less than 150 micrometers, less than 100 micrometers, at least 50 micrometers, or other suitable thicknesses.

[0046] In the example of Figure 3, housing 12 has a portion forming a rear housing wall on the back surface R of device 10, and a portion forming a side wall 12W of device 10. The rear housing wall of housing 12 may form a support layer for components in device 10. Housing 12 may also have one or more internal support layers (e.g., frame structures, such as optional intermediate plates, etc.). These internal support layers and the rear housing wall may have a first portion and a second portion coupled to opposite sides of hinge 30 or may be sufficiently flexible to bend about bending axis 28.

[0047] Electronic components 32 may be installed inside the device 10 (e.g., between the display 14 and the rear of the housing 12). Component 32 may include circuitry of the type shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., control circuitry 20, communication circuitry 22, input-output devices 24, battery, etc.). The display 14 may be mounted on the front F of the device 10. When the device 10 is folded about axis 28, the display cover 14CG, the display panel 14P, and other structures of the device 10 that overlap with the bending axis 28 may flex and bend to accommodate the folding.

[0048] Figure 4 is a side view of device 10 in a flat state (sometimes referred to as an open or unfolded state). As shown in Figure 4, device 10 may include a foldable display 14 mounted to a housing such as a foldable housing 12. Housing 12 may have a first housing portion 12-1 and a second housing portion 12-2. A hinge 30 may be located between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2, and may allow housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 to rotate relative to each other about a hinge bending axis 28H. Housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 may form a rear housing wall on the rear surface R of device 10 (Figure 3).

[0049] The display 14 may include a display panel, such as display panel 14P, mounted to a display board, such as display panel 38 (sometimes referred to as a support structure, intermediate plate, back plate, etc.). Display panel 38 may include a first portion 38-1 of a first portion 14P-1 supporting display panel 14P on one side of a bending axis 28 and a second portion 38-2 of a second portion 14P-2 supporting display panel 14P on the opposite side of the bending axis 28. Display panels 38-1 and 38-2 may rotate relative to each other about the bending axis 28 when the device 10 is opened and closed. Display panel 38-1 may overlap with portion 12-1 of housing 12, and display panel 38-2 may overlap with portion 12-2 of housing 12.

[0050] Display panel portion 14P-1 may be fixed relative to display panel 38-1, while display panel 38-1 may be movable relative to housing portion 12-1 (e.g., display panel 38-1 may be permitted to shear and slide relative to housing 12-1 during the opening and closing of device 10). Similarly, display panel portion 14P-2 may be fixed relative to display panel 38-2, while display panel 38-2 may be movable relative to housing portion 12-2 (e.g., display panel 38-2 may be permitted to shear and slide relative to housing 12-2 during the opening and closing of device 10). If desired, an optional shearing layer 34 may be inserted between housing 12 and display panel 38 to allow display 14 to slide relative to housing 12. Layer 34 may comprise one or more flexible polymers, lubricant coatings, and / or other suitable smoothing materials (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0051] The ability of the display 14 to move (e.g., slide) relative to the housing 12 allows the housing 12 to use different types of hinge structures, such as roller hinges. Specifically, hinge 30 can be a roller hinge with one or more parallel rollers, such as roller 48. Roller 48 may have a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the bending axis 28. This type of hinge (sometimes referred to as a constant-length hinge) can span a distance between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 that remains constant when the device 10 is folded and unfolded. However, this is merely illustrative. Hinge 30 can be any other suitable type of hinge (e.g., four-bar linkage, teardrop hinge, flexible housing member, etc.) if desired. In some hinge arrangements (such as teardrop hinges), translation of the display 14 relative to the housing 12 can be used to absorb tolerances (e.g., during manufacturing or during user operation of the device 10 over time). Arrangements in which the display 14 slides relative to the housing 12 during the opening and closing of the device 10 are sometimes described herein as illustrative examples.

[0052] To drive translation of the display relative to housing 12, device 10 may include one or more translation components such as translation component 306. Translation component 306 may include springs, elastic members, movable belts, pulleys, hydraulic devices, motors, rack and pinion mechanisms, pin-and-pinion mechanisms, sliders, linkages (e.g., levers, crank levers, four-bar linkages such as Watt's linkage, etc.) and / or other suitable structures that apply force to the display 14 to slide the display 14 relative to housing 12.

[0053] It is essential to ensure that there are no wrinkles or creases in the display 14 when the device 10 is in the unfolded state shown in Figure 4. Even when the device 10 is unfolded, the display 14 may have a tendency to retain bends such as creases 36 in the bending region 62, even without applied tension.

[0054] To avoid creases such as crease 36 when the device 10 is unfolded, the device 10 may include one or more tensioning components such as tensioning component 44. Tensioning component 44 may be coupled between display panel 38 and housing 12. Specifically, one or more tensioning components 44 may be located between display panel portion 38-1 and housing portion 12-1, and may apply a force F1 to display panel 38-1 to move display panel portion 14P-1 relative to housing portion 12-1 in direction 300. One or more tensioning components 44 may be located between display panel portion 38-2 and housing portion 12-2, and may apply a force F2 to display panel 38-2 to move display panel portion 14P-2 relative to housing portion 12-2 in direction 302. Forces F1 and F2 may be different or equal to each other.

[0055] Tensioning assembly 44 can be used to remove creases and prevent buckling in display 14 when device 10 is unfolded, and can also be used to absorb tolerances during manufacturing, after a drop event or other impact event, and / or with long-term use of device 10. Specifically, a drop event or other impact can cause a small change in the distance between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2. Tensioning assembly 44 can be used to flatten display 14 and thus prevent creases in display 14 that may be caused by additional drop events. When tensions such as forces F1 and F2 are applied in this way to flatten display 14, creases 36 are avoided, as shown in FIG5.

[0056] If needed, device 10 may also include one or more compression components, such as compression component 42. When device 10 is folded, compression component 42 can be used to help push display 14 upward against hinge 30 to prevent display from bulging and lifting relative to hinge. Bulging occurs when display 14 is separated from hinge 30. As shown in FIG6, for example, one or more compression components 42 may be located between display panel portion 38-1 and housing portion 12-1, and a force F3 may be applied to display panel 38-1 to move display panel portion 14P-1 relative to housing portion 12-1 in direction 304. One or more compression components 42 may be located between display panel portion 38-2 and housing portion 12-2, and a force F4 may be applied to display panel 38-2 to move display panel portion 14P-2 relative to housing portion 12-2 in direction 304. Forces F3 and F4 may be different or equal to each other.

[0057] If necessary, the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 can be active across different ranges of motion of the device 10. For example, when the device 10 is in the flat state shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is 180°), the tensioning assembly 44 can actively apply tension, while the compression assembly 42 can be inactive or can apply a compressive force less than the tension applied by the tensioning assembly 44. When the device 10 begins to fold and the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 decreases from 180° (e.g., to 179°, 178°, 175°, or other suitable threshold angle), the tensioning assembly 44 can become inactive or can be overcome by the compressive force applied by the compression assembly 42. The compression assembly 42 can actively apply compression to the display 14 across any suitable angle range (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is between 0° and 179°, between 0° and 178°, between 0° and 177°, etc.). If needed, the tensioning assembly 44 can apply tension to the display 14 across a small angular range (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is between 179° and 180°, between 178° and 180°, between 177° and 180°, etc.).

[0058] The tensioning assembly 44 and compression assembly 42 may include springs, elastic members, movable belts, pulleys, hydraulic devices, motors, rack and pinion mechanisms, pin-and-pinion mechanisms, sliders, linkages (e.g., levers, crank levers, four-bar linkages such as Watt's linkage, etc.) and / or other suitable structures that apply forces such as compressive and tensile forces to the display 14. In some arrangements, the tensioning assembly 44 may include a spring that is loaded by a sliding element in the hinge 30 (e.g., a sliding element in a teardrop hinge that slides away from the bending axis 28 when the device 10 is deployed, thereby applying a load to the spring, which in turn applies tension to the display 14). This is merely illustrative. If desired, the hinge 30 may be a roller hinge, and other tensioning structures may be used to form the tensioning assembly 44.

[0059] In some arrangements, tension and / or pressure may also be applied to the display 14 using translation component 306 (e.g., translation component 306 may be used to form compression component 42 and / or tension component 44 if desired).

[0060] The tensioning assembly 44, compression assembly 42, and / or translation assembly 306 may be mechanically driven by one or more linkages, or actively controlled using one or more actuators (e.g., linear actuators). In response to user input (e.g., touch input, button press input, voice input, gesture input, eye gaze input, etc. to display 14), sensor data (e.g., motion sensor data, ambient light sensor data, depth sensor data, etc.), and / or other inputs, the actuators may drive display movement and / or apply tension or pressure to display 14. For example, the actuators may actively slide one or both of display panel portions 14P-1 and 14P-2 to expose a camera mounted to housing 12 (e.g., in response to a camera application being launched on device 10).

[0061] Figure 7 is a top view of a portion of the device 10, showing an illustrative location of the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42. In the example of Figure 7, the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 are mounted on both portions 12-1 and 12-2 of the housing 12 (e.g., between the housing 12 and the display panel 38, as discussed in conjunction with Figures 4, 5, and 6). This is merely illustrative. If desired, one portion of the display 14 may be fixed relative to the housing 12, and another portion of the display 14 may be movable relative to the housing 12, in which case the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 may be located only on either portion 12-1 or portion 12-2 of the housing 12. For example, if the display panel portion 14P-1 and the display panel portion 38-1 are fixed relative to the housing portion 12-1, the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 may simply be configured to allow the display panel portion 14P-2 and the display panel portion 38-2 to slide relative to the housing portion 12-2. The arrangement in which the two sides of the display 14 are configured to slide relative to the housing 12 is sometimes described herein as an illustrative example.

[0062] The tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 can be configured to allow the two sides of the display 14 to slide symmetrically relative to each other (e.g., the two sides of the display 14 can move at the same time by the same amount), or, if desired, the movement of the two display sides can be asymmetrical (e.g., one side of the display 14 can move at different times and / or by a different amount than the other side of the display 14). If the tensioning assembly 44 and / or the compression assembly 42 on opposite sides of the hinge 30 apply equal loads to the display panel portions 14P-1 and 14P-2, the movement of the display panel portions 14P-1 and 14P-2 will be symmetrical. On the other hand, if the tensioning assembly 44 and / or compression assembly 42 on opposite sides of the hinge 30 apply unequal loads to the display panel portion 14P-1 and the display panel portion 14P-2, the movement of the display panel portion 14P-1 and the display panel portion 14P-2 will be asymmetrical (e.g., the display panel portion 14P-1 may slide at different times and / or by different amounts compared to the display panel portion 14P-2).

[0063] The tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 may be assembled into a single module (e.g., tensioning and compression module 46), or the tensioning assembly 44 may be a module separate from the compression assembly 42. If desired, each section 12-1 and 12-2 of the housing 12 may have multiple tensioning assemblies 44 and compression assemblies 42 (e.g., multiple tensioning and compression modules 46). This helps ensure that tension and pressure are applied uniformly across the display 14 and can also be used to absorb tolerances after a drop event. In some arrangements, the tensioning assembly 44 and / or the compression assembly 42 may be configured to rotate the display 14 relative to the housing 12 (e.g., about an axis perpendicular to the display 14) to absorb tolerances if necessary.

[0064] If desired, the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 may be mounted in recesses, slots, or grooves within the housing 12 (e.g., in the inner surface 310 of the housing 12 facing the display 14). In other arrangements, the tensioning assembly 44 and the compression assembly 42 may be mounted to a non-recessed portion of the inner surface 310 of the housing 12. If desired, the compression assembly 42 may be located closer to the hinge 30 than the tensioning assembly 44 to ensure that the compressive force pushes area 62 of the display 14 into the hinge 30, rather than creating wrinkles in other areas of the display 14 such as area 60.

[0065] Figure 8 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression module 46. The tensioning and compression module 46 may include a tensioning assembly 44 mounted in a groove 56 and a compression assembly 42 mounted in a groove 54. Grooves 56 and 54 may be grooves in the housing 12 (e.g., grooves in the inner surface 310 of the housing 12 in Figure 7), or they may be grooves in a separate frame member or support structure fixed to the housing 12 (e.g., fixed to the inner surface 310 of the housing 12).

[0066] Each component may include a slider that slides within a groove. Compression component 42 may include slider 26A that slides within groove 54, and tensioning component 44 may include slider 26B that slides within groove 56. Slider 26A may include slot 58, and slider 26B may include slot 74. Pin 64 may be configured to slide within slot 58, and pin 76 may be configured to slide within slot 74. Pins 64 and 76 may be secured to display 14 (e.g., to display panel portion 38-1 and / or display panel portion 38-2, depending on which side of hinge 30 the module 46 is located on) while being movable relative to housing 12.

[0067] Each component may include a spring, elastomer, or other elastic member to drive the movement of the display. Compression assembly 42 may include a spring 50 coupled between posts 66 and 68, while tension assembly 44 may include a spring 52 coupled between posts 70 and 72. Post 66 may be fixed relative to slider 26A, and post 68 may be fixed relative to housing 12. Post 72 may be fixed relative to slider 26A, and post 70 may be fixed relative to housing 12. Gap A sets the distance the display 14 moves under tension from tension assembly 44, while gap C sets the distance the display 14 moves before compression assembly 42 begins to apply compression to the display 14. Gap A plus gap B sets a hard stop position where the display 14 no longer moves relative to housing 12.

[0068] Figure 9 is a graph showing how the compressive and tensile forces applied to the display 14 by module 46 (e.g., module 46 of Figure 8 or any other suitable tension and compression module) change as the device 10 moves from an open position (e.g., the flat position of Figure 5, in which the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is 180°) to a closed position (e.g., the folded position of Figure 6, in which the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is 0°). The Y-axis of Figure 9 represents force (e.g., the +Y-axis in region 78 corresponds to tension, and the -Y-axis in region 80 corresponds to pressure). The X-axis of Figure 9 represents travel (e.g., the stage of movement of the device as it moves from the open flat position to the folded closed position).

[0069] As shown in segment 82 of the curve in Figure 9, the preloaded tensioning module 44 of Figure 8 can apply tension to the display 14 to flatten it and remove any creases when the device 10 is in a flat state. When the user begins to fold the device 10, the slider 26B can slide across a distance A in direction 312 within the groove 56 until it reaches the end of the groove 56. When the slider 26B strikes the end of the groove 56, the tensioning assembly 44 can become inactive, and the slider 26A can begin to slide in direction 312 within the groove 54. If desired, there may be a range of motion (determined by the size of the gap C) in which neither tension nor compression is applied to the display 14, as indicated by segment 84 of the curve in Figure 9. When slider 26A moves in direction 312 and begins to move pin 64 in direction 312, compression assembly 42 becomes active and can begin to apply a compressive force to display 14, which pushes display 14 into bending region 62 (e.g., into hinge 30), as indicated by segment 86 in the curve of FIG9. Gap A plus gap B sets a hard stop at which display 14 is fully folded and movement stops. During opening, the reverse process occurs as sliders 26A and 26B move in direction 314.

[0070] Figure 10 is a top view of a portion of device 10, illustrating an exemplary translational assembly, such as translational assembly 306, that can be used to drive movement of display 14 (e.g., display panel 14P and display panel 38 of Figures 1 through 6) relative to housing 12. In this example, each translational assembly 306 includes a pair of straps, such as strap 88 and strap 90 extending across hinge 30. Straps 88 and 90 may each have a first end coupled to housing 12 and display 14 via a link, such as lever 92, on one side of hinge 30, and a second end anchored to housing 12 on the opposite side of hinge 30. For example, the first ends of straps 88 and 90 of module 306-1 may be coupled to housing portion 12-1 and display panel portion 14P-1 via lever 92, and the second opposite ends of straps 88 and 90 may be anchored to housing portion 12-2. The first ends of bands 88 and 90 of module 306-2 can be coupled to housing portion 12-2 and display panel portion 14P-2 via lever 92, and the second opposite ends of bands 88 and 90 can be anchored to housing portion 12-1. Band 88 can be coupled to lever 92 at pivot point 96, and band 90 can be coupled to lever 92 at pivot point 100. Lever 92 can be coupled to housing 12 at pivot point 98, and can be coupled to display 14 (e.g., display panel 38) at pivot point 94.

[0071] The belts 88 and 90 may be located at different offsets relative to the axis of rotation 28H of the hinge 30 (e.g., at different heights relative to the Z-axis of FIG. 10). For example, belt 88 may be above the axis of rotation 28H of the hinge 30 and is sometimes referred to as inner belt 88. Belt 90 may be below the axis of rotation 28H of the hinge 30 and is sometimes referred to as outer belt 90. This Z-height offset relative to axis 28H causes belts 88 and 90 to have different effects on the movement of the display 14, depending on whether the user is opening or closing the device 10. Specifically, when the housing 12 moves from the closed position of FIG. 6 to the open position of FIG. 5, the length of the inner belt 88 passing through the hinge 30 may become longer, causing the moving end of the inner belt 88 to move inward toward the hinge 30. At the same time, when the device is open, the length of the outer belt 90 passing through the hinge 30 may become shorter, causing the moving end of the outer belt 90 to move outward away from the hinge 30. As the housing 12 moves from the open position of FIG. 5 to the closed position of FIG. 6, the length of the inner belt 88 passing through the hinge 30 can become shorter, causing the moving end of the inner belt 88 to move outward away from the hinge 30. At the same time, when the device is closed, the length of the outer belt 90 passing through the hinge 30 can become longer, causing the moving end of the outer belt 90 to move inward toward the hinge 30. Because belts 88 and 90 are coupled between the housing 12 and the display 14 using a linkage such as lever 92, this movement of belts 88 and 90 can be used to drive the movement of the display 14 during the opening and closing of the device 10. The use of a lever is merely illustrative. If desired, lever 92 can be replaced by any other suitable linkage such as a four-bar linkage (e.g., a Watt's linkage).

[0072] The movement of belts 88 and 90 (and therefore the movement of display 14) depends on the offset of belts 88 and 90 from the axis of rotation of hinge 30. If desired, the movement of display 14 can be amplified by placing pivot point 94 (where display 14 is pinned to lever 92) at a distance further from pivot point 98 (where lever 92 is pinned to housing 12) than pivot points 96 and 100. Specifically, pivot points 96 and 100 (where belts 88 and 90 are respectively coupled to lever 92) can each be located at a distance D1 from pivot point 98, while pivot point 94 can be located at a distance D2 from pivot point 98 (e.g., a distance greater than D1). This amplifies the movement of display 14 caused by the movement of belts 88 and 90.

[0073] In the example of Figure 10, module 306-1 is used to drive the movement of display panel portion 14P-1 on housing portion 12-1, and module 306-2 is used to drive the movement of display panel portion 14P-2 on housing portion 12-2. This is merely illustrative. If desired, the same pair of straps can be used to drive the movement of both display panel portion 14P-1 and display panel portion 14P-2. With this type of configuration, the ends of straps 88 and 90 will be coupled between housing 12 and display 14 using corresponding levers (e.g., lever 92 can be used at both ends of straps 88 and 90, instead of anchoring one end of straps 88 and 90 to housing 12). The center of each strap can be anchored to housing 12 (e.g., along hinge 30).

[0074] In another exemplary configuration, the two belts of each module 306 can be replaced by a single belt for driving the movement of the display 14 in both directions. This type of arrangement can cause some backlash. To avoid backlash in the single-belt configuration, a return spring can be used. This type of arrangement is illustrated in Figure 11.

[0075] As shown in Figure 11, module 306-1 may include a band 88 having a first end anchored to housing portion 12-2 and a second opposing end coupled to lever 92 at pivot point 96. Lever 92 of module 306-1 may be coupled to housing portion 12-1 at pivot point 98 and to display panel portion 14P-1 at pivot point 94. Module 306-2 may include a band 88 having a first end anchored to housing portion 12-1 and a second opposing end coupled to lever 92 at pivot point 96. Lever 92 of module 306-2 may be coupled to housing portion 12-2 at pivot point 98 and to display panel portion 14P-2 at pivot point 94. As in the example of Figure 10, the distance between pivot point 94 and pivot point 98 may be greater than the distance between pivot point 96 and pivot point 98. This helps to amplify the display movement caused by band 88.

[0076] The non-anchored end of the band 88 in each module 306 may be coupled to a spring, such as spring 106. Spring 106 may have a first end coupled to the band 88 and a second end anchored to the housing 12. Spring 106 keeps the band 88 under tension to prevent buckling of the band 88.

[0077] Figure 12 is a rear view of a portion of device 10, illustrating another exemplary configuration for using belts and levers to drive movement of a display relative to housing 12. Similar to the example of Figure 10, each module 306 may include inner and outer belts coupled to levers and located at different offsets from the axis of rotation of hinge 30. In the example of Figure 12, module 306-1 includes a first inner belt 88 and a second inner belt 88, an outer belt 90, and a first lever 92 and a second lever 92. The first lever 92 may be coupled to one of the inner belts 88 and the outer belt 90, and the second lever 92 may be coupled to the other inner belt 88 and the outer belt 90. One end of each belt may be anchored to housing portion 12-2 (not shown in Figure 12), and the opposite end of each belt may be coupled to one of the levers 92. The inner belts 88 may each be coupled to a slider, such as slider 166, that slides within a slot, such as slot 164. Each slider 166 can be coupled to the display panel portion 14P-1 via screw 188 (e.g., coupled to, for example, display panel 38-1). As in the example of Figure 10, the distance between pivot point 94 and pivot point 98 can be greater than the distance between pivot point 96 and pivot point 98. Additionally, pivot point 94 and pivot point 96 can be located at different offsets relative to pivot point 98 (opposite to row positioning). This helps to amplify the display movement caused by the band 88.

[0078] When device 10 moves from the open position of FIG. 12 to the closed position of FIG. 6, the inner belt 88, the slider 166, and the display panel portion 14P-1 can move in direction 184, while the outer belt 90 can move in direction 182 to pull lever 92, causing lever 92 to rotate about pivot point 98. During the open phase, the reverse process occurs, as the inner belt 88 actively pulls the display panel 14P-1 in direction 182, and the outer belt 90 is passive. Module 306-2 (not shown) may be a mirror image of module 306-1 on the housing portion 12-2 to drive the movement of the display panel portion 14P-2.

[0079] Figure 13 is a rear view of a portion of device 10, illustrating another exemplary configuration for using belts and levers to drive movement of a display relative to housing 12. Similar to the example of Figure 11, each module 306 may include one or more belts coupled to levers and return springs. In the example of Figure 13, module 306-1 includes a first belt 88 and a second belt 88 coupled to a first lever 92 and a second lever 92, and to a first return spring 106 and a second return spring 106, respectively (e.g., located at the same offset on the axis of rotation relative to hinge 30). The first lever 92 may be coupled to the first belt 88, and the second lever 92 may be coupled to the second belt 88. One end of each belt 88 may be anchored to housing portion 12-2 (not shown in Figure 13), and the opposite end of each belt 88 may be coupled to one of the levers 92. Each belt 88 may be coupled to a slider, such as slider 166, that slides within a slot, such as slot 164. Each slider 166 can be coupled to the display panel portion 14P-1 via screw 188 (e.g., coupled to, for example, display panel 38-1). As in the example of Figure 11, the distance between pivot point 94 and pivot point 98 can be greater than the distance between pivot point 96 and pivot point 98. Additionally, pivot points 94 and 96 can be located at different offsets relative to pivot point 98 (opposite to row positioning). This helps to amplify the display movement caused by the band 88.

[0080] In some arrangements, lever 92 may be coupled to outer belt 90 (not shown), similar to the examples of Figures 11 and 12. With this type of arrangement, each lever 92 may have one end coupled to outer belt 90 at pivot point 192 and to a display slider that slides within slot 194 when device 10 is opened and closed. In other arrangements, outer belt 90 may be omitted, in which case slot 194 and pivot point 192 may also be omitted.

[0081] When device 10 moves from the open position of FIG. 13 to the closed position of FIG. 6, the belt 88, slider 166, and display panel portion 14P-1 can move in direction 184, while spring 106 pulls lever 92 and causes lever 92 to rotate about pivot point 98. Spring 106 helps prevent belt 88 from buckling during closing. During opening, the reverse process occurs because belt 88 actively pulls display panel 14P-1 in direction 182. Module 306-2 (not shown) can be a mirror image of module 306-1 on housing portion 12-2 to drive the movement of display panel portion 14P-2.

[0082] Figure 14 is a rear view of a portion of device 10, illustrating another exemplary configuration for using belts and levers to drive movement of the display relative to housing 12. Similar to the example of Figure 11, each module 306 may include one or more belts coupled to levers and return springs. In the example of Figure 14, lever 92 is a crank lever, and spring 106 is coupled between the first crank lever 92 and the second crank lever 92 at a respective pivot point 206. The first belt 88 and the second belt 88 (e.g., located at the same offset from the axis of rotation of hinge 30) may have first ends coupled to the first crank lever 92 and the second crank lever 92 at pivot point 96, respectively, and may have second ends anchored to housing portion 12-2 (not shown in Figure 14), respectively. Crank lever 92 may be coupled to display 14 at pivot point 94 and to housing 12 at pivot point 98.

[0083] When device 10 moves from the open position of FIG. 14 to the closed position of FIG. 6, the belt 88 and display panel portion 14P-1 move in direction 184, and crank lever 92 rotates inward in direction 218 about pivot point 98. This inward movement of crank lever 92 pushes spring 106 in direction 184 within slot 214, and the load on spring 106 decreases as the distance between attachment points 206 decreases. At the same time, the lever action of spring 106 increases, thus maintaining a constant tension on belt 88. The spring loading direction causes the torque arm on crank lever 92 to increase as the length of spring 106 decreases, resulting in a constant (or nearly constant) torque on crank lever 92. During opening, the reverse process occurs because belt 88 actively pulls display panel 14P-1 in direction 182. Module 306-2 (not shown) may be a mirror image of module 306-1 on housing portion 12-2 to drive the movement of display panel portion 14P-2.

[0084] If needed, each module 306 may include one or more additional attachment points between the display 14 and the housing 12 to limit the movement of the display 14 within a desired range. For example, a screw 210 may be attached to the display 14 (e.g., to the display panel 38-1) and may be configured to slide within a corresponding slot 208 in the housing portion 12-1 during opening and closing. For example, the screw 210 may slide in the slot 208 in direction 212 when the display panel 14P-1 moves in direction 212 during opening.

[0085] If needed, module 306 of Figures 10 and 11 can use a four-bar linkage instead of lever 92 to drive the movement of the display relative to housing 12. This type of arrangement is illustrated in Figure 15. Figure 15 shows an exemplary assembly 308 that can be used to replace lever 92 to form translation assembly 306 and / or compression assembly 42.

[0086] As shown in Figure 15, component 308 may include a Watt's linkage 138. Watt's linkage 138 may be a four-bar linkage that produces linear motion applied to display 14 (e.g., to display panel portions 14P-1 and / or display panel portions 14P-2, as discussed in conjunction with Figure 6). Compared to a lever 92 traveling through an arc, Watt's linkage 138 results in linear motion, eliminating the need for a slider that generates sliding friction, and also reducing uncertainty regarding the current position of display 14 relative to housing 12.

[0087] Watt's linkage 138 may include a frame member 112, a first crank 134 rotating relative to the frame member 112 about a pivot point 130, a second crank 128 rotating relative to the frame member 112 about a pivot point 126, and a coupling 132 coupled between the cranks 134 and 128 at respective pivot points 118 and 120. The coupling 132 may be coupled to a display 14 (e.g., to a display panel 38-2). The frame member 112 may be attached to a housing 12 (e.g., to a housing portion 12-2) using one or more screws such as screws 318. The first crank 134 may be coupled to a belt 88-2 at pivot point 116, and the second crank 128 may be coupled to a return spring such as spring 106 at pivot point 124. The belt 88-2 may have a first end coupled to the crank 134 at pivot point 116 and a second end anchored to the opposite housing portion 12-1. Spring 106 can be used to apply force to crank lever 128 to maintain tension in belt 88-2 and prevent belt buckling.

[0088] In this example, Watt's linkage 138 can be used to drive the movement of the display panel portion 14P-2. A mirror image of Watt's linkage 138 of FIG. 15 can be formed on the opposing housing portion 12-1 to drive the movement of the display panel portion 14P-1. If desired, a band of component 308 on the opposing housing portion 12-1, such as band 88-1, can be anchored to Watt's linkage 138 of FIG. 15 (and band 88-2 can be anchored to Watt's linkage mechanism 138 on the housing portion 12-1). If desired, linkage 138 may include one or more stopping structures, such as adjusting screws that limit the travel of crank lever 128 and / or crank lever 134.

[0089] In some arrangements, component 308 may be used solely for display translation (e.g., to form translation component 306) and may include straps 88-1 and 88-2 directly anchored to housing 12. In other arrangements, component 308 may be used to apply compression to display 14 and thus may be used to form compression component 42. With this type of arrangement, component 308 may include straps 88-1 and 88-2 coupled to housing 12 via corresponding springs 316. As shown in FIG15, for example, strap 88-1 may be coupled to lever 328 on component 308 on housing portion 12-2, and lever 328 may be coupled to housing portion 12-2 via spring 316. Strap 88-2 may be coupled to a similar lever on component 308, which is coupled to housing portion 12-1 (not shown) via a similar spring 316. Lever 328 may be coupled to screw 324, which moves within slot 326 of frame 112 as lever 328 rotates about pivot point 332. Spring 316 of component 308 biases lever 328 away from hinge axis 28H, thereby applying tension to the anchored end of belt 88-1. Lever 328 may not be configured to move significantly, but can be used to apply a constant belt tension. Any movement of lever 328 that does occur may be due to translational movement errors or tolerances. If the spring-lever system is active to provide display pressure, screw 324 may remain loose. Alternatively, if the spring-lever system is used to automatically adjust the belt during assembly, screw 324 may be tightened to lock the adjustment. When device 10 is moved to the folded closed position, the tension in belt 88-1 tends to pull lever 328 inward toward hinge 30, which in turn pulls each side of display 14 inward and puts the curved area of ​​the display under pressure.

[0090] When device 10 moves from the open position of FIG. 15 to the closed position of FIG. 6, belt 88-2 can move in direction 320, and crank levers 134 and 128 can rotate about corresponding pivot points 130 and 126, resulting in linear movement of connector 132 and display panel portion 14P-2 in direction 320. During opening, the reverse process occurs, as belt 88-2 moves in direction 322, and crank levers 134 and 128 rotate in opposite directions about corresponding pivot points 130 and 126, resulting in linear movement of connector 132 and display panel portion 14P-2 in direction 322. When operated in conjunction with mirror assembly 308 on the opposing housing portion 12-1, assembly 308 can pull the two halves of display 14 toward each other (e.g., at full angle). In the arrangement in which the straps 88-1 and 88-2 are coupled to the lever 328 via corresponding springs 316, the assembly 308 can also be used to apply compression to the display 14 in the bending region 62, and thereby prevent the display 14 from bulging or lifting relative to the hinge 30.

[0091] Figure 16 is a top view of an exemplary assembly 330 that can be used to form the tensioning assembly 44 and / or the translation assembly 306. Assembly 330 can be used in conjunction with assembly 308 of Figure 15 if desired. As shown in Figure 16, assembly 330 may include a Watt's linkage 140. Watt's linkage 140 may be a four-bar linkage including a frame member 324, a first crank 142 rotating relative to the frame member 324 about a pivot point 146, a second crank 150 rotating relative to the frame 324 about a pivot point 148, and a coupling 152 coupled between cranks 142 and 150 at respective pivot points 144 and 160. Coupling 152 may be coupled to the display 14 (e.g., to display panel 38-1 or display panel 38-2). The frame member 324 may be attached to the housing 12 using one or more screws such as screw 326 (e.g., to housing portion 12-1 or housing portion 12-2).

[0092] A lever, such as lever 162, may be coupled to frame 324 at pivot point 158 ​​and may have a cam, such as cam 156, which applies force to central connector 152 if it contacts the central connector 152. A stop structure, such as screw 328, may be coupled to lever 162 and may set the angle at which cam 156 contacts central connector 152. When screw 328 contacts frame 324, no load is applied to central connector 152 (and therefore no load is applied to display 14). Spring 154 may be coupled between lever 162 and frame 324 and may be used to apply force to lever 162. Spring 154 may be preloaded when screw 328 contacts frame 324.

[0093] When the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is less than a certain threshold angle (e.g., less than 165°, less than 179°, less than 178°, less than 170°, or any other suitable threshold angle), adjusting screw 328 carries the load of spring 154, and no load is transferred to connector 152 (and therefore no load is transferred to display 14). When the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is greater than the threshold angle, connector 152 contacts cam 156 and rotates lever 162 about pivot point 158, thereby compressing the preloaded spring 154 and transferring the load from screw 328 to connector 152, and subsequently to display 14 (e.g., to display panel portion 14P-1 or 14P-2). When operated in conjunction with the mirror assembly 330 on the opposite housing portion, the resultant force of the assembly 330 can be greater than the compressive force applied by the assembly 308 of FIG. 15, such that when the housing 12 is in a flat state, the two display halves 14P-1 and 14P-2 are pushed apart from each other. This tension helps to remove creases in the display 14, as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0094] As discussed in conjunction with Figure 7, multiple tensioning components 44, such as component 330 of Figure 16, and multiple compression components 42, such as component 308 of Figure 15, may be mounted on each side of the hinge 30 (e.g., one component may be mounted at each corner of, for example, housing portion 12-1 and housing portion 12-2). In some arrangements, component 330 of Figure 16 and component 320 of Figure 15 may be combined into a single component that performs both tension and compression.

[0095] Figure 17 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression module 46 that can be used to apply both tension and pressure to the display 14. The tensioning and compression module 46 may include a component 400-1 mounted to housing portion 12-1 and a component 400-2 mounted to housing portion 12-2. Straps 88-1 and 88-2 may be coupled between components 400-1 and 400-2 and may extend across hinge axis 28H.

[0096] Each component 400-1 and 400-2 may include a frame such as frame 402. Frame 402 of component 400-1 may be attached to housing portion 12-1 using one or more screws or other attachment structures. Frame 402 of component 400-2 may be attached to housing portion 12-2 using one or more screws or other attachment structures. Each component 400-1 and 400-2 may include a lever such as lever 404. Lever 404 is rotatable about pivot point 414. Each lever 404 may be biased away from hinge axis 28H using an elastic member such as spring 406.

[0097] When device 10 is in a fully open or partially open state (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is in the range of 165° to 180° or other suitable angle range), lever 404 may have a surface that contacts shuttle 418. Shuttle 418 may be coupled to display 14. For example, shuttle 418 of component 400-1 may be coupled to display panel portion 14P-1 via screw 416, and shuttle 418 of component 400-2 may be coupled to display panel portion 14P-2 via screw 416. Shuttle 418 of component 400-1 may be coupled to belt 88-1, and shuttle 418 of component 400-2 may be coupled to belt 88-2. An end of lever 404 may be slidably coupled to an adjusting screw such as screw 408. Lever 404 may have an opening for receiving shaft 412 of screw 408. Screw 408 of component 400-1 can be coupled to band 88-2, and screw 408 of component 400-2 can be coupled to band 88-1.

[0098] Spring 406 biases lever 404 away from hinge axis 28H. In the open state of FIG. 17, lever 404 has a surface that contacts shuttle 418 and pushes shuttle 418 away from hinge axis 28H. Lever 404 of assembly 400-1 pushes shuttle 418 in direction 500, causing shuttle 418 to apply a load to display panel portion 14P-1 in direction 500. Similarly, lever 404 of assembly 400-2 pushes shuttle 418 in direction 502, causing shuttle 418 to apply a load to display panel portion 14P-2 in direction 502. In the fully open state of FIG. 17, belts 88-1 and 88-2 are not under tension because lever 404 does not apply any load to screw 408.

[0099] When device 10 moves from the fully open state in FIG. 17 to the partially open state, shuttle 418 can continue to move outward away from hinge axis 28H, and lever 404 can move along axis 412 until it reaches surface 420 of screw 408. Upon reaching surface 420 of screw 408, some of the load of spring 406 can be transferred to screw 408. The load on screw 408 of assembly 400-1 causes screw 408 to pull band 88-2 in direction 500. The load on screw 408 of assembly 400-2 causes screw 408 to pull band 88-1 in direction 502. In the partially open state (e.g., where the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is 170°, 165°, or other suitable angle), the load on the display can be balanced between the tension on the straps 88-1 and 88-2 (which tends to pull the display panel portions 14P-1 and 14P-2 into the hinge 30) and the direct load acting on the shuttle 418 via the lever 402 (which tends to push the display panel portions 14P-1 and 14P-2 away from the hinge 30).

[0100] As device 10 moves from a partially open state to a closed state, shuttle 318 may continue to move outward away from hinge axis 28H until lever 404 no longer applies load to shuttle 418 and only to screw 408. The load on screw 408 of assembly 400-1 causes screw 408 to pull belt 88-2 in direction 500. The load on screw 408 of assembly 400-2 causes screw 408 to pull belt 88-1 in direction 502. When device 10 moves to a fully closed state (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 changes from 160° to 0° or other suitable angle), the load on display 14 may be governed by the tension on belts 88-1 and 88-2. The belt 88-1 can pull the display panel portion 14P-1 toward the hinge 30 in direction 502, and the belt 88-2 can pull the display panel portion 14P-2 toward the hinge 30 in direction 500, thereby placing the display 14 under pressure to prevent the display 14 from bulging and lifting relative to the hinge 30.

[0101] Figure 18 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression module 46 that can be used in the system of Figure 17. In the example of Figure 18, belts 88-1 and 88-2 are positioned relative to the neutral axis of display 14 such that when device 10 moves from the open position to the closed position, belts 88-1 and 88-2 travel slightly more than display 14. This overtravel causes lever 404 to reach its limit of rotation away from hinge 30 just as device 10 is fully closed. As shown in Figure 18, lever 404 can rotate about pivot point 414 until it reaches hard stop 480 in the fully closed position. When lever 404 reaches hard stop 480, the load can be removed from belts 88-1 and 88-2, which in turn relieves the compressive load on display 14 when device 10 is in the closed position. This helps to avoid prolonged load on display 14, as device 10 can be closed and / or stored for extended periods of time.

[0102] Figure 19 is a top view of an exemplary tensioning and compression module 46 that can be used to apply tension and compression to the display 14. The arrangement of Figure 19 is similar to that of Figure 17, except that the spring-loaded lever 404 on one side of each module 46 is eliminated. The remaining spring-loaded levers 404 can provide both tension and compression to both sides of the display 14. In addition, the arrangement of Figure 19 allows for a known position of the display 14 relative to the housing 12, because the display position of Figure 19 does not depend on the balance of the two springs to center the display 14 relative to the housing 12.

[0103] The tensioning and compression module 46 may include an assembly 400 mounted to housing portion 12-1 and an assembly 490 mounted to housing portion 12-2. Straps 88-1 and 88-2 may be coupled between assemblies 400 and 490 and may extend across hinge axis 28H. Device 10 may include one or more additional tensioning and compression modules 46 of the type shown in FIG. 19. For example, device 10 may include a second tensioning and compression module 46 identical to the tensioning and compression module of FIG. 19 but having a geometry mirrored across hinge axis 28H.

[0104] Band 88-1 is coupled to pin 484, which in turn is coupled to display portion 14P-2. Pin 484 can be configured to slide within a channel 488 (e.g., groove, slot, etc.) of support structure 486 (e.g., a support structure fixed relative to housing portion 12-1). Band 88-2 is coupled to pin 482, which is fixed relative to housing portion 12-1.

[0105] When device 10 is in the closed position of FIG. 19, lever 408 rests against hard stop 480, which releases the load on belts 88-1, 88-2, and display 14, as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 18. When device 10 moves from the closed position of FIG. 19 to a partially open position (e.g., a partially open position where the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is greater than 0° and less than 180°), compression spring 406 can push against lever 404, thereby applying a load to belt 88-1. Belt 88-1 is coupled to display portion 14P-2 via pin 484. When lever 404 loads belt 88-1, belt 88-1 can pull display portion 14P-2 toward hinge axis 28H. When device 10 approaches the fully open position (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is approximately 170° or some other suitable angle), pin 484 reaches hard stop 492, and shuttle 418 engages lever 404, thereby releasing the load on belts 88-1 and 88-2. Spring 406 can push against display portion 14P-1, which helps maintain tension on display 14 when device 10 is in the fully open position (e.g., when the angle between housing portions 12-1 and 12-2 is 180°).

[0106] Device 10 can operate in systems that use personally identifiable information. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user.

[0107] According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes: a flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; a foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge overlapping the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; a tensioning assembly that applies tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the flat state; and a compression assembly that applies compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

[0108] According to another embodiment, each of the tensioning assembly and the compression assembly optionally includes a spring and a slider that allows the flexible display to slide relative to the foldable housing.

[0109] According to another embodiment, the tensioning component optionally applies the tension only to the flexible display when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion is greater than a threshold angle.

[0110] According to another embodiment, the electronic device optionally further includes a translation component comprising a belt extending across the hinge, wherein the belt has a first end coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion via a linkage and a second opposing end coupled to the second housing portion, and wherein the linkage is configured to slide the first display portion relative to the first housing portion when the foldable housing moves between the flat state and the folded state.

[0111] According to another embodiment, the linkage optionally includes a lever and the lever is configured to rotate about a first pivot point relative to the first housing portion, the belt is coupled to the lever at a second pivot point, the first display portion is coupled to the lever at a third pivot point, and the distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point is less than the distance between the first pivot point and the third pivot point.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the electronic device optionally further includes an additional strap coupled to the lever at a fourth pivot point, wherein the strap and the additional strap are located at different offsets relative to the rotation center of the hinge.

[0113] According to another embodiment, the linkage optionally includes a lever and the belt and the lever are coupled to a slider, which is coupled to the first display portion and slides within a slot in the first housing portion.

[0114] According to another embodiment, the electronic device optionally further includes a spring coupled to the first end of the belt.

[0115] According to another embodiment, the tensioning component and the compression component are optionally configured to apply unequal loads to the first display portion and the second display portion, such that the movement of the flexible display relative to the foldable housing is asymmetrical across the bending axis.

[0116] According to another embodiment, the tensioning assembly and the compression assembly are optionally actuator-driven.

[0117] According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes: a flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; a foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge aligned with the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; and a strap extending across the hinge, wherein the strap has a first end coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion and has a second opposite end coupled to the second housing portion, and wherein the strap is configured to allow the first display portion to slide relative to the first housing portion when the foldable housing moves between the flat state and the folded state.

[0118] According to another embodiment, the first end of the strip is optionally coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion by a lever.

[0119] According to another embodiment, the lever is optionally configured to rotate about a first pivot point, the belt is coupled to the lever at a second pivot point, the first display portion is coupled to the lever at a third pivot point, and the distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point is less than the distance between the first pivot point and the third pivot point.

[0120] According to another embodiment, the first end of the strip is optionally coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion via a Watt's linkage.

[0121] According to another embodiment, the Watt linkage optionally applies compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

[0122] According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes: a flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; a foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge aligned with the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; and an assembly configured to apply tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the flat state.

[0123] According to another embodiment, the component optionally includes a Watt's linkage.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the component optionally begins to apply the tension to the flexible display only when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds a threshold angle.

[0125] According to another embodiment, the component optionally includes: a preloaded spring that is compressed when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds the threshold angle; and a stop structure that carries the load of the preloaded spring when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion is less than the threshold angle, wherein the load is transferred from the stop structure to the flexible display to apply the tension to the flexible display when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds the threshold angle.

[0126] According to another embodiment, the component is optionally configured to apply compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

[0127] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The foregoing implementation scheme can be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

1. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; A foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge overlapping the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; Tensioning assembly, which applies tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the flat state; and a compression component that applies compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the tensioning assembly and the compression assembly comprises a spring and a slider, the slider causing the flexible display to slide relative to the foldable housing.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning component applies the tension only to the flexible display when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion is greater than a threshold angle.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a translation component, the translation component comprising: A strap extending across the hinge, wherein the strap has a first end coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion via a link and has a second opposite end coupled to the second housing portion, and wherein the link is configured to allow the first display portion to slide relative to the first housing portion when the foldable housing moves between the flat state and the folded state.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the linkage includes a lever and wherein the lever is configured to rotate about a first pivot point relative to the first housing portion, the belt is coupled to the lever at a second pivot point, the first display portion is coupled to the lever at a third pivot point, and the distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point is less than the distance between the first pivot point and the third pivot point.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising an additional strap coupled to the lever at a fourth pivot point, wherein the strap and the additional strap are located at different offsets relative to the rotation center of the hinge.

7. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the linkage includes a lever and wherein the belt and the lever are coupled to a slider, the slider being coupled to the first display portion and sliding within a slot in the first housing portion.

8. The electronic device according to claim 4, further comprising a spring coupled to the first end of the belt.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning assembly and the compression assembly are configured to apply unequal loads to the first display portion and the second display portion, such that the movement of the flexible display relative to the foldable housing is asymmetrical across the bending axis.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning assembly and the compression assembly are actuator-driven.

11. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; A foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge aligned with the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; A strap extending across the hinge, wherein the strap has a first end coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion and a second opposite end coupled to the second housing portion, and wherein the strap is configured to allow the first display portion to slide relative to the first housing portion when the foldable housing moves between the flat state and the folded state.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first end of the strip is coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion by a lever.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the lever is configured to rotate about a first pivot point, the belt is coupled to the lever at a second pivot point, the first display portion is coupled to the lever at a third pivot point, and the distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point is less than the distance between the first pivot point and the third pivot point.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first end of the strip is coupled to the first display portion and the first housing portion via a Watt's linkage.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the Watt's linkage applies compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

16. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A flexible display having a first display portion and a second display portion that rotate relative to each other about a bending axis; A foldable housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled by a hinge aligned with the bending axis, wherein the foldable housing is operable in a flat state and a folded state; and components configured to apply tension to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the flat state.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the component includes a watt linkage.

18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the component only begins to apply the tension to the flexible display when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds a threshold angle.

19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the component comprises: A preloaded spring that is compressed when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds the threshold angle; A stop structure that carries the load of the preloaded spring when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion is less than the threshold angle, wherein the load is transferred from the stop structure to the flexible display to apply the tension to the flexible display when the angle between the first housing portion and the second housing portion exceeds the threshold angle.

20. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the component is configured to apply compression to the flexible display when the foldable housing is in the folded state.

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